Which years of the Toyota RAV4 should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 as RAV4 years to avoid, with 2019 topping the complaint index at 100 and citing fuel system as the top problem area.

Which years of the Honda Pilot should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025 as Pilot years to avoid. The 2016 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, with 1,703 complaints and engine listed as the top problem area.

Which model has more complaints, the RAV4 or the Pilot?

The Pilot has more total complaints, 6,573 versus 5,040 for the RAV4, and more per model year (411 vs 315). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

Which gets better fuel economy, the RAV4 or the Pilot?

The RAV4 averages 26.7 MPG combined across its model years, compared to 20.9 MPG combined for the Pilot.

Do both models have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for the RAV4 and 43 for the Pilot across the years covered.

Toyota RAV4 vs Honda Pilot: Which Years to Avoid

The Toyota RAV4 logs 5,040 total complaints (315 per model year) with years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 to avoid; the Honda Pilot logs 6,573 total (411 per model year) with 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025 to avoid. The RAV4 averages 26.7 MPG combined versus 20.9 MPG for the Pilot.

Head to head

Toyota RAV4

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,040
Per model year: 315
Recall campaigns: 39
Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
Best years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Honda Pilot

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 6,573
Per model year: 411
Recall campaigns: 43
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	RAV4				Pilot
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	398	14	23	Best	110	10	18.5
2011	Good	287	11	22.5	Caution	293	11	18.5
2012	Best	260	5	23	Best	171	9	20
2013	Best	257	2	25.5	Good	271	6	20
2014	Best	197	4	25.5	Best	116	3	20
2015	Caution	304	4	25.5	Best	109	4	20
2016	Best	240	3	25	Avoid	1,703	8	22
2017	Good	307	3	25	Avoid	924	4	22
2018	Good	331	3	25	Caution	440	7	22
2019	Avoid	878	7	30	Avoid	904	13	22
2020	Avoid	634	6	29.5	Caution	487	11	22
2021	Avoid	386	1	29.5	Caution	433	10	22.5
2022	Good	145	1	29.5	Good	156	5	22
2023	Caution	155	3	29.5	Good	142	5	21
2024	Avoid	174	3	29	Good	113	6	21
2025	Caution	87	3	30	Avoid	201	4	21

Complaint Index by year

Toyota RAV4

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda Pilot

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years of the Toyota RAV4 should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 as RAV4 years to avoid, with 2019 topping the complaint index at 100 and citing fuel system as the top problem area.
Which years of the Honda Pilot should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025 as Pilot years to avoid. The 2016 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, with 1,703 complaints and engine listed as the top problem area.
Which model has more complaints, the RAV4 or the Pilot?: The Pilot has more total complaints, 6,573 versus 5,040 for the RAV4, and more per model year (411 vs 315). NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
Which gets better fuel economy, the RAV4 or the Pilot?: The RAV4 averages 26.7 MPG combined across its model years, compared to 20.9 MPG combined for the Pilot.
Do both models have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns for the RAV4 and 43 for the Pilot across the years covered.