Which RAV4 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 as Avoid years for the RAV4, based on complaint index scores as high as 95 to 100 and, in the 2007-2008 case, engine-related complaints paired with 14 recall campaigns each.

Which Rogue years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2025 as Avoid years for the Rogue. The 2023 model year carries a complaint index of 100 with 716 complaints, the highest of any Rogue year listed.

Which model has more total complaints?

The RAV4 has 7,793 total complaints across 21 model years and the Rogue has 7,231 across 19 model years; per model year that works out to 371 for the RAV4 and 381 for the Rogue. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

How do fuel costs compare between the two?

The RAV4 averages 25.6 MPG combined with annual fuel costs ranging from $2,150 to $2,950 depending on year, while the Rogue averages 27.8 MPG combined with costs ranging from $2,075 to $2,750.

Does either model have a Do Not Drive recall?

Yes, the 2005 RAV4 carries one Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, which capped its verdict at Caution. None of the Rogue years listed show a Do Not Drive recall.

Toyota RAV4 vs Nissan Rogue: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota RAV4 owners should avoid 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024; Nissan Rogue owners should avoid 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2025. The RAV4 logs 7,793 total complaints across 21 model years (371 per year) versus the Rogue's 7,231 across 19 years (381 per year), and RAV4 averages 25.6 combined MPG against the Rogue's 27.8.

Head to head

Toyota RAV4

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 7,793
Per model year: 371
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
Best years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Nissan Rogue

Model years: 2007–2025 (19)
NHTSA complaints: 7,231
Per model year: 381
Recall campaigns: 42
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2020
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 27.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.3 ★

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				Rogue
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Caution	141	5	22.5	—	—	—	—
2006	Caution	704	11	22	—	—	—	—
2007	Avoid	1,004	14	22	No verdict	1	0	—
2008	Avoid	575	14	22	Good	429	5	23.5
2009	Caution	327	15	23	Good	320	3	23.5
2010	Caution	400	14	23	Best	282	2	23.5
2011	Caution	287	11	22.5	Good	362	2	24
2012	Best	260	5	23	Best	318	2	24
2013	Best	257	2	25.5	Caution	610	1	24.5
2014	Best	197	4	25.5	Caution	440	10	26
2015	Caution	304	4	25.5	Caution	553	9	26
2016	Good	240	3	25	Avoid	540	7	27.5
2017	Caution	307	3	25	Avoid	596	5	31
2018	Good	331	3	25	Avoid	668	3	31
2019	Avoid	878	7	30	Caution	337	3	31
2020	Avoid	634	6	29.5	Best	151	1	28
2021	Avoid	386	1	29.5	Caution	288	10	31
2022	Best	145	1	29.5	Good	237	1	31.5
2023	Caution	155	3	29.5	Avoid	716	6	31.5
2024	Avoid	174	3	29	Caution	201	4	31.5
2025	Good	87	3	30	Avoid	182	3	31

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which RAV4 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 as Avoid years for the RAV4, based on complaint index scores as high as 95 to 100 and, in the 2007-2008 case, engine-related complaints paired with 14 recall campaigns each.
Which Rogue years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2025 as Avoid years for the Rogue. The 2023 model year carries a complaint index of 100 with 716 complaints, the highest of any Rogue year listed.
Which model has more total complaints?: The RAV4 has 7,793 total complaints across 21 model years and the Rogue has 7,231 across 19 model years; per model year that works out to 371 for the RAV4 and 381 for the Rogue. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
How do fuel costs compare between the two?: The RAV4 averages 25.6 MPG combined with annual fuel costs ranging from $2,150 to $2,950 depending on year, while the Rogue averages 27.8 MPG combined with costs ranging from $2,075 to $2,750.
Does either model have a Do Not Drive recall?: Yes, the 2005 RAV4 carries one Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, which capped its verdict at Caution. None of the Rogue years listed show a Do Not Drive recall.