Which Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2019, 2021, and 2025 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 89, 78, and 100. These stand out compared to other RAV4 Hybrid model years, which score much lower.

What year Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the best based on complaints?

The 2020 and 2022 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 22 and 11. The 2020 model year had 5 recalls but the lowest reported-problem rate relative to complaint counts.

What is the main problem with the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid?

Fuel system complaints dominate the 2019 model, making up 64% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of only 400 miles. It also had three recalls covering suspension, engine, and brakes.

Does the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid have an airbag recall?

Yes. NHTSA campaign 23V865000 covers an airbag sensor issue on 2020-2021 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles, and some owners reported delays in getting the replacement part.

How many total complaints does the RAV4 Hybrid have?

NHTSA lists 122 total complaints and 11 recall campaigns across the 2016-2025 RAV4 Hybrid model years covered in this data.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2016–2025)

Avoid the 2019, 2021, and 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, with complaint indexes of 89, 78, and 100 respectively. The 2020 and 2022 model years are the best picks, with complaint indexes of just 22 and 11.

Avoid 2019 Avoid 2021 Avoid 2025 Best 2020 Best 2022

Model years: 10; 2016–2025
NHTSA complaints: 122
Recall campaigns: 11
Crashes reported: 12
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Airbags

RAV4 Hybrid Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

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

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2016	Caution	67	17	4	0	Brakes	32	—
2017	Good	44	14	1	1	Brakes	32	5★
2018	Caution	56	15	2	0	Brakes	32	5★
2019	Avoid	89	22	3	3	Fuel System	40	5★
2020	Best	22	13	0	5	Airbags	40	5★
2021	Avoid	78	22	1	1	Airbags	40	5★
2022	Best	11	5	0	2	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	40	5★
2023	Good	33	8	0	1	Electrical System	38.5	5★
2024	No verdict	0	1	0	2	Visibility & Wipers	38	5★
2025	Avoid	100	5	1	2	Visibility & Wipers	38	—

RAV4 Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Index 100 · 5 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2025 RAV4 Hybrid has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, though based on only 5 total complaints. Visibility & wipers issues made up 60% of complaints, with owners reporting panoramic sunroofs exploding while driving, at a median mileage of 3,400 miles. One airbag complaint described airbags failing to deploy in a crash at 15,000 miles. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year, one covering a label replacement and one covering a parking-assist camera software update.

2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Index 89 · 22 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid has a complaint index of 89, driven mostly by fuel system problems, which made up 64% of its complaints. Owners reported fuel tanks that would not fill to capacity, with a median failure mileage of just 400 miles. Brake issues, including pedals that failed to respond or sank to the floor, accounted for 18% of complaints, with a median mileage of 23,500 miles. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year covering suspension arm cracks, engine block issues, and a brake booster pump defect.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Index 78 · 22 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2021 RAV4 Hybrid carries a complaint index of 78. Airbags dominate the complaint mix at 77%, with a median failure mileage of 29,000 miles, including reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Owners also reported brake pedals traveling to the floor with a 'BRAKE Failure' message displayed, at a median mileage of 34,000. NHTSA lists one recall for an airbag sensor issue affecting this year, and some owners reported delays getting replacement parts for that repair.

2021 airbags problems →

Most common Toyota RAV4 Hybrid problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags24 (20%)
Fuel System21 (17%)
Brakes17 (14%)
Electrical System15 (12%)
Visibility & Wipers15 (12%)
Engine14 (11%)
Other14 (11%)
Structure & Body13 (11%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota RAV4 Hybrid years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2019, 2021, and 2025 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 89, 78, and 100. These stand out compared to other RAV4 Hybrid model years, which score much lower.
What year Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the best based on complaints?: The 2020 and 2022 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 22 and 11. The 2020 model year had 5 recalls but the lowest reported-problem rate relative to complaint counts.
What is the main problem with the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid?: Fuel system complaints dominate the 2019 model, making up 64% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of only 400 miles. It also had three recalls covering suspension, engine, and brakes.
Does the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid have an airbag recall?: Yes. NHTSA campaign 23V865000 covers an airbag sensor issue on 2020-2021 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles, and some owners reported delays in getting the replacement part.
How many total complaints does the RAV4 Hybrid have?: NHTSA lists 122 total complaints and 11 recall campaigns across the 2016-2025 RAV4 Hybrid model years covered in this data.