Toyota RAV4 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Toyota RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024, based on complaint indexes of 85, 75, 95, 90, 100, and 80 out of 7,793 total complaints and 46 recall campaigns. Best years by complaint index are 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2022, all under 20.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Avoid 2024Best 2012Best 2013Best 2014Best 2022
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 7,793
- Recall campaigns
- 46
- Crashes reported
- 663
- Fires reported
- 256
- Top problem area
- Engine
RAV4 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.
Toyota RAV4 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 0 | 141 | 22 | 2 | 5 ! | Airbags | 22.5 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 35 | 704 | 26 | 5 | 11 | Steering | 22 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 85 | 1,004 | 53 | 37 | 14 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 75 | 575 | 42 | 16 | 14 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 65 | 327 | 52 | 3 | 15 | Engine | 23 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 70 | 400 | 57 | 3 | 14 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 23 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 30 | 287 | 44 | 8 | 11 | Engine | 22.5 | 3★ |
| 2012 | Best | 15 | 260 | 36 | 4 | 5 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 10 | 257 | 22 | 29 | 2 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 5 | 197 | 20 | 25 | 4 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 60 | 304 | 37 | 41 | 4 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 25 | 240 | 33 | 12 | 3 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 55 | 307 | 33 | 24 | 3 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 45 | 331 | 31 | 32 | 3 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 95 | 878 | 25 | 2 | 7 | Fuel System | 30 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 90 | 634 | 17 | 5 | 6 | Engine | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 100 | 386 | 46 | 7 | 1 | Airbags | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 20 | 145 | 14 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 50 | 155 | 18 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 80 | 174 | 28 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 29 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 87 | 7 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 30 | 5★ |
RAV4 years to avoid: what went wrong
2021 Toyota RAV4 Index 100 · 386 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2021 RAV4 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, from 386 complaints. Airbag complaints lead at 32% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 30,000; owners described airbags failing to deploy in multi-vehicle collisions and after a vehicle rollover. One recall campaign addresses an airbag sensor issue. Despite fewer recalls than some other years, the high complaint volume and crash-related reports place 2021 at the bottom of the ranking.
2021 airbags problems →2021 electrical system problems →2021 engine problems →
2019 Toyota RAV4 Index 95 · 878 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2019 RAV4 shows 878 complaints and a complaint index of 95, driven largely by the fuel system (31% of complaints, median mileage just 1,000) and engine (27%, median 6,000 miles). Owners described sudden unintended acceleration while parking and brake failures at low speed. NHTSA recorded 7 recall campaigns for the year, including fuel pump assembly replacement and a power steering gear box fix for water intrusion.
2019 fuel system problems →2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →
2020 Toyota RAV4 Index 90 · 634 complaints · 6 recalls
With 634 complaints, the 2020 RAV4 has a complaint index of 90. Engine issues lead at 32% of complaints (median mileage 10,000), followed by electrical system problems at 19% (median 2,800 miles). Owners reported vehicles lurching forward while parking despite braking, and brake pedals that produced noise before failing. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns, including a steering column breakaway pin issue and airbag sensor inspection.
2020 engine problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 fuel system problems →
2007 Toyota RAV4 Index 85 · 1,004 complaints · 14 recalls
NHTSA lists 1,004 complaints for the 2007 RAV4, giving it a complaint index of 85. Engine problems make up 33% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 69,827, and steering issues account for 27% at a median of 46,376 miles. Owners describe delayed airbag deployment in crashes and fires following minor collisions. The year carries 14 recall campaigns, including rear suspension arm replacement and a seat belt cushion frame fix.
2007 engine problems →2007 steering problems →2007 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2024 Toyota RAV4 Index 80 · 174 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 RAV4 carries a complaint index of 80 from 174 complaints, with engine problems making up 26% and electrical system issues 20%. Owners reported brake pedals failing to stop the vehicle and sudden acceleration while parking, including a Hybrid variant crashing into a tree. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year, covering a panoramic view monitor software update, an instrument panel software fix, and loose front brake caliper bolts.
2024 engine problems →2024 electrical system problems →2024 steering problems →
2008 Toyota RAV4 Index 75 · 575 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2008 RAV4 has 575 complaints and a complaint index of 75. Engine complaints dominate at 43% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 66,010. Owners reported brake pedals going to the floor and fires starting after transmission fluid line ruptures, in one case following a collision with a deer. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this year, covering suspension arms, seat heaters, and seat belt frames.
2008 engine problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2008 steering problems →
Most common Toyota RAV4 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine2,120 (27%)
- Electrical System1,263 (16%)
- Other1,079 (14%)
- Steering920 (12%)
- Airbags707 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires685 (9%)
- Brakes649 (8%)
- Fuel System585 (8%)
- Structure & Body584 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain564 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Toyota RAV4 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 as years to avoid, based on complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest of any RAV4 model years.
- What are the best Toyota RAV4 years to buy?
- 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2022 rate as Best, with complaint indexes of 15, 10, 5, and 20 respectively — the lowest across all 21 model years with data.
- Why is the 2021 RAV4 rated Avoid?
- The 2021 RAV4 has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any year, driven mainly by airbag complaints that make up 32% of its 386 total complaints, many involving failure to deploy in crashes.
- Does the Toyota RAV4 have engine problems?
- Engine is the top problem area across all RAV4 years combined, accounting for 2,120 complaints, or 27% of the 7,793 total complaints logged with NHTSA.
- How many recalls does the Toyota RAV4 have?
- NHTSA lists 46 recall campaigns across all RAV4 model years from 2005 to 2025, with individual years like 2007, 2008, and 2009 each having 14 or 15 campaigns.