YearToAvoid

2008 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

NHTSA has 246 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 43% of all 575 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest engine complaint count among 21 RAV4 model years. These complaints report 21 crashes, 4 fires, and 10 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 66,010 miles.

Engine complaints
246
43% of 575
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
10
Median mileage
66,010 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Toyota RAV4 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 15, 2008, latest Dec 4, 2025.

2008 Toyota RAV4 engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter422008 Q42011 Q22013 Q22015 Q22017 Q22019 Q22022 Q12025 Q3
246 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q4 to 2025 Q4; peak 2010 Q1 (42).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Toyota RAV4

  1. NHTSA 11V113000Feb 24, 2011Engine1,363,244 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Remedy: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early april 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any toyota all-weather floor mat. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Engine complaints by RAV4 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200528 (20%)
  2. 2006220 (31%)
  3. 2007331 (33%)
  4. 2008246 (43%)
  5. 2009129 (39%)
  6. 2010108 (27%)
  7. 201198 (34%)
  8. 201269 (27%)
  9. 201345 (18%)
  10. 201438 (19%)
  11. 201556 (18%)
  12. 201636 (15%)
  13. 201746 (15%)
  14. 201850 (15%)
  15. 2019239 (27%)
  16. 2020205 (32%)
  17. 202146 (12%)
  18. 202234 (23%)
  19. 202332 (21%)
  20. 202446 (26%)
  21. 202518 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Toyota RAV4 have engine problems?
NHTSA has 246 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 43% of all complaints for this model year, including 21 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 66,010 miles.
Which Toyota RAV4 year has the most engine complaints?
The 2007 Toyota RAV4 has the most engine complaints (331), compared with 246 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Toyota RAV4 concerns the engine: 11V113000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.