YearToAvoid

2008 Toyota RAV4 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 37 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 6% of all 575 complaints for this model year. That is #6 highest transmission complaint count among 21 RAV4 model years. These complaints report 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 80,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
37
6% of 575
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
80,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Toyota RAV4 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 28, 2008, latest Mar 5, 2021.

2008 Toyota RAV4 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2008Aug 2011Nov 2012Jun 2014Apr 2015Mar 2017Jan 2018Jan 2020
37 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2008 to Mar 2021; peak Nov 2012 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2008 Toyota RAV4

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by RAV4 model year

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

  1. 20058 (6%)
  2. 200653 (8%)
  3. 200753 (5%)
  4. 200837 (6%)
  5. 200928 (9%)
  6. 201038 (10%)
  7. 201125 (9%)
  8. 201219 (7%)
  9. 201329 (11%)
  10. 201420 (10%)
  11. 201525 (8%)
  12. 201611 (5%)
  13. 201716 (5%)
  14. 201826 (8%)
  15. 201980 (9%)
  16. 202038 (6%)
  17. 202122 (6%)
  18. 202211 (8%)
  19. 202311 (7%)
  20. 20248 (5%)
  21. 20256 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Toyota RAV4 have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 6% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 80,000 miles.
Which Toyota RAV4 year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 has the most transmission complaints (80), compared with 37 for the 2008.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Toyota RAV4 is classified under transmission & powertrain. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.