Toyota RAV4 vs Volkswagen Tiguan: reliability compared
From 2009 to 2025, owners filed an average of 319 complaints per model year about the Toyota RAV4 and 136 about the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Side by side
| Toyota RAV4 | Volkswagen Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2009-2025 | 2009-2025 |
| Owner complaints | 5,424 | 2,316 |
| Complaints per model year | 319 | 136 |
| Recalls | 41 | 39 |
| Years to avoid | 20192020 | 2018 |
| Best years | 201420162022 | 201420152017 |
| Most common problem | Electrical | Engine |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 28-39 mpg combined (2025) | 25-29 mpg combined (2025) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| RAV4 | Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 1,015 | 549 |
| Engine | 875 | 729 |
| Fuel system | 526 | 199 |
| Acceleration | 477 | 93 |
| Brakes | 465 | 137 |
| Airbags | 435 | 318 |
| Driver assistance | 221 | 227 |
| Transmission | 419 | 205 |
Questions about the Toyota RAV4 vs Volkswagen Tiguan
Which is more reliable, the Toyota RAV4 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
Between 2009 and 2025, the Toyota RAV4 has 2 years to avoid and the Volkswagen Tiguan 1. The Volkswagen Tiguan has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Volkswagen Tiguan drew fewer complaints per model year (136 vs 319), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Toyota RAV4 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
From 2009 to 2025, the Toyota RAV4 was covered by 41 recalls and the Volkswagen Tiguan by 39.
What years of the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan should you avoid?
Toyota RAV4: 2019 and 2020. Volkswagen Tiguan: 2018.
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