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Toyota RAV4 years to avoid, worst and best years

Owners have filed 9,421 complaints about the Toyota RAV4 since 1994, and 50 recalls have been issued. The 2007 model year has 1,004 complaints, more than any other year, led by steering and engine problems.

4 years to avoidWorst: 2007
Owner complaints
9,421
Recalls
50
Worst year
2007
Best year
2022
Warranty extensions
5
Model years
1994-2025

Toyota RAV4 years to avoid

More than twice the RAV4's typical complaint count for a model year.

Best Toyota RAV4 years

Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.

Toyota RAV4 complaints by model year

Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.

1994200020052010201520202025

How we calculate this

Year to avoidFewest complaintsOther years

Most common Toyota RAV4 problems

All model years combined.

  • Engine
    1,642
  • Transmission
    1,400
  • Electrical
    1,384
  • Steering
    950
  • Acceleration
    903
  • Airbags
    839
  • Brakes
    667
  • Fuel system
    622
  • Suspension
    550
  • Body
    522
  • Visibility
    467
  • Driver assistance
    302

Most reported problems on the Toyota RAV4

Steering noise 197Hesitation 192Water leak 76

Toyota RAV4 problems year by year

Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.

YearScoreComplaintsTop problemTypical mileageRecallsCrashes
2025-96Electrical6,400311
2024-177Engine13,600328
2023-164Electrical57,079319
202285150Electrical26,000114Fewest complaints
202164389Airbags16,000147
202045640Engine2,900617Avoid
201932887Fuel system3,000725Avoid
201869333Electrical12,000331
201771308Electrical22,910333
201675240Electrical20,000333Fewest complaints
201568305Electrical35,000437
201476197Electrical48,000420Fewest complaints
201376257Electrical20,000222
201274260Visibility25,000536
201168287Acceleration45,9361144
201058400Suspension34,3251457
200966327Acceleration26,0001552
200847575Engine66,0001442
2007261,004Steering64,0001453Avoid
200639705Steering55,0001126Avoid
200581141Airbags80,000522
200484154Airbags80,000216
200374315Transmission95,500019
200255527Transmission94,000036
200175309Transmission102,000018
2000-30Acceleration108,00035
1999-61Acceleration110,000414
1998-77Brakes117,500419
1997-54Engine113,00009
1996-47Brakes99,00004
1995-100
1994-4Airbags01

Recalls 50

See all 50 recalls for the Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4 warranty extensions

Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.

Compare the RAV4

RAV4 vs Ford EscapeRAV4 vs Honda CR-VRAV4 vs Jeep CherokeeRAV4 vs Chevrolet EquinoxRAV4 vs Nissan RogueRAV4 vs Subaru ForesterRAV4 vs Hyundai TucsonRAV4 vs Kia SportageRAV4 vs Jeep CompassRAV4 vs GMC TerrainRAV4 vs Mazda CX-5RAV4 vs Volkswagen TiguanRAV4 vs Mitsubishi Outlander

Toyota RAV4 in the news

Questions about the Toyota RAV4

What years of the Toyota RAV4 should you avoid?

2006, 2007, 2019 and 2020. Each has more than twice the Toyota RAV4's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2007 alone has 1,004, mostly about steering and engine.

What is the best year for a used Toyota RAV4?

2022, 2014 and 2016 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (150, 197 and 240).

What is the most common problem with the Toyota RAV4?

Engine, with 1,642 complaints across all years, followed by transmission (1,400) and electrical (1,384).

How many recalls does the Toyota RAV4 have?

50 recalls between 1994 and 2025. The 2009 model year has the most, with 15.

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