Toyota RAV4 2019–2025 problems by year and mileage
5th generation (XA50)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20262,757 complaints, 706 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2019 Toyota RAV4
Close- Median failure report
- 3,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 900
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2019 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2019
- Fuel and propulsion system266 reports · median 775 mi
- Engine205 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise170 reports · median 3,000 mi
8 recall campaigns name the 2019: Fuel system, gasoline — delivery; Steering — electric power assist system; Suspension — front. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2020 Toyota RAV4
Close- Median failure report
- 3,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 647
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2020
- Engine182 reports
- Electrical system121 reports · median 3,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise120 reports
6 recall campaigns name the 2020: Air bags — sensor; Air bags — frontal; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4
Close- Median failure report
- 16,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 507
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2021
- Airbag system147 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise99 reports
- Electrical system86 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2021: Air bags — sensor; Electrical system — propulsion system; Electronic stability control (esc) — control module. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2022 Toyota RAV4
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 171
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2022
- Electrical system46 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise43 reports
- Engine29 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2022: Electrical system — propulsion system; Air bags — sensor; Electronic stability control (esc) — control module. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4
Close- Median failure report
- 36,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 226
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2023
- Electrical system87 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise60 reports
- Steering28 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2023: Back over prevention — display function; Electrical system — instrument cluster/panel; Tires — valve. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2024 Toyota RAV4
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 204
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2024
- Problems owners could not categorise55 reports
- Electrical system41 reports
- Engine40 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2024: Equipment — other; Back over prevention — display function; Electrical system — instrument cluster/panel. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2025 Toyota RAV4
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 102
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2025
- Problems owners could not categorise27 reports
- Electrical system16 reports
- Engine13 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2025: Seats — critical fasteners; Equipment — other; Back over prevention — display function. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2023 reports latest and the 2019 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2019 has had 4 more years on the road to accumulate mileage. 3 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2019–2025 Toyota RAV4 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 5,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 58,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 706
- Recalls
- 21
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading, so the median likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported
- Problems owners could not categorise20.8% of complaints · median 3,000 mi
- Engine19.6% of complaints · median 9,000 mi
- Electrical system18.1% of complaints · median 8,000 mi
Documented problems
- Fuel System2019–2020
- Transmission (UA80 8-Speed)2019–2020
- Fuel Tank2019–2020
- Electrical2019–2020
Owners filed 2,757 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019–2025 Toyota RAV4; problems owners could not categorise leads with 20.8% of them, and half of the 706 that record an odometer reading came by 5,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
67% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 2.7 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2019–2025 Toyota RAV4 last?
The newest model years (2024–2025) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2019–2025 Toyota RAV4, half of the 706 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 5,000 miles and 90% by 58,000 miles.
2 reports came in past 150,000 miles — each one proof that a RAV4 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Toyota RAV4 2019–2025 · 706 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 441 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 67% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 169
- 25%
- 500
- Median
- 4,750
- 75%
- 24,500
- 90%
- 57,650
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 441 | 62.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 72 | 10.2% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 34 | 4.8% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 42 | 5.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 25 | 3.5% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 27 | 3.8% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 25 | 3.5% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 10 | 1.4% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 6 | 0.8% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 7 | 1.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common RAV4 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Toyota RAV4 2019–2025
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system426 reports600359–3,000Fuel and propulsion system: 426 reports, median 600 miles, middle half 359 to 3,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise574 reports3,000400–7,000Problems owners could not categorise: 574 reports, median 3,000 miles, middle half 400 to 7,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline189 reports5,0002,000–10,000Transmission and driveline: 189 reports, median 5,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 10,000 miles.
- Electrical system500 reports8,0002,000–39,000Electrical system: 500 reports, median 8,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 39,000 miles.
- Engine539 reports9,0001,000–53,000Engine: 539 reports, median 9,000 miles, middle half 1,000 to 53,000 miles.
- Airbag system286 reports18,00010,000–44,000Airbag system: 286 reports, median 18,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 44,000 miles.
- Body structure229 reports24,0008,000–56,000Body structure: 229 reports, median 24,000 miles, middle half 8,000 to 56,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 574 | 20.8% | 3,000 | 400–7,000 |
| Engine | 539 | 19.6% | 9,000 | 1,000–53,000 |
| Electrical system | 500 | 18.1% | 8,000 | 2,000–39,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 426 | 15.5% | 600 | 359–3,000 |
| Airbag system | 286 | 10.4% | 18,000 | 10,000–44,000 |
| Body structure | 229 | 8.3% | 24,000 | 8,000–56,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 189 | 6.9% | 5,000 | 2,000–10,000 |
| Steering | 162 | 5.9% | 7,500 | 2,000–50,000 |
| Brakes | 152 | 5.5% | 4,500 | 1,000–8,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 117 | 4.2% | — | — |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 5,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 20.8% of complaints (574 reports, 68 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 3,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 400 and 7,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 19.6% of complaints (539 reports, 55 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 9,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,000 and 53,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 18.1% of complaints (500 reports, 112 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 8,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,000 and 39,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 15.5% of complaints (426 reports, 217 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 600 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 359 and 3,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 10.4% of complaints (286 reports, 44 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 18,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 44,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 8.3% of complaints (229 reports, 52 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 24,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,000 and 56,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2019–2025 RAV4
Fuel System 2019–2020
Denso low-pressure fuel pump impeller cracks and swells, seizing the pump and causing engine stall without warning; recalled in 2019 and expanded in 2020 across a large Toyota population.
Transmission (UA80 8-Speed) 2019–2020
Harsh, hesitant and clunky low-speed shifting and delayed engagement, addressed by control-module recalibration TSBs.
Fuel Tank 2019–2020
AWD models will not accept a full tank of fuel from the pump's automatic shutoff, an acknowledged tank-geometry limitation rather than a defect fix.
Electrical 2019–2020
12-volt battery hold-down clamp allows the battery to shift and short against the hood, a fire risk; recalled on 2019-2020 vehicles.
Before you buy a 2019–2025 RAV4: the 3-minute check
Generated from 706 mileage-tagged complaints, 21 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 21 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 3,000 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Ask for engine repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 9,000 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Check fuel system on 2019–2020 cars. Denso low-pressure fuel pump impeller cracks and swells, seizing the pump and causing engine stall without warning; recalled in 2019 and expanded in 2020 across a large Toyota population.
- Check transmission (UA80 8-Speed) on 2019–2020 cars. Harsh, hesitant and clunky low-speed shifting and delayed engagement, addressed by control-module recalibration TSBs.
- Check fuel tank on 2019–2020 cars. AWD models will not accept a full tank of fuel from the pump's automatic shutoff, an acknowledged tank-geometry limitation rather than a defect fix.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer of a newer example: 67% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, and many of these cars have not covered that yet. The early window may still be ahead, so check what the factory warranty still covers and whether any recall on the VIN is open.
On inspection, problems owners could not categorise and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 3,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
RAV4 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi91% below | At 90k mi97% below | At 120k mi98% below | At 150k mi100% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 400–7,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 1,000–53,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 2,000–39,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 359–3,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 10,000–44,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 8,000–56,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 2,000–10,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Toyota RAV4 2019–2025 · 706 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2019–2025 Toyota RAV4 recalls (21)
NHTSA records 21 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around equipment (3), the electrical system (3), the airbag system (3). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Apr 2026 · 2025 · SeatsImproperly welded seat brackets can prevent the seat from adequately restraining an occupant during a crash…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 RAV 4 vehicles. The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly.
What can happen. Improperly welded seat brackets can prevent the seat from adequately restraining an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and repair the seat bracket welds as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at…
Mar 2026 · 2024–2025 · EquipmentA vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500…
What can happen. A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 26, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's…
Oct 2025 · 2023–2025 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may…
What can happen. A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this…
Sep 2025 · 2023–2025 · Electrical SystemAn instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry…
What can happen. An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The free fix. Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace…
Dec 2024 · 2024 · WheelsA damaged brake line can cause a brake fluid leak, reducing brake performance and increasing the distance…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 RAV4 and 2025 Lexus NX vehicles. Some of the bolts that secure the front brake caliper and the wheel hub bearing may be loose, which can result in a damaged caliper brake hose or…
What can happen. A damaged brake line can cause a brake fluid leak, reducing brake performance and increasing the distance required to stop the vehicle. Wheel detachment can result in a loss of vehicle control.…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and tighten the front brake caliper mounting bracket and hub bearing bolts, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, any damaged components will be replaced, free of charge.…
Dec 2023 · 2020–2021 · Air BagsAn air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry…
What can happen. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed…
Jul 2023 · 2021–2022 · Electrical SystemA short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2022 RAV4 Prime and 2022 Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles. The electric current rectifying module contained within the DC-DC converter may have been damaged…
What can happen. A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Dealers will replace the DC-DC…
Jul 2023 · 2023 · TiresA damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated…
The defect. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota RAV4 vehicles equipped with 17" black alloy accessory wheels. During installation of the alloy wheels, the tire valve stem may have been improperly installed or damaged. In addition, the load…
What can happen. A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel valve stems and replace the load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 18…
Feb 2023 · 2021 · Electrical SystemAn engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During certain cold weather driving conditions, while driving in EV Mode, the hybrid vehicle control engine control unit (HEV ECU) software may…
What can happen. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the HEV ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.…
Jul 2022 · 2022 · Air BagsIncorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, and RAV4 Prime vehicles. The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System…
What can happen. Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at…
Apr 2022 · 2021–2022 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid…
What can happen. Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number…
Nov 2020 · 2020 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's…
Nov 2020 · 2021 · Exterior LightingAdjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021 RAV4 Prime vehicles. The headlight aiming caps may have been improperly closed, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with…
What can happen. Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing the visibility of an oncoming driver or the vehicle operator, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will close the aiming caps on the headlights, free of charge. The recall began January 6, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.…
Nov 2020 · 2019–2020 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020…
What can happen. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting…
Jun 2020 · 2019–2020 · SteeringA loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering…
What can happen. A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.…
May 2020 · 2019–2020 · SuspensionIf a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.
What can happen. If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.…
Feb 2020 · 2019–2020 · Engine and Engine CoolingA coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may…
What can happen. A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may…
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer…
Aug 2019 · 2019 · Back Over PreventionIf the backup camera system does not activate and the driver does not check his/her surroundings while…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Due to a damaged electrical connector, the back-up camera may not activate when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply to…
What can happen. If the backup camera system does not activate and the driver does not check his/her surroundings while reversing, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the back-up camera system and replace the audio display unit, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019. Owners may contact…
Jul 2019 · 2019 · Service BrakesDeactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation…
What can happen. Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer…
Jun 2019 · 2019 · EquipmentAn incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these…
What can happen. An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at…
Mar 2019 · 2019 · EquipmentIf the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible.…
What can happen. If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 2,757 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 187 (6.8%)
- Fires
- 17
- Injury reports
- 102
- Fatality reports
- 1
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
RAV4 problems by model year
The 2019 drew the most complaints of this generation, 900, most of them about the fuel and propulsion system, and the 2025 the fewest, 102. A typical year drew about 226.
That makes the 2019 stand out at roughly 4.0 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 900 | 326 | 3,000† | Fuel and propulsion system (266) | 8 |
| 2020 | 647 | 201 | 3,000 | Engine (182) | 6 |
| 2021 | 507 | 82 | 16,000 | Airbag system (147) | 5 |
| 2022 | 171 | 23 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (46) | 3 |
| 2023 | 226 | 34 | 36,000 | Electrical system (87) | 3 |
| 2024 | 204 | 26 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (55) | 4 |
| 2025 | 102 | 14 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (27) | 4 |
What RAV4 owners reported
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power, and the "Low Steering" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated, the vehicle shuddered, and then stalled as the contact pulled into…
2022 · 50,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2–4 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle drove onto a sidewalk curb and crashed into a concrete…
2024 · 51,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal bang coming from the vehicle, and the rear glass shattered without impact. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the contact was informed that the damage was not covered under…
2023 · 57,000 miles · Visibility equipment
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the Headlight System Malfunction, Pre-collision System Malfunction, Road Sign Assist (RSA), and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The contact stated that…
2024 · 48,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 706 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other RAV4 generations
- RAV4 2001–2005 1,157 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- RAV4 2006–2012 2,648 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- RAV4 2013–2018 918 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system