The best RAV4 years to buy are 2016 and 2022. Be careful with the 2019: the first year of the current generation drew about twice the RAV4's usual complaints, mainly a fuel tank that will not fill and engine coolant valve warnings.
Best years: 20162022 Years to avoid: 2019
Every RAV4 year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known RAV4 problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 208 | - | 4 | Other | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 238 | - | 3 | Electrical | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 177 | 44 | 3 | Electrical | Good buy |
| 2021 | 510 | 125 | 5 | Air bags | Average |
| 2020 | 652 | 151 | 6 | Engine | Average |
| 2019 | 908 | 203 | 8 | Fuel System | Watch out |
| 2018 | 348 | 81 | 3 | Electrical | Good year |
| 2017 | 322 | 79 | 3 | Electrical | Good year |
| 2016 | 256 | 73 | 3 | Electrical | Good buy |
| 2015 | 305 | 97 | 4 | Electrical | Average |
| 2014 | 207 | 77 | 7 | Electrical | Good year |
| 2013 | 261 | 120 | 5 | Electrical | Average |
| 2012 | 266 | 155 | 5 | Visibility and wipers | Average |
About the RAV4
The RAV4 has one of the lowest complaint rates of any SUV, so even its worst year is only average for the class. The 2019 redesign is the one to check carefully. The fourth generation (2013-2018) is plain but very dependable, and by 2022 the current generation had settled down.
- 2013-2018: Fourth generation, 2.5L with a 6-speed automatic, hybrid from 2016. Very few serious problems.
- 2019 on: Fifth generation with the 8-speed automatic and a popular hybrid. 2019 is the weak year; 2022 is among the best.
RAV4 warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Toyota files with NHTSA. 1,337 RAV4 bulletins are on file in total.
Although the HV Floor Under Wire Harness and Rear Traction Motor Cable is covered by Toyotas New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers ownership expe...
Dealer Letter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
Region Letter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
Dealer Email: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related to U760E Torque Converter Shudder.
Region Email: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related to U760E Torque Converter Shudder.
Dealer Daily Message: Warranty Enhancement Program ZH1 Dealer Letter and/or Technical Instructions now available on TIS.
Dealer Letter: December 13, 2017.
Warranty Enhancement Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
DP: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
Dl: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear differential coupling growl noise on 2006-2012 model y...
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the RAV4
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Defect petition DP22005 · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States.
Preliminary evaluation PE21005 · 2013–2018 · opened Feb 2021, closed Aug 2024 · led to recall 23V734
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021.
RAV4 vs rivals
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Which years drew fewer problems per car soldToyota RAV4 vs Ford Escape
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldJeep Cherokee vs Toyota RAV4
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldKia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldGMC Terrain vs Toyota RAV4
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldVolkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota RAV4
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldSubaru Crosstrek vs Toyota RAV4
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldLexus NX vs Toyota RAV4
Which years drew fewer problems per car sold
Questions
What is the best year for the Toyota RAV4?
2016 and 2022. The best RAV4 years to buy are 2016 and 2022. Be careful with the 2019: the first year of the current generation drew about twice the RAV4's usual complaints, mainly a fuel tank that will not fill and engine coolant valve warnings.
Which Toyota RAV4 years should I avoid?
2019. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Toyota RAV4 average.
Why won't my RAV4 fill up all the way?
On many 2019 and later RAV4s, the fuel tank design lets the pump click off early, so drivers get only half to three quarters of a tank. Toyota has a service fix for some cars. Ask the seller how many gallons a fill-up takes.
Based on 4,658 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.