Is the 2009 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota RAV4?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota RAV4 have?

15 recalls on file for this model year.

2009 Toyota RAV4

● Typical for this model

2009 Toyota RAV4
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 327
Recalls: 15
Investigations: 3
Top problem: Vehicle speed control

Complaints per year

2009: 327 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1994	4
1995	1
1996	47
1997	54
1998	77
1999	62
2000	30
2001	309
2002	527
2003	315
2004	154
2005	141
2006	705
2007	1,004
2008	575
2009	327
2010	400
2011	287
2012	260
2013	257
2014	197
2015	305
2016	239
2017	307
2018	331
2019	879
2020	635
2021	387
2022	144
2023	157
2024	175
2025	88

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Vehicle speed control

30% · 99 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

On June 6 2012 driving into a parking lot I had an un-intended acceleration on my 2009 Toyota RAV4 and the car only stopped because I hit my doctor's office wall. Even though I pressed the brake pedal, the car wouldn't stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-08

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota RAV4. The contact was entering a residential driveway and applied the brakes when the engine rpms increased drastically and the vehicle accelerated into the garage door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-14

Suspension

17% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing front.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

My son was looking to get his new tires aligned, and was informed by the mechanic that he would need to replace both side rear lower control arms, as Toyota had performed a safety recall GOV, resulting in the arms being epoxied, and therefore...

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-16

Service brakes

10% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

9% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH

Engine

8% · 27 reports

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

15 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2009-09-18Equipment09V223000 Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from September 1, 2005 to May 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge. The safety recall began on August 18, 2009. Owners may contact…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2010-02-05Vehicle speed control10V017000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Avalon, model year 2007-2010 Camry, model year 2009-2010 Corolla, Corolla Matrix, RAV4, model year 2010 Highlander, model year 2008-2010 Sequoia, and…

Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. GM will notify owners for the Pontiac vibe please see 10V-018. This service will…

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2010-02-16Recall queryClosed 2011-03-01 Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
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2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims."

Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010. Owners may contact…

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2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 Gulf States Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These…

Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…

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2011-04-13Vehicle speed control11V113000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Lexus LX570, 2003 through 2009 Toyota 4RUNNER, and 2006 through 2010 RAV4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open…

Remedy: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early April 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any Toyota all-weather floor…

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2012-02-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-06-14 Power Window Master Switch Fire
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2012-06-14Engineering analysisClosed 2013-02-12 Power Window Master Switch Fire
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2012-11-05Visibility12V491000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe…

Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners…

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2012-11-30Suspension12V373000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to…

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2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius…

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may…

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2013-08-27Suspension13V383000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage.

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2015-01-29Seats14V743000 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.

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2015-11-25Visibility15V689000 Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4,...

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015.

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2016-06-24Seat belts16V096000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

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2016-07-14Seats16V396000 Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser,...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

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2016-10-03Suspension16V596000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

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2016-11-07Visibility/wiper15V577000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed.

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Buy-smart checklist

2009 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Vehicle speed control: 99 reports on file for this year.
Suspension: 55 reports on file for this year.
Service brakes: 32 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 09V223000 · Equipment
Recall 10V017000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
Recall 11V113000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 12V491000 · Visibility
Recall 12V373000 · Suspension
Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
Recall 13V383000 · Suspension
Recall 14V743000 · Seats
Recall 15V689000 · Visibility
Recall 16V096000 · Seat belts
Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Recall 16V596000 · Suspension
Recall 15V577000 · Visibility/wiper

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Toyota RAV4 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota RAV4?: The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota RAV4 have?: 15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.