Is the 2010 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Toyota RAV4 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota RAV4?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

2010 Toyota RAV4

◆ Worse than typical

2010 Toyota RAV4
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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: 400
Recalls: 14
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Suspension

Complaints per year

2010: 400 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.

Suspension

26% · 102 reports

Most commonly citing wheel bearing and shock absorber.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSa CAMPAIGN ID 16v596000 AUG 12, 2016 Recalls supercedes 13V-383 vehicles inspected but did not have both arms replaced. Vehicles need to have both arms replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-09-11

Takata recall, my rear swerved as I moved right to avoid a head on collision, my chest hit the steering wheel so hard that I broke 6 ribs including my sternum because the airbags didn't deploy until after the impact , I also saw another recall that...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-03

Also filed under Air bags

Vehicle speed control

21% · 83 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated the vehicle speed accelerated independently causing the contact to rear end the vehicle in front of her, while she had the brake pedal depressed. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-05

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. While driving 5 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle had suddenly began to accelerate without warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-17

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle surged forward and crashed into a handicap sign. There were no injuries reported.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-19

Also filed under Electrical system

Power train

10% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH

Service brakes

9% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop light, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard the vehicle failed to stop as intended.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-06

Air bags

7% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

▮
2010Complaint volume 400 complaints filed for this model year.
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2010-02-16Recall queryClosed 2011-03-01 Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2013-05-28Equipment13V123000 Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013…

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Suspension: 102 reports on file for this year.
Vehicle speed control: 83 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 38 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 10V017000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
Recall 11V113000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 12V373000 · Suspension
Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
Recall 13V123000 · Equipment
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 2010 Toyota RAV4 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Toyota RAV4 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota RAV4?: The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 have?: 14 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.

2010 Toyota RAV4

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Suspension

Vehicle speed control

Power train

Service brakes

Air bags

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years