Is the 2011 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Toyota RAV4 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota RAV4?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota RAV4 have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

2011 Toyota RAV4

● Typical for this model

2011 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: 287
Recalls: 11
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Vehicle speed control

Complaints per year

2011: 287 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

24% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota RAV4. While driving 2-3 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact accelerated independently again.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-28

Also filed under Power train

Tl*the contact own a 2011 Toyota RAV4. While sitting idle at a traffic light with the brakes depressed, the engine rpms increased as the vehicle accelerated abnormally and crashed into the vehicle ahead of him. There were no injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-04-21

Tl*the contact owns a 2011 Toyota RAV4. While the vehicle was parked the contact shifted the vehicle into reverse. Slight pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal and the vehicle surged backwards until crashing.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-03-31

Service brakes

17% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

To begin with, the 2011 Toyota Rav4 in question was a loaner provided to me by Fiore VW AUDI (1000 S. Logan Blvd in Hollidaysburg, PA 16648) at @ 10:45 AM on 9/16/23.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-24

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system and steering

When backing up,my 2011 Toyota RAV4 accelerated hitting another vehicle causing the man behind his vehicle to be thrown and almost ran him over. He was taken away in an ambulance.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-11

Visibility/wiper

17% · 48 reports

Engine

11% · 33 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Seat belts

10% · 30 reports

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

I
2012-02-14EQClosed 2012-05-08 Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
R

2012-03-08Air bags12V029000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 RAV4 vehicles, manufactured from November 24, 2011, through December 19, 2011. In the curtain shield airbags, propellant with the incorrect specification…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the vehicle identification number to identify the curtain shield assemblies and replace the assemblies as necessary with new ones free of charge.…

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

2011 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Vehicle speed control: 70 reports on file for this year.
Service brakes: 50 reports on file for this year.
Visibility/wiper: 48 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 12V029000 · Air bags
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 2011 Toyota RAV4 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Toyota RAV4 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota RAV4?: The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota RAV4 have?: 11 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.