Toyota RAV4 — years to avoid
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
6 model years to avoid, 3 to watch and 11 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.
Avoid6 years
Caution3 years
Best bets11 years
Complaint history
- Avoid
- Caution
- Recommended
- Not enough data
Every year, ranked
Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Compared with a typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ▲ Recommended | 88 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2024 | ▲ Recommended | 175 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2023 | ▲ Recommended | 157 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | ▲ Recommended | 144 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2021 | ◆ Caution | 387 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | ■ Avoid | 635 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | ■ Avoid | 879 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | ◆ Caution | 331 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | ● Recommended | 307 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | ● Recommended | 239 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | ● Recommended | 305 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | ● Recommended | 197 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | ● Recommended | 257 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | ● Recommended | 260 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | ● Recommended | 287 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | ◆ Caution | 400 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | ● Recommended | 327 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2008 | ■ Avoid | 575 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2007 | ■ Avoid | 1,004 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2006 | ■ Avoid | 705 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | ▲ Recommended | 141 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | ▲ Recommended | 154 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2003 | ● Recommended | 315 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2002 | ■ Avoid | 527 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2001 | ● Recommended | 309 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2000 | ▲ Recommended | 30 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1999 | ▲ Recommended | 62 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1998 | ▲ Recommended | 77 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1997 | ▲ Recommended | 54 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1996 | ▲ Recommended | 47 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1995 | ○ Not enough data | 1 | Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 1994 | ○ Not enough data | 4 | Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
How the rankings work
Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.
- ▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
- ● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
- ◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
- ■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
- ○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.
Recalls
52
recalls on file across every Toyota RAV4 model year.
Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.