Toyota RAV4 years to avoid: 2007 and 2019 top NHTSA complaints

At a glance

• Most complaints

  1,003

  Model year: 2007

  complaints to NHTSA [1]

• Fewest complaints

  141

  Model year: 2005

  complaints to NHTSA [1]

• Most recall campaigns

  15

  Model year: 2009

  recall campaigns [1]

The highest value in each column is marked in amber. Raw counts, not adjusted for sales.

RAV4 complaints, crashes and fires by model year

Each row of the table is one model year, with its complaints and recall campaigns as NHTSA's public API listed them on Oct. 12, 2026. It also shows how many of those complaints are flagged for a crash or a fire. The last column counts complaints filed on or after Oct. 12, 2024, to show which years are still drawing reports.

The 2007 leads on crash and fire reports as well as volume: 88 of its complaints report a crash or a fire, ahead of the 2015 with 77 and the 2018 with 62. Volume and harm do not always move together: the 2019 has 879 complaints but 27 with a crash or fire reported. The 2007 also has the most complaints reporting an injury, 30, with the 2021 next at 29.

Recent reports cluster on newer cars: the 2021 has the most complaints filed since Oct. 12, 2024, 195, ahead of the 2019 with 161 and the 2024 with 145. The seven 2006-2012 model years drew 61 between them.

The 2023 has 157 complaints, 101 of them filed since Oct. 12, 2024, and three recall campaigns. The 2024 has 176, 145 of them recent, and also three campaigns. Most of their reports are recent, so their files are still filling, and the counts neither clear nor flag either year.

Eight complaints across the 20 model years report a death. One of them, on the 2022, reports two deaths.

NHTSA lists the most recall campaigns for the 2009, 15, then 14 each for the 2007, 2008 and 2010. A campaign is counted in every model year NHTSA lists it under, so one recall can add to several years: 20V-064, for one, counts for the 2019 and the 2020.

Three body styles side by side

• 2006-2012 (third generation): 3,562 complaints over seven model years, about 509 per model year; 378 report a crash or fire, 76 of them a fire; 61 filed since Oct. 12, 2024. Fewest: the 2012, with 266.
• 2013-2018 (fourth generation): 1,636 complaints over six model years, about 273 per model year, the fewest of the three. Of those, 331 report a crash or fire, 163 of them a fire; 262 were filed since Oct. 12, 2024. Fewest: the 2014, with 197.
• 2019-2024 (fifth generation): 2,382 complaints over six model years, about 397 per model year; 163 report a crash or fire, 15 of them a fire; 813 filed since Oct. 12, 2024. Fewest: the 2022, with 148.
• Crash ratings: NHTSA's overall rating is 3 stars for the 2011 and 4 stars for 2012-2014. It is 4 or 5 stars by version for the 2015 and 5 stars from the 2016 on; NHTSA's API has no overall rating for 2005-2010. The 2011's frontal crash rating is 3 stars, with 2 stars for the front passenger.
• The 2005, a single year in our window, is the last of Toyota's second generation, sold from 2000 to 2005. Its 141 complaints are the fewest of any year in the table.
• Older RAV4s fall outside the table: NHTSA's API returns 314 complaints for the 2001, 555 for the 2002 and 327 for the 2003. No model year from 1996 to 2004 tops the 2002's 555, so the 2007 and 2019 lead every RAV4 model year from 1996 to 2025.

Why 2006 to 2008 still matter

Toyota dates the RAV4's third generation from 2006 to 2012. The 2006 moved to an all-new platform. Of the model years from 2009 on, none drew more complaints than the 2007, only the 2019 drew more than the 2006, and only the 2019 and 2020 more than the 2008.

Steering appears in 230 complaints on the 2006, 271 on the 2007 and 73 on the 2008. By our keyword count, 175, 201 and 36 of those steering complaints describe a clunk, knock, pop or click, or name the intermediate steering shaft. The engine appears in 109, 195 and 137 complaints. Of the 2007's 88 crash-or-fire complaints, 53 report a crash and 37 a fire; two report both.

Oil burning shows up in owners' own words: 76 complaints on the 2006, 142 on the 2007 and 108 on the 2008 describe oil consumption or the engine burning or using oil. All 16 model years from 2009 to 2024 together have 20 such complaints.

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns across the 2006-2008 RAV4s. None of them names the engine or the steering as its component.

Recall 11V-113 covers certain 2006-2010 RAV4s whose accelerator pedal can stick wide open when an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat traps it. Dealers modify or replace the pedal and replace any Toyota all-weather floor mat.

Under recall 12V-373, for certain 2006-2011 RAV4s, a rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) whose alignment nuts were improperly tightened during service can rust and fail. NHTSA says that could cause a loss of vehicle control. A later recall, 16V-596, has dealers replace both rear suspension arms free of charge, including on cars that were only inspected and sealed under an earlier recall, 13V-383.

On the 2009 and 2010, later years of the same body style, vehicle speed control is listed in 99 and 83 complaints. Certain 2009-2010 RAV4s are in recall 10V-017, for the accelerator pedal. NHTSA says the pedal may become hard to press, slow to return to idle or stuck partly pressed. Dealers install a reinforcement bar in the pedal.

The 2019 and 2020 spike, recall by recall

Toyota introduced the fifth-generation RAV4 for 2019. The 2019's complaints most often list the fuel/propulsion system, in 255, and the engine, in 206. On the 2020, the engine leads, in 180. The power train is listed in 80 complaints on the 2019 and 38 on the 2020. NHTSA lists no power-train recall for either year.

Recall 20V-064 covers certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid models with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, along with some Camry, Avalon Hybrid and Lexus ES300h models. Porosity in the engine castings may cause cracks that let coolant leak inside or outside the engine. NHTSA says the engine can overheat and stall a gasoline model, and engine damage can cause an oil leak that raises the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect the engine and replace it, block included, as necessary.

Recall 20V-682, which spans many Toyota and Lexus models, covers certain 2019-2020 RAV4s whose low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank may fail. If it fails, the engine can stall while driving. Dealers replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one.

Two narrower campaigns cover steering and suspension. Under 20V-373, water may get in through the steering gear box cover of certain 2019-2020 RAV4s and cut power steering assist. Dealers replace the power steering gear box. NHTSA counts 46 potentially affected vehicles. Under 20V-286, the front lower suspension arms of certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid models may be cracked and could separate from the front wheel assembly. Dealers replace both front lower arms. That campaign counts 9,502 potentially affected vehicles.

By our count, 190 complaints on the 2019 and 75 on the 2020 describe a tank that will not fill or hold a full load, or mention the fuel gauge or the tank's capacity. NHTSA lists nine recall campaigns for the 2019-2020 RAV4, and the only fuel-system one, 20V-682, is for the fuel pump.

Both years still draw reports: 161 complaints on the 2019 and 131 on the 2020 were filed since Oct. 12, 2024.

2013 to 2018: fire reports and the battery recall

Toyota's fourth-generation RAV4 covers the 2013 to 2018 model years. Those six years have 163 complaints flagged as involving a fire. The four model years before them, 2009 to 2012, have 18.

Among the six, the 2015 has the most fire-flagged complaints, 41, and the 2016 the fewest, 12; the 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018 range from 24 to 32. In 61 of the 163, the owner's description mentions the battery.

Recall 23V-734 covers certain 2013-2018 RAV4s in which a replacement 12-volt battery may not fit the tray properly, letting it move and touch the hold-down bracket and possibly short-circuit. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire. NHTSA's record counts 1,853,568 potentially affected vehicles.

Dealers replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed on Dec. 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 owners; NHTSA's record says later phases were to begin on May 14, 2025, and in late July 2025.

By our count, 166 complaints about 2013-2018 RAV4s name recall 23V-734. In 133 of them, the owner says a repair part was not available.

Recent reports run from 27 filed since Oct. 12, 2024, on the 2013 to 84 on the 2018, with a dip on the 2016: 31, against 34 on the 2015. The six years have 262 such complaints between them. The electrical system is listed in 139 of them.

The 2021 RAV4: one recall, many recent air bag reports

The 2021 has 387 complaints and one recall campaign. Yet it has more complaints filed since Oct. 12, 2024, than any other year, 195. Air bags are its most-listed component, in 125.

Of the 195 recent complaints, 91 list air bags.

Its one campaign, 23V-865, covers certain 2020-2021 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid models among many Toyota and Lexus cars. A short circuit may develop in the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor and keep the front passenger air bag from deploying. Dealers inspect the sensor and replace it as necessary. Toyota mailed interim letters in February 2024, and NHTSA's record lists final-remedy letters in phases through January 2026.

By our count, 66 complaints on the 2021 name recall 23V-865. In 56 of them, the owner says a repair part was not available.

Hybrid, Prime and RAV4 EV: how NHTSA files them

Toyota added the first RAV4 Hybrid for 2016. The RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid, first appears in NHTSA's records as a 2021 model. NHTSA also takes complaints under the model names RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime and RAV4 EV; our table counts only the RAV4 name.

Of the 2019's complaints under the plain RAV4 name, 103 mention a hybrid. The separate RAV4 Hybrid query returns 22 for that year.

Two variant counts are mostly the same records as the RAV4 table: 288 of the 302 complaints NHTSA returns for the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid also appear under the 2017 RAV4. For the 2014 RAV4 EV, 178 of 188 also appear under the 2014 RAV4.

RAV4 Prime complaints are separate records: 99 for the 2021 Prime, none of them in the 2021 RAV4 count. Across all three names, 345 complaints sit outside our table.

Steps before you buy a used RAV4

1. Ask the seller for the VIN; our free check at automotor.news/vin-check/ lists the recalls for its make, model and year. Under 49 CFR 573.15, an automaker that sells 25,000 or more light vehicles a year must offer a VIN search that shows each recall not yet completed. The search must be free and linked from the automaker's main US website. Run the VIN through Toyota's search to see which recalls are still open on the car. The search need only cover a recall whose "owner notification campaign started at any time within the previous fifteen (15) calendar years," and must state the earliest date it covers.
2. On a 2013-2018, ask for the dealer repair order for 23V-734, which Toyota numbers 23TB13 and 23TA13. Ask whether the parts were fitted or are still on order: 133 complaints naming this recall say a repair part was not available.
3. On a 2019-2020, ask for proof that 20V-064 (Toyota 20TA04) was done. Under it, dealers inspect the engine and replace it as necessary. Ask for 20V-682 (Toyota 20TA02) too.
4. On a 2019 or 2020, fill the tank on the test drive if you can and compare the gallons pumped with the gauge. Be wary if the pump clicks off well before the gauge reads full.
5. On a 2020-2021, check that air bag recall 23V-865 (Toyota 23TB15/23TA15) was done rather than waiting on parts. On the 2021, 56 complaints that name it say a repair part was not available.
6. On a 2022, check seat-sensor recall 22V-519 (Toyota 22TA08). In certain 2022 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime models, the front passenger seat may have been assembled with interfering internal parts that can make the occupant classification sensor misread the occupant. Dealers inspect and repair the front passenger seat as necessary.
7. On a 2006-2011, confirm that 16V-596 (Toyota G0V) replaced both rear suspension arms.
8. On a 2006-2010, confirm floor-mat recall 11V-113 (Toyota 90L). On a 2009-2010, confirm pedal recall 10V-017 (Toyota AOA) as well. NHTSA's records say 11V-113 began in early April 2011 and 10V-017 was to begin on Feb. 5, 2010, so a VIN search may not reach back to either. A clean VIN result does not prove that work was done, so ask a Toyota dealer for the car's recall service history.
9. On a 2009-2012, confirm wiper recall 15V-577, which covers certain 2009-2012 RAV4s in which water may drip onto the joint between the wiper linkage and the wiper motor. Dealers replace the water diverter channel and fit a new wiper linkage. The 2012's complaints list the wipers more than any other component, in 54.
10. On a 2006-2008, ask how much oil the engine uses between changes and for the oil-change records, and have a mechanic check the oil level. None of the 2006-2008 recall campaigns names the engine.
11. On a 2006-2008, turn the wheel fully both ways at low speed on the test drive and listen for a clunk. Ask the mechanic to inspect the steering, including the intermediate shaft.
12. Book an independent pre-purchase inspection; our used-car inspection checklist lists what the mechanic should cover.
13. If a recall is open, make the repair a condition of the sale; dealers do recall work such as 23V-734 free of charge.
14. If a Ford Escape is also on your list, read our Ford Escape years-to-avoid guide at automotor.news/guides/ford-escape-years-to-avoid/.