Toyota RAV4: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
9,171 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Toyota RAV4, model years 2000 to 2025. 8 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2007 (engine 9.1×); 2019 (engine 8.3×); 2006 (engine 5.5×); 2020 (engine 7.4×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2000, 2005, 2004. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 RAV4FEW REPORTS | 29 | quiet: 1 of 20 | 3 | |
| 2001 RAV4 | 309 | transmission 12× | 0 | |
| 2002 RAV4 | 527 | transmission 24× | 0 | |
| 2003 RAV4 | 314 | transmission 13× | 0 | |
| 2004 RAV4 | 154 | quiet: 3 of 20 | 2 | |
| 2005 RAV4FEW REPORTS | 141 | quiet: 2 of 20 | 5 | |
| 2006 RAV4 | 705 | engine 5.5× | 11 | |
| 2007 RAV4 | 1,004 | engine 9.1× | 14 | |
| 2008 RAV4 | 575 | engine 6× | 14 | |
| 2009 RAV4 | 327 | — | 15 | |
| 2010 RAV4 | 400 | — | 14 | |
| 2011 RAV4 | 287 | — | 11 | |
| 2012 RAV4 | 260 | quiet: 7 of 20 | 5 | |
| 2013 RAV4 | 257 | quiet: 6 of 20 | 2 | |
| 2014 RAV4 | 197 | quiet: 4 of 20 | 4 | |
| 2015 RAV4 | 305 | — | 4 | |
| 2016 RAV4 | 240 | quiet: 5 of 20 | 3 | |
| 2017 RAV4 | 308 | — | 3 | |
| 2018 RAV4 | 329 | — | 3 | |
| 2019 RAV4 | 887 | engine 8.3× | 7 | |
| 2020 RAV4 | 640 | engine 7.4× | 6 | |
| 2021 RAV4 | 389 | — | 1 | |
| 2022 RAV4 | 150 | — | 1 | |
| 2023 RAV4 | 164 | — | 3 | |
| 2024 RAV4 | 177 | — | 3 | |
| 2025 RAV4FEW REPORTS | 96 | — | 3 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Toyota models
Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 20012002200320042006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024