Is the 2015 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
305 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RAV4 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 are in line with other RAV4 years. Electrical system and steering stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 RAV4 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 55,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 85 (28%) | 33k–76k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 47 (15%) | 15k–83k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 37 (12%) | 8k–88k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 31 (10%) | 4k–55k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 25 (8%) | 23k–105k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 31 (10%) | 7k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 21 (7%) | 4k–36k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 15 (5%) | 6k–42k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (3%) | 9k–32k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | 5k–40k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 55,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 305 complaints: 37 mention a crash · 41 mention a fire · 21 report an injury · 32 say the car was towed.
15 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2015 Toyota RAV4: 4
Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system. An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights. If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle. Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 149
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Toyota RAV4. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may experience a "Noise" or Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front coupling
Some vehicles may exhibit a brief shudder intermittently while driving under light loads between approximately 25 and 50 mph
Warranty Enhancement Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
Neighbouring years
2014 RAV4: 197 complaints, keep it · 2016 RAV4: 240 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota RAV4 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All RAV4 years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2015 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
305 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RAV4 years. At 55,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota RAV4?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (85), steering (47), engine (37), body structure (31), transmission and drivetrain (25).
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 23V-734), Steering (NHTSA 15V-144), Trailer hitch (NHTSA 15V-011), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-828). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.