Is the 2023 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
164 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RAV4 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2023 Toyota RAV4 are in line with other RAV4 years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 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 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 44 (27%) | too few with a mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 27 (16%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 25 (15%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 18 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 18 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 10 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (4%) | 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 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 164 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 10 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
59 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 2023 Toyota RAV4: 3
A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights. An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
During installation of the alloy wheels, the tire valve stem may have been improperly installed or damaged. In addition, the load carrying capacity label may state the incorrect weight. A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.
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: 53
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Toyota RAV4. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
In wet conditions, water contacting the radiator in the subject vehicles after idling for an extended period can create steam that can cause an incorrect…
Some customers may experience a rough running engine with a MIL ON P140018 DTC
Some vehicles may have a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes…
Some 2021-2025 MY Highlander HV, Sienna HV, RAV4, and RAV4 HV, may exhibit an oil leak from the area where the camshaft cover, camshaft housing…
Neighbouring years
2022 RAV4: 150 complaints, keep it · 2024 RAV4: 177 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 2023 Toyota RAV4 a bad year?
164 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other RAV4 years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Toyota RAV4?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (44), steering (27), engine (25), brakes (18), collision avoidance (18).
How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota RAV4 have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-744), Electrical system (NHTSA 25V-595), Tires (NHTSA 23V-485). 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.