With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, the Toyota RAV4 is ranked third among 26 compact SUVs. It offers great ownership costs with an average annual repair cost of $429.
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Do Toyota RAV4 issues frequently arise?
Treat each one with caution even if this model year isn’t quite as awful as the others on the list. If you’re considering purchasing a model from this year, we advise thorough inspection. Numerous consumers have reported gearbox problems to Car Complaints, and the NHTSA has received hundreds of reports of fuel system faults. Although it might not apply to everyone, carefully review vehicle history reports.
Consumer Reports advises against purchasing the 2019 Toyota RAV4. With a dismal score of 2, reliability and owner satisfaction were rated equally. According to CR, the overall value, trunk space, road noise, and minor transmission problems are some of the greatest problem areas.
Which RAV4 year is the most dependable?
Here is a succinct explanation of the Toyota RAV4’s best and worst years: The 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018 model years of the Toyota RAV4 are some of its best iterations. On the other hand, the 2002, 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2019 models should be avoided.
What’s a Toyota RAV4 expected lifespan?
What Is the Toyota Rav4’s Lifespan? With an average lifespan of between 200,000 and 250,000 kilometers and higher numbers for owners who take good care of their Rav4, the Toyota Rav4 is a top SUV in terms of durability.
What is the Toyota RAV4’s problem?
There were 35 reports of gearbox issues made by RAV4 drivers as of December 2021. One customer claimed that after purchasing a 2019 RAV4 with 17,500 kilometers, he frequently experienced issues with the gears changing correctly. When this RAV4 owner brought his vehicle to a Toyota dealership, the problem was fixed with a software update. As vehicles do not become better with time, these kinds of software updates are frequently more of a band aid than a remedy.
Another driver complained that his RAV4 was lurching forward at slower speeds, making the on-ramp to the busy 10 highway unpredictable and perhaps dangerous. Shuttering and shaking were other prevalent concerns. He was informed that his vehicle was functioning as intended and that the dealership could not reproduce the problem.
There were reportedly six recalls for the 2019 RAV4 due to difficulties with the backup camera, separating suspension arms, and coolant leaks, among other things. Surprisingly, there were no transmission-related recalls.
Transmission issues with the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have been extensively reported. The 2020 RAV4 was expected to be an improved model, but there have already been far too many complaints and reports of unhappiness. The 2020 RAV4 has a number of concerns that drivers are having, some of which are listed below:
- Unsteady transmission.
- Transmission that is slow.
- Transmission Leaks
- The fuel gauge occasionally malfunctions and indicates that the tank is empty.
- Sometimes the brakes give out suddenly.
- Alignment and steering problems
No recalls have yet been issued as a result of the 2020 RAV4 transmission issues. But these are the recalls for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 as of April 2021:
- Select 2020 RAV4s have engine problems and coolant leaks, which led Toyota to conduct a recall and provide some RAV4 owners a free replacement engine and engine block.
- Toyota has agreed to replace the front lower suspension arms on some 2020 RAV4s at no cost in order to restore their safety. These arms may have cracks in them.
- Toyota has decided to replace the power steering gearboxes in a small number of 2020 RAV4s because they have issues with the electric power steering system.
- Toyota was compelled to replace the fuel pump assemblies in select 2020 RAVs because the fuel pumps in those vehicles have started to malfunction and create engine issues.
- Toyota is offering to replace the steering columns in select 2020 RAV4s because they may have an influence on the airbags in them.
Several sources claim that a software update that was issued on April 15, 2019, can fix the Toyota RAV4 transmission. However, other owners claimed that even after receiving updates from the Toyota dealership, the transmission issues persisted, and owners had to take their RAV4 to a dealership to get the update.
Which Toyota RAV4 model years ought to be avoided?
The first, most popular, and longest-running compact crossover (CUV) SUV in the country is the Toyota RAV4. It spans five generations, with the initial North American release taking place in 1996. Given that the RAV4 has been in existence for so long, it is only reasonable to presume that some model years have some issues. The following Toyota RAV4 years should be avoided if you’re trying to purchase a secondhand RAV4.
Is Buying a Toyota RAV4 Worth It?
Prior to being renamed to Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive, RAV4 stood for Recreational Activity Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive. Nobody is certain why or for what the alteration was made, but it seems likely that it was merely a marketing ploy.
Since its premiere as a concept car in the 1989 automotive industry, the RAV4 has undergone significant changes. Through five generations, the considerably more ruggedly designed off-road vehicle has evolved into a useful four-wheel-drive small crossover with SUV capabilities and genuine everyday car amenities.
These Toyota RAV4 years should be avoided: none. A well-kept Toyota of any kind will last you, as was already stated. An earlier generation can be something to buy if you’re searching for something that encourages a little more toughness and simplicity. You should stay with a late fourth- or fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 if you want a vehicle with all the latest technologies, including safety, infotainment, driver assistance, and more.
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Fifth-Generation: RAV4 Years to Avoid (2019)
Numerous customers have voiced complaints regarding transmission issues with the 2019 Toyota RAV4. Even with little mileage, stuttering and lurching at slower speeds as well as transmission slippage with rough shifts have been recorded.
For 2019 cars, brake problems have also been noted. With relatively few miles, squealing, clicking, and general brake system malfunction have all been observed. Even some drivers have claimed that when they pressed the brakes, the car would accelerate, forcing them to brace for contact.
Fourth-Generation: RAV4 Years to Avoid (2013)
Owners have reported that the entire car rattles when traveling at low speeds. While some owners have spent up to $4,500 for a new torque converter, some owners claim that the dealership assured them there was nothing wrong and that the car was functioning normally.
The inability to see the navigational markers in direct sunlight is another issue that owners have noted. Nothing seems to work, despite adjusting the contrast and brightness. Even a visit to the dealer for software updates is ineffective at solving the issue.
Fourth-Generation: All Model Problem Areas
Problems with the infotainment system have affected all vehicles from the fourth generation. The radio seems to want to restart on its own; however, it is a small issue that doesn’t require much work to fix.
Third-Generation: RAV4 Years to Avoid (2009-2012)
Unwanted acceleration was one of the most common complaints about the RAV4 from 2009 to 2012. Numerous drivers had complained that even with their foot on the brake, the compact crossover would continue to accelerate, negating the power of the brakes and resulting in an accident.
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(2006-2008) Toyota RAV4 Problem Areas
Each model year, these Toyota RAV4s received at least 600 complaints. Engine concerns made up about 15% of those. The RAV4 appears to burn a lot of oil, which is expensive and smelly.
Defective steering shafts are another significant concern that make up half of all complaints. It’s possible to find a secondhand RAV4 that no longer has this issue because it was rectified, but it seems to be one of those issues that recurs whether you have the vehicle fixed or not.
Second-Generation: RAV4 Years to Avoid (2001-2003)
RAV4s from 2001 to 2003 mostly had gearbox issues. In total, there were over 500 complaints, up from 60 in the previous generation, and 60% of those concerns had to do with transmissions. Other difficulties included incorrect acceleration and powertrain faults, the majority of which might be attributed to the transmission troubles.
The Toyota RAV4 also fell short in the area of safety. The RAV4 received a subpar score in the side impact test from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the grade would probably go up if the RAV4 included safety-side airbags. Find out if the car has this feature if it’s anything that worries you as a buyer. To improve the RAV4’s overall safety rating, vehicle stability control was incorporated as a standard feature in 2004.
There are several cars available that allow you to tower above obstacles without sacrificing the comfort of a compact automobile. Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of our top new sedans with high ground clearance.
First-Generation: RAV4 Years to Avoid
As long as you don’t mind a tough, small crossover, most of these RAV4s are trouble-free. The only significant problem is that, like many models from 1996 to 2000, the safety and technological features are antiquated. However, these are fantastic if you needed a little, fuel-efficient, easy-to-drive buggy to drive around town.
Common Toyota RAV4 Problems
The Toyota RAV4 enjoys a strong reputation for dependability. The RAV4 has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, according to RepairPal. The RAV4 has experienced many persistent issues over the course of its lengthy manufacture, though:
- Transmission troubles are likely to be the cause of difficulty changing gears or the SUV lurching when traveling at lower speeds. The 2019 appears to have transmission issues worse than the more recent models.
- Excessive oil consumption is a widespread issue that first appeared with the RAV4 model in 2005. Many drivers claimed that the SUV used more oil than usual between 75,000 and 150,000 miles. Toyota was forced to extend the warranty as a result of this problem.
- The wheel may lock up or pull to one side as a result of steering issues, which are very prevalent with the 2017 model year. Additionally, some owners claimed to hear knocking sounds when they turned.
- Engine cooling issues – The system that keeps the engine cool is vulnerable to leaks, which can cause coolant fluid to flow into the engine and seriously harm the mechanical components.
Finding a Good Used Toyota RAV4 in Your Area
Avoid the following Toyota RAV4 model years: 2019, 2013, and 20062008. They are the ones with the most well-known issues, but keep in mind that they are Toyotas, which are renowned for their dependability. By purchasing one in decent condition, the tiny problems they have won’t put you in the poor house. Finding a well-kept Toyota RAV4 with reasonable mileage is the best course of action when looking for one. Like any car, as it ages, issues can arise, but serious issues can be prevented by doing your research when purchase.
How to Tell If a Toyota RAV4 is Worth Purchasing
Bring a knowledgeable friend if you’re not sure how to determine whether the Toyota RAV4 you want to buy has been well maintained. Anyone can tell whether a car has been through the ringer or not by looking at it. However, a semi-educated vehicle person should be able to prevent you from making a costly error for some of the signals that not everyone will be aware of and that a buyer might try to hide.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
What are the RAV4’s most typical issues?
RAV4 owners are the most frequent users of Carproblemzoo, reporting up to 1,148 powertrain-related issues.
Among the issues are those with automatic transmissions, transmission solenoids, and transmission noise.
Automatic Transmission Issues
The automatic transmission of the Toyota RAV4 was the subject of about 354 reports. Many of the owners stated that when they tried to speed, their cars jerked or hesitated.
What model year Toyota RAV4 is having transmission issues?
The RAV4’s main problems, primarily with its automatic transmission, occurred in 2002 and 2007. Unfortunately, although having a new iteration, the most recent RAV4 still has issues with its automatic transmission.
2008, 2006, and 2001 are some further troublesome years. There are concerns with every model year, but these five have the most complaints and the most serious problems. Car Concerns also considers how frequently these complaints appear in the media.
Do Toyota RAV4s have issues with the transmission?
A few instances of transmission issues with the 2020 Toyota RAV4 have surfaced. A stuttering transmission, one that is delayed and then lurches ahead, and a leaky transmission are examples of these issues.
Although the above-mentioned Toyota RAV4 starting issues may be the subject of numerous articles, it’s crucial to remember that this problem is not yet widely reported. This is undoubtedly something to consider if you’re looking into small SUVs, but it’s also feasible that you won’t completely discount the RAV4 because of it.
Does the Toyota RAV4 from 2021 have issues?
Issues with the fuel system, steering, structures, and powertrain are among of the most frequent complaints made to the NHTSA by car owners. Many buyers choose the 2021 Toyota RAV4 with the idea that it will fulfill all needs when it comes time to drive a reliable SUV.