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:
- The fuel gauge occasionally malfunctions and indicates that the tank is empty.
- Sometimes the brakes give out suddenly.
- Transmission Leaks
- Unsteady transmission.
- Transmission that is slow.
- 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:
- Toyota is offering to replace the steering columns in select 2020 RAV4s because they may have an influence on the airbags in them.
- 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 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 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.
- 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.
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.
In This Article...
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.
What year RAV4 ought to be stayed away from?
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.
What issues might a RAV4 have?
A malfunctioning vapor canister in the evaporative system (EVAP) is one of the most typical Toyota RAV4 issues. In the end, this causes the Check Engine light to come on. The most common solution for this is to replace the vent valves and the complete vapor canister.
Although this is frequently an expensive repair, it is not among the issues with the 2020 Toyota RAV4, so if you’re seeking to buy a new model, you shouldn’t have to be concerned about this problem. If you decide to buy a secondhand car, this issue has been reported to impact vehicles all the way up to 2016.
Are Toyota RAV4 vehicles dependable?
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.
Which SUV has the fewest issues?
Reviews, images, and more for the 15 most dependable SUVs
- Toyota RX 350.
- Trax by Chevrolet.
- Nissan Venza.
- Mazda RAV4.
- Toyota CX-5.
- Hello Soul.
- GLA 250 Mercedes-Benz.
- Nissan QX50.
What is the lifespan of a Toyota RAV4?
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.
Which RAV4 model is the best?
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.
which is more trustworthy Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR V?
The 2022 Honda CR-V is more dependable than the 2022 Toyota RAV4, which brings us to our third argument in favor of the 2022 Honda CR-V. The capacity to depend on a vehicle is essential for car ownership. It’s crucial to have a dependable car so you can drive with confidence, knowing you’ll never get lost or stuck on the side of the road. Additionally, a dependable vehicle saves time and money because it requires fewer repairs. The CR-V had an overall J.D. reliability rating of 84/100, while the RAV4 received an overall score of 81/100.
Transmission Gear Slipping Issues
Numerous RAV4 owners have also voiced issues with the transmission slipping gears suddenly.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed in response to this, forcing the manufacturer to admit there is a problem. The warranty on this issue has also been extended by Toyota to 10 years/150,000 miles.
Transmission Solenoid Issues
Many RAV4 customers have voiced their complaints with the check engine light randomly coming on while driving. Along with it, the car may occasionally stall.
Our investigation revealed that a defective solenoid that requires prompt repair frequently causes this issue.
Unpleasant Transmission Noise
Numerous RAV4 owners have also voiced their displeasure with an unpleasant grinding sound that occasionally occurs during acceleration or deceleration.
Others said that this occurs as soon as the car is put in reverse or when going from 4WD to FWD.
Possible Causes and Solutions
Causes and remedies for some of the aforementioned gearbox and powertrain problems are provided below:
- Faulty needle roller bearings: Needle bearings are essential parts that prevent the torque converter’s gears from needlessly grinding. Your Toyota RAV4 may start to make grinding noises if the needle bearings start to fail.
- Insufficient or tainted transmission fluid
Both manual and automatic gearbox vehicles require enough and pristine transmission fluid to function.
Your gearbox could overheat if there isn’t enough clean transmission fluid, which could cause your gears to start slipping or surging out of control.
Transmission fluid filter that is clogged:
The gearbox fluid filter in the Toyota RAV4 is in charge of allowing just the proper amount of clean fluid to pass. Its performance will be hampered by a clogged filter, which will eventually cause the transmission to fail.
What to Do
When treated improperly, transmission problems can render your car utterly worthless. As a result, we suggest that you take your car to a reputable mechanic for an examination, diagnosis, and fix.
If your warranty still has a few miles or years left, you might also try getting in touch with your dealer.
What year of a Toyota RAV4 is the best used example?
Since the RAV4 has proven to be a dependable small SUV, as we have previously stated, choosing the “best” was difficult given the near-perfect reliability of the fourth generation model years. The 2016 model year Toyota RAV4 is the “greatest Toyota RAV4 and deserving of your hard-earned money, according to our analysis of the facts. This is why:
Consumer Reports gave the 2016 Toyota RAV4 a flawless reliability rating, and J. D. Power put it to the test, literally, and it won, narrowly outperforming the 2017 and 2018 models. Therefore, even though we believe the 2016 is the best RAV4, you really can’t go wrong with the newer models from 2017 or 2018.
According to the J.D. Power 100-Point Score, which is based on thousands of honest reviews from verified owners, the 2016 received an overall score of 86. In the J.D. Power Top 10 Rated SUV list, which compared comparable compact SUVs, it came in first place overall, outperforming well-known brands like Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Chevy and Ford.
It received an 86 for quality and dependability, with a “excellent” rating for the driving experience and a “best score” of 91 for its resale value. The J.D. Power Performance Award went to the 2016 Toyota RAV4 for its performance and design after the first 90 days of ownership. The 2016 model year had more complaints than the 2018 model year, but it is also two years older, and the cruise control feature was the subject of the majority of those complaints.
Does the RAV4 from 2021 have any issues?
Fist Pump Guy, also known as Gary, claims that there is a quick remedy for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 transmission. He asserts that the issue would be fixed by a software update that was made available in April 2019. However, some consumers said that even after obtaining this update from the Toyota dealership, the transmission issues persisted. In order to receive the update, owners must take their RAV4 to a dealership.
Toyota issued a service bulletin for this problem with the NHTSA catalog number T-SB-0107-19. Those with hesitant acceleration from a rolling halt will receive service. The update for the Engine Control Module lessens the possibility of stuttering. Additionally, the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty covers this repair. Nevertheless, the automaker chose not to initiate a recall for this problem despite these suggested solutions.
For the time being, the Toyota RAV4 model years 20202022 have no known transmission issues. However, when those cars log more miles, new issues can surface. It’s encouraging that the transmission issues with the 2019 model year Toyota RAV4 seem to have been resolved in the current generation of cars. There are only three complaints about the 2021 Toyota RAV4 on Car Complaints.