Toyota RAV4 years to avoid
The Toyota RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2019, 2006, 2020, 2008, 2002, 2021 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1995 is the cleanest year on record.
12,164
Total complaints
52
Recall campaigns
1994–2025
Years covered
7
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
RAV4 years to avoid
Every RAV4 year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 115 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 264 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 255 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 219 | 1 | |
| 2021avoid | 519 | 1 | |
| 2020avoid | 801 | 6 | |
| 2019avoid | 1,181 | 7 | |
| 2018 | 443 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 413 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 295 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 400 | 4 | |
| 2014 | 279 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 333 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 357 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 403 | 11 | |
| 2010 | 498 | 14 | |
| 2009 | 397 | 15 | |
| 2008avoid | 708 | 14 | |
| 2007avoid | 1,240 | 14 | |
| 2006avoid | 880 | 11 | |
| 2005 | 168 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 183 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 392 | 0 | |
| 2002avoid | 682 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 418 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 34 | 3 | |
| 1999 | 75 | 5 | |
| 1998 | 92 | 5 | |
| 1997 | 61 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 54 | 1 | |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1994 | 4 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Toyota RAV4 years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2019, 2006, 2020, 2008, 2002, 2021. The cleanest year on record is 1995.
What is the best year for the Toyota RAV4?
By complaint volume, 1995 has the cleanest NHTSA record among RAV4 years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Toyota RAV4 have?
Across all model years, the RAV4 has 52 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 12,164 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.