Toyota RAV4 Years to Avoid — three eras, three different problems.
The RAV4 years to be most careful with are 2006–2008, for oil burning and steering complaints, and 2019, which drew 887 NHTSA complaints in its first year of a new design. The 2001–2003 had their own transmission problems. Every year is below.
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Quick Answer
- What Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?
- The 2006–2008 and the 2019. The 2007 drew the most NHTSA complaints of any RAV4 (1,003), with steering named most and 114 describing oil burning. The 2019 drew 887, many about a fuel tank that won't fill and the fuel system. The 2001–2003 are also weak, for transmission complaints.
- What is the best year for a used RAV4?
- Among years with enough time on the road, 2005 (141), 2004 (154), 2014 (198) drew the fewest complaints. Owners in the YouTube comments below often name the 2004–2005, 2016–2018 and 2021-on RAV4s as the ones to buy.
- Which RAV4 years burn oil?
- The 2006–2008. 58, 114 and 90 complaints on those years describe the engine burning or losing oil, against 2 for the 2009. Owners on Reddit tie it to the four-cylinder engine, not the V6.
Five checks matched to the RAV4's weak years
Each RAV4 era has its own fault. Find the year first, then look for that fault.
- 1Pin down the year and engineThe VIN gives the year; the oil issue is a four-cylinder problem.
- 22006–2008: check the oil levelAsk how often it is topped up; a quart every few weeks is the warning.
- 32019–2020: fill the tankIf it takes far less than the gauge suggests, the tank flaw may be there.
- 4Clear the recallsSuspension-arm, fuel-pump and steering campaigns are tied to the VIN.
- 5Check title and mileageA salvage brand or a mileage gap won't show on the car itself.
RAV4 Years at a Glance
The RAV4's NHTSA record falls into a few clear clusters.
2001–2003: transmission
The power train is named in 381 of 555 complaints on the 2002; 363 mention the transmission.
2006–2008: oil and steering
1,003 complaints on the 2007, 271 naming the steering.
2009–2012: acceleration
34 complaints on the 2009 describe surging or unintended acceleration.
2013–2015: shudder
10 to 12 complaints a year describe a shudder or torque-converter fault.
2019–2020: fuel tank and recalls
887 complaints on the 2019; 67 say the tank won't fill.
2022 onward: quieter
150 complaints on the 2022, though newer cars have had less time.
Every RAV4 Model Year and Its NHTSA Record
Complaints and recall campaigns for each RAV4 model year, read from NHTSA's records on 12 November 2026.
| Year | Complaints | Crash · fire reports | Recalls | Most-cited component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 51 | 4 · 2 | 1 | Service Brakes |
| 1997 | 59 | 9 · 2 | 1 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 1998 | 89 | 20 · 0 | 5 | Service Brakes |
| 1999 | 70 | 14 · 5 | 5 | Air Bags |
| 2000 | 41 | 6 · 0 | 3 | Vehicle Speed Control |
| 2001 | 323 | 20 · 2 | 0 | Power Train |
| 2002 | 555 | 39 · 15 | 0 | Power Train |
| 2003 | 327 | 20 · 4 | 0 | Power Train |
| 2004 | 154 | 16 · 4 | 2 | Air Bags |
| 2005 | 141 | 22 · 2 | 5 | Air Bags |
| 2006 | 704 | 26 · 5 | 11 | Steering |
| 2007 | 1,003 | 53 · 37 | 14 | Steering |
| 2008 | 575 | 42 · 16 | 14 | Engine |
| 2009 | 327 | 52 · 3 | 15 | Vehicle Speed Control |
| 2010 | 400 | 57 · 3 | 14 | Suspension |
| 2011 | 287 | 44 · 8 | 11 | Vehicle Speed Control |
| 2012 | 266 | 39 · 4 | 5 | Visibility/Wiper |
| 2013 | 256 | 22 · 29 | 2 | Electrical System |
| 2014 | 198 | 20 · 25 | 4 | Electrical System |
| 2015 | 305 | 37 · 41 | 4 | Electrical System |
| 2016 | 239 | 33 · 12 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2017 | 308 | 33 · 24 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2018 | 333 | 31 · 33 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2019 | 887 | 25 · 3 | 7 | Fuel/Propulsion System |
| 2020 | 641 | 17 · 5 | 6 | Engine |
| 2021 | 390 | 47 · 7 | 1 | Air Bags |
| 2022 | 150 | 14 · 0 | 1 | Electrical System |
| 2023 | 166 | 19 · 1 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2024 | 177 | 28 · 1 | 3 | Engine |
| 2025 | 98 | 12 · 0 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 · 0 | 0 | — |
NHTSA files some RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime complaints under their own names, so they are not in this table: the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid has 302 of its own, the 2021 RAV4 Prime 99. Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales.
Avoid: the 2006–2008 RAV4
The 2006 to 2008 RAV4s drew 704, 1,003 and 575 complaints. Two faults dominate. Steering is the component owners named most on the 2006 and 2007 (230 and 271 complaints), with owners describing the power steering cutting out at low speed. And the engine burns oil: 58, 114 and 90 complaints on the three years describe it.
Owners on Reddit tie the oil burning to the four-cylinder engine rather than the V6, and one warns that once it starts, it doesn't stop. An owner on YouTube says Toyota's extended-warranty repair, new pistons and rings, cured their 2008. We could not confirm that program's terms on a Toyota page, so ask any seller whether the work was done.
These years also carry three recalls for the rear suspension arm (12V373000 among them), 11V113000 for the accelerator pedal and 12V491000 for the power window switch on 2007–2009 models.
2006–2008 by the numbers
- 58 · 114 · 90 complaints describing oil burning on the 2006, 2007 and 2008.
- 230 · 271 complaints naming the steering on the 2006 and 2007.
- 37 fire reports on the 2007, the most of any RAV4 year.
- 11 · 14 · 14 recall campaigns listed for the three years.
Be Careful With: the 2019 RAV4
The 2019 was a new design, and its first year drew 887 NHTSA complaints, against 333 for the 2018. The fuel and propulsion system is the component owners named most (255 complaints).
The fault owners talk about most is the fuel tank: 67 complaints on the 2019 and 15 on the 2020 say the tank stops taking fuel well before it is full, cutting the real range. One Reddit commenter points to a Toyota technical service bulletin for early 2019–2020 tanks; another, on a 2021, says the problem was fixed for that model year.
The 2019 and 2020 share three recalls: 20V286000 for front lower suspension arms that may crack, 20V373000 for water getting into the power steering, and 20V682000 for a fuel pump that can fail. All are free at a dealer; make sure all three are done.
2019–2020 by the numbers
- 67 · 15 complaints on the 2019 and 2020 saying the fuel tank won't fill.
- 255 2019 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system.
- 641 complaints on the 2020, the engine named most.
- 7 · 6 recall campaigns on the 2019 and 2020.
What RAV4 Owners Say on Reddit and YouTube
The RAV4's reputation is built by owners like the ones below, and so are its warnings. The comments are a mix: many owners with 200,000-mile RAV4s, and a steady thread of oil-burning and fuel-tank stories from the years flagged above.
In owners' words (paraphrased)
- YouTube: an owner of five RAV4s, from 2003 to 2020, says none had a problem with oil changes every 5,000 miles and fluids every 50,000.
- r/rav4club, 2007 V6: a commenter says the oil consumption was the four-cylinder; V6 owners should watch a rubber oil line instead.
- YouTube, 2008 RAV4 (repaired): an owner says Toyota's extended-warranty fix, new pistons and rings, stopped the oil use; the car is at 180,000 miles.
- YouTube, another 2008 RAV4: the owner checks the oil every three weeks; it uses about a quart a month.
- r/rav4club, 2019–2020: a commenter calls the tank a flaw in early production cars and points to a Toyota service bulletin.
- r/rav4club: an owner says they still got only 9–10 gallons in after Toyota's fix.
- YouTube, 2021 Adventure: an owner had the rear differential replaced at 80,000 miles under a dealer warranty; they say it would have cost $5,200.
- YouTube, 2023 RAV4 LE: an owner says a transmission whine led to a full transmission replacement at 30,000 miles.
RAV4 Complaints by Year Group
Two peaks stand out: the 2006–2008, led by the 2007 at 1,003 complaints, and the 2019–2020. The 2013–2018 RAV4s sit far lower, between 198 and 333 complaints a year.
Checking a RAV4 for Sale?
Enter the VIN for a free preview: title brands, junk and salvage records, total-loss records and odometer readings.
The RAV4s Our Visitors Check
Between 11 June 2026 and 11 November 2026, 2,083 different Toyota RAV4 VINs went through our free preview. The single most-checked year was the brand-new 2026 (281). 169 (8%) were 2019–2020 models and 100 (5%) were 2006–2008 models.
So the warning years are not niche: a few hundred shoppers in five months were looking at exactly the RAV4s with the most complaints. The VIN tells you which recalls apply and whether the title is clean; the oil level and a full tank tell you the rest.
Fewest vs. Most RAV4 Complaints
Fewest is limited to 2004–2021, so very old and very new years don't skew it.
Fewest complaints (2004–2021)
- 2005: 141 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2004: 154 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2014: 198 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2016: 239 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2013: 256 complaints, 2 recalls
Most complaints
- 2007: 1,003 complaints, 14 recalls
- 2019: 887 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2006: 704 complaints, 11 recalls
- 2020: 641 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2008: 575 complaints, 14 recalls
Recall counts include multi-model campaigns.
What to Check on a Used RAV4
By year, the faults to look for.
2006–2008: oil use
Ask how often it's topped up, and look for blue smoke on start.
2006–2007: steering
Turn lock to lock at parking speed; the assist should never drop out.
2006–2011: rear arm recall
Confirm the rear suspension arm work (12V373000) is done.
2019–2020: a full tank
Fill from near empty and compare with the tank size in the manual.
2013–2018: the battery
Recall 23V734000: some replacement batteries may short against the hold-down.
Any year: VIN records
Open recalls, title brands and odometer history.
Reading RAV4 Complaint Numbers
Complaint totals rise with the number of cars on the road, and NHTSA does not divide them by sales, so compare RAV4 years with each other rather than with other models: the jump from 333 complaints for the 2018 to 887 for the 2019 says more than either number alone.
The fault counts come from searching what owners wrote. 114 complaints on the 2007 describe oil burning, but an owner who wrote "low oil light" without more is not counted, so treat the counts as a minimum.
Related Checks and Guides
Recalls, history and the RAV4's rivals.
Where These Facts Come From
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's own records; owner experiences are linked so you can read them in full.
NHTSA records read 12 November 2026. Written by the CarCheckerVIN editorial team with AI assistance, from NHTSA's complaint and recall records, our own preview logs and the owner posts linked above; figures checked November 2026. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Toyota.
Toyota RAV4 Years to Avoid — Frequently Asked Questions
The worst years, the best years and what to check.
What is the worst year for the Toyota RAV4?+
By NHTSA complaint count, the 2007 (1,003), then the 2019 (887) and 2006 (704).
Is the 2019 RAV4 a good used buy?+
It can be, with checks. Its 887 complaints are the second-highest of any RAV4, 67 of them about the fuel tank, and it has 7 recall campaigns. Confirm the recalls are done and fill the tank before you buy.
Which RAV4 years have transmission problems?+
The 2001–2003 most clearly: the power train is named in 381 of the 2002's 555 complaints. On the 2013–2015, 10 to 12 complaints a year describe a shudder.
Is the RAV4 Hybrid included?+
Many 2019-on RAV4 Hybrid complaints are filed under RAV4, so they are in the table. NHTSA lists some separately, including 302 for the 2017 RAV4 Hybrid and 99 for the 2021 RAV4 Prime.
Do all 2006–2008 RAV4s burn oil?+
No. Owners tie it to the four-cylinder engine, and many cars had repairs. Ask how often the oil is topped up and for records of any engine work.
Will your report show these problems?+
No history report can see a fault inside an engine or tank. Ours lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos for the VIN. Recalls are free to check on NHTSA's site.
A Good RAV4 Is a Checked RAV4
The year tells you what to look for; the VIN and a test drive tell you what you've got. Free preview first; the full report is $14.99 and lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's public records as read on 12 November 2026; complaints are unverified owner reports. Owner comments are paraphrased from the linked posts. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Toyota. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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