Toyota RAV4 Years to Avoid
Toyota launched the RAV4 in 1994 and has since sold well over 10 million globally—but not all model years are created equal. Here are 8 RAV4s to avoid.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Toyota RAV4 has been around since 1994, earning numerous awards and accolades—but some model years don’t quite live up to the hype. From excessive oil consumption to peeling paint, the 2007 and 2009 RAV4s are two examples of models to avoid.
The RAV4 was the first compact crossover on the market and was once the best-selling SUV in the entire world. In fact,
Toyota
has sold over 10 million units! But certain model years of this iconic vehicle have been plagued with issues. If you’re in the market for a used car, look no further.
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super app Jerry
has compiled this handy list of eight Toyota RAV4 model years you should avoid. As an added bonus, we’ll tell you how to lower your Toyota RAV4 car insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers8 Toyota RAV4 Years to Avoid
2002 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: Not rated
Pros: Easy to maneuver in tight spaces, ideal interior layout
Cons: EVAP system issues, oxygen sensor failure, catalytic converter failure
Part of the vehicle’s second generation, experts estimate that 2002 RAV4s can last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles with proper care. So, there’s a real chance that you’ll find one of these at a used car lot near you. According to Edmunds, the average current value of an ‘02 RAV4 is $918 to $4,476, depending on condition and mileage.
Unfortunately, you’ll probably notice the check engine light turn on quite often, thanks to a long list of issues with the vehicle’s EVAP system, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, transmission shifting, and more.
MORE:7 things to look for when buying a used car
2006 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: 84 out of 100
Pros: Great handling, roomy interior, optional third row
Cons: Excessive oil consumption, clunking while steering, water leaking into the cabin
The RAV4 was completely redesigned for the 2006 model year, kicking off the namesake’s third generation. Today, you’ll likely be able to secure a 2006 RAV4 for around $2,500 to $3,700. However, considering it’s only predicted to last around 150,000 miles thanks to its frequent engine and steering problems, that’s quite a bit of money.
2007 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: 81 out of 100
Pros: Spacious, easy to drive, newly added standard airbags
Cons: Clunking issues, excessive oil consumption, boring base engine
Not much changed between the 2006 and 2007 model years, meaning that this version of the RAV4 still exhibited many of the same problems as its predecessor. You’ll only pay around $3,000 for an ‘07 model, but buyers told Consumer Reports that it’s quite noisy when turning and suffers from frequent engine problems.
2008 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: 85 out of 100
Pros: Powerful and fuel-efficient (optional) V6 engine, roomy second row
Cons: Excessive oil consumption, budget interior
Despite impressive reliability scores from RepairPal and J.D. Power, the 2008 RAV4 still doesn’t feel like a smart purchase. Toyota upgraded the SUV’s four-cylinder engine that year, yet it still consumes an excessive amount of oil.
Just like the
Toyota Camry
and Toyota Corolla
of the same era, 2008 RAV4s begin exhibiting engine issues after accumulating a significant amount of mileage. Furthermore, this model’s interior felt dated even back then. What worked in previous model years began to feel like a budget option. 2009 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: 84 out of 100
Pros: Easy-to-load cargo area, high NHTSA and IIHS crash test scores
Cons: Unwanted acceleration, peeling paint, whining noises from the back end
The third-generation RAV4 was given a mid-cycle refresh for the 2009 model year, allowing shoppers access to a long list of never-seen-before features. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports shows that drivers begin to articulate some significant RAV4 problems around 85,000 miles—including unwanted acceleration that occasionally leads to crashes.
2013 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: 85 out of 100
Pros: Tons of cargo space, more reliable than previous generations
Cons: Infotainment screen is difficult to see, shaky automatic transmission
The fourth generation RAV4 kicked off in 2013, marking significant changes for the well-loved SUV. After a complete redesign, the vehicle featured a rear liftgate rather than a side-opening rear door and no longer had the spare wheel mounted on the exterior.
Additionally, Toyota did away with the optional V6 engine, offering exclusively four-cylinder powertrains. Finally, buyers could no longer choose between a regular and an extended wheelbase length—only a single wheelbase was offered.
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 seems to have collected the highest number of grievances in the last decade. Common issues include a dim navigation display that is nearly impossible to see during the day, as well as transmission problems that cause the compact crossover SUV to shake, even at relatively low speeds.
MORE:
Toyota RAV4 V6
2017 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: 83 out of 100
Pros: Comfortable ride, plenty of standard safety features
Cons: Premature engine issues, electrical problems
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 was selected as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, but hundreds of customer complaints have been reported to the NHTSA. The most alarming complaints include issues with steering and braking. A myriad of electrical issues was also reported, including random battery drain that, in many cases, causes the vehicle to suddenly stall.
2019 Toyota RAV4
RepairPal reliability rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
J.D. Power reliability rating: 79 out of 100
Pros: Newly redesigned, impressive fuel economy, plenty of passenger and cargo space
Cons: Transmission issues, braking problems
The fifth generation of the RAV4 kicked off for the 2019 model year, and since it’s still a relatively new Toyota model, one might expect fewer complaints. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Per CarComplaints, this vehicle’s overall driving experience is hampered by its transmission shifting issues, including hesitation, slippage, and lurching—even at slower speeds.
How to find cheap car insurance for your Toyota RAV4
Choosing the perfect used RAV4 is quite the feat. Once you pick the model year and price point that’s right for you, you’ll have lots of options between powertrains, wheelbase lengths, trim levels, and more.
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What is the most reliable RAV4 model to buy?
The best years for the Toyota RAV4 include 2010, 2016, and 2018. These model years received the highest reliability scores, impressive safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, and relatively few recalls.
What are some major problems for the RAV4?
In general, RAV4s are pretty reliable cars; however, there are some common issues reported by consumers. These include jerky acceleration, rough and vibrating transmission, transmission slipping, excessive oil consumption, audible clunking when steering, and electrical issues, including battery drainage problems.
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