Toyota’s RAV4 typically can reach 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. Most years are hassle-free and cost-efficient, and with Toyota’s suggested twice-a-year maintenance routine, you can expect 13 to 16 years of use without any major overhaul.
Key Points
- A Toyota RAV4 can run for 200,000 to 250,000 miles, or 12 to 16 years, when regularly maintained.
- Most years are reliable and hassle-free, but reportedly, the 2007 and 2008 RAV4s suffer from excessive oil consumption, and the 2019 model has many complaints concerning the fuel/propulsion system.
- According to the reports, the average annual cost of ownership for a Toyota RAV4 is $429, about a hundred dollars lower than the average SUV.
With Excellent Maintenance, Reaching 200,000 miles, or 13 Years, isn’t Unheard of for a Toyota RAV4
According to many reputable automobile websites and Toyota dealerships around the country, the Toyota RAV4 can easily get 200,000 to 250,000 miles on the odometer. That translates to 13 to 16 years of use at an average of 15,000 miles in a year.
That is, of course, if you haven’t been putting off oil or fluid changes and have maintained your RAV4 properly.
Realistically, you should expect to replace substantial parts, like the transmission or the entire engine, after about the 250,000-mile mark.
However, with exceptional care, several owners have reported that it’s not unrealistic to reach even 300,000 miles on a RAV4, up to 20 years for the average driver, without having to swap original parts.
The numbers definitely put the Toyota RAV4 on the durable side of the small SUV spectrum, but some other rivals, such as the Honda CR-V, can reportedly do 50,000 to 100,000 miles more than the RAV4.
If you’re the third or fourth owner of a RAV4, expect major repairs somewhere around 150,000 to 200,000 miles.
2007 and 2008 Rav4’s Excessive Oil Consumption Issues Affect SUV’s Overall Lifespan
If you’re in the market for a long-lasting compact SUV, steering away from the Toyota RAV4’s relatively more problematic years would be a safer bet.
RAV4s models from 2011 and earlier have been subject to a lot more recalls and owners’ complaints than the newer models, according to the NHTSA’s website, with the worst model being the 2007 RAV4 with almost a thousand complaints and 14 recalls.
According to Car Complaints, the most common problem that 2007 RAV4 owners have complained about pertains to excessive oil consumption rates that costs almost $2,000 to fix. The same problem reportedly plagues the 2008 Toyota RAV4.
The models from the last 10 years do significantly better in terms of reliability, with the 2019 edition being an exception. With seven recalls and 428 complaints, the 2019 RAV4 is more problematic than other compact SUVs.
On the other hand, most other RAV4 years are very reliable. According to Repair Pal, the Toyota RAV4’s average annual cost of ownership is $429, about $100 lower than average for SUVs. The RAV4 needs repairs less frequently than other cars, too.
Following Toyota’s Suggested Twice-a-year Maintenance Routine is Vital to Avoid Expensive Overhauls for a RAV4
Following Toyota’s recommended maintenance schedule is crucial to ensure your RAV4 reaches 200,000 miles on the odometer without needing any serious repairs. Toyota suggests getting routine maintenance every six months or 5,000 miles.
Some of the critical services for higher mileage include:
- Every 18 months/15,000 miles: Re-torque propeller shaft bolts on 4WD models and inspect drive shaft boots, exhaust pipes, and steering gear.
- Every 36 months/30,000 miles: Replace transfer case oil (4WD) and engine air filter
- At 72 months/60,000 miles: Inspect the drive belts and repeat this service every 18 months/15,00 miles afterward.
- At 120 months/100,000 miles: Replace the engine coolant.
- At 144 months/120,000 miles: Replace the spark plugs.
As Long as You Avoid Problem Years, a RAV4 can Last Over 200,000 Miles without Costing a Fortune
Many sources, including real owner reviews, suggest the RAV4 can effortlessly reach 200,000 to 250,000 miles without needing any expensive repairs so long as it’s been taken care of adequately. That can be up to 16 years of use for the average driver.
Several owners reported stretching their RAV4’s life span to over 300,000 miles with exceptional maintenance and by following Toyota’s suggested service schedule. But realistically, the transmission and the engine would likely have to be replaced after 250,000 miles of use.
Though some years, like the 2007, 2008, and 2019 models, suffer from costly problems, most RAV4 models receive great reliability scores from J.D. Power, and they come with a below-average annual cost of ownership.
Photos: Toyota
