Toyota is renowned for reliability, but the RAV4 has seen its share of issues in its 27 years of production. From airbags not deploying to complaints of vehicles catching fire, we review the problems associated with the popular compact SUV.
Key Points
- Since its U.S. debut in 1996, the Toyota RAV4 has built a reputation for dependability. But as time went on, the list of RAV4 recalls and complaints grew to 14 recalls and almost 1,000 complaints in 2007, addressing issues like faulty seat belts and airbags not deploying.
- The RAV4’s 2006 redesign faced 11 recalls and problems with unintended acceleration and power-window wiring that could lead to an electrical fire.
- More recent model years also have serious safety issues, with the 2019 RAV4 racking up seven recalls and over 400 complaints.
- The 2009 model has racked up the most recalls of any RAV4 ever made–a total of 15–in addition to three investigations and over 300 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some of the recalls are minor, such as mislabeled load stickers, while others are serious safety concerns that include unintended acceleration, risk of fire, and faulty seat belts.
RAV4’s 2006 Redesign Brought 11 Recalls and Many Problems, Like Unreliable Airbags and Acceleration Issues
Toyota’s 2006 RAV4 has some of the model’s most serious safety issues that are covered in 11 recalls for things like rear suspension arm corrosion, airbag deployment problems, and power-window wiring that could lead to an electrical fire. Many of these problems, and more, continued through 2010, when the carmaker redesigned the RAV4 once again.
The 2007 Toyota RAV4 tacked on three additional recalls for a total of 14, including issues with the seat belts not locking properly, and a sticky accelerator pedal. Outside of the recalls, this generation RAV4 also presented a number of other issues.
Excessive oil consumption is commonly reported for the 2007 RAV4, with some consumers reporting their vehicle using a full quart of oil in just a few hundred miles. There are some horror stories from RAV4 owners when it comes to airbags and acceleration issues as well.
One consumer reports that the vehicle propelled forward as they hit the brakes in their driveway, causing them to crash into their home. Others were reportedly launched into busy intersections or lost control of the car on the highway.
Battery Fires and Cracking Sunroofs Marred RAV4’s Third-generation, with the 2012 Model Receiving Six Recalls
The 2012 RAV4 introduced a number of new problems, and racked up six recalls, covering light problems like incorrect load labels and inoperative windshield wipers. The most serious recall concerns a software issue that may result in a possible loss of drive power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Multiple reports have been filed about the 2013 model catching fire due to a battery issue. A majority of the fires occurred while driving, with four taking place with the ignition off. Drivers experienced stalling prior to the fire in half of the instances where the vehicle was in motion. The 12-volt battery was identified as the area of origin in a majority of the incidents reviewed.
In one instance, an owner’s house reportedly burnt down due to the battery in the RAV4 catching fire inside his garage. An open investigation over the issue was launched in February 2021.
Peeling Blizzard Pearl Paint on 2013 RAV4 Proves to be an Unsightly Problem
Although not nearly as serious or dangerous of a problem as the battery fires, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 does have a pervasive problem of owners reporting that the paint on their vehicle began to bubble and crack. Judging from the many individual NHTSA complaints, the paint issue seems to be occurring specifically with the white paint.
“The Blizzard Pearl paint is peeling between the windshield and the sunroof, coming off in large pieces the size of a silver dollar,” reports one 2013 Toyota RAV4 owner in the NHTSA complaints. “Paint blisters first then just falls off the roof of the car. …It has been parked in the same places that my prior Toyotas, and this problem has never occurred before.”
2009 Tops the List for Worst Years of the Toyota RAV4, with More Risk of Electrical Fires and Sticky Accelerator Pedals
If you go by the numbers, 2009 is the worst year for the Toyota RAV4. The 2009 RAV4 has racked up a total of 15 recalls, three investigations, and over 300 complaints with the NHTSA. In fact, 2009 has the most recalls of any RAV4 ever made. Some of the recalls are minor, such as mislabeled load stickers, while others are serious safety concerns.
A few of the more dangerous recalls for the 2009 Toyota RAV4 involve unintended acceleration, risk of fire, and the seat belts not working properly during an accident. Numerous consumer complaints with the NHTSA stated that their RAV4 would accelerate on its own.
In some cases, the throttle input was enough to overpower the brakes and resulted in an accident. With mounting complaints from consumers and open investigations by the NHTSA, Toyota was forced to recall over two million of their vehicles for a sticky accelerator pedal.
Power Window’s Faulty Electrical Components May Cause a Short Circuit that Can Result in a Fire
Another serious recall on the 2009 RAV4 is the fire risk associated with the electrical components inside the power window track. The window track uses grease to ensure smooth operation, but over time, the grease could dry, allowing moisture and debris to build up, causing the switch to short circuit.
When this happens, the master power window switch melts and, in some cases, can result in a vehicle fire. The power window switch melting was such a big problem for Toyota that the automaker had to issue two recalls: one in 2012 affecting two and a half million vehicles, and the second recall in 2015 that added almost another two million Toyotas to the list.
Despite Some Problems and Recalls, is the Toyota RAV4 a Reliable Vehicle?
In truth, the Toyota RAV4 may have left its best days behind. More recent models are riddled with serious safety issues that Toyota seems lackadaisical about fixing. If you’re interested in purchasing a RAV4, shoot for an older, more reliable model, or be sure what you’re buying is still under warranty. Chances are, you’ll need it.
Photos: Toyota
