The Toyota RAV 4 went on sale in the middle of the 1990s and remained popular for decades after that. It was one of the first crossover SUVs on the market, and it set the standard for this now-ubiquitous segment of vehicles that combines the capabilities of a full-sized SUV and a small car.
The RAV4 is still very popular, even though it is in its fifth generation. Most people know someone who has driven this famous car. However, despite its long history on the market and reputation for dependability, there have been years when it performed significantly better than others. In general, Toyota vehicles are regarded as dependable. Despite its excellent reputation, the RAV4 has experienced a few significant issues over time.
The best features of an SUV, such as cargo space, visibility, and four-wheel drive, can be found in compact crossover SUVs. as well as the compact car’s handling and fuel economy. Unlike the fourth and fifth generations, the first RAV4 was a rugged off-road vehicle, but we’ll talk more about that later.
Robust Accurate Vehicle with Four Wheel Drive is abbreviated as RAV4. Previously, it stood for recreational vehicles with four-wheel drive. That is, that is, until one day when the Toyota marketing department got hold of it out of boredom.
The RAV4 was referred to as a “cute ute,” implying that it was an attractive utility vehicle, which was another brilliant marketing strategy employed by Toyota. Even though the RAV4 debuted in North America for the 1996 model year, it was already a fantastic idea in 1989. The RAV4 has been around for five generations, the most recent being the XA50.
Engine leaks and the vehicle pulling to one side as it turned have been reported by the owners. Safety issues were also present in other models. It recalled some models in 2000 because some of them had airbags that were not fully deployed, and some of them also had low ratings in side impact crash tests.
The majority of the model years on our “worst list” below have significant issues even at relatively low mileage. When looking for a used RAV4, the ones on the “best list” have demonstrated the expected dependability that the vehicle is known for, and they are good choices.
Table of Contents
Discovering the Best Year of the Toyota RAV4
- 2009
- 2010
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
2009 Toyota RAV4
The spacious cargo area and third-row seat in this model made it popular. Safety, dependability, and resale value were also high. Regardless of whether you went with the V6 or the 4-cylinder engine, this model had good fuel economy. It also had smart keyless entry, a backup camera, and push-button start, features that people liked and weren’t in every car at the time. The 2 Toyota RAV4 demonstrated itself to be a dependable vehicle well worth the price with its low number of complaints this year.
2010 Toyota RAV4
The 2009 model’s dependability and favorable reviews were also carried over to the 2010 model. J.D. Power and Associates gave this model high marks for quality, dependability, and resale, and some customers praised how it continued to run reliably even after 200,000 miles.
2016 Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 was in its fourth generation at the time of the 2016 model. This was one of the best years for the vehicle, with very few complaints. It was available in a sport edition as well as standard or hybrid power. Customers also liked how quiet the interior was, regardless of the trim level they bought. This year, the vehicle’s front end also got a style makeover, which customers liked. The 2016 model has received very few complaints from customers to this point.
2017 Toyota RAV4
In 2017, Toyota made Toyota Safety Sense a standard feature on all trim levels of its vehicles. It is a good and dependable model that has a high resale value and retains the same appealing features that customers adored about the 2016 model.
2018 Toyota RAV4
An “adventure” trim level package was added in 2018, and it came with 18-inch black alloy wheels and other distinguishing features. Additionally, they added an outlet to the cargo area and increased the minimum towing capacity to 3,500 pounds.
Additionally, this vehicle stands out due to its dependability and low ownership costs and has a low number of customer complaints. Many will assert that the RAV4 has had the fewest issues this year.
Understanding the Worst Year for Toyota RAV4
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2013
- 2019
2001 Toyota RAV4
The first model of the vehicle’s second generation, the 2001 RAV4, underwent a significant redesign. However, the company’s intended improvement turned out to have its fair share of problems. This model has transmission issues and difficulty shifting between gears, making it one of the worst. Additionally, it had additional mechanical issues that resulted in significant driving failures.
2002 Toyota RAV4
For the 2001 model year, the RAV4 of the second generation was released. It shared components with the Corolla and Carina, as it did with the previous generation.
However, it was significantly altered, the most obvious of which was its length, height, and width. Although the increase in interior space was fantastic, Toyota equipped the RAV with a new 2.0-litre I4 engine with 148 horsepower to make up for the increased weight.
The fact that the new RAV was only available in a four-door car model instead of a sporty-looking two-door was another noticeable difference. It offered FWD or AWD, as well as a five-speed automatic or four-speed manual transmission, just like the previous model.
The 2002 model has the most customer complaints of any of the vehicle’s years, suggesting that Toyota did not address the transmission problem before releasing the vehicle. This vehicle wouldn’t give a smooth ride because of these transmission issues, and the motor control model likewise would in general overheat, causing its arrangement of issues.
2003 Toyota RAV4
Many of the same issues as in the 2001 and 2002 models persisted in 2003. However, it appears that Toyota was at least attempting to address them at this point. Although there were fewer issues overall, the most significant issue, the transmission frequently failing and not operating smoothly was still unresolved.
However, it now has a grade of poor, which is the IIHS’s lowest rating for the side crash test. However, in 2004, students who selected the optional side airbags would see their grade rise from the lowest to the highest with a grade of good. With an end goal to forestall crashes, Toyota made their vehicle steadiness control standard in 2004.
2006 Toyota RAV4
The 2006 Toyota RAV4 was the first of the third-age models. Notwithstanding, it didn’t get off to the best beginning. This year received approximately 600 complaints and had 59 distinct flaws. The engine and the steering were major issues, as was the excessive oil complaint.
2007 Toyota RAV4
All of the previous issues with the engine, steering, and electrical systems were present this year. The NHTSA expressed concern regarding the suspension and steering because the oil consumption remained excessive.
As a result, the third-generation RAV4’s seats and head restraints improved by two levels. In addition to receiving good ratings in three of the four categories, the 2009 RAV was named a Top Safety Pick by IIHS.
The strength of the roof was the only real flaw in the third-generation RAV4. This is because the RAV’s new, larger dimensions make it harder to maintain rigidity in a crash. The new RAV’s reliability has been significantly enhanced over the previous generation.
2008 Toyota RAV4
The 2008 RAV4 appeared to have even more issues than the previous two years, marking the third consecutive year with significant issues. Customers’ complaints about the excessive use of oil persisted even after Toyota failed to address the steering and engine issues that plagued the 2006 and 2007 models.
2013 Toyota RAV4
The 2012 model had issues that occurred at very low mileage, even though Toyota appeared to have resolved the issues with previous models over several years. Even before the vehicle had reached the 10,000-mile mark, some customers had voiced their concerns about these issues. The most significant issue of the year was an issue with sudden acceleration that led to crashes. Problems with the navigation system and a stench caused by the ventilation were among the less serious issues.
The RAV had difficulty passing the small overlap front tests on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides during the 2013-2014 model year. This puts the vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants in the event of a head-on collision with something a little to the driver’s or passenger’s side under test. In 2015, Toyota resolved this issue, elevating the RAV’s score on the driver’s small overlap test from poor to excellent.
However, they never bothered to strengthen the passenger side, so all model years scored poorly on the passenger side’s small overlap front test.
2019 Toyota RAV4
Another year of costly issues with low mileage occurred in 2019. Many customers complained that the vehicle would suddenly lurch or show hesitation at low speeds after less than 5,000 miles. The cost of resolving these issues was very significant. Additionally, customers became dissatisfied with the fuel gauge’s inability to always show full, making it difficult for them to determine the level of fuel in the vehicle.
Conclusion
The RAV4 was referred to as a “cute ute,” implying that it was an attractive utility vehicle, which was another brilliant marketing strategy employed by Toyota. Even though the RAV4 debuted in North America for the 1996 model year, it was already a fantastic idea in 1989. The RAV4 has been around for five generations, the most recent being the XA50.
Engine leaks and the vehicle pulling to one side as it turned have been reported by the owners. Safety issues were also present in other models. It recalled some models in 2000 because some of them had airbags that were not fully deployed, and some of them also had low ratings in side impact crash tests.
FAQ Regarding The Best and Worst Years for Toyota Rav4
Q.1) How does the Toyota Rav4 compare to other SUVs in its class?
The Toyota Rav4 stands out among its competitors for its safety features and fuel efficiency.
Q.2) How important is reliability when considering a Toyota Rav4?
Reliability should be a top priority when considering any vehicle purchase, including the Toyota Rav4. Our analysis shows that the most reliable model years for the Rav4 are 2019, 2020, and 2021, with higher customer satisfaction ratings and fewer, reported issues.
Q.3) What are some common issues with the Toyota Rav4?
Some common issues with the Toyota Rav4 include transmission problems, engine oil consumption, and excessive noise from the engine or suspension. However, the severity of these issues can vary depending on the model year
Q.4) What should I consider when choosing a Toyota Rav4 model year?
When choosing a Toyota Rav4 model year, consider your needs, preferences, safety, fuel efficiency, features, and handling.
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