2023 Toyota RAV4 Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the RAV4 at the same age

Owners have filed 161 complaints about the 2023 Toyota RAV4 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.5× as many as a typical RAV4 model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (42 complaints, typically around 21,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

161complaints
3recalls
19crashes
1fires
15injuries
0deaths

Most common 2023 Toyota RAV4 problems

  • Other / not specified
    4327%
  • Electrical system~21,000 miles
    4226%
  • Steering~59,000 miles
    2717%
  • 2616%
  • Driver assistance~59,000 miles
    2516%
  • Brakes
    1811%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~57,000 miles
    127%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~25,000 miles
    117%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    117%
  • Body & structure~19,000 miles
    106%
  • Wheels & tires~58,000 miles
    96%
  • Air bags~58,000 miles
    85%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    74%
  • Suspension~74,000 miles
    64%
  • Locks & latches
    21%
  • Seats
    11%
  • Lights
    11%
  • Seat belts
    11%

Share of the 161 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Toyota RAV4 complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’2547547762303095273151541417051.0k57532740028726025719730524030733388263538714916117690
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota RAV4. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best RAV4 years: 2014. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →

2023 Toyota RAV4 recalls (3)

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 25V-744 · Oct 30, 2025 · 1,024,407 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models.

Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 25V-595 · Sep 11, 2025 · 591,377 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the…

Tires › Valve

NHTSA recall 23V-485 · Jul 11, 2023 · 195 vehicles

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota RAV4 vehicles equipped with 17" black alloy accessory wheels. During installation of the alloy wheels, the tire valve stem may have been improperly installed or damaged. In addition, the load carrying capacity label may state the incorrect weight.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel valve stems and replace the load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 18, 2023.

What 2023 Toyota RAV4 owners say

Electrical system all 42 →

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 46 MPH in heavy rain, a warning message indicating that the pre-collision sensor was blocked and needed to be cleared, was displayed temporarily, and the contact continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost motive power shortly after, and the message "Steering power is low; please contact dealer" was displayed. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart.The following day, the contact's husband successfully restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle immediately stalled again, displaying a "Pre-collision malfunction; please call dealer" message. A local dealer was contacted, and the contact spoke with a receptionist regarding the battery, but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,829.

59,000 miles · Jul 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side blind spot warning system located on the exterior side mirror failed to function as intended. The light flashed on the side mirror; however, the beeping sound was inaudible. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred the same month the vehicle was purchased. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20.

ADAS › Blindspot › Sensors · 0 miles · Aug 2023

Steering all 27 →

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 46 MPH in heavy rain, a warning message indicating that the pre-collision sensor was blocked and needed to be cleared, was displayed temporarily, and the contact continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost motive power shortly after, and the message "Steering power is low; please contact dealer" was displayed. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart.The following day, the contact's husband successfully restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle immediately stalled again, displaying a "Pre-collision malfunction; please call dealer" message. A local dealer was contacted, and the contact spoke with a receptionist regarding the battery, but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,829.

59,000 miles · Jul 2026

I was driving over 120 MPH and my car slid and hit the front car. My car later caught fire and ruptured shortly after. The FD extinguished it and it was a total loss. I have no clue as to where it was taken after the accident. Sorry :(

Apr 2025 · crash · fire

Engine & cooling all 26 →

Yesterday I drove an hour in the rain for the first time in my brand new 2023 rav4. I pulled into a parking lot, put it in park and all of the sudden my car starting stuttering/jerking/jolting the whole car, the rpm's were fluttering up and down between 2-3, the car engine turned on and off and car felt very weird. Check engine light and yellow explanation symbol came on with message " Engine stopped steering power low" and turned car off. Then I turned it back on and it was doing the same thing jolting me forward with the same message and also the message "Not Ready to drive" and shut the whole car back off. I could barely make it out of the drive thru to park it out of the way in a spot to wait for a tow truck. It wouldn't drive. I had to get it towed to dealership and of course when it got there it was acting normal. I got it brand new 3 weeks ago. …

Dec 2022

As I was entering a covered parking structure, I came to a complete stop at the entrance of the gate to obtain my parking ticket. I was driving very slow less than 5 mph, and engaged the brakes as to stop to get my parking ticket before entering the parking garage. I have my foot on the brake pedal, I am at a complete stop of 0mph for several seconds now, and suddenly the engine revved and my car lunged forward a bit. I had not lifted my foot from the brake pedal, and yet the engine revved and my car lunged forwards. My passenger at the time yelled, WHOAA why are you pressing on the gas!!? So my passenger in the car at the time was also startled by this incident and felt the car surge forward. He thought that I had pressed on the gas pedal. …

Aug 2023

2023 Toyota RAV4 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cyl hybridCVTAWD41 / 38 / 40
2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automaticFWD27 / 35 / 30
2.5L 4-cyl8-speed automaticAWD27 / 34 / 30

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Toyota RAV4 a good car?

Based on 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 RAV4 rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the RAV4 at the same age. It is one of the RAV4 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Toyota RAV4?

The electrical system — 42 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument panel › speedometer/odometer. Next are the steering (27) and engine & cooling (26).

How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota RAV4 have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2023 Toyota RAV4, the most recent from October 30, 2025 (display function). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Toyota RAV4?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025. See the full Toyota RAV4 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2023 Toyota RAV4 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.