Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 14% | — |
| 2024 | 38 | 22% | 14,000 miles |
| 2023 | 26 | 16% | — |
| 2022 | 28 | 19% | 52,000 miles |
| 2021 | 41 | 11% | 53,000 miles |
| 2020 | 193 | 30% | 27,000 miles |
| 2019 | 215 | 24% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 35 | 11% | 48,000 miles |
| 2017 | 33 | 11% | 37,000 miles |
| 2016 | 25 | 10% | 15,000 miles |
| 2015 | 37 | 12% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 31 | 16% | 48,000 miles |
| 2013 | 31 | 12% | 17,000 miles |
| 2012 | 23 | 9% | 34,000 miles |
| 2011 | 36 | 13% | 67,000 miles |
| 2010 | 31 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 35 | 11% | 38,000 miles |
| 2008 | 160 | 28% | 80,000 miles |
| 2007 | 236 | 24% | 90,000 miles |
| 2006 | 149 | 21% | 78,000 miles |
| 2005 | 15 | 11% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 29 | 19% | 90,000 miles |
| 2003 | 47 | 15% | 89,000 miles |
| 2002 | 63 | 12% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 37 | 12% | 113,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% | 169,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 6 | 8% | 94,000 miles |
| 1997 | 12 | 22% | 100,000 miles |
| 1996 | 6 | 13% | 130,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
We were on a funeral procession when suddenly the car accelerated at a very high speed and hit the end of guard rail head on. My wife on the passenger side and two people at the back were all taken to the emergency room. I got pinned on the steering column and taken out via the roof. I had severe abrasions on both legs, wife has 3 broken ribs,the 2 passengers suffered whiplash and complains of chest pains. Car was purchased 11/3/2025 and I took it for a recall fix about a month ago at Burien Toyota dealership where we bought it. Incident # 2026-55959 Seattle police. At present our car insurance is investigating and our claim # is 082 0356939 Allstate.
On [redacted], at approximately [redacted], in Greenwich CT, while I was very slowly driving into a parking space, the engine suddenly and unexpectedly surged,. The vehicle overcame the brakes and raced forward and collided with a stone wall, about 3 ft away. This was a new (since May 2025) vehicle with only approx 3,500 miles on it. I had not had any previous problems with it and there were no warning lights on the instrument panel. At the time, I was proceeding at a very low rate of speed, 1 - 3 mph. I drive only with my right foot which was on the brake, not on the gas. The vehicle accelerated with NO action on my part and collided with a stone wall approx 3 ft away and bounced back several feet. Fortunately I was close to the wall so the vehicle did not have a long distance to accelerate and I was wearing my seat belt which probably protected me from injury. …
The contact owned a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds at a gas station, attempting to drive into the car wash, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a fence and a nearby tree, where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedals to stop the vehicle; however, the vehicle continued accelerating and lost control, resulting in the crash. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The diagnosis was not available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,480.
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was heard coming from under the hood and would shudder towards the front-passenger side. In addition, the contact stated that the failure caused her to crash into a rail guard, and the rear driver-side tire had deflated, and the rim was damaged. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was sought. No police report was filed. In addition, an independent mechanic arrived on scene to replace the tire. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the warranty having expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
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. …
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. …
We were traveling across country from Michigan to Arizona. We were 50 miles outside Tucson, AZ on [redacted]. Traveling 80 mph in a 75 mph zone, in passing lane and felt like car exploded and all airbags deployed and we came to a quick stop. No major injuries to either of us. One vehicle incident, did not collide with anything or hit any debris. It was a clear day, road conditions good, no noises, lights etc. My husband was able to keep from rolling and we came to a stop with many semi's etc flying by, very scary. When we were able to safely get out and call 911, there was significant drivers side front end damage around tire area and inside near axle. Looked like something broke inside car, sheered off bottom of tire. Police arrived and had to push vehicle on to shoulder of road. …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the economy feature disengaged while driving. While the lane assist was activated, the vehicle drifted over into another lane. The engine was revving and backfired. The vehicle lost motive power while driving at undisclosed speeds. The driver's side windshield had a glaze or wax on the outside. While idling, the vehicle surged forward. The driver hovered a foot over the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, AutoNation Toyota Winter Park Service Center (225 N Semoran Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32792); Claremont Toyota (601 Auto Center Dr, Claremont, CA 91711); and Miracle Toyota (37048 US-27, Haines City, FL 33844); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. …
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota RAV4 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (236), 2019 (215), 2020 (193), 2008 (160) and 2006 (149) model years. Engine complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Toyota RAV4 engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 20V-064 (engine and engine cooling, Feb 6, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota RAV4 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (69 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (14).
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.