Used Toyota RAV4: Inspection checklist

Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 2,734 complaints across these 8 years; the 2019 drew the most.

Choose a model year

Problems that follow the RAV4 from year to year

Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.

Area	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
Electrical	111	81	109	68	16	36	15	7	443
Fuel system		224	79	22	4	6			335
Steering	10	29	26	19	15	23	22	2	146
Body and structure		51	42	15	15	6	11	5	145
Engine	10	137	134	14	5		6		306
Transmission	26	73	34	14	13	8	8	4	180

RAV4 generations and updates

First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.

Fifth generation
2019–2025
2022 update: New LED projector type headlights; New alloy wheels; USB-C charging ports
Fourth generation
2013–2018
- 2018
2016 update: Redesigned LED front and rear lamps; Updated speedometer dials

Mileages where RAV4 problems start

From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.

Typical mileage	Problem	Year
300–13,600 miles	Low-speed unintended acceleration	2024
2,500–6,401 miles	Low-speed transmission lurching	2019
4,000–5,000 miles	Brake squeal and grinding	2023
4,397–5,343 miles	Highway tire sidewall failure	2025
5,000–18,000 miles	Sunroof glass shattering	2020
9,512–26,000 miles	Water trapped inside doors	2022
10,000–28,000 miles	Front brake squeal	2024
13,048–44,780 miles	Rain-related stall, steering warning	2024
15,000–20,000 miles	Stalling with Steering Power Low	2022
18,000–49,540 miles	Early pad and rotor wear	2018
23,000–74,000 miles	Water trapped inside doors	2021
30,000–66,000 miles	Coolant bypass valve failure	2020
30,500–50,000 miles	Roof and A-pillar water leaks	2019
35,000–55,000 miles	Coolant loss and overheating	2021