Top 10 Toyota RAV4 Years To Avoid In 2025: [Extensive Guide]
The legendary Toyota RAV4, which is famous for its reliability and versatility, still has its ebbs and flows. You’ll find some great models among its five generations, and at the other end, some models are better to avoid.
Planning to purchase a used Toyota RAV4? Want to know which one could perform better according to your needs? Be present, and I’ll reveal some Toyota RAV4 years to avoid commonly reported issues and everything you need to know!
10 Toyota RAV4 Years To Avoid
Getting an RAV4 can be a crucial decision that you must make yourself. So, if you don’t mind, then skip some, including models of RAV4 such as 1996, 2001-2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019, and 2020. These specific models have reported engine and transmission issues and rough gear shifts — definitely out of your expectations!
- 1996
- 2001-2003
- 2009
- 2011-2013
- 2019
- 2020
1996 — First Generation
According to my research and past consumer reports, the 1996 and later models are some of the worst Toyota RAV4 models that you’ll never want to buy at any cost.
The 1996 RAV4 belongs to the first generation, and like many other early models, it came with some flaws. The passengers have clearly mentioned common issues with these vehicles like engine stalling and hesitation, rough or hard shifting, especially with versions parked with the manual transmission.
The worst part behind the downfall of these model years is that safety features were minimal, and the Anti-lock braking system (ABS) was inconsistent or missing. Our team members use the best and most modern safety parameters to expose these kinds of older models.
To put it simply, 1996 models were not equipped with the kind of modern features and safety systems that would make people happy today.
With time, the situation started improving after the 1998-2000 models. The small change that was noticed was a slightly better engine reliability. Still was not enough to make people feel comfortable.
2001-2003 — Second Generation
After discussing the first generation, is buying a Toyota RAV4 from the second generation (2000-2006) a good decision? No, it’s not because these years have some significant problems that will interrupt your comfortable driving experience!
The major issue with these models is transmission problems. Not just slipping gears or delayed engagement, but also a complete transmission failure that can lead to difficult circumstances and costly repairs.
A fact report that is based on the reviews of owners of these model years, rough shifting, hard gear changes, and sudden downshifts are some common transmission problems with these models.
As the transmission is closely bound to the powertrain system, the above-mentioned transmission problems could lead to powertrain malfunctions as well, which could only cause trouble.
It does not end here, same as first-gen models; there is are lack of safety features in these models that make people unhappy. The 2001-2003 models of RAV4 did not come with the side airbags – a big deal for potential buyers who prioritized safety above everything.
Do you still take a risk to purchase any of these models after knowing these huge downsides? In that case, you must want to safely skip these model years, as this is not the right thing that you’re looking for!
2009, 2011, 2012 — Third Generation
The 2009, 2011, and 2012 are some model years of Toyota RAV4 that are notorious for one potential issue known as unintended or uncontrolled acceleration.
Let’s say you’re at a traffic signal, holding the brake; suddenly, your RAV4 starts accelerating while ignoring your braking. That’s exactly what we’ve found in our testing, which can lead to some dangerous situations.
The worst part is that this unintended acceleration was not very easy to predict. Some of the owners have experienced it while parking, which can result in minor accidents like curbs. For some others, it occurred at much higher speeds on roads. So, what caused that issue? Well, there’s no one-liner, simple answer.
Some of the RAV4 enthusiasts declared the issues with the electronic throttle control system of the vehicle, while some other experts pointed to faulty sensors or software glitches. Answers can be different, but the issue is the same: a car sometimes gets out of your control and leaves you and others at risk.
These are the reasons that make people uncomfortable to go with any of the third-gen models of the RAV4 as they have a lot of issues like first-gen and second-gen models.
2013 — Fourth Generation
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 belongs to the fourth-gen lineup (2013-2018), is included in the list of Toyota RAV4 years to avoid, and comes to the market with some refined improvements. It’s another worst models you might want to skip.
The drivers of these models have complained about several issues and the major one of them is annoying vibration at low speed – definitely not a good thing from a driver’s perspective. This annoying vibration can shake the whole car and the driver can lose their attention.
To fix that issue, some of the drivers ended up making a replacement of the torque converter, which can cost $4000 to $5000. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 has some registered complaints with the infotainment system, especially with the navigation screen.
During testing, our team found it very difficult to read in the bright sunlight. The testors adjust the brightness and contrast just for cross check but it doesn’t really work.
After that, another issue that is reported commonly is transmission issues. The drivers have mentioned that they have encountered gear shifts to hesitation while accelerating. This problem can lead to more problems in the engine, causing expensive transmission repairs.
2019, 2020 — Fifth Generation
Even though Toyota is highly reputed for its reliability and durability, the 2019 and 2020 RAV4 are two models with some negative reviews among drivers especially when it concerns braking and transmission problems.
These models are clear red flags for drivers from the fifth generation of RAV4. Transmission, the most major and frequent issue that is coming from the first-gen still common in the fifth-gen. Most of the complaints are about the hesitating and lurching of the RAV4 at lower speeds.
During the analysis process, our testers found that the transmission slippage in these models was so bad that the car took several minutes to shift gears properly.
A small number of complaints are also reported about the brakes as the brakes are one of the most reliable and crucial features that ensure both your and other’s safety on the road.
Therefore, you don’t want to compromise with safety at all. However, strange squealing or clunking noises when applying the brakes are the most frequent issues encountered by drivers.
Although these were less common but still, the 2019 and 2020 RAV4 also have some minor glitches and issues with the electronic system. So, if you’re deciding to get an RAV4 model from the fight-gen lineup, it’s always best to go with the 2021 or later model year.
That is why the experts recommend purchasing the latest high-tech model with fewer reported issues, even if you’re trying to get a used one!
Problems Per Thousand Vehicles Per Year (PPMY)
| Model Year | Problems Reported | Units Sold | Vehicle Age (Years) | PPMY Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 109 | 364,859 | 1 | 0.30 |
| 2020 | 284 | 250,224 | 2 | 0.57 |
| 2019 | 593 | 333,481 | 3 | 0.59 |
| 2018 | 233 | 457,063 | 4 | 0.13 |
| 2017 | 226 | 355,443 | 5 | 0.13 |
| 2016 | 196 | 258,134 | 6 | 0.13 |
| 2015 | 269 | 357,723 | 7 | 0.11 |
| 2014 | 181 | 197,116 | 8 | 0.11 |
| 2013 | 258 | 223,863 | 9 | 0.13 |
| 2012 | 327 | 172,773 | 10 | 0.19 |
| 2011 | 337 | 187,794 | 11 | 0.16 |
| 2010 | 462 | 180,653 | 12 | 0.21 |
| 2009 | 379 | 119,450 | 13 | 0.24 |
| 2008 | 675 | 164,331 | 14 | 0.29 |
| 2007 | 1,188 | 181,112 | 15 | 0.44 |
| 2006 | 859 | 114,953 | 16 | 0.47 |
| 2005 | 162 | 76,721 | 17 | 0.12 |
| 2004 | 168 | 77,643 | 18 | 0.12 |
| 2003 | 388 | 77,334 | 19 | 0.26 |
| 2002 | 674 | 96,489 | 20 | 0.35 |
| 2001 | 405 | 87,383 | 21 | 0.22 |
| 2000 | 34 | 44,525 | 22 | 0.03 |
Best Toyota RAV4 Years
Some of the best Toyota RAV4 years to buy include 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021-2024 models. These are the most reliable Toyota RAV4 models, famous for their reliability, advanced features, and overall performance.
As this article is about the Toyota RAV4 years that you should avoid, I’ve comprehensively covered the best and most reliable years in another separate blog; you can check it out there!
Also Check:
Where Are Toyotas Made? Is Toyota Japanese Or American?
Here’s a simplified chart with just the Model Year and Reliability Rating for the Toyota RAV4:
| Model Year | Reliability Rating |
|---|---|
| 1996-2000 | Good |
| 2001-2003 | Poor |
| 2004-2005 | Good |
| 2006-2008 | Poor |
| 2009 | Fair |
| 2010-2012 | Good |
| 2013 | Fair |
| 2014-2016 | Good |
| 2017 | Fair |
| 2018 | Good |
| 2019 | Poor |
| 2020 | Poor |
| 2021-2023 | Good |
Final Thoughts
We’ve thoroughly discussed the Toyota RAV4 years to avoid, their reasons, common problems, and some best years that you can consider. Of course, it’s not enough; there are always other quality checks when it comes to buying a car.
This guide will clear things up for you and help you make a better decision! Still need help? No worries! Just drop us a message with your query — we’re here to help you 24/7!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Toyota RAV4 Years To Avoid?
1996, 2001-2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2020 are some of the worst years of Toyota RAV4 that you should avoid as they’ve many problems like transmission and gear shifting issues.
Which Model Year Of The RAV4 Is The Most Reliable?
The 2010 Toyota RAV4 is considered the most reliable model, with a 9.3 reliability score out of 10.
What Used Year Of Toyota RAV4 Is The Best To Buy?
The RAV4 models range from years 2021 to 2024 and are known as the best used years to buy at a budget. These model years have fewer reported issues as compared to other ones and perform well at resale.
Kevin Morgan is an ASE-certified automotive engineer and blogger with over 15 years of experience in vehicle systems design, performance testing, mechanics, and diagnostics. He is deeply passionate about automotive excellence. As a contributing author at CarClinicCentral, Kevin shares his expertise with enthusiasts, providing valuable market insights, updates, and trends.
