2008 Toyota Rav4: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 707 complaints
707
Total Complaints
66,000mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
56
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
34,500
25th Percentile
66,000
Median Mileage
94,559
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
137
Vehicle Speed Control
92
Suspension
79
Steering
69
Air Bags
50
Power Train
30
Unknown Or Other
29
Electrical System
26
Seat Belts
18
Engine And Engine Cooling
16
Severity Assessment
56
Crashes
20
Fires
48
Injuries
2
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WINDOW FOGGING - 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED WITH CLIMATE CONTROL. WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW A CERTAIN DEGREES, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT SHUT OFF. THIS CAUSES ALL THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP IMMEDIATELY WHEN DRIVING. THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER CONTROL IS INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS, ..."
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SOON BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE BE..."
"UNDER CERTAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS (WET SNOW, ICE & FREEZING TEMPS) THE DEFROST SYSTEM WILL NOT KEEP ICE FROM FORMING OVER ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER 10 TO 12 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT IS NECESSARY TO STOP AND SCRAPE ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND WIPERS. IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA TO STOP ON NARROW MOUN..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
137 complaints
25th: 70,000 mi
Median: 86,000 mi
75th: 120,500 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
92 complaints
25th: 11,958 mi
Median: 25,150 mi
75th: 54,337 mi
Suspension
79 complaints
25th: 52,750 mi
Median: 76,856 mi
75th: 105,250 mi
Steering
69 complaints
25th: 37,777 mi
Median: 60,000 mi
75th: 85,000 mi
Air Bags
50 complaints
25th: 63,300 mi
Median: 82,500 mi
75th: 106,250 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 94
NY: 63
MA: 54
PA: 36
NJ: 32
FL: 31
TX: 30
OH: 29
WA: 27
VA: 24
Who Files Complaints?
2.3%
Original Owners
97.7%
Second+ Owners
Toyota Rav4 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (14)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Seat Heater/Cooler
Campaign 14V743000 | 19/11/2014
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Seat Heater/Cooler
Campaign 16V396000 | 02/06/2016
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Inflator Module
Campaign 14V168000 | 09/04/2014
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac V
Rear/Other
Campaign 16V096000 | 19/02/2016
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Rear
Campaign 16V596000 | 12/08/2016
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 15V689000 | 22/10/2015
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-
Rear
Campaign 12V373000 | 02/08/2012
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota
Air Bags
Campaign 11V245000 | 21/04/2011
INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE CONTAINING IMPROVED ROLL RATE SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA INTENDS TO SEND AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS EARLY TO MID-MAY, 2011 WHEN SUFFICIENT PARTS AND REMEDY BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331
Rear
Campaign 13V383000 | 28/08/2013
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage. Due to limitations in parts, the recall remedy will be
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 12V491000 | 10/10/2012
If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their T
Accelerator Pedal
Campaign 11V113000 | 24/02/2011
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Labels
Campaign 09V223000 | 15/06/2009
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Labels
Campaign 10V036000 | 03/02/2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Labels
Campaign 10V035000 | 03/02/2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28