In VehicleReliability.com’s U.S. comparison of gas-powered Toyota RAV4s from 2004 through 2025, the 2016 RAV4 ranks highest and the 2007 ranks lowest. The table also places 2004–2005, 2013–2018, and 2025 above their respective same-year midsize-SUV cohorts. These are one publisher’s complaint-based relative rankings—not a universal verdict or a rating of any individual used RAV4.
How the RAV4 model-year rankings work
VehicleReliability.com compares each gas RAV4 model year with midsize SUVs sold in that same year. Its ranking uses NHTSA-filed failure reports weighted by U.S. sales volume. It says it measures 12 vehicle systems, comparing each system’s failure-report rate with that of the same-year midsize-SUV class. A lower rank number indicates a stronger relative placement within that year’s cohort.
Because the comparison group changes each year, a rank such as #5 of 38 for a 2016 RAV4 cannot be compared directly with #7 of 66 for a 2025. Nor are complaint reports confirmed defects or a complete measure of reliability: owners may not report every problem. VehicleReliability.com’s public overview does not identify the specific parts responsible for each model-year result, so the rankings do not establish which component caused a year to place higher or lower. See VehicleReliability.com’s RAV4 comparison and methodology.
RAV4 reliability ranking by model year
The table lists VehicleReliability.com’s displayed rank for each gas RAV4 against that model year’s midsize-SUV cohort. The source table was accessed in 2026.
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| RAV4 model year | Rank in same-year midsize-SUV cohort | Count in cohort |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | #4 | 26 |
| 2005 | #3 | 27 |
| 2006 | #16 | 28 |
| 2007 | #22 | 36 |
| 2008 | #19 | 38 |
| 2009 | #20 | 39 |
| 2010 | #10 | 40 |
| 2011 | #14 | 39 |
| 2012 | #9 | 39 |
| 2013 | #7 | 37 |
| 2014 | #7 | 37 |
| 2015 | #9 | 40 |
| 2016 | #5 | 38 |
| 2017 | #6 | 37 |
| 2018 | #8 | 42 |
| 2019 | #26 | 45 |
| 2020 | #28 | 49 |
| 2021 | #24 | 53 |
| 2022 | #18 | 59 |
| 2023 | #25 | 67 |
| 2024 | #35 | 72 |
| 2025 | #7 | 66 |
What is the best year for a used Toyota RAV4?
2016 is the top year in this ranking
The 2016 gas RAV4 placed #5 among 38 midsize SUVs in its model-year cohort, making it the strongest year in VehicleReliability.com’s 2004–2025 RAV4 table. The 2004 and 2005 models also placed near the top of their cohorts, at #4 of 26 and #3 of 27. The 2013–2018 years each ranked within the top eight of their respective cohorts, and 2025 ranked #7 of 66.
These placements make those years reasonable starting points for a used-car search, not guarantees that every example is trouble-free. The ranking is for the model line; mileage, trim, maintenance history, and the car’s current condition still matter.
Rank #2
- Step-by-step procedures written from a complete teardown and rebuild, giving you the confidence to tackle repairs at any skill level.
- Over 700+ clear photos and diagrams that simplify complex systems, helping you complete jobs faster and with fewer mistakes.
- Comprehensive troubleshooting and fault-finding guides to quickly diagnose problems and reduce costly downtime.
Which Toyota RAV4 years should I avoid?
2007 is the weakest year in the table
The 2007 RAV4 ranked #22 of 36 same-year midsize SUVs, the lowest placement among the listed RAV4 years. The 2008 and 2009 also landed in the lower half of their cohorts, at #19 of 38 and #20 of 39. Later, the 2019–2024 models had comparatively weaker placements overall: 2019 ranked #26 of 45, 2020 #28 of 49, 2021 #24 of 53, 2022 #18 of 59, 2023 #25 of 67, and 2024 #35 of 72.
“Avoid” is too absolute based on these relative rankings alone. They do not reveal the cause of each result or determine whether a particular vehicle has been maintained well. If considering one of these years, weigh the individual car’s service records, inspection findings, mileage, and recall status rather than treating the model-year rank as a diagnosis.
How other reliability sources change the picture
Different providers measure different things, so their ratings should be read alongside—not averaged into—the VehicleReliability.com rankings.
- Consumer Reports: Its reliability history uses subscriber-reported trouble across 20 areas and compares a model with vehicles of the same model year. Consumer Reports describes its latest survey as covering about 380,000 vehicles. Its surfaced 2024 RAV4 page called that year about average; a surfaced 2025 page listed three NHTSA recalls at the time the page excerpt was accessed in 2026. Those page details can change. Consumer Reports’ 2024 RAV4 reliability page and 2025 RAV4 reliability page.
- Consumer Reports’ 2024 survey, as reported by AP: The gas RAV4 was the survey’s most reliable vehicle, followed by the Corolla, RAV4 Prime, and RAV4 Hybrid. The survey relied on Consumer Reports subscribers and was not representative of all U.S. purchasers. It offers a broad survey result, not a year-by-year RAV4 ranking; gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid results should not be treated as one series. AP’s coverage of the 2024 Consumer Reports survey.
- J.D. Power: Its 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study named the Toyota RAV4 the highest-ranked model in its segment. Separately, J.D. Power’s 2026 RAV4 model page showed 77/100 for Quality & Reliability and labeled the score Average. That 2026 RAV4 is a newly redesigned generation, so an early score or forecast is not equivalent to years of accumulated reliability history. J.D. Power’s owner-rating measure is not directly interchangeable with complaint data or subscriber surveys. 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study and J.D. Power’s 2026 RAV4 page.
Is the latest RAV4 reliable?
In VehicleReliability.com’s table, the 2025 gas RAV4 ranked #7 of 66 same-year midsize SUVs. That is a strong relative placement in that source’s comparison, but it is not a long-term record for the model. The separate 2026 RAV4 score from J.D. Power is an early-generation rating using a different method, not a continuation of the 2025 ranking.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to assess a specific used RAV4
A model-year comparison can help narrow a search, but it cannot establish an individual vehicle’s condition. Check the car’s identity and history, then have its present condition assessed.
Quick Recap
- Check open recalls by VIN. Enter the vehicle identification number in NHTSA’s recall lookup. A model-year ranking does not show whether a particular vehicle has an open recall or whether recall work has been completed.
- Review maintenance and ownership records. Look for documented services and repairs, and compare the records with the car’s mileage and trim. Missing records are uncertainty, not proof of a fault.
- Arrange an independent inspection. Ask a qualified mechanic to evaluate the vehicle’s condition and identify issues that a broad model-year score cannot reveal.
- Use an OBD-II reader only as a screening aid. Reading diagnostic codes may flag some issues, but a basic code reader cannot find every intermittent problem, establish overall reliability, confirm recall repairs, or replace an inspection.
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