TireKick

Published generation acquisition guide

RAV4 years to avoid—and the years we refuse to over-rank

This answer is generated only from the published Fifth generation guide. It names applicable issues, configuration caveats, remedies, exposure eligibility, and the claim receipts behind every year conclusion.

Year-by-year answer

2020
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

Applicable issues

  • Engine And Engine Cooling safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: Only one reviewed 2020 configuration is present: 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular · RAV4.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2020; normalized year comparison is refused. Exposure is model-year-wide, not a denominator for the resolved configuration.

Open 2020 authority →
2021
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

Applicable issues

  • Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: Only one reviewed 2021 configuration is present: 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular · RAV4.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2021; normalized year comparison is refused. Exposure is model-year-wide, not a denominator for the resolved configuration.

Open 2021 authority →
2019
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

Applicable issues

  • Equipment:Other:Labels safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: Only one reviewed 2019 configuration is present: 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular · RAV4.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2019; normalized year comparison is refused. Exposure is model-year-wide, not a denominator for the resolved configuration.

Open 2019 authority →
2022
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

Applicable issues

  • Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: Only one reviewed 2022 configuration is present: 2.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular · RAV4.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2022; normalized year comparison is refused. Exposure is model-year-wide, not a denominator for the resolved configuration.

Open 2022 authority →

What you trade between adjacent years

Dossier receipts

clm_toyota-rav4-2019-recall-recall-19v244000-obs-11902019 Toyota RAV4Evidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
clm_toyota-rav4-2020-recall-recall-20v064000-obs-12242020 Toyota RAV4Evidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“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. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally. A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire. 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.”
NHTSArecallJun 2020Open source record
clm_toyota-rav4-2021-recall-recall-23v865000-obs-12582021 Toyota RAV4Evidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury. Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
clm_toyota-rav4-2022-recall-recall-22v519000-obs-12872022 Toyota RAV4Evidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Rav4, Rav4 Hybrid, and Rav4 Prime vehicles. The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA08.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record

Publication contract

Evidence: Limited confidence

Release rel_v4_cohort_20260726 · methodology m1-v4-authority-cohort. Raw complaint totals never choose an avoid year.