The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota RAV4

2025 Toyota RAV4.

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 is so far one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 95 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 33, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 28 to 39 mpg combined. The best Toyota RAV4 year is 2014.

Early read

33Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Early read: one of the most reliable. 3× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2014 · Worst year 2007

Toyota RAV4
Photo shows a 2019 Toyota RAV4. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints95first 3 years
Fuel economy28–39 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2019–2025 Toyota RAV4, 45.9M views. The 2025 is the same RAV4.

  1. Infotainment, battery & electrical1.4M views
    2019 - 2023 Toyota RAV4 Key Fob Battery Replacement - EASY DIY2019 - 2023 Toyota RAV4 Key Fob Battery Replacement - EASY DIYKey Fob Rob · 864K views · 4 videos
  2. Oil changes & service848K views
    Oil Change on 2019-2025 Toyota RAV4 plus a few extra tips you should know!Oil Change on 2019-2025 Toyota RAV4 plus a few extra tips you should know!Throttle-On John · 430K views · 3 videos
  3. Gauges, lights & wiring445K views
    Quick & Easy - Reset Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Required Oil Light (2019 - 2024)Quick & Easy - Reset Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Required Oil Light (2019 - 2024)Blu-TSX · 445K views
  4. Brakes & ABS419K views
    Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): How To Replace Front Brake Pads And Rotors In The Gen 5 Toyota RAV4?Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): How To Replace Front Brake Pads And Rotors In The Gen 5 Toyota RAV4?Morozov Automotive · 252K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
  1. Windows, doors & mirrors397K views
    Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): How To Open Gas / Fuel Tank Door?Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): How To Open Gas / Fuel Tank Door?Morozov Automotive · 250K views · 2 videos
  2. Heat, A/C & blend door341K views
    Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): Cabin Air Filter Replacement. Easy DIY!Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): Cabin Air Filter Replacement. Easy DIY!Morozov Automotive · 341K views
  3. Fuel pump, filter & tank285K views
    Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): How To Unlock Stuck Gas Tank Door?Toyota RAV4 (2019-2025): How To Unlock Stuck Gas Tank Door?Morozov Automotive · 285K views

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 95 owner complaints, owners reported:

10crashes
6injuries
0fires
8tows
Early read. The 2025 Toyota RAV4 hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2025 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical16%
engine14%
automatic emergency braking12%
body structure9%
brakes8%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Toyota RAV4 year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 5K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 13K miles on the car (13 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 3

  • seats 2026

    The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly.

  • back over prevention 2025

    Please see the recall report for a complete list of models.

  • electrical 2025

    Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Toyota told dealers about

Toyota sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and…
  • Oil leak from the area where
  • In wet conditions, water contacting the radiator in the subject vehicles after idling for an…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota RAV4 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota RAV4 HYBRID SUV AWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Fuel cost and engines

About $1650–2300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

There is a parasitic drain on my battery coming from the ECM and electrical system causing it to drain my 12V battery.

2025 Toyota RAV4 owner · NHTSA complaint 11732637
More owner reports

On two separate occasions, my car has shaken violently and stopped both times while idling one in my driveway one at a stoplight and then an alert that says engine stopped steering power low came on

NHTSA complaint 11727636

Quick answers

Is the 2025 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 3× fewer complaints than average per car sold, against other 2025 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 33; 100 is average). The best Toyota RAV4 year by this measure is 2014.

What are the most common 2025 Toyota RAV4 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (16%), engine (14%) and automatic emergency braking (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2025 Toyota RAV4 have?

3 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2025 Toyota RAV4 get?

28 to 39 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2025 Toyota RAV4 safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

Does the 2025 Toyota RAV4 have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2025 Toyota RAV4 cost in fuel a year?

About $1650 to $2300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2025 Toyota RAV4 have?

2.5L 4-cyl.

What Toyota RAV4 year is better than the 2025?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2022 and 2015.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data