Which Year Models of Toyota RAV4s are Safe to Buy Used?
(and which ones to avoid)
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV that has been in production since 1994. The RAV4 was marketed for consumers who wanted the SUV benefits, such as increased cargo room and the fuel economy of a compact car. Toyota is known for building some of the most reliable and long-lasting vehicles out there. The RAV4 is one of the best-selling SUVs in its class. Although reliable, some RAV4s have had their fair share of problems.
If you’re looking to purchase a used Toyota RAV4, below you’ll find information on the most common problems and which model years are safe to buy, and which to avoid.
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Compared to earlier models, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 has some reliability problems. Here’s what owners have to say about problems with their 2019 RAV4s.
Which Year Models of Toyota RAV4s to Avoid Buying Used?
Although the 2002 model year received the highest number of complaints, the 2008 model was considered the worst because of higher repair costs. Listed below are all year models with numerous reliability problems and/or higher repair costs.
Avoid:
- 2001
- 2002
- 2007
- 2008
The Most Common Problems with Used Toyota RAV4s
Excessive Oil Consumption
Cost to fix: $3,300
Years affected: 2007, 2008
The 2007 and 2008 model years received complaints about excessive oil consumption. At roughly 100,000 miles, owners complained about the engine eating up a lot of oil. The 2007 model received more complaints than the 2008 model, but the repairs are more costly for the 2008 model.
How to avoid:
Purchasing a used car is an excellent option for those who cannot afford to buy a brand new one. However, you must be careful to make sure you purchase a reliable car.
There are a couple of things you can do to check out a vehicle’s condition before purchasing. First, you can take the car for a test drive as this helps give you a general feel of the vehicle. Second, you can request the maintenance and repair history of the vehicle. Lastly,
you can get a professional to take a look at it. This allows you to detect any potential problems with the car and potentially save you thousands down the road.
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Transmission Issues
Cost to fix: $2,590
The RAV4 gained a new design for the 2001 model. People enjoyed the new look, but they did not enjoy the harsh shifting and eventual transmission failure. This problem appears at roughly 112,000 miles and stems from a defect in the Electronic Control Module (ECM). Customer complaints led Toyota to change its powertrain warranty from 5⁄60,000 miles to 10 years/150,000 for transmission and ECM.
Cooling System Problems
Common with 2019 and 2020 RAV4s, the vehicle’s engine cooling system that prevents overheating may also develop issues, including coolant fluid leaks.
In February 2020, Toyota issued a recall for 2019-2020 RAV4 models powered by 2.5L 4 Cylinder engines (A25A). Affected RAV4s reportedly developed coolant leaks that could cause damage to the engine. As per NHTSA, the engine pores could develop cracks due to air bubbles forming in the metal during the manufacturing procedure.
The leaking engine coolant may result in low fluid levels, which can lead to overheating, and stalling while on the road.
Steering Problems
Numerous reports from 2017 RAV4 owners claimed that it had recurring steering problems. According to the reports, the steering wheel would pull to one side, lock up, and make knocking noises while turning.
In some of the worst cases, drivers would struggle to keep the SUV in a straight line, but it would always pull to one side. Some owners even resorted to pulling the wheel in the opposite direction just to keep it center.
In other cases, the steering wheel would lock up for a brief moment, which could prove dangerous if you drive in traffic and at high speeds.
The Easiest Way to Search for Used Toyota RAV4s In Your Area
The Toyota RAV4 has proven to be a great, reliable car, with a few exceptions. For the easiest way to search for Toyota RAV4s in your area, check out the CoPilot car shopping app.
Tell us what you want in a RAV4 and we’ll search all of the dealerships and in your area to put together a personalized list of best-buys - no more scrolling through hundreds of listings looking for a great deal.
