Used Toyota RAV4 2019-2026 reliability review
The Toyota RAV4 is a highly practical and extremely reliable family SUV that makes for an eminently sensible used buy.
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Reliability
Mark Pearson & George Hill
Updated: 21 August 2026
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What should I look for in a used Toyota RAV4?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
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There aren't too many major concerns with the Toyota RAV4, but there are a few things worth checking before you buy. Start by looking over the bodywork for dents, scratches and signs of poor repairs, and check the alloy wheels for kerb damage. The tyres should have plenty of tread and wear evenly, too, because uneven wear could point to an alignment or suspension problem.
One thing to look out for is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, because early RAV4s did without them, although they can be retrofitted for a fee. If you can find one with the upgrade already fitted, great; otherwise, Toyota has previously charged £150 as a stand-alone visit, or £50 when carried out alongside a service. Also make sure the infotainment system works properly, because glitches and unresponsive screens have been reported.
If you're buying an all-wheel-drive hybrid, check the high-voltage cable that connects the hybrid battery to the rear electric motor. It can suffer from corrosion, which can trigger warning lights and, in the worst cases, leave the car unable to drive. It's worth asking whether the cable has been inspected or replaced, particularly on an older example. While you're checking the car over, look inside for any damp patches or staining on the headlining, particularly around the roof rails, because leaks around their mounting points have been reported on some early cars.
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Finally, take the car for a decent test drive and make sure it feels smooth, with no hesitation or unusual noises. Listen for any knocks or bangs from the suspension when driving over bumps, and make sure the steering feels straight and the brakes work smoothly. Also check that there are no warning lights showing on the dashboard and that all the car's electrical equipment works as it should.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota RAV4?
At the time of writing, the RAV4 is subject to seven recalls. To find out whether a car has been affected, you can contact your local Toyota dealer. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
There is a possibility that the emergency calling system (eCall) has not been activated.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect and activate the emergency call system if necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 3484
Date of recall: 11/05/2019
Reason for recall
An electrical connection within the motor may cause the brake booster pump to stop operating.
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How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect and replace the brake booster pump assembly if necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 2146
Date of recall: 04/11/2019
Reason for recall
The front lower suspension arms may have cracks on some portions of the surface.
How the manufacturer will repair: Replace the front lower arms of affected vehicles.
Number of affected vehicles: 791
Date of recall: 03/08/2020
Reason for recall
The emergency calling system (eCall) may not function when required.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect the emergency calling system and update Data Communication Module (DCM) software. If the DCM is found to be damaged, replace it with updated software.
Number of affected vehicles: 26,575
Date of recall: 15/11/2021
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles, there is a possibility that the Data Communication Module (DCM) may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off, causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the eCall function unavailable. As a result, the vehicles do not comply with relevant regulations.
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How the manufacturer will repair: The software of the DCM will be updated via an over-the-air (OTA) wireless update.
Number of affected vehicles: 27,327
Date of recall: 12/10/2023
Reason for recall
For certain vehicles equipped with the combination meter system (where various information is displayed), an improper programming of the combination meter might cause unnecessary repetition of data on the memory device. This may cause the memory device to deteriorate and the monitor to not display during the meter at start-up and remain in this state permanently.
How the manufacturer will repair: Reprogram or replace the combination meter.
Number of affected vehicles: 5112
Date of recall: 24/11/2025
Reason for recall
For certain vehicles equipped with a Parking Assist ECU, a component of the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system that displays the rear view image may cause the rear view image to freeze or not display.
How the manufacturer will repair: Reprogram the parking assist ECU.
Number of affected vehicles: 8802
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Date of recall: 01/12/2025
Is a used Toyota RAV4 reliable?
The RAV4 has a good reliability record. In our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, it came second out of 76 family SUVs, with an impressive overall score of 99.2%. That places out above nearly all of its main rivals, other than the Vauxhall Grandland petrol, which secured first place.
Reliability rating 99.2%
What went wrong? Battery 2%, suspension 2%
The RAV4 puts in an almost faultless performance, with just 2% of owners reporting issues with their cars. The battery and suspension were the only areas of concern, but all issues were dealt with in a day or less. Although only 50% of repairs were done for free, the remaining bills were less than £50 each.
Owner’s view: “It’s great to know I’m in an ultra-reliable car.”
Toyota as a brand came fourth out of 30 manufacturers featured with an excellent overall score of 95.2%. As you can likely tell, this is a confidence-inspiring result.
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Reliability rating 95.2%
Toyota's excellent finish shows that dependability isn’t the preserve of premium brands. In fact, some of its smallest, most affordable models are the highest achievers. The 2011-2020 Toyota Yaris scored 99.3% and just 3% of its owners said their cars had gone wrong. The current Toyota Yaris isn’t far behind, with a rating of 98.6% and the Yaris Cross small SUV gets 98.0%.
Toyota RAV4 reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual reliability survey, RAV4 owners shared their experiences regarding dependability and dealer service.
Based on feedback, the RAV4 proves exceptionally dependable, with most owners reporting zero fault occurrences. Where issues do emerge, they are primarily minor, non-engine electronic glitches, such as intermittent dashboard warning lights or infotainment system hiccups, alongside occasional interior trim noises. Major mechanical or powertrain failures are virtually absent across responses.
When servicing or repairs are required, owners rate Toyota’s dealer network very highly. Owners praise dealerships for quick diagnostic turnarounds, professional communication, and resolving minor faults efficiently under warranty at no expense. However, a small fraction of respondents noted occasional delays when waiting for replacement parts to arrive.
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Overall, the data reflects outstanding everyday reliability paired with attentive, effective dealer support.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
Tips & Advice
Choose the right breakdown cover
You may already have a breakdown policy through your home insurance or new-car warranty so check to avoid paying twice
Make sure you have warranty cover
New cars usually have warranties that last between three and seven years that can help cover the cost of mechanical faults. But this protection can last longer with an extended warranty
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About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
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