The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control is the largest identified problem area: 16 of 48 complaints (33%) mention it. 17 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 109 in 2025 to 48 in 2026.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 48
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,450–$1,650
- Combined MPG
- 38–43
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,600–2,200 | 1,600–2,200 | 1,450–1,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 28–39 | 28–39 | 38–43 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–41 / 32–38 | 25–41 / 33–38 | 41–47 / 35–40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 224–323 | 224–320 | 205–231 | |
| Complaints filed | 178 | 109 | 48 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 28 | 13 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 14 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA rates it 38–43 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Toyota RAV4?
EPA estimates $1,450–$1,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 43 mpg | 37 mpg | 41 mpg | $1,500 | 220 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 43 mpg | 37 mpg | 41 mpg | $1,500 | 221 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 46 mpg | 39 mpg | 42 mpg | $1,500 | 209 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 45 mpg | 38 mpg | 41 mpg | $1,500 | 215 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 41 mpg (low) | 35 mpg (low) | 38 mpg (low) | $1,650 (high) | 231 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 47 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 43 mpg (high) | $1,450 (low) | 205 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The motor generator ECU may encounter an error, causing the plug-in-hybrid system to reduce power or shutdown when driven at higher speeds.
- Consequence
- An unexpected powertrain shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed starting November 22, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 26TA22.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Defect
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, 2025 Tundra Hybrid, Tundra, 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, 4Runner i-Force Max Hybrid, and 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Consequence
- A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 26TA18.