Toyota RAV4 common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 14 faults the Toyota RAV4 is known for (2006–2016), 14 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
Known problems on the Toyota RAV4
Fuel pump failure causing stalling
Safety risk
2013–2020 · petrol · Engine
What to look for: Drive it, restart it fully hot, and feel for rough idle, hesitation or stalling, and ask for the fuel pump recall record.
Why it matters: Both the US and Australian recall documents describe a fuel pump that may stop operating, with warning lights, rough running, stalling and a possible failure to restart. A car that stalls on a test drive with a retail customer aboard costs you the sale, and the campaign fix is free at a Toyota dealer if the VIN is covered.
2019–2020 · A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS · Suspension and steering
What to look for: Ask for the front suspension arm recall record, and look at each front lower arm with a torch for cracks.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall states the front lower suspension arms may have cracks which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly. Separation at road speed is a catastrophic failure, and a car that has not had the free replacement is one you should not be retailing until it has.
2019–2020 · A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS · Suspension and steering
What to look for: Feel for the steering assist dropping out on slow full-lock turns both ways, and check the power steering light goes out.
Why it matters: Toyota recalled these because water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist, with the remedy being a replacement steering gear box. A steering assist dropout is a safety failure, and outside campaign coverage the gear box is a serious parts cost.
What to look for: Feel for a sticky or notchy driver's window switch, and smell and look for burnt or melted plastic around it.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall states that grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the switch's sliding electrical contacts, and that unprotected contacts can let debris and moisture cause a short circuit so the switch assembly overheats and melts, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect the switch, apply lubricant if nothing is wrong and replace the circuit board if it is.
What to look for: Feel whether the 12V battery rocks in its tray, and check it fits the tray and has its positive terminal cover.
Why it matters: Toyota recalled these because certain replacement 12V batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, letting the battery move and contact the hold-down bracket and possibly causing a short circuit, which NHTSA records as increasing the risk of a fire.
What to look for: Ask for a VIN recall check showing no Takata airbag recall is outstanding, and for an import, any Japanese recall work.
Why it matters: This campaign covers vehicles whose driver or passenger frontal inflators were already replaced under an earlier recall using inflators of the same design; Toyota states those inflators may explode due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature and temperature cycling, with sharp metal fragments striking occupants. A prior repair stamp is therefore not the end of the question.
What to look for: Check the cold coolant for low level or a milky oil film, and look for mayonnaise-like gunk under the oil cap.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall describes porosity in the engine castings that may result in cracks allowing coolant to leak internally or externally, with the remedy being inspection and replacement of the engine including the block. If the campaign has not been done and the VIN is covered, that is a dealer job at no cost - but if it is out of scope and the block is already weeping, you are buying an engine.
What to look for: Check for a low dipstick level on a recently serviced car and for blue exhaust smoke at cold start.
Why it matters: Toyota published a warranty enhancement programme extending cover for excessive engine oil consumption on 2AZ-engined cars, with a parts replacement phase whose parts list includes pistons, piston rings and short blocks, gated on a dealer-performed oil consumption test.
What to look for: Feel for uneven steering assist in slow car-park turns, check for a power steering warning light, and ask for the recall record.
Why it matters: Toyota's recall states a component of the EPS ECU may have been damaged during the manufacturing process and that over time this may result in failure of the electric power steering system. An unexpected loss of assist is a safety failure, and 'the steering went heavy' is a comeback you will wear.
What to look for: Test drive on a quiet road at 50-80 km/h with radio off.
Why it matters: Some cars also give a loud rubbing or binding felt through the body when turning tightly at low speed under power (car parks, roundabouts). The usual fix is a new coupling/bearing assembly (updated part) or a used rear diff; ignored, the bearing gets louder and the coupling can stop sending drive to the rear. Applies to 4WD RAV4s and 4WD Vanguards (all Vanguard 3.5 V6s are 4WD);
What to look for: Pull the dipstick: well below full on a car that was 'just serviced' is a red flag.
Why it matters: It usually starts after about 70,000-120,000 km and gets worse; bad engines use 1 litre per 1,000-2,000 km with no visible leak. 2006-2009 builds are the worst; Toyota redesigned the pistons with bigger return holes around 2011-2012. Run low on oil, the engine wears its bearings and chain. A proper fix is new pistons and rings (engine out or a replacement engine); oil-treatment 'fixes' are temporary.
What to look for: Look down the back of the engine below the intake manifold for dried pink/white coolant crust or wet foam.
Why it matters: It looks like a head gasket that keeps failing. A gasket alone fails again quickly; the fix is steel thread inserts (Time-Sert type) in the block plus a head gasket, or a replacement engine. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Look for oil spray on the front of the engine, subframe or underside, and check the oil level.
Why it matters: Toyota replaced it with an all-metal line; some cars received an interim rubber version that can still fail. Any car with the rubber section still fitted should have the all-metal line fitted before it is used. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Hold a steady light throttle between 40 and 80 km/h and gently accelerate.
Why it matters: Fluid plus software helps many cars; advanced cases need the converter. 2016-2018 builds have far fewer reports. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
Got a question about a Toyota RAV4? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.