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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Toyota RAV4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 327 owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota RAV4. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (99) and suspension (55). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
15campaigns
Latest Aug 2016
Owner complaints
327
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

15 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

SuspensionReported Aug 12, 2016NHTSA 16V596000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.

Seat beltsReported Feb 19, 2016NHTSA 16V096000
See all 15 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

327 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2009 – May 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control99
  2. Suspension55
  3. Power train28
  4. Engine27
  5. Steering26
  6. Electrical system19
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  8. Structure17
  9. Air bags13

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RAV4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199647
199757
199885
199963
200040
2001314
2002555
2003327
2004154
2005141
2006704
20071,003
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011287
2012266
2013261
2014207
2015305
2016239
2017307
2018333
2019884
2020639
2021389
2022149
2023164
2024176
202594
Crashes reported
52
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

99 reports31 crashes
“Four incidents of unintended acceleration , in all instances foot was on break petal NOT on gas petal, 3 instances vehicle was stopped at traffic light, last incident was pulling into a parking space foot on brake, in all instances braked hard and shifted vehicle into neutral and turned vehicle off to avoid collisions, personal injury and property damage”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2023Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11538937

Suspension

55 reports1 crash
“We were informed of safety recalls for our Toyota Rav 4 2009 . We called the local Toyaota dealership for the recalls and was told on the phone after we dropped it off that they did the inspection to make sure the recalls could be completed and informed us that they could ,but they needed to keep overnight because they had to order the parts. Prior to dropping the vehicle off the car was able to be driven and no known issues were visible. Received call following told to come pick it up and that they officially refused to perform the recalls repairs. They stated that excessive structural damage and unsafe to drive to this degradation. Because the structural rust is directly in the exact suspension components targeted by this safety recalls. The vehicle cannot be remedied under standard recall procedures. By refusing the repair without providing an alternative solution The manufacture is failing its federal obligation to remedy a known safety defect. The vehicle is currently trapped in a regularity deadlock. It can not legally or safely be repaired. It is now deemed unsafe to be driven period. When the dealership gave the vehicle back, They wanted us to sign off…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2026Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11739536

Power train

28 reports1 crash
“WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ABOVE 25 MPH, A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE REAR-CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASES IN VOLUME AS THE VEHICLE INCREASES ITS SPEED. ONCE THE VEHICLE TRAVELS FAST ENOUGH, OR ENOUGH POWER IS FED THROUGH, POWER OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE AFFECTED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2020Power trainODI 11324360
All 2009 RAV4 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RAV4 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,600370
RAV4 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
212724$2,600370
RAV4 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
RAV4 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950423
  • RAV4 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Toyota RAV4 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5347
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 RAV4 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota RAV4 have?

15 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Toyota RAV4 problems?

Owners filed 327 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (99), suspension (55), power train (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Toyota RAV4 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota RAV4 at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026