Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners filed 400 complaints about the 2010 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA between Nov 2009 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is suspension (101).
Complaints
400
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
57
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
27
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Suspension101
- Vehicle speed control83
- Power train38
- Air bags28
- Engine21
- Visibility/wiper20
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
- Steering18
- Seat belts18
- Electrical system15
- Service brakes14
- Wheels14
- Structure13
- Fuel/propulsion system12
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
87
26
22
16
48
33
59
36
20
18
6
9
2
7
2
4
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 87 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 48 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 59 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Suspension
101 reports4 crashes3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V383000 (Suspension) in 2015. The contact stated that in 2015 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a tire dealer, and it was determined that the rear tires were worn and needed to be replaced. The contact replaced all four tires. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that in 2020 the low tire pressure and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to another tire dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear tires were worn and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the rear tires could not be aligned because of the rear suspension arms, that was causing the quick wear of the tires. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer in 2024 and observed that the low tire pressure and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while driving at various speeds prior to the warning lights being illuminated. The contact was…”
Vehicle speed control
83 reports26 crashes2 related recalls
“Steering becomes very hard to control with no slack and in the wheel and occasionally it feels like you hit ice and sliding when you change lanes, happens on dry paved road without warning. Also when using cruise control hitting button to slow down the headlights and dash lights fade out and then brighter when acceleration”
Power train
38 reports3 crashes
“I was about to accelerate on a main avenue, made a clunking sound and came to a halt. Couldn't pull over safely. Investigated by mechanic, said the Transmission exploded, and the differential gears broke. No warning lights.”
Air bags
28 reports15 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“TOYOTA FOUND OCCUPANT ECU NEEDED REPLACEMENT INTERNAL FAILURE. SIMPLY THE SEATBELT LIGHT AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. . AIR BAG SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF AND IS NOT PROTECTING PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.”
Engine
21 reports1 fire
“Burns oil. No leaks and compression is spot on. Burns oil so bad that around every 2,000 miles, if you hit the brakes to hard it causes the car to stall. Whether it's in a parking lot or intersection. Has happened several times. Since I purchased the car in 2022. Has been inspected by Toyota mechanics on more than one occasion, but can't find any solution, have tried thicker oils, oil stabilizers and nothing helps.”
Visibility/wiper
20 reports1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FELL DOWN INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULLER TOYOTA (2019 NJ-31, CLINTON, NJ 08809, (908) 638-4100) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT THE VISOR WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.