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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension101
  2. Vehicle speed control83
  3. Power train38
  4. Air bags28
  5. Engine21
  6. Visibility/wiper20
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  8. Steering18
  9. Seat belts18
  10. Electrical system15
  11. Service brakes14
  12. Wheels14
  13. Structure13
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20092
201087
201126
201222
201316
201448
201533
201659
201736
201820
201918
20206
20219
20222
20237
20242
20254
20263

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.

03 —Owner reports

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2025SuspensionODI 11682455

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2023Steering, Vehicle speed controlODI 11553136

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2026Power trainODI 11727791

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2019Air bags, Seat belts, SeatsODI 11193652

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2025EngineODI 11652978

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2018Visibility, Visibility/wiperODI 11084767
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.