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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2023 Toyota RAV4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 164 owner complaints for the 2023 Toyota RAV4. Most complaints involve electrical system (44) and steering (27). The EPA rates it 28–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
28–30mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2025
Owner complaints
164
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Back over prevention: display function

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Oct 30, 2025NHTSA 25V744000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Electrical systemReported Sep 11, 2025NHTSA 25V595000

Tires: valve

Free remedy

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota RAV4 vehicles equipped with 17" black alloy accessory wheels. During installation of the alloy wheels, the tire valve stem may have been improperly installed or damaged. In addition, the load carrying capacity label may state the incorrect weight. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

TiresReported Jul 11, 2023NHTSA 23V485000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

164 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2022 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system44
  2. Steering27
  3. Engine25
  4. Service brakes18
  5. Forward collision avoidance18
  6. Visibility/wiper11
  7. Fuel/propulsion system11
  8. Power train11
  9. Structure10

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
19
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

44 reports1 crash
“A 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE, purchased October 17, 2023, has experienced serious, recurring safety-related electronic failures for more than two years. The rearview backup camera intermittently displays a completely black image, even while other camera display functions remain operational. The multimedia/navigation screen also malfunctions or goes black while driving, causing navigation directions to disappear unexpectedly. These failures create dangerous conditions. Loss of the backup camera compromises a critical safety feature when reversing, particularly around pedestrians and children. Unexpected display failures while driving can cause dangerous distractions and increase the risk of a collision, serious injury, or death. Toyota's authorized dealership technicians have PERSONALLY WITNESSED these malfunctions. Despite repeated service attempts on April 16, 2025; September 24, 2025; September 1, 2026; and October 2, 2026, the vehicle has NEVER been permanently repaired. The dealership repeatedly returns the vehicle with the same problems unresolved or recurring. Only after escalation did Toyota suddenly claim to have identified a possible repair. However,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11773989

Steering

27 reports2 crashes1 fire
“1. System Failure & Availability: Vehicle's automated driver-assist (Lane Tracing/Keeping Assist) and steering modules failed. The vehicle is intact and available for inspection under a strict spoliation hold at an independent facility. 2. Safety Risk & Injuries: On a curve at ~50 mph, the automated steering suffered a violent uncommanded intervention, overrode human control, and jerked the wheel out of the driver's hands, causing a head-on collision with a tree. Injuries required immediate ambulance transport. Diagnoses include a concussion, a severe large left leg hematoma with extreme swelling, open wounds, and deep tissue trauma causing foot numbness. This required a secondary ER return and an active orthopedic referral from a specialized Wound Care Center. 3. Problem Reproduction: The vehicle was rendered a total loss and is non-operational, preventing physical test-driving. The defect is expected to be confirmed forensically via electronic diagnostics. Onboard modules contain recorded Pre-Crash Steering Torque Discrepancies and Vehicle Control History (VCH) metrics showing the automation overrode manual input. 4. Inspections Conducted: The manufacturer's…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Steering, Lane departureCrash reportedODI 11767471

Engine

25 reports
“While in stop and go traffic during heavy rain, vehicle stalled and would not restart. After several attempts, it did restart but ran very rough. A couple days before, a red warning light came on for the steering system, also during a rain event.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11771772
All 2023 RAV4 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 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 3, 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
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150296
RAV4
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,150292
RAV4 AWD LE
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
273430$2,150296
RAV4 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start · All-Wheel Drive
273329$2,200301
RAV4 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI · All-Wheel Drive
253328$2,300319
RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
253228$2,300323
  • RAV4
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 AWD LE
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, SIDI & PFI
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 AWD TRD OFFROAD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Toyota RAV4 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Toyota RAV4 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 18598Vehicle 18597
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

2023 RAV4 questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota RAV4 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2023 Toyota RAV4 problems?

Owners filed 164 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (44), steering (27), engine (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Toyota RAV4 get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Toyota RAV4 at 28–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Toyota RAV4?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Toyota RAV4 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026