What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota RAV4?

The electrical system is named most often, followed by unknown or other issues and steering.

Does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts list recalls for 2015. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.

Is the 2015 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Owner reports point to electrical, steering and engine trouble. These are unverified reports, so use them as a guide and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Toyota RAV4?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

2015 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have?

NHTSA has 305 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 305 owner complaints on file for this RAV4^[1]. The electrical system is the group named most often^[2].

305owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

24–26MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4–5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often on file with NHTSA.

Electrical System. 85 complaints^[2]. Owners describe cars that hesitate or fail to start, odd noises when turning the key, warning lights, and cruise control that drops out.
Unknown Or Other. 60 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a single named part, so we do not summarize them here.
Steering. 47 complaints^[7]. In the stories we read, owners wait on a dealer for repair parts and feel left without an answer or a date.
Engine. 37 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car losing power when they press the gas, stalling while driving, and engine fires. This group lists 18 fires^[8].
Structure. 31 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a hard to judge view over the hood at night, wind noise with a rear window down, a sliding armrest, and glass that cracked or broke.
Brakes. 31 complaints^[10]. This group lists 12 crashes^[10].
Power Train. 25 complaints^[11].
Speed Control. 21 complaints^[12]. This group lists 11 crashes^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2015 RAV4 is necessarily included.

Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery (23V734), November 2023. About 1,853,568 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Steering › Electric Power Assist System (15V144), March 2015. About 110,085 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Trailer Hitches (15V011), January 2015. About 1,140 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Equipment (14V828), December 2014. About 3,958 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
RAV4, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	23 / 30 / 26	$2,600
RAV4 AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	22 / 28 / 25	$2,700
RAV4 Limited AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[18]	22 / 28 / 24	$2,800
RAV4 LE/XLE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	23 / 30 / 26	$2,600

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	16.9%
SUV AWD^[20]	4	4	5	4	16.9%
SUV FWD^[21]	4	4	5	4	17.4%
SUV FWD^[22]	5	4	5	4	17.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2015 Toyota RAV4 with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[23]	176 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
RAV4 LE AWD 4DR SUV^[24]	180 in	73 in	65 in	105 in	3,527 lb
RAV4 LE FWD 4DR SUV^[25]	180 in	73 in	65 in	105 in	3,406 lb
RAV4 XLE FWD 4DR SUV^[26]	180 in	73 in	67 in	105 in	3,439 lb
RAV4 XLE/LIMITED AWD 4DR SUV^[27]	180 in	73 in	67 in	105 in	3,560 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RAV4 model year. The 2015 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1996	47	0
1997	54	0
1998	77	4
1999	62	4
2000	30	3
2001	309	0
2002	527	0
2003	315	0
2004	154	2
2005	141	5
2006	705	11
2007	1,004	14
2008	575	14
2009	327	15
2010	400	14
2011	287	11
2012	266	6
2013	262	5
2014	207	7
2015	305	4
2016	257	3
2017	321	3
2018	348	3
2019	904	8
2020	648	6
2021	409	1
2022	154	2
2023	169	3
2024	177	4
2025	105	4
2026	42	2

NHTSA's counts for the RAV4 show 305 complaints and 4 recalls for 2015^[3]. Among the 31 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2015 and 13 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2000 (30) and the most are for 2007 (1,004)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2015 RAV4?

The 2015 RAV4 has 305 complaints on file^[1], so it is worth a careful look before you buy. Electrical issues lead the list^[2], and the engine group includes a notable count of fires^[8]. Some steering complaints describe waiting on repair parts^[7]. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for sales. Recalls exist for this year^[3], so check the sections above and have a shop inspect any car you plan to buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota RAV4?: The electrical system is named most often, followed by unknown or other issues and steering^[2]^[6]^[7].
Does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts list recalls for 2015^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.
How many complaints does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have?: NHTSA has 305 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2015 Toyota RAV4 reliable?: Owner reports point to electrical, steering and engine trouble^[2]^[7]^[8]. These are unverified reports, so use them as a guide and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Toyota RAV4?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota RAV4

2015 this page
2016 257 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 321 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 348 complaints, 3 recalls
2025 105 complaints, 4 recalls
2026 42 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Toyota RAV4

Other Toyota models from 2015

2015 Toyota Yaris 15 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 Toyota 4Runner 87 complaints, 9 recalls
2015 Toyota Avalon 53 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 Toyota Highlander 196 complaints, 1 recall
2015 Toyota Land Cruiser 2 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 Toyota Prius 171 complaints, 2 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2015: small suvs

2015 Lexus RX 67 complaints, 1 recall
2015 Lincoln MKX 19 complaints, 0 recalls
2015 Mazda CX-9 35 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander 235 complaints, 12 recalls
2015 Nissan Pathfinder 321 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 Nissan Rogue 553 complaints, 9 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 305 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 (37 mention a crash, 41 a fire, 30 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
85 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 26 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,945). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota RAV4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for RAV4, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
60 complaints name the unknown or other component group (6 crashes, 11 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,075). NHTSA vehicle records
47 complaints name the steering component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 18 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the structure component group (6 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,000). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the brakes component group (12 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,500). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,435). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V734, filed November 1, 2023: Electrical System › 12V / 24V / 48V Battery. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V144, filed March 13, 2015: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V011, filed January 16, 2015: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V828, filed December 30, 2014: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for RAV4 AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for RAV4 Limited AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for RAV4 LE/XLE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2015 Toyota RAV4 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 176 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 LE AWD 4DR SUV: length 180 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,527 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 LE FWD 4DR SUV: length 180 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,406 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 XLE FWD 4DR SUV: length 180 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,439 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 XLE/LIMITED AWD 4DR SUV: length 180 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,560 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2015 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and fuel economy