CarBrief

NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2025 RAV4[1], and the car has 4 recalls[2]. In the complaints we read, owners describe stalling, sudden acceleration and 12-volt battery trouble[3][4], so check recall status before you decide.

105owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
28–39MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 105 owner complaints for the 2025 RAV4[1]. Of these, 12 mention a crash[1] and 13 mention injuries[1]. None mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports. One complaint can name several components, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Unknown or other[7] 28 3 3
Electrical system[3] 16 0 1
Engine[4] 13 2 5
Brakes[8] 10 3 4
Speed control[9] 9 5 6
Structure[10] 9 0 0
Visibility/wiper[11] 9 0 0
Power train[12] 8 1 0

The biggest group is "unknown or other," so we cannot say which part those 28 complaints are about[7]. Speed control has fewer complaints than engine or electrical, but a higher share with a crash[9].

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four groups. This is what owners describe in that sample, not a measure of how often it happens:

We did not read complaint texts for speed control, visibility/wiper or power train, so we do not describe them beyond the counts above.

Recalls

Four recalls are on file, newest first:

Ask a dealer to check the VIN for open recalls. Some owners in the complaints we read say the part for the instrument panel repair was not yet available when they asked[3].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for the 2025 RAV4 depend on the version[17]. All gas and hybrid versions below use regular fuel and a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine[18].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
RAV4, front-wheel drive[17] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
RAV4 AWD[18] 27 / 33 / 29 $2,300
RAV4 AWD, second rating[19] 25 / 33 / 28 $2,400
RAV4 AWD LE[20] 27 / 34 / 30 $2,250
RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition[21] 38 / 35 / 37 $1,800
RAV4 Hybrid AWD[5] 41 / 38 / 39 $1,700

The RAV4 PHEV AWD is rated at 38 MPGe combined with 600 miles of range, running on regular gas and electricity[22].

EPA fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2025 RAV4 an overall rating of 5 stars in both the AWD and FWD entries[6][23]. Frontal is 4 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[6][23]. NHTSA lists the hybrid AWD entry as not rated[24].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine at 176 to 203 hp, depending on version[25].

The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Every listed version is 181 in long, 73 in wide and 67 in tall, with a 106 in wheelbase[26]. Curb weight changes by version:

Version Curb weight
FWD[27] 3,369 lb
AWD LE / XLE[26] 3,490 lb
AWD Trail / Limited[28] 3,613 lb
Hybrid[29] 3,726 lb
Prime PHEV[30] 4,233 lb

How 2025 compares with other years

1996: 47 complaints, 0 recalls19961997: 54 complaints, 0 recalls1998: 77 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 62 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 30 complaints, 3 recalls2001: 309 complaints, 0 recalls2002: 527 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 315 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 154 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 141 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 705 complaints, 11 recalls2007: 1,004 complaints, 14 recalls2008: 575 complaints, 14 recalls20082009: 327 complaints, 15 recalls2010: 400 complaints, 14 recalls2011: 287 complaints, 11 recalls20112012: 266 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 262 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 207 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 305 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 257 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 321 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 348 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 904 complaints, 8 recalls2020: 648 complaints, 6 recalls20202021: 409 complaints, 1 recalls2022: 154 complaints, 2 recalls2023: 169 complaints, 3 recalls20232024: 177 complaints, 4 recalls2025: 105 complaints, 4 recalls10520252026: 42 complaints, 2 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RAV4 model year. The 2025 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996470
1997540
1998774
1999624
2000303
20013090
20025270
20033150
20041542
20051415
200670511
20071,00414
200857514
200932715
201040014
201128711
20122666
20132625
20142077
20153054
20162573
20173213
20183483
20199048
20206486
20214091
20221542
20231693
20241774
20251054
2026422

The 2025 RAV4 has 105 complaints and 4 recalls on file[2]. That is fewer complaints than 2022 (154), 2023 (169) and 2024 (177)[2]. It is not the lowest on the list. 2000 has 30, 2026 has 42 and 1996 has 47[2]. For recalls, 2025 matches 2024 at 4, and 2023 has 3, 2022 has 2 and 2026 has 2[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show what owners reported, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2025 RAV4?

The complaint count of 105 is lower than the 2022 to 2024 years but not the lowest on record[1][2]. Four recalls are on file, so confirm each one was done, and ask about the phased instrument panel recall in particular[16]. In the complaints we read, owners describe stalling, sudden acceleration and 12-volt battery drain, and these are unverified reports from small samples[3][4]. A test drive and a VIN check with a dealer are sensible steps. The hybrid has a lower EPA annual fuel cost than the gas versions, at $1,700 against $2,250 for the front-wheel drive RAV4[5][17].

Frequently asked questions

What problems do owners report with the 2025 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA lists 105 complaints[1]. The biggest groups are unknown or other (28), electrical system (16) and engine (13)[7][3][4]. In the sample we read, owners describe stalling, sudden acceleration and 12-volt battery drain[3][4].
Has the 2025 Toyota RAV4 been recalled?
Yes, four recalls are on file: seat brackets (26V256), load label (26V179), rearview camera software (25V744) and instrument panel software (25V595)[13][14][15][16].
What gas mileage does the 2025 RAV4 get?
EPA combined ratings are 28 to 30 MPG for the gas versions listed and 37 to 39 MPG for the hybrids[17][18][19][20][21][5]. The PHEV is rated at 38 MPGe combined[22].
What are the NHTSA safety ratings for the 2025 RAV4?
The AWD and FWD entries get 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[6][23]. The hybrid AWD entry is listed as not rated[24].
Does the 2025 RAV4 have more complaints than the 2024?
No. The 2025 model has 105 complaints and the 2024 model has 177[2]. Both have 4 recalls[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2025 Toyota RAV4 (12 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 13 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota RAV4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 13 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for RAV4 Hybrid AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 41 city / 38 highway / 39 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 28 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 10 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 9 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 26V256, filed April 22, 2026: Seats › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 26V179, filed March 24, 2026: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 25V744, filed October 30, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 25V595, filed September 11, 2025: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for RAV4, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD LE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 34 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 38 city / 35 highway / 37 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for RAV4 PHEV AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular Gas and Electricity: 38 MPGe combined, 600 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2025 Toyota RAV4 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 176 to 203 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 AWD LE / XLE 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,490 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 FWD 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,369 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 AWD TRAIL / LIMITED 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,613 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 HYBRID 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,726 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 PRIME PHEV 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,233 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.