CarBrief

NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Toyota RAV4, which is lower than every other model year but one[1][2]. Two recalls are on file, including one for the plug-in hybrid that can cut drive power while moving[3].

42owner complaints[1]
2recalls[2]
38–43MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Three mention a crash, five mention injuries, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Unknown or other[5] 14 0 0
Forward collision avoidance[6] 12 0 0
Electrical system[7] 8 1 1
Power train[8] 7 0 0
Structure[9] 5 1 1
Air bags[10] 5 2 4
Engine[11] 4 0 0
Brakes[12] 3 0 0

In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe a few patterns.

The air bags group has the highest injury count of any group, at 4[10]. We did not read enough of those reports to describe them.

Recalls

Two recalls are on file, newest first.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions of the 2026 RAV4[14][15][16][17][4]. Combined ratings run from 38 to 43 MPG[17][4].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
RAV4, front-wheel drive[4] 47 / 40 / 43 $1,550
RAV4 AWD SE & LE[15] 46 / 39 / 42 $1,600
RAV4 AWD XLE[16] 45 / 38 / 41 $1,650
RAV4 AWD Limited & XSE[14][18] 43 / 37 / 41 $1,650
RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition[17] 41 / 35 / 38 $1,750

All of these use regular fuel. The EPA cost estimates use current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[14]. The AWD Limited & XSE has two EPA listings with the same numbers[14][18].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 2.5L 4-cylinder at 184 hp[19].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
LE[20] 181 in 73 in 67 in 106 in 3,746 lb
XLE/XSE/Limited[21] 181 in 74 in 70 in 106 in 3,865 lb
Woodland[22] 183 in 73 in 70 in 106 in 3,885 lb

How 2026 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 recalls2026: 42 complaints, 2 recalls422026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RAV4 model year. The 2026 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 2026 model year has 42 complaints and 2 recalls on file[2]. Only the 2000 model year has fewer complaints, at 30[2]. For comparison, 2025 has 105 complaints and 2024 has 177[2].

On recalls, 2025 and 2024 each have 4, so 2026 is lower[2]. Six model years have fewer than 2026: 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2003 with none, and 2021 with 1[2].

These counts are not adjusted for sales, and 2026 is a new model year. It has had less time to collect reports than the older years, so read the comparison with care.

Should you buy a used 2026 RAV4?

The complaint count is low for this model's history, and none of the 42 reports mention a fire or a death[1][2]. The open items are the two recalls, and the plug-in hybrid recall is the more serious one because it can cut drive power[3]. If you look at a plug-in hybrid, ask a dealer about the status of that recall. Owners also describe unexpected braking and warning lights, so a longer test drive that includes highway speeds is a fair step[6]. Fuel economy is solid across the lineup, with combined ratings from 38 to 43 MPG[17][4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 42 complaints on file, NHTSA has 42 complaints on file, led by forward collision avoidance at 12 and electrical system at 8, after 14 filed under unknown or other[1][5][6][7].[1][6][7]. In a sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe unexpected braking, warning lights and hybrid system warnings[6][8].
Does the 2026 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Yes, two. One covers certain Plug-In Hybrid vehicles for a software error that can cut power[3]. The other covers a load capacity label on several Toyota models[13].
What is the gas mileage of the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
EPA combined ratings range from 38 MPG for the Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition to 43 MPG for the front-wheel drive RAV4[17][4].
How much horsepower does the 2026 RAV4 have?
The EPA test car list rates the 2.5L 4-cylinder at 184 hp[19].
Is the 2026 RAV4 more reliable than other years?
It has fewer complaints on file than every other model year except 2000, but it is a new year and counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota RAV4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 26V659, filed October 7, 2026: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Engine Control Module (Ecu / Ecm) › Software. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for RAV4, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 47 city / 40 highway / 43 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 12 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 26V571, filed September 2, 2026: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD Limited & XSE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 43 city / 37 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD SE & LE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 46 city / 39 highway / 42 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD XLE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 45 city / 38 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for RAV4 Hybrid AWD Woodland Edition, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 41 city / 35 highway / 38 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for RAV4 AWD Limited & XSE, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 43 city / 37 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2026 Toyota RAV4 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 184 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 LE 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,746 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 XLE/XSE/LIMITED 4DR SUV: length 181 in, width 74 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,865 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RAV4 WOODLAND 4DR SUV: length 183 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,885 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.