2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 70k Mile Review & Common Problems

The Toyota RAV4 is one of the biggest names in the Automotive industry, but does the current generation car live up to the name? Is it as reliable as people think? Let's drive an example with 70k miles and research the common issues to find out! Its closest competition comes in the form of the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5 and numerous others.
Sources
Carcomplaints.com w/ nhsta reports
Consumer Reports
Cars.com owner reviews
Royal South Toyota Service Department
Owner forums
Thank you, Royal South Toyota, for letting me drive the used RAV4 for today's video and answering my questions on reliability!
Royalsouthtoyota.com
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00:00 Intro
00:25 Strengths
03:40 Drawbacks
04:45 70k Mi Driving Impressions
05:55 Reliability Report
09:40 Next-gen Hopes
11:45 Final Thoughts

[@catalystactual6491]

Sold my Tesla model 3, which was fast and sporty for a decked out RAV4 hybrid. Zero regrets. I love how there are buttons for everything again, and I have close to 600 miles of range per tank of gas. At the end of the day the average driver doesn't care about sporty steering or 0 to 60 times all that much. I want a reliable car that can get me from point A to point B in various weather conditions, and this was it.

[@JrnMnd08]

What year?

[@catalystactual6491]

2024

[@mohit4902]

I don't agree with your feedback, the RAV4 is a workhorse, not something that needs an "identity", 90% of the people out there don't want a car for identity but for utility, that's all RAV4 does and should do

[@user-wz4hr5xu4k]

he did not take a 2024 prime model for a spin in the limited or top trim model (sigh) it's easy enough to dog the older models and standard trims.

[@Realistick]

I came to the same conclusion in this video. It is a review, not an advertisement, so the point is to show the pros and cons! That way people have an idea of the whole car before buying into it and not just the good stuff.

[@Xenomorph-00121]

Dude.. he likes Prius😂

[@SwordsCutEmDown]

One of the MAJOR issues with 2019-2021 model years Rav4s is roof rail leaks. The headliner gets stained and water can run down the A pillar into the dash and cause short circuits, corrosion and electrical gremlins.

[@chuckecheesefan2007]

One thing I noticed with the 2023 Woodland the roof rails start to pop up slightly. Had mine replaced with only 5k on it. Noticed after washing the car so the had to dealership order new ones and had to take the headliner down and replace them with all new rails. It was missing the factory adhesive, but no leaks nothing like the problems for 2019 -2021 but still something to look out for.

[@reaality3860]

I traded my 2011 Kia Sorento for a 2022 RAV4 Hybrid. I now have over 8k miles of experience with it. The Toyota doesn't corner as well, nor are the seats as comfortable on long trips as the Kia, but it is new, gets twice the MPG, and the long-term resale value is higher.

[@alengreen589]

perfect compact SUV for buyers where wants first reliability.

[@Realistick]

Indeed, I hope toyota keeps as the highest priority for the next generation too.

[@anotheran]

@@Realistick it has to. They don't have much going for them beyond that.

[@Gopinathk17]

​@@anotheranWhat do you think are the downsides of RAV4?

[@anotheran]

​@@Gopinathk17drives like a boat for its size. A soft suspension with an old design that doesn't handle uneven pavement at speed without becoming unsettled. And an awd system that sucks kzbin.info/www/bejne/gau7f2ePoK5rd5osi=jCdFwsCMC8A0ij6v

[@brucelee4235]

@@Gopinathk17I test drove rav4 a few months ago. I would say lack of options, and the driving experience wasn’t as comfortable as I expected it to be for the price, and the interior seemed somewhat outdated. Still, it’s my next target car haha

[@CapELarry]

I just had one as a rental in Las Vegas. It had 42,000 miles and had held up rather well. And well all know 42,000 rental miles is like 100,000 real world miles. It was not exciting in any way, but it got the job done and was comfortable.

[@vlj1133]

Love how you describe those beautiful Indiana country roads as "appalling." Great descriptor.

[@mikej238]

I wanted a Lexus NX350H, had one on order for almost a year, also had a Rav 4 Ltd Hybrid on order. Lexus went from a 22 to a 23 to a 24....still no show..but two large price increases. Rav 4 showed up in 7 months. If the Crown Sport goes on sale next year Im trading in the Rav . 😂

[@the92r]

have a 2014 rav4 ltd... just hit 70k... solid ...

[@CALIBOYY1111]

2019 rav 4 80k solid premium oil changes service done never had problem

[@OscarFigueroa-eb1yi]

One thing Toyota should do is not expecting to get pay for extra services every month subscriptions you already paying a small fortune than have to pay extra a month for remote start or navigation. 23 rav user here.

[@ant.8673]

I have 87k miles on my 2020, I’ve put 60k over the last 2 years on this, got another job where I have a drive far. Very little issues with mine, except the stupid oil pan seal that was leaking and coolant by pass valve. All taken care of on the warranty.

[@uniformsixfour]

Good review!

[@johnmehaffey9953]

I was seriously considering swapping my 2014 2.2 RAV4 diesel, I’m from the UK hence the diesel, the thing that is making me doubt changing is the cvt transmission, if I’m going to change I think I’ll try the Honda or Mazda equivalent models to the RAV4

[@Nostrada-mus]

Cablegate aka cable corrosion is definitely a real problem that cost thousands of dollars to fix. Toyota did not do a recall but extended the warranty for certain models. There's multiple Rav4 Prime 2023 and 2024 failing after 1 winter in Canada. This issue is huge and shouldn't be overlooked.

[@Realistick]

Oh? I talked about it here but I also physically saw the modification they made to address it. I'll look into it more on future RAV4 videos.

[@Nostrada-mus]

@@Realistick Their modification is really a patch work but they haven't addressed the fundamental issue and it's still happening. People are suing Toyota in Canada. Also they haven't extended the warranty on the 23-24 model yet so more to come in the future. Thanks for your work!

[@Realistick]

@@Nostrada-mus Noted, I'll look into it more for the next RAV video!

[@allkindsofdelivery]

I‘m a victim of cablegate. Since I'm out of warranty when I bought my rav4 as a used car, I have to pay about $8000 to replace it.

[@Nostrada-mus]

8k is a lot. Where are you located? You should be able to get it done for around 5k. I'd also sell the car right after fixing it if I was you. The fix is not a permanent solution and it will happen again.

[@chuckwalla2967]

@Realistick, what's your favorite in this segment?

[@Central-Scrutinizer]

How would you compare the cabin noise of the RAV4 and the Forester cruising at highway cruising speeds, say 65 -70mph?

[@CijoSaj]

Huge cabin noise for rav4 2020 hybrid fr me

[@Ting511]

In terms of reliability, which do you think is better, Sportage or RAV4?

[@Userxxx840]

I have a 2020 Camry, the RAV4’s sister car. I’ve experienced strange issues such as the transmission lurching/jerking. I’m not the kind of person that defers maintenance either.

[@Gopinathk17]

Ohh that's bad..looks like a defective engine..Camrys usually have least issues and it's a most reliable car which can run even for 20 years without any issues if you do regular maintenance.

[@Userxxx840]

@@Gopinathk17 I was wrong. The engine knocking is because it was dual port direct injection. That’s why it sounds like a diesel when cold.

[@Lg8T3]

I just watched a Toyota technician (the car care nut review) explain this is normal and how Toyota designed it. It will learn your driving habits and improve. He said you can also take it to Toyota to reset the transmission module.

[@Userxxx840]

@@Lg8T3 90% of the time it’s perfectly fine, it’s just that sometimes it gets confused in certain situations. I haven’t had any problems in a good while.

[@mr.kamote2475]

I have own 2 rav 4 2018 and 2023 there is no issue no complaint correct me if im wrong maybe you want sports car not an SUV

[@grandmastert01]

I’m trying to decide between a 2018 and 2022 with the biggest issue being the price but from all the reports and reviews I’ve watched these are the most reliable years, what are your thoughts ?

[@Doc1855]

I had a 2011 RAV4 Limited 4WD with the 3.5 V6. Last year I decided to replace it, so naturally I went back to look at a new RAV4 AWD Limited. It was horrible in comparison with my 11 RAV4. The fit and finish, road and engine noise, comfort level, rear visibility were Subpar. I then looked at the Venza and would have bought it, but I couldn’t get it with Tan or Brown interior. I also looked at the Mazda CX50 but I would have had to buy the turbo to get the Tan interior. Ultimately I chose a Subaru Forester Touring with the saddle Brown Leather interior. We’ve driven AWD and 4WD Toyota’s for 40+ years and every winter we had to put studded snow tires on them. With our Outback and our Forester we drove year round on our factory all season tires. The traction, stability, safety and reliability of our Subie’s are Amazing. Our insurance premiums DROPPED by $600 per year after switching to Subaru because of those things listed above. Furthermore Subaru’s aren’t stolen as often as Toyota’s.

[@JC-zw4bw]

for someone who lives in a big city your last line almost sold me on the Subaru Lol

[@Realistick]

Shocked to hear that, she’s a bit noisy but so were the old 4 cylinder cars. The v6 really made it feel effortless! The forester is much better if you really care about seat comfort and visibility (though its in a different world from most new cars when it comes to that). Subarus have improved greatly when it comes to dependability. I can’t say it bests the rav4 there yet but I’m debating doing a similar video with a Forester to get more of the details, congrats!

[@Doc1855]

@@JC-zw4bw Almost 35% of the vehicles in the city (30 miles from our house) are Subaru’s. We live 5 miles from a small town in a very mountainous area of north central Washington state and get 5-7 feet of snow every winter. There’s 9 families who live on our private road and 6 of us own Subaru’s. We have to plow and maintain our private road ourselves and if we get a foot of snow when everyone is at work, our Subie’s can make it. Our road is horseshoe shaped and we’re at the top, part way up our mountain. We own 1/4 of the mountain and our friends own the other 1/4. Behind our properties is National Forest. There’s one house above ours on a different mountain. They have to park their vehicles just down from our property and walk up to their house.

[@sammyt3514]

The Forester is certainly better than the RAV4 in terms of AWD system, but since Subarus don't use gaskets in their engines and use an adhesive instead, which all but guarantees the engines would leak when they hit 100-150k (source: Scotty Kilmer!), I'd avoid getting a Subaru for that reason alone since I tend to keep my cars for a long time.

[@Realistick]

If we're throwing out sources, I'd check out Mr. Subaru's channel. He is a subaru mechanic who discusses Subarus in more detail than any other channel I've seen without making generalizations. I'd still say the RAV4 holds an advantage but to say the Subaru's WILL leak is a bit of an overstep, some older models were a little more prone to it but far from an issue everyone ran into. @@sammyt3514

[@brianjirvin]

So I know that the engine kicks in on the highway/interstate....does it still use the hybrid functionality to increase efficiency or is it just the engine.

[@Realistick]

It does when it can which helps it perform a little better than the regular model on the hybrid. The engine just needs to charge the hybrid battery if it uses electricity so it typically stays off unless youre coasting or on a decline from my experience.

[@fredEVOIX]

thanks interested in one I currently drive an awesome sportscar but it's too low for the forest mountain roads I want to go to I don't plan to offroad just go on dirt roads once in a while which my 2.7" of ground clearance don't allow >< one of the reasons why I drive a sportscar is the engine response our roads are constantly in work with speed limits and you need to re-accelerate constantly instead of cruising I checked the rav4 hybrid 50-70 etc... and they seem very good close to my 350hp turbo car actually unlike Subaru awful slow engines, I like subaru awd but they can't go on selling good cars with the worst engines

[@0HOON0]

You're not joking about about the markups on the Prime. My dealer wants $52k for an SE. ~$8k above msrp.

[@Realistick]

Pretty average for the primes which is a big problem! The prime prius and RAV are the best PHEVs out there otherwise imo.

[@notmebutyou8350]

I would have turned around and walked right out. 🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♀️ 🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♀️

[@genzigzag]

Not sure more manufacturers don't provide dual port and direct injection in their motors. Yes, I understand it's cheaper to go with only one of the two.

[@Realistick]

It's great to have! To my knowledge, Hyundai/Kia and ford are the only others that offer an engine or two with it.

[@anotheran]

@@Realistick audi has both port and direct in their top engines like the ea837

[@anotheran]

More fuel efficient for just direct injection and, of course, less money to make and design the engine

[@sammyelliott5554]

My 2019 RAV 4 has lived up to my Toyota experience since my first Toyota Corona in 1967. However, the cloth upholstery show water spots that makes it look dirty and unkept. Our only solution was to purchase new expensive seat covers.☹️My 2004 Toyota Camry upholstery looks like new. What’s up Toyota?

[@zzoinks]

I wonder if the new seats lack some kind of coating that the old fabric used to have. Maybe it was toxic or not eco friendly? Or it is just cheaper for some reason.

[@kennethz4466]

I totally agree with all the feedbacks in this video. Very honest. If they improve a little performance and handling and more sound insulation, I would buy it in a heartbeat. What SUV would you recommend that a better handling snd sound insulation in between RAV4 and Lexus?

[@alennovak8446]

What is the life span of traction batrery on lets say rav4 hybrid 2019,cuz im looking to buy one. I have now prius 2 gen, bought it just to test if i like the hybrid or not, and im in love with it. So i need a family car now and Rav4 is my pick. 😅

[@Realistick]

A Toyota service department told me like 12-15 years but there’s plenty of people who’ve gone longer than that, really depends on usage and environment!

[@Alennovak666]

​@@Realistick Ok, nice, thanks. 😊

[@kennethz4466]

​@@RealistickCan you still use the car if the hybrid battery is dead and not replace yet?

[@alennovak8446]

@@kennethz4466 i think you can buy it will drastically increase fuel consumption

[@wholeNwon]

@@Realistick There ARE people, not "there's people"...duh.

[@dd4886]

Can anyone comment on the battery degradation status from their experience please? Thanks in advance :)

[@WarnMilota]

Had to jump my battery every day on my 2020. Software upgrade on vehicle detecting key fixed it.

[@MehulSathyanarayan]

I would like to hear what your favorite SUV is in this class.

[@johny3133]

Dude u r something between a weird fashion model and fitness princess.

[@Cleaning_Hero]

I wish it had a smooth ride quality but that’s my only real complaint

[@simd510]

Is it bumpy? I need a soft ride since the roads where I live are crap

[@CRVgarage]

​@@simd510buy Subaru for soft & cushy ride.

[@simd510]

@@CRVgarage after test driving some cars thats the same conclusion I came to. Subaru was smooth. Didnt feel hardly any bumps

[@zzoinks]

​@@simd510do the Subarus have smaller rims? I'm not a fan of low profile tires since they would surely make the ride worse and some Toyota's and most modern cars have low profile tires

[@Faisal-sf1gh]

Please don’t integrate markups into MSRP.. mark ups are slowly disappearing due to high inventory.

[@Realistick]

Im not, they’re raising msrp

[@1Springloaded]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@anotheran]

If you can get the hybrid for msrp, the $3k price difference is a no brainer. The rav4 is the go to A to B sweet spot sized compact suv. As much as you say the driving feel and handling aren’t great, so many ppl don’t care about that and many more don’t even know what good handling is. Go Toyota! Continue to make mediocre handling boxes on wheels.

[@Realistick]

For most, it handles the way they want, I would argue that the forester is more smooth but people notice the power and efficiency wayyyyyy before they'd notice the difference in ride between the two.

[@anotheran]

@@Realistick I don’t think most Toyota drivers even bother to test drive. My family and spouse’s family are Toyota buyers and never take a test drive. The mpg and reliability are what sells. If they want smooth they know there’s Lexus. Also, never seen a Toyota hybrid owner ever floor it in real life.

[@Realistick]

@@anotheran The name and reputation go a long way! Floor it, probably not, but most people may give it half throttle or so for passing and it responds great to that with the e-cvt and mid-range power.

[@Gopinathk17]

That rugged look, Reliability, safety, power, mpg, handling, standard AWD and spare tire, heard it has the best braking system, best hybrid system on the market, least maintenance costs in the long run, price (less compared to CRV, also I bought my car with no markups) and the best RESALE value are the reasons why I bought a 2024 hybrid XLE recently. The only issue that have is I previously used Nissan rogue and that has super comfortable seats which I'm missing in RAV4, seats are not so comfortable for big people, especially the thigh support etc and sometimes it's bit noisy..that's all no other complaints at all. It's a superb car. I wish Toyota makes its seats more comfy like CRV, Rogue or Forester with next generation.

[@anotheran]

@@Gopinathk17 not sure where u heard it has the best braking system but crv all trims stop better or same, Forrester stops better, sante fe stops better. Toyota may have the worst brake/tire combo. Oh wait, Nissan rogue worst. You came from that. Check cr for all the braking tests done on the same track.

[@szecheungcheung6391]

This car is the most reasonable choice for Canadian people😂

[@Alisters_Adventures]

$36k for an economy car with keyed ignition? Wow. Toyota doesn’t offer any value anymore. Toyota is literally living on its reliability reputation which is nothing special since most other brands are just as reliable.

[@Realistick]

It has smart key for that price. Most other brands are not as reliable! But i agree on the value aspect, not too much there tor the money

[@lmstefanini1]

The new Toyota are anymore so reliable cars, as the previous ones that built the reliability of the brand.

[@davidwayne9982]

Well heck- I'm 67 and will be buying something new- and if this is "NOT FUN AT ALL"-- I couldn't care less about all the efficiency crap...

[@Realistick]

Maybe go for a Mazda CX-5 / CX-50, or for better seats, the new CR-V!

[@davidwayne9982]

@@Realistick YEP- I had lit on CX-50 anyway before seeing the rAV-- I just like the gas mileage and they have a Beautiful BLUE that I LOVE...CX-50 I'm not crazy about any of the colors-- RED is ok- IF it looks metalic and not just a flat red-- can't tell much on video.. some look like simple red- and some look metallic with the "glow" to it.. BUT oh well... I can always DIP it later..

[@Andre-mi6fk]

One big negative - WAAAY too much road noise coming into the cabin.

[@jodensmith5093]

The woodland really is the worst trim. For barley more you can have the xle premium model which is much better inside

[@johnchang3807]

Comparing rav4 to prius ?? 😅😂

[@benztech2262]

Really lame review. No sub for you.

[@wholeNwon]

Zero sum: You're out and I'm in. Good review....as usual.

[@Jojoba-wz6ri]

Wow a car review with a touch of misogyny.