NHTSA has received 231 owner complaints about the 2023 Toyota RAV4, or 61.0 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.51, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #75 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Toyota models its rate is 78% higher; against other Compact SUVs it is about the same.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2022-12-29 and 2026-10-10. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.
231Complaints
61.0Complaints per year on the road
1.51Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
10.4%Share involving a crash or fire
110Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 36.8 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 73.8 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 72 complaints, 13% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (34.2% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (18.2%) and Engine (11.7%). Electrical complaints are 2.2 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 24 reports (10.4%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 16 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 29 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the third year (37% of incidents). In the last 12 months 110 new complaints were filed, versus 58 in the 12 months before — up 90%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.51
vs. other Toyota models1.78
vs. other 2023 models1.45
vs. other Compact SUVs1.01
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (72)0.87
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.
Steering · 2026-09-28 · ODI 11767471 · Crash
Vehicle was traveling straight approximately 70–80 mph in very light drizzle. No warning lights or messages before the event. Vehicle suddenly entered an uncontrolled spin multiple times. During the spin, I heard a grinding noise.
Electrical · 2026-07-04 · ODI 11748288
Fuel gauge needle drops to empty when approximately one-quarter tank or more of fuel remains. First noticedXXX; the exact day is approximate (first noticed sometime in XXX).
Fuel system · 2026-10-10 · ODI 11770349
Turning left into my driveway, I felt the accelerator click without me applying any pressure and the car abruptly sped up. I was moving toward my gate as it was nearly open.
Unspecified or other · 2026-10-08 · ODI 11769914
The exterior plastic parts on this 2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium are warping, bubbling, and melting. It began with both side mirror covers (left and right).
Body & structure · 2026-09-25 · ODI 11767010
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Campaign 25V744000 · 2025-10-30
Summary: 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Summary: 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.
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
Summary: 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."
Risk: A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel valve stems and replace the load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 18, 2023. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 23R1.
