2023 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 159 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other RAV4 years
Fewer complaints than other years 21st of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Toyota RAV4. That ranks 21st out of 31 RAV4 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (42 complaints, 26%). Complaints mention 19 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Toyota RAV4
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Z Prototype. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: TTTNIS, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2023 Toyota RAV4 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Unknown or Other42
Electrical System41 · ~21,000 mi
Steering27 · ~58,829 mi
Engine24
Forward Collision Avoidance18 · ~58,829 mi
Service Brakes18
Fuel/propulsion System11
Power Train11 · ~24,500 mi
Back Over Prevention9
Structure9 · ~19,100 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Unknown or Other4226%———
Electrical System4126%21,000——
Steering2717%58,829——
Engine2415%———
Forward Collision Avoidance1811%58,829——
Service Brakes1811%———
Fuel/propulsion System117%———
Power Train117%24,500——
Back Over Prevention96%———
Structure96%19,100——
Visibility/wiper96%———
Air Bags85%57,500——
Vehicle Speed Control74%———
Lane Departure64%———
Suspension64%74,000——
Tires64%29,448——
Visibility32%57,079——
Wheels32%———
Latches/locks/linkages21%———
Engine and Engine Cooling11%———
Exterior Lighting11%———
Other/i Am Not Sure11%———
Seat Belts11%———
Seats11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 52 complaints
2022: 1202212023: 232023232024: 362024362025: 522025522026: 47202647

n = 159 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2023 Toyota RAV4 recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Back over prevention:display functionOct 30, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelSep 11, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Tires:valveJul 11, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V485000 · 195 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Vehicle produces a plastic-sounding grinding noise from the brake area whenever the vehicle rolls over a rough or uneven road surface while braking. This has occurred since purchase of the vehicle and continues to occur as of current mileage (approximately 45,000 miles). The noise is distinct from…

Service Brakes · received Oct 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11771402

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). Dealer (Toyota of Gastonia, [XXX], phone [XXX]; repair order XXX dated XXX) diagnosed a suspected deformed fuel tank and…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Oct 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770349

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. Safety Risk & Injuries: On a curve at ~50 mph, the…

Steering · received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767471

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). Later, the black plastic trim panels alongside the rear windows (rear pillar trim) began failing the same way. The damage is on different…

Structure · received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767010

The "failed or malfunctioning" system is the JBL infotainment system software, and it is available for inspection upon request. The safety of others and my own safety was compromised by the system's natural but inconsistent tendency to often default to the Toyota "Experience Drive Connect"…

Unknown or Other · received Sep 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766288

Other Toyota RAV4 years

← 2022 RAV4 · 2024 RAV4 →

See all Toyota RAV4 problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Toyota RAV4?

Owners most often report unknown or other, electrical system, steering problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 42 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2023 Toyota RAV4?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2023 Toyota RAV4 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAV4 model years, the 2023 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.