Toyota RAV4 Suspension Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 549 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 549 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Toyota RAV4 across 30 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (125). The words owners use most often: “rear suspension” (17% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Rear suspension: mentioned in 95 of 549 complaints (17%)
  • Tie rod: mentioned in 33 of 549 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the Toyota RAV4 at $810, and half of them between $610 and $1,200.

Based on 27 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do suspension problems happen?

Based on 281 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles25 · 9%
10k–25k miles19 · 7%
25k–50k miles40 · 14%
50k–75k miles54 · 19%
75k–100k miles54 · 19%
100k–150k miles68 · 24%
150k+ miles21 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 549 complaints, 23 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 10 an injury.

Toyota RAV4 suspension complaints by model year

Peak: 2007, with 125 complaints
1996: 219961997: 11998: 31999: 419992000: 12001: 42002: 420022003: 22004: 32005: 420052006: 732007: 1251252008: 8120082009: 552010: 1012011: 1620112012: 62013: 22014: 120142015: 52016: 32017: 620172018: 32019: 162020: 1020202021: 62022: 22023: 620232024: 32025: 1

n = 549 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearSuspension complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 RAV411%—
2024 RAV432%—
2023 RAV464%74,000
2022 RAV421%—
2021 RAV462%1
2020 RAV4102%22,000
2019 RAV4162%4,850
2018 RAV431%12,450
2017 RAV462%17,500
2016 RAV431%30,100
2015 RAV452%24,854
2014 RAV411%—
2013 RAV421%20,623
2012 RAV462%36,000
2011 RAV4166%69,750
2010 RAV410125%51,000
2009 RAV45517%65,730
2008 RAV48114%75,000
2007 RAV412512%92,000
2006 RAV47310%100,000
2005 RAV443%104,000
2004 RAV432%—
2003 RAV421%—
2002 RAV441%61,364
2001 RAV441%150,000
2000 RAV413%96,000
1999 RAV446%120,000
1998 RAV434%—
1997 RAV412%59,000
1996 RAV424%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 117 complaints
1997: 119971999: 22000: 220002001: 22002: 120022004: 12007: 120072008: 12009: 220092010: 92011: 420112012: 352013: 4220132014: 1171172015: 4320152016: 452017: 9220172018: 362019: 2020192020: 242021: 1320212022: 62023: 1320232024: 142025: 1020252026: 13

n = 549 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Suspension:front:control arm:lower armMay 20, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V286000 · 9,502 vehicles

Model years: 2019, 2020

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.

Risk: If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.

Suspension:rearAug 12, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V596000 · 337,449 vehicles

Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

Risk: Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for Lexus vehicles. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-383, in which some vehicles were only inspected, sealed, and did not have both arms replaced. The affected vehicles were previously recalled under 13V-383, but did not have both rear suspension arms replaced at that time. Those vehicles need to have both arms replaced as part of this recall remedy.

Suspension:rearAug 28, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V383000 · 780,584 vehicles

Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

Risk: Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage. Due to limitations in parts, the recall remedy will be launched in phases from September 2013 through mid-April 2014. All owners will receive notification of the recall, with most receiving second notifications when parts are available in their area. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes Toyota and Lexus recall 12V-373. All vehicles that have been inspected and remedied under the previous recall need to be re-inspected and have the appropriate remedy applied.

Suspension:rearAug 2, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V373000 · 780,584 vehicles

Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

Risk: Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

See attached document for complaint

Received Oct 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768326

* The suspension camber is extremely off from the factory * The tires are wearing abnormally, causing the steel mesh to become exposed while the tire still appears healthy from the outside * Yes, the problem has been reproduced, and is widespread * Yes, it's been inspected by the dealership, and…

Received Oct 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768219

2016 Superseding Recall (Campaign 16V596000): Toyota issued a follow-up recall because some initial epoxy repairs were not enough. Dealers must replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts completely free of charge. These parts are severely rusted and corroded on my 2006 Toyota…

Received Sep 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767109

Its the sway bar stabilizer bar in the front end of my 2020 rav4 i bought it brand new in 2020. After just 24k miles i had to replace the sway bar now just a few months later ima gonna have to get it back in the shop because its making the same noise as before

Received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766886

Mechanic said he thought rear lower rearward; non-adjustable control arms, lateral arms were a recall. They were falling apart. I've been complaining about a clunky noise for a year or so. Thank you for your help [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C…

Received Sep 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766768
Toyota RAV4
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Z Prototype. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: TTTNIS, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Toyota RAV4s have suspension problems?

No. NHTSA has 549 owner complaints about suspension for the Toyota RAV4. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Toyota RAV4 suspension?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the Toyota RAV4?

Owners report a typical cost of $810 (half paid between $610 and $1,200), from 27 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about suspension problems on the Toyota RAV4?

The most frequent phrase is “rear suspension”, in 95 of 549 complaints, followed by “tie rod” (33).

Other Toyota RAV4 problems

See all Toyota RAV4 problems.