CarModelProblems.com

2010 Toyota RAV4 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 3.9× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
400Complaints
14Recalls
57Crashes
3Fires
27Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Suspension (24% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Suspension complaints here are 3.9× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension96 · 24%RecalledRecall 16V596000 · Recall 12V373000 · Recall 13V383000
Vehicle Speed Control75 · 18.8%RecalledRecall 11V113000 · Recall 10V017000
Air Bags26 · 6.5%RecalledRecall 13V014000
Power Train24 · 6%not available
Engine21 · 5.2%not available
Visibility/wiper20 · 5%RecalledRecall 15V577000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION96 · 24%
Unspecified / other37 · 9.2%
AIR BAGS26 · 6.5%
POWER TRAIN24 · 6%
ENGINE21 · 5.2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER20 · 5%
SEAT BELTS18 · 4.5%
STEERING17 · 4.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC15 · 3.8%

Percentages are the share of the 400 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 14 campaigns

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 16V596000 · 2016 · reported 08/12/2016

Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 2014 · reported 11/19/2014

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

NHTSA campaign 15V689000 · 2015 · reported 10/22/2015

If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:rear/other

NHTSA campaign 16V096000 · 2016 · reported 02/19/2016

A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility/wiper

NHTSA campaign 15V577000 · 2015 · reported 09/18/2015

Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 2016 · reported 06/02/2016

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 2013 · reported 01/16/2013

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 12V373000 · 2012 · reported 08/02/2012

Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 13V383000 · 2013 · reported 08/28/2013

Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 11V113000 · 2011 · reported 02/24/2011

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 2013 · reported 04/09/2013

An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 10V017000 · 2010 · reported 01/21/2010

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“PUTTING INTO A PARKING STALL (AT A REST STOP)WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL,THE RAV4 ACCEELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED,ONLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING A SIGN…”NHTSA complaint 10497692 — filed 02/11/2013 · SUSPENSION
“I HAVE TAKEN MY 1 MONTH CERTIFIED NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE FOR WHAT I DESCRIBE AS BRAKES/SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CANNOT FIND ANY…”NHTSA complaint 10490234 — filed 12/27/2012 · SUSPENSION
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V373000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE REMEDY PART…”NHTSA complaint 10484765 — filed 11/15/2012 · SUSPENSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

262012235520144375201642252018229202014320221222024552026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota RAV4?

Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 96 of 400 NHTSA complaints (24%), followed by vehicle speed control (75), unspecified/other issues (37), air bags (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 have?

400 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 57 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 27 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2010 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?

Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V596000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2010 Toyota RAV4's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.