2009 Toyota RAV4 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2009 Toyota RAV4 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 397
- 24 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- 91 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 14
- see below
- Reported harm
- 69 reported crashes · 24 injuries · 5 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#1,324
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Toyota median
+108
median 289 across 291 Toyota records
Vs 2007-2011
+138
median 260 complaints in 736 records
Top component share
23%
Vehicle Speed Control: 91 complaints
What owners report fails — 2009 Toyota RAV4
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 91
- SUSPENSION 54
- ENGINE 27
- STEERING 25
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21
14 recalls on record for the 2009 Toyota RAV4
- NHTSA 15V577000 · 2016 · VISIBILITY/WIPER Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the
- NHTSA 16V596000 · 2016 · SUSPENSION:REAR Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 16V396000 · 2016 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- NHTSA 16V096000 · 2016 · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
- NHTSA 14V743000 · 2015 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing per
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2009 Toyota RAV4
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2009 Toyota RAV4 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
NHTSA has 397 consumer complaints on record for the 2009 Toyota RAV4 and 14 recalls. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (91 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2009 Toyota RAV4 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
Owners most often report problems with: vehicle speed control (91), suspension (54), engine (27), steering (25). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2009 Toyota RAV4?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.