Toyota RAV4 reliability - how does it compare? [truedelta.com]

[mkaresh]

In late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research. I'm reporting absolute stats like "times in the shop" that will make the differences between cars much clearer. Relative ratings obscure too much--how large is the difference between "better than average" and "worse than average"? We also promptly update results four times a year, to track cars closely as they age.

We've had excellent participation by third-generation RAV4 owners. I'd like to similarly cover every year of the second generation, just a matter of getting enough owners involved.

To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results free of charge.

Details: Vehicle reliability research

Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome.

[mkaresh]

Still looking for more second-generation RAV4s. Third-generation owners have been very helpful.

[Zorin]

2005 with 65000km on it and no problems whatsoever !

[waltrav]

I think the few issues from the start have been discussed.



Everyone is living Happily and Peacefully now because they are so damn reliable.

That's why I spend most of my time here talking about Food.

[archer]

2002 rav4 71,000 no issues except check engine light!!. My 97 F-150 has 200,000 + on it and never any problems!!!

[delirium]

let's face it, there is no such thing anymore like Toyota reliability
or any other make for that matter. Everything is based on particular model from specific year and luck. I had 92 buick skylark and I put it 200k on it with no problems, I had Honda Oddysey 95 and engine gone after only 150k. Now I have 02 rav4 and check engine problem.
Also Toyota had and has many problems with engine gelling in some
models for years.

Toyota was good and got this reputation only because other makers sucked 15 years ago.

[zoomie]

The rav4's been very realiable. My car's been around for 5 yrs and it's still moving strong. It's been to the shop once for the check engine light. Other than that, it's smooth sailing. My friend's mini cooper however has been to the shop at least 5 times and it's only half as old.

Other than regular maintenance and the check engine light for the catalytic converter, I haven't had any serious problems with the RAV4 either.

2002 RAV4 with 93,000+ miles clocked in.

[delirium]

Originally Posted by KunoMochi

Other than regular maintenance and the check engine light for the catalytic converter, I haven't had any serious problems with the RAV4 either.

2002 RAV4 with 93,000+ miles clocked in.

around 100k miles even Hyundai makes now days,
so I think good mark will be at least 150k.
I'm not saying it's not, I hope it is since I bought it too,
but I've seen too many complaints for Toyota's reliability.

[Signguy]

I think you'd have better luck in the Faults & fixes area.

I got ours used with 46K on it. Nothing but a pain in the ass for the next 4-5K miles with the engine light on issue. Toy finally replaced the Cat converter reprogrammed the ecu and the next week the engine light on again this time for the O2 sensor which they were gonna charge me $450 or so for. I bought it myself (don't remember if it was 275 or in the 300 range) but to dang espensive. After that fix the vehicle has run pretty decent and can't complain but that first few months I was ready to drive it off a cliff