I'm looking into buying a '20, '21, or '22 non-Hybrid non-Prime (i.e., full ICE). I'm curious to know what MAJOR engine and/or MAJOR transmission problems members have experienced. Your insights would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Looking at '20, '21, '22. Any major problems? What's your experience?
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TheBTR
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I'm looking into buying a '20, '21, or '22 non-Hybrid non-Prime (i.e., full ICE). I'm curious to know what MAJOR engine and/or MAJOR transmission problems members have experienced. Your insights would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
The search function for this forum is VERY GOOD! Filter your searches to the 5th generation. Literally ALL your questions have been previously answered many times over the years. There have never really been what I consider MAJOR engine or trans problems in the 5th gen RAVs. A few thousand 2019 engines were recalled and replaced for casting flaws. Some 2019 and 2020s had an annoying pause or hesitation in shifting which was corrected by a TSB by software reprogramming.The only remaining issues at present from the '21 model year back to '19 are the potential for roof rail leaks and the potential for a Coolant Bypass Valve malfunction. Any earlier issue with the trans, DCM battery draining, etc. were corrected by TSBs and in later production. I can't speak for the 2022 and '23 they are too new.
The TRD models and others with the Torque Vectoring rear end WERE bedeviled by multiple issues relating to the driveline disconnect function and the dog clutches in the axles. They had multiple TSBs and people still have trouble and complaints about that rear end assembly.
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@Tazio Nuvolari - Thank you for replying. That's excellent information. Very helpful and much appreciated!
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im not an owner of those cars, but i recall reading that there were software programming issues with the transmission on the earlier models that were ironed out in the 22. i think there may also be minor aerodynamic improvements on the 22.
Completely fixed by mid or late 2020 by TSB and on the production line.. 2021 were all OK with regards to the 8 speed trans.
Search for some of the threads on roof rail leaks. IMO this is the most serious design flaw in this generation of RAV4. It has the potential (long-term) to destroy the value of your vehicle, so if I were considering owning the RAV4 longer than the warranty period it would be my top concern. The only model guaranteed not to have this issue is the 22 and later LE ICE models, which don't have factory roof rails. It's possible that Toyota finally fixed this issue on other 22 and later trims by not punching a hole through the roof at the front and rear for the rails, but the one thread I saw on this was not conclusive.
Quite true. Bear in mind that there are a number of DIY fixes for the roof rail leak that are simple to do (on the low "flush mount" rails but hard to do on the TRD type raised rails) if it happens out of warranty. The easiest and most basic is to coat the plastic clips with silicone sealer where they contact the roof. This forum documents ALL the fixes with photos and discussion. Search YouTube for the several videos showing the fixes step by step.
2020 non-Hybrid Limited AWD here. Here are the issues I've had.
I had the shakey side mirrors and had them fixed via TSB. Dealership *icked it up.
Had the DCM Firmware updated by TSB after being left with a dead battery. 12v battery under the hood was never the same, probably going to need it replaced soon.
I have the grinding power driver seat motor and have not gotten this fixed via TSB... Probably going to do it myself to avoid the dealership *icking something else up.
Headunit initially had trouble pairing with my phone every 5th or so start. Android Auto would start before the Bluetooth paired and as a result could not make phone calls. Turned out to be a Toyota bug and was fixed in a firmware update to the headunit that I did myself and have had no further troubles.
Rear bumper developed a rattle. Strategically deployed zip ties resolved the issue.
At about 15k miles my roof rails began leaking into the cabin staining the headliner at the A, B and C pillars. Airbags were OK according to the dealership. Fixed under warranty but the dealer *icked up so many things and had to replace a ton of stuff. In the end I ended up pulling the new rails off because I found the dealership installed them wrong. I bought replacement adhesive stands and replacement clips from the Toyota catalog for about 10 bucks and did it right myself. No further leaks. Yet.
My VIN falls into the range of having the rear differential TSB issue. To date I have had no problems with it, so the TSB cannot be performed.
(Knock on wood) Mechanically the vehicle has been rock solid. No engine issues or leaky joints, no transmission issues. No AWD issues. Very few rattles, what little it had I have resolve just about all of them myself. Exterior and interior are holding up well for almost 3 years of ownership. Tires are wearing well, I am still on the factory Yokohama's.
Now that I have posted this it will probably explode tomorrow and I'll have to come back here and edit this post.
I had the shakey side mirrors and had them fixed via TSB. Dealership *icked it up.
Had the DCM Firmware updated by TSB after being left with a dead battery. 12v battery under the hood was never the same, probably going to need it replaced soon.
I have the grinding power driver seat motor and have not gotten this fixed via TSB... Probably going to do it myself to avoid the dealership *icking something else up.
Headunit initially had trouble pairing with my phone every 5th or so start. Android Auto would start before the Bluetooth paired and as a result could not make phone calls. Turned out to be a Toyota bug and was fixed in a firmware update to the headunit that I did myself and have had no further troubles.
Rear bumper developed a rattle. Strategically deployed zip ties resolved the issue.
At about 15k miles my roof rails began leaking into the cabin staining the headliner at the A, B and C pillars. Airbags were OK according to the dealership. Fixed under warranty but the dealer *icked up so many things and had to replace a ton of stuff. In the end I ended up pulling the new rails off because I found the dealership installed them wrong. I bought replacement adhesive stands and replacement clips from the Toyota catalog for about 10 bucks and did it right myself. No further leaks. Yet.
My VIN falls into the range of having the rear differential TSB issue. To date I have had no problems with it, so the TSB cannot be performed.
(Knock on wood) Mechanically the vehicle has been rock solid. No engine issues or leaky joints, no transmission issues. No AWD issues. Very few rattles, what little it had I have resolve just about all of them myself. Exterior and interior are holding up well for almost 3 years of ownership. Tires are wearing well, I am still on the factory Yokohama's.
Now that I have posted this it will probably explode tomorrow and I'll have to come back here and edit this post.
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@WillRav4Tacos - Thanks for your extensive write up. Very helpful and much appreciated!
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2021 XLE ICE (gas) model. 11K miles in PNW. NO issues whatsoever. No roof leaks, no shaky mirrors, no warnings or DTCs. 2 small rock chips on windshield in outer glass layer that do not require repair. One very small paint chip on front edge of hood fixed with OEM touch up paint. Plastic garden safety screen over the A/C lower grill got small crack when I hit a large grey squirrel running across the road.
You bet. I know my post comes across negative but I would absolutely buy my RAV4 again. It is a joy to drive and look at (as much as a crossover can be) but I would have waited until the 3rd year of production for Toyota to work out the kinks.
Sadly my old Rav4 was totalled (someone else's reckless driving) and I was forced to get a new one when I did.
2019 has a number of TSBs, one for reprogramming the transmission to avoid a surging as the car does a low speed rolling start (California stop). There are two TSBs for the models with Torque Vectoring AWD, for the front transfer case "mooing" and the rear differential. Plus the potentially leaky roof rails.
If you're looking specifically for a used 2020 the front transfer case is a non issue as is the transmission programing, but for models with Torque Vectoring AWD, look for one with a rear differential manufactured after mid-May 2020 which will allow you to avoid the TSB for that one (scoot under the rear end and look for the little white sticker with the date code on the differential). If the roof hasn't leaked yet do your research here and purchase the new clips and adhesive pads for the rails and fix it yourself. It's really easy. Ask the dealer to flash the latest firmware to the DCM also before you buy it.
If you want to avoid pretty much all the headaches of the 2019 and 2020, just go for one manufactured in the second half of 2021.
Good luck!
Coolant bypass valve can leak/fail at any mileage. This affects all current Gen 5 Rav4s. If you get an engine maintenance required message in MID check you temperature garage and if not above halfway, you are good to drive until it is checked out SOON. If temp is up, then stop in safe place and have it towed.
Roof rail leaks visible by stains at top of a-pillar headliner area and headliner top of c-pillar areas. I believe the design was changed for 2022 model year and 2019-2021 will get an upgraded washer although the upgraded orange foam washer is not very good either. Better to get a polyurethane or rubber washer of the correct size.
Hybrids with High Voltage cable corrosion issue even with “fix” done around end of 2021 where orange casing was -anti ally opened to allow drainage. For this reason alone and where I live my 3 rav4 are gas only. May not be much of an issue for several years depending on your climate (rain/snow) and use of salt/brine on roads.
Water trapped in all doors Including current model year as rubber strip has not been altered. TSB to correct this minor issue. Rubber seal along inside bottom of all doors blocks drainage holes. Rubber strips in area of all drainage holes need to be cut.
Assuming all had proper fluid changes and engine oil changes around every 6,000 miles or 9,000 km and otherwise equality taken care of and no collision, I would choose the latest model year. Each year, more issues, however minor have (hopefully) been corrected.
Roof rail leaks visible by stains at top of a-pillar headliner area and headliner top of c-pillar areas. I believe the design was changed for 2022 model year and 2019-2021 will get an upgraded washer although the upgraded orange foam washer is not very good either. Better to get a polyurethane or rubber washer of the correct size.
Hybrids with High Voltage cable corrosion issue even with “fix” done around end of 2021 where orange casing was -anti ally opened to allow drainage. For this reason alone and where I live my 3 rav4 are gas only. May not be much of an issue for several years depending on your climate (rain/snow) and use of salt/brine on roads.
Water trapped in all doors Including current model year as rubber strip has not been altered. TSB to correct this minor issue. Rubber seal along inside bottom of all doors blocks drainage holes. Rubber strips in area of all drainage holes need to be cut.
Assuming all had proper fluid changes and engine oil changes around every 6,000 miles or 9,000 km and otherwise equality taken care of and no collision, I would choose the latest model year. Each year, more issues, however minor have (hopefully) been corrected.
On the 2019-2021s with the roof rail leak issue the best and ultimate fix is to remove all the white plastic clips from the rail and use 8mm rubber plugs and Permatex Ultra Black gasket maker in the roof holes. The rail is held on just fine with the four 10mm steel bolts and a new strip of 3M Trim Tape on the front pedestal block. Many prior threads on this repair...use the forum search bar.
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