2015 Toyota RAV4: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
303 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The RAV4 is consistent through the fourth generation (2013–2018), scoring between 76 and 88 every year. The fifth generation launched for 2019 with a new eight-speed automatic and a direct-injection 2.5-litre engine, and the 2019–2020 years carry the highest counts in the nameplate's history: transmission hesitation and lurching at low speed, fuel-tank capacity shortfalls, and coolant leaks from the engine block on early 2019–2020 engines that led to a warranty extension. Read the full note on the model page. 2015 specifically: a year the record favours — 303 complaints, score 82/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Toyota RAV4: the 2019 and 2020 problem, and the years around it, including 2015 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 303 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 27.55
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the radio was inoperable. The contact stated that the gauges failed to properly operate. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the rearview camera image was reversed before becoming inoperable. The ABS, AWD, and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and an undis…
Car’s sunroof exploded while driving, was going about 55 on the highway and I heard a loud pop followed by the sound of breaking glass which I found to be my whole sunroof exploding from the inside out. This is dangerous because of the possibility of glass landing on people or in the car leading to potential injury. This issue is apparently one that happens fairly commonly. The component has not been checked yet. The…
Purchased less than 2 months ago from Performance Mitsubishi in Delray Beach FL. Lift gate was not opening and closing properly. Yesterday the hinges broke and lift gate won't shut. It appears there is a class action lawsuit for this issue. I am now responsible for fixing this because the dealership won't.
Recalls: 4 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 23V734000 | Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit. |
| 15V144000 | Steering:Electric Power Assist System | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. |
| 15V011000 | Trailer Hitches | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights. |
| 14V828000 | Equipment | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 26 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,350
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System84 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other60 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Steering45 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Engine37 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Structure31 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Service Brakes31 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Toyota RAV4 years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Toyota RAV4?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (84 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2015 Toyota RAV4 a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 82/100, computed from 303 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2015 Toyota RAV4's most common problem?
84 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2015 Toyota RAV4 sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2015 Toyota RAV4 cost to run per year?
About $5,083 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $25,415 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2015 Toyota RAV4, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/11/2023. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2015 Toyota RAV4 really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 303 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 303 NHTSA complaints on record (27.5/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (37.6/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems