BestCarRank
Toyota

2011 Toyota RAV4

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 has 402 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 396. The most common issue is speed control problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: on dec. 11, 2010, i purchased my 2011 rav4. since that time, i have had to contact toyota and the dealer and take my rav4 to the dealer service dept. multiple times due to unintended acceleration. each time i was told nothing was wrong with the vehicle. this unintended acceleration occurs randomly w. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 58 crash reports 23 injuries

402

Total Complaints

11

Recalls Issued

3/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

SPEED CONTROL

70 complaints
17%
  • ON DEC. 11, 2010, I PURCHASED MY 2011 RAV4. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO CONTACT TOYOTA AND THE DEALER AND TAKE MY RAV4 TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURS RANDOMLY W
  • TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, HIS FOOT MADE CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE DESIGN COINCIDED WITH NHTSA STANDARDS AND OF
  • TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. SLIGHT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS UNTIL CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. UPON APPLYING SLIGHT PRESSURE TO TH
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 21 crashes

ON DEC. 11, 2010, I PURCHASED MY 2011 RAV4. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO CONTACT TOYOTA AND THE DEALER AND TAKE MY RAV4 TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURS RANDOMLY W

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Toyota RAV4

Based on 273 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 46K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
94
30-60K
71
60-100K
68
100-150K
31
150-200K
7
200K+
2

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 64 reports
0-30K
33
30-60K
13
60-100K
11
100-150K
6
150-200K
1
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 43 reports
0-30K
21
30-60K
11
60-100K
6
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 17 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
4
60-100K
5
100-150K
0
150-200K
2
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
2
60-100K
4
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
3
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
3
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

SUSPENSION:REAR12/08/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

Risk: Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for Lexus vehicles. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-383, in which some vehicles were only inspected, sealed, and did not have both arms replaced. The affected vehicles were previously recalled under 13V-383, but did not have both rear suspension arms replaced at that time. Those vehicles need to have both arms replaced as part of this recall remedy.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Toyota RAV4

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,087
Per month
$174
Per mile
17.4¢
MPG
23
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,527/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Toyota RAV4

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,524
Full coverage / month
$127
Liability only / year
$651
vs US avg
-9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.02x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1524

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota RAV4 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
120K mi
Cabin air filter
30K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 150K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2011 RAV4, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 402 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • SPEED CONTROL: ON DEC. 11, 2010, I PURCHASED MY 2011 RAV4. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO CONTACT TOYOTA AND THE DEALER AND TAKE MY RAV4 TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURS RANDOMLY W

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: HAVING JUST DESCENDED A HILL, I TRIED TO BRAKE WHILE APPROACHING A SHARP CURVE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING, THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AND THE ENGINE WAS REVVING. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AS I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV- 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF SULFUR EXHAUST FUMES EMITTING INSIDE OF THE CABIN. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO SMELL THE STR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
402
Recalls
11
Fire reports
8
Crash reports
58
Injury reports
23
Segment avg
396

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Toyota RAV4