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KLUNK
KLUNK

2010 Toyota Rav4

The Verdict

34 Check Engine

The 2010 Toyota Rav4 has 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (250 complaints) and engine (48 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 34/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Rav4, consider the 2000 model year which has 90% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2000 has 90% fewer complaints

View the 2000 Toyota Rav4 dashboard →

34

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000213196
200146223142179
200260125669358
20034622954194
2004417533022
2005441160168
2006377298616546
20075223715025142
2008272277917026
200920729244225
201025030404832
201114836314723
201214236413115
20139521723827
20146512673416
201512224814925
20167242792810
201784321234213
2018107251284018
2019228279445659
20201781513127623
2021142191395513
202263627315
2023641224318
2024811326383
202541510103

By Category

Body
250
Engine
48
Electrical
40
Transmission
32
Brakes
30

By Severity

1
161
2
177
3
3
4
59

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2010 Toyota Rav4 stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Electrical 2

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Toyota Rav4. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 111,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 290,055.

2mo ago
Body 2

I totaled my car into a fence

3mo ago
Transmission 2

I was about to accelerate on a main avenue, made a clunking sound and came to a halt. Couldn't pull over safely. Investigated by mechanic, said the Transmission exploded, and the differential gears broke. No warning lights.

3mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V383000 (Suspension) in 2015. The contact stated that in 2015 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a tire dealer, and it was determined that the rear tires were worn and needed to be replaced. The contact replaced all four tires. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that in 2020 the low tire pressure and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to another tire dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear tires were worn and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the rear tires could not be aligned because of the rear suspension arms, that was causing the quick wear of the tires. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer in 2024 and observed that the low tire pressure and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while driving at various speeds prior to the warning lights being illuminated. The contact was informed that the rear tires could not be aligned due to a failure with the rear suspension arms. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who aligned the front wheels, but the rear tires could not be aligned. The contact informed the dealer about NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V383000 (Suspension) and was informed that the recall had been completed. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

11mo ago
Body 1

The paint on hood is rusty and corroded, this can affect the body of the vehicle since it exposes the metal and can pose a safety problem. Toyota had a recall for 2010 white paint well the same thing happen to mine which is metallic gray. I have another car from another brand from 2012 and paint is intact just faded which is normal but not corroded. I contacted Toyota and they refuse to take my complaint. They only gave me a claim number 250808001898 for record

11mo ago
Engine 1

Burns oil. No leaks and compression is spot on. Burns oil so bad that around every 2,000 miles, if you hit the brakes to hard it causes the car to stall. Whether it's in a parking lot or intersection. Has happened several times. Since I purchased the car in 2022. Has been inspected by Toyota mechanics on more than one occasion, but can't find any solution, have tried thicker oils, oil stabilizers and nothing helps.

15mo ago
Engine 1

Engine oil is burning with out discharging from the engine. Can find no leak anywhere in the engine compartment. Constantly adding oil to the car as the oil indicator isn’t working either. The engine compression is spot on to manufacturers specifications. If the engine runs out of oil it could lead to a crash. Suspension: Loud popping in the rear drivers side when first moving. Don’t know if it is tie rod or something else. Don’t need whatever is causing the pop to break as that could lead to a crash.

16mo ago
Brakes 4

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop light, with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard the vehicle failed to stop as intended. As a result, the contact rear-ended the vehicle ahead. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed and injuries were not reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

20mo ago
Body 4

NHTSa CAMPAIGN ID 16v596000 AUG 12, 2016 Recalls supercedes 13V-383 vehicles inspected but did not have both arms replaced. Vehicles need to have both arms replaced. Recall done on vehicle (RAV4 2010) were COJ - 1/9/2013 Stevens Creek Toyota CSJ - 9/21/2014 Capitola Toyota Control Arm were not replaced at these times. My car is currently being serviced at IQ Autoworks in Campbell CA. I've been told the control arm needs replacement. Quoted $1700 to replace one control arm.

22mo ago
Body 2

Steering becomes very hard to control with no slack and in the wheel and occasionally it feels like you hit ice and sliding when you change lanes, happens on dry paved road without warning. Also when using cruise control hitting button to slow down the headlights and dash lights fade out and then brighter when acceleration

32mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the moon roof glass fractured without impact. The local dealer was contacted and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

37mo ago
Body 2

I just purchased a used 2010 toyota rav 4 base fwd and when making left or right turn I hear loud clunking noises and when backing up I hear squeaking noises plus I see liquid under car near middle. I also noticed when I add washer fluid and check level couple days later without using it ,,it is not visible ...and can't find pink coolant in stores that is in resivoir which needs to be topped off according to mechanic

39mo ago
Engine 1

Transmission vavle body issue and not safe to drive

40mo ago
Body 1

Driver belt seat loose

40mo ago
Engine 2

I have a 2010 Toyota rav4 limited and sometimes the car starts and sometimes it doesn’t but all the light come on but the car itself doesn’t start I replaced the battery, starter, starter safety switch but it still doesn’t start sometimes

41mo ago
Electrical 4

Impact on Right front end at 60 mph and air bags did not deploy

42mo ago
Body 1

On August 10 2022 I was pulling slowly into a parking spot with foot lightly on brake to control forward motion car attempted to surge /accelerate . I stepped firmly on brake and since car was nearly stopped I put it in to park. RPM's went up dramatically and then car reverted to normal rpms. I estimate that the entire process.I estimate that the entire process took place in about 30 seconds or less. I immediately took vehicle to the Toyota dealer and they presumably checked it out and found no problems with vehicle. They "deemed it accidental accelerator pedal engagement by customer" which it was definitely not! A similar situation occurred about 3 months earlier. That time I was pulling slowly into traffic and suddenly car tried to accelerate. I pressed firmly on brake pedal and acceleration stopped. Entire event was very brief seconds and I ignored it as a possible anomaly not requiring attention. I reported that to dealer as well when I took it in for the 10 August incident.

47mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that she gets her vehicle maintenance on a regular basis, however, when she took her vehicle to get serviced by an independent mechanic she was advised that the oil was low. The contact stated that they put oil in the vehicle, however, when it was time for the vehicle to get maintenance again, she was again advised that the oil was low and that the vehicle was leaking oil. The contact stated that after a while she noticed she was inputting 3 quarts of oil per week in the vehicle. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated on the vehicle at the time of failure. The contact stated that she does not know if the vehicle was losing oil until she checks the oil, which occurs on a regular basis. The contact stated she did contact the manufacturer, who was not able to assist. The failure mileage was 200,000.

53mo ago
Engine 4

While driving my vehicle, it began to smoke under the hood. I exited the highway in order to pull over in a safer location. Some smoke started coming through the vent in the car as I pulled over. I exited the car and moved away and small flames began at the air vents on the outside. After I called 911, The fire kept building until the front half of the car was engulfed. The fire department came and put out the fire. They weren’t sure the exact cause, but believe it started in the engine. My car was up to date on inspection and was not yet due for an oil change. No dashboard service lights were on beforehand. I had State Farm insurance and am not sure yet if they were able to find anything from their investigation.

55mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Nashville Toyota North (2400 Gallatin Pike N, Madison, TN 37115), and diagnosed that the rear differential coupling was leaking oil, the rear driver's side axle bearing was faulty, and the radiator was leaking. The rear differential coupling, rear driver's side axle bearing, and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was past the nine-year extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 97,900.

56mo ago

400 total

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