Toyota RAV4 transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
215 of the 3,510 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota RAV4 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2019 (80), 2020 (38), 2018 (28). Filed under the same heading across these years: no document yet. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota RAV4 transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 20% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 22 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 80 | 9% | 7k | 30 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 | 28 | 8% | 10k | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 32 · 2020: 24 · 2021: 19 · 2022: 15 · 2023: 33 · 2024: 26 · 2025: 32 · 2026: 31
Across the model years, half of the 77 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 4,000 and 25,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
After driving for about 15-20 minutes car makes grinding noise when accelerating past 2-30 MPH and another grinding noise while decelerating below 20-30mph. Was told that rear driveline disconnect feature is causing the issue. Started happening around 3000miles odo and been getting louder
When accelerating or decelerating from 20 MPH to 30 MPH there is a farting/grinding noise coming from the transmission. I can feel it through the brake and gas pedal also
“Engine maintenance required visit your dealer” appeared on screen. After searching for similar issues. The coolant bypass valve has malfunctioned or failed. The fact that hundreds if not thousands of others have had this issue and it has not yet been recalled coupled with the fact that this isn’t covered under powertrain warranty is…
Engine maintenance required signed popped on and wouldn’t go away. Took it to the dealership. They say it’s a common coolant bypass valve. Was charged a hefty amount of nearly $700
Last week my transmission suddenly and completely failed while driving on the interstate, creating a major safety concern. I was stranded on the interstate for three hours until I could be towed off. The car only has 56,000 miles on it and there were no warnings that there was any problem with the transmission.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNothing filed under this heading on these model years.
Other systems with a record on the Toyota RAV4
Source: the same files- airbag problems
- engine problems
- electrical problems
- fuel system problems
- body and structure problems
- brake problems
Every system, every model year: Toyota RAV4 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota RAV4 years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2019, 80; 2020, 38; 2018, 28. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (20%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Toyota RAV4?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Toyota RAV4?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 8,940 miles across the model years; half of them between 4,000 and 25,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.