NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
Rear suspension arms have lock nuts that may be loose after service. This can damage threads, cause rust, and lead to arm failure, making the vehicle's alignment suddenly change.
This page covers 7 recalls, 286 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Toyota RAV4.
21–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.2 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2011 Toyota RAV4 received a three-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, it earned three stars. Side crash protection was rated at four stars, and rollover resistance also received four stars. The side pole crash test resulted in a two-star rating. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a vehicle redesign occurs, so this rating covers the 2011 RAV4.
3/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant pattern in 2011 RAV4 complaints centers on vehicle speed control, with owners frequently describing unintended acceleration, the vehicle continuing to accelerate or failing to slow as expected when the brake pedal is applied. Several owners report the issue occurring at various speeds, sometimes resolving only after shifting to neutral. Visibility and wiper complaints make up the second-largest group, with owners describing windshield wiper failures and obstructed sightlines. Engine complaints round out the top three, though at lower volume. A separate thread running through the complaint set involves odometer fraud, with multiple buyers, particularly in private-sale transactions, reporting significant mileage discrepancies discovered only after purchase through vehicle history checks. Rear suspension issues also appear across several reports, with owners describing clunking sounds and rear suspension arms loosening from the subframe.
286
Total Complaints
44
Crash-Related
8
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Toyota RAV4 has 7 recalls, the most serious being fire risks from an aftermarket seat heater that can short circuit and a power window switch that can overheat and melt.
The seat heater risk involves a copper strand heating element that can short out if damaged, while the window switch issue stems from moisture and debris entering an unlubricated switch assembly, which can overheat to the point of melting the surrounding plastic. On the suspension side, rear tie rod lock nuts on certain vehicles may not have been properly tightened, and if a tie rod fails, the driver can lose control of the vehicle's direction.
Two recalls address the side curtain airbags, which use inflator components that may have been incorrectly manufactured, leaving one or both curtain airbags unable to deploy in a crash and offering no protection to occupants in a side impact. A separate structural concern involves the rear outboard seatbelts: in a frontal collision, the seat cushion frame can cut through the belt webbing, leaving rear passengers without effective restraint at the moment they need it most. The final recall covers the wiper system, where water can drip onto the joint connecting the wiper linkage to the motor and gradually corrode the connection until the linkage separates, causing the wipers to stop moving entirely during rain or snow.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear suspension arms have lock nuts that may be loose after service. This can damage threads, cause rust, and lead to arm failure, making the vehicle's alignment suddenly change.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and seal the lock nuts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical wiring in aftermarket seat heaters with copper strand heating elements can be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will disconnect the seat heaters at no charge and refund the purchase price of the accessory.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a frontal collision, the rear outboard seat belts may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power window master switch may have inconsistent grease lubrication on its sliding electrical contacts, potentially causing the switch to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the switch and apply lubricant if needed, or replace the circuit board if abnormalities are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can drip onto the connection between the wiper linkage and wiper motor, potentially causing the wiper system to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the water diverter channel and install a new wiper linkage with motor crank arm, protective cover, and retainer ring.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain curtain shield airbags contain an initiator with incorrect propellant, which may prevent the airbags from deploying properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will check your vehicle ID and replace the curtain shield airbag assemblies at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side curtain airbag inflators may be defectively made, preventing one or both airbags from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the side curtain airbag assemblies and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
