The Toyota RAV4 Prime Years To Avoid
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As you may know, EVs and hybrids are all the rage these days. Both car manufacturers and the government are trying to outdo each other in pushing for an all-electric future and eliminating the need for internal combustion engines. Car brands are producing EVs and hybrid vehicles left and right. While some EVs and hybrids are released with brand-new nameplates, some automakers simply release hybrid versions of their popular models.
That seems to be the case with one of the best-selling SUVs of all time, the Toyota RAV4.
If you’re looking for a used hybrid SUV, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the RAV4 Prime. The Prime is the plug-in hybrid variant of the famous compact crossover SUV (CUV). With that said, the Toyota RAV4 Prime boasts top-tier practicality, excellent fuel economy, and best-in-class reliability.
For today’s post, we will discuss the Toyota RAV4 Prime years to avoid and which model is safe to buy as used.
Which Toyota RAV4 Prime Years to Avoid?
As of this writing, there are only three RAV4 Prime years to choose from, including the newest 2023 version. To be clear, the RAV4 Prime is a reliable hybrid nameplate so far. However, some years are just more reliable than others. As such, avoid the following RAV4 Prime years:
- 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
- 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
As demonstrated by the omnipresent Prius, there’s no denying that Toyota’s strength lies in its hybrid platform. And with the market’s obsession with SUVs, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime just makes sense for a lot of people, which is why it easily outsold the Prius. At that point, Toyota had just built its best hybrid model with the RAV4 Prime. It’s also the quickest Toyota vehicle outside the Supra line and the most fuel-efficient outside the Prius.
However, is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime reliable?
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2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Reliability Ratings
To be clear, the 2021 RAV4 Prime is a very reliable hybrid SUV that lives up to Toyota’s reputation for long-term reliability. In fact, the 2021 RAV4 Prime is an excellent hybrid SUV that you can safely buy used. At the same time, it’s a debut model (although it’s not exactly a new nameplate), so it’s expected to have numerous reliability issues. Thus, if you’re choosing between model years, the 2021 version is undoubtedly one of the Toyota RAV4 Prime years to avoid.
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime has received 61 complaints and three recalls so far. While these are a manageable number of complaints, checking out the issues people complain about is always beneficial.
On the other hand, the 2021 RAV4 Prime received a decent 3.0 out of 5.0 score in reliability and a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 rating in owner satisfaction. Last but not least, J.D. Power also gave Toyota’s hybrid SUV a favorable rating of 81 out of 100 in Quality & Reliability, where a higher rating means fewer problems.
Overall, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 received much praise in many departments, including reliability. But as mentioned, it has its fair share of issues.
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Common Problems
The fuel tank capacity issue is one of the main customer grievances about the 2021 RAV4 Prime. Based on numerous reports, the fuel tank seems to only accept 10-11 gallons of fuel, as opposed to the advertised 14.5-gallon tank. One user wrote in 2022:
“With the tank size that allegedly holds 14.5 gallons and a travel range of 580 miles, the plaintiffs say a driver can only travel about 400 miles on a full tank of gas. So I run to empty and fuel it up 15 gal. Gauge show 380 mil to go. It should be 600 instead.”
In addition, some users also complained about the troublesome service brakes of the RAV4 Prime. Almost all of the accounts of the drivers told a similar story: the service brakes would stop working after going through a pothole or bad road conditions. Instead, the car will lurch forward and feels like it’s surging. A frustrated driver wrote via the NHTSA website:
“When the vehicle goes over a pothole (or bad road condition) while you are braking, the brakes don’t work for a second, the car feels like it is surging. I almost hit the car in front.”
Several drivers speculate that the delay with the service brakes has to do with the regenerative brakes shifting over to mechanical ones when the car thinks there’s a wheel slip. Of course, this can be a significant safety issue since you can easily hit a vehicle in front of you. Unfortunately, no recalls or service bulletins were issued for this particular issue.
Finally, the RAV4 Prime received various uncategorized complaints via the NHTSA website. One user complained about the SUV’s infotainment display that doesn’t work correctly, while another driver complained about the sunroof shattering. Nevertheless, these complaints about unexpected issues are rare and can’t be considered widespread.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME
One of the newest additions is the Toyota RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid SUV version of the popular compact crossover. If you’re interested in this car, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Toyota Rav4 Prime year on the market?
2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime: Is It Reliable?
As you can see, the RAV4 Prime doesn’t have too many major mechanical or electrical issues. In fact, it checked a lot of boxes in terms of reliability and promised good longevity. But still, it did have some relatively common issues buyers should be wary of. For that reason, it makes the 2021 model one of the Toyota RAV4 Prime years to avoid.
Which Toyota RAV4 Prime Years To Buy?
Unless you’re buying brand-new, your only choice comes down to the 2022 RAV4 Prime. Fortunately, the 2022 model year has fared better regarding reliability scores. Consumer Reports gave the 2022 RAV4 Prime a reliability verdict of 4.0 out of 5.0 with several trouble spots in green (5⁄5 scores), including engine, transmission, electric system, suspension, brakes, and body hardware.
Overall, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime received numerous positive reviews and feedback and was praised for its excellent all-electric range (approx. 42 miles), comfortable cabin, quick acceleration, and user-friendly infotainment system.
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