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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-TOYOTA-RAV4NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2009 Toyota RAV4 problems
The 2009 Toyota RAV4 has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 327 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Toyota RAV4 has 327 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is cruise control at 86 complaints, typically surfacing around 25,380 miles (~$600 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
1
Critical
13
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 RAV4?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Cruise-control: 86 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 5,404–20,735 mi
Steering: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 33,000–78,000 mi
Reliability score 4.0/10 — below the segment average
15 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Toyota RAV4? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
cruise control — 86 owner reports
· tends to show around 25,380 mi · ~$600 to fix
suspension — 51 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,993 mi · ~$900 to fix
powertrain — 27 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,491 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 26 owner reports
· tends to show around 57,879 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 25,380 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 15 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 RAV4· brakesCrash
My mother had the exact same issue reported in Toyota Manufacturer case 1707311582 and NHTSA report 11396355 from Feb 15, 2021. My mother had not reported to me, until it happened while I was driving her around Dec. 24, 2021, that her Rav. rev'd and accelerated when she applied…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav4. The contact stated that once the headlights was deactivated, the radio failed. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer for inspection of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the…
Vehicle fails to start occasionally, lights turn on with normal brightness indicating it is probably not a battery issue,but no cranking . Dealer checked the car, but could not replicate the problem. The date below is the approx last incident date. *tr
The paint on my white 2009 Toyota RAV4 has been coming off. Sheets of color is peeling on the roof. I have several large (1-2 inches) bare spots on the top and many tiny ones on the body hood and doors, rusting for years. The manager of Titus-Will Toyota advised me not to do…
Had a problem with your 2009 Toyota RAV4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 Toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles
A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early april 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any Toyota all-weather floor mat. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
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
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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.0 out of 10 based on 327 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Cruise-control: 86 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 5,404–20,735 mi; Steering: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 33,000–78,000 mi; Reliability score 4.0/10 — below the segment average; 15 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Toyota RAV4?
Inspect the cruise control first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 86 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 25,380 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Toyota RAV4 a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 327 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is cruise control. Typical failure occurs around 25,380 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 86 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 25,380 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 25,380 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota RAV4 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Toyota RAV4?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 327 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/RAV4.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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