Water pump leak
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant weep, pink crust
Fix: Replace pump
€250–450
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Toyota RAV4 (XA40)
2012–2018
4
engines covered
11
known faults
43,887
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
6
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Toyota RAV4 (XA40) was built from 2012 to 2018.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 11 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Hybrid battery ageing: it usually appears at 250,000–350,000 km and costs €1,500–3,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (5.4 %), suspension (4.1 %), tyres and wheels (3.1 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.33 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Dual VVT-i (Toyota NR / ZR) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-20 / 5W-30 · API SN / ILSAC · ~4.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 / 2.2 D-4D / D-CAT (Toyota 1AD / 2AD) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · ACEA C2 · ~5.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0d (BMW B47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 / 2.5 Hybrid (M20A / A25A / 2AR) | Hybrid | Chain | 0W-16 / 0W-20 · API SN · ~4.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.33 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Dual VVT-i (Toyota NR / ZR)
Valvematic motor (FAE engines)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
engine codes: 1ZR-FAE, 2ZR-FAE, 3ZR-FAE
Signs: Engine light, rough idle
Fix: Replace Valvematic actuator
€400–900
2.0 / 2.2 D-4D / D-CAT (Toyota 1AD / 2AD)
EGR valve / intake carbon
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, rough running
Fix: Clean EGR and intake
€300–900
DPF / fifth injector (D-CAT)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
engine codes: 2AD-FHV
Signs: DPF light, failed regeneration
Fix: Replace injector, clean DPF
€300–1,500
2.0d (BMW B47)
EGR cooler recall (2015–2018)
usually 60,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Coolant leaks into the EGR system
Fix: Check recall status; free replacement
free / recall
DPF saturation
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF warning, frequent regeneration
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,800
2.0 / 2.5 Hybrid (M20A / A25A / 2AR)
12V auxiliary battery weak
usually 40,000–100,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Car won't go 'Ready' after standing
Fix: Replace 12V battery
€150–300
Hybrid battery ageing
usually 250,000–350,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Reduced EV assist
Fix: Recondition or replace
€1,500–3,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Multidrive S (CVT)
CVT judder / belt noise
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Whine, judder under load
Fix: Fluid change or rebuild
€300–3,500
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.33 / 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Dual VVT-i (Toyota NR / ZR) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 43,887 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.1 % | 2.8 % | 5.3 % | 6.9 % | 7.8 % | 8.9 % |
| Suspension | 3.6 % | 4.1 % | 4.7 % | 6.4 % | 7.9 % | 9.2 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.2 % | 0.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 1.7 % | 3.1 % | 4.8 % | 6.5 % | 7.0 % | 10.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 4.2 % | 5.4 % | 7.7 % | 11.2 % | 14.9 % | 16.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.0 % | 0.2 % | 0.4 % | 0.8 % | 1.3 % | 1.7 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.2 % | 0.2 % | 0.4 % | 1.0 % | 2.0 % | 1.4 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 1,112 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (6). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Cooling There is a possibility that the exhaust gas recirculation cooler could develop an internal coolant leak31/05/2021 · R/2021/104
- Other The emergency calling system may not be enabled11/05/2019 · R/2019/122
- Engine / loss of power Incorrect tightening torque was possibly applied during previous injector removal or replacement25/02/2019 · R/2018/378
- Fuel system Possibility of a fuel leak01/02/2018 · R/2017/328
- High voltage / charging Bolts on the exhaust side of the turbocharger assembly may be incorrectly tightened29/01/2018 · R/2017/329
- Seat belt Seatbelt may not perform as designed11/04/2016 · R/2016/024
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026