Category: Car Maintenance

Toyota RAV4 Reliability Decoded: Common Problems, Best Years, and What Actually Fails Over Time

A silver Toyota RAV4 is parked on a paved lot with a clear blue sky above. The car is positioned at a slight angle, facing left, with its front end prominently displayed.

SummaryThe Toyota RAV4 is one of the most reliable midsize SUVs on the road, but not all model years age equally. Certain engines, transmissions, and hybrid systems show repeatable failure patterns when early warning signs are ignored. This guide breaks down what actually fails, why it fails, and how informed owners avoid expensive mistakes. Is the Toyota RAV4 actually reliable? Short answer: yes, but reliability depends heavily on engine choice, generation, and service discipline. The RAV4 consistently ranks above average in long-term reliability surveys, including What Car? and Auto Express. However, high reliability scores hide year-specific mechanical weaknesses. Owners who understand known engine, transmission, and electrical risks experience far fewer failures over 200,000 km. Why do some RAV4 years perform...

Keep reading Published on: 30/Jan/2026
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Car Maintenance

Toyota Hilux Reliability Decoded: Common Problems, Best Years, and What Actually Breaks Over Time

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Car Maintenance

Toyota Highlander Reliability Decoded: Common Problems, Best Years, and What Actually Fails Over Time

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Car Maintenance

Toyota HiAce Reliability Decoded: Common Problems, Best Years, and What Actually Breaks Over Time

The Toyota HiAce is one of the most durable commercial vans ever built, but reliability...

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Car Maintenance

The Truth About Ford Focus Reliability: A Technician’s Guide to DPS6 & EcoBoost Issues

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Car Maintenance

Porsche Taycan Reliability Guide: Common Issues, Smart Fixes, and the Best and Worst Model Years

The Porsche Taycan did something few electric cars had managed before it arrived. It proved...

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bright red Ford Escape UV is parked in an outdoor paved lot. The car is angled towards the viewer, with its front left side most prominent.
Car Maintenance

Ford Escape Reliability Guide: The Worst Years to Avoid, Common Problems, and What Owners Should Know

The Ford Escape has always sat in a sweet spot. It is compact enough for...

Read More → 10 min read
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Car Maintenance

Ford Edge Reliability Guide: Common Problems, Practical Fixes, and the Best Years to Buy

The Ford Edge has always been one of those quietly sensible SUVs. It never chased...

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Car Maintenance

Hyundai Sonata Reliability Guide: Common Problems, Fixes, Best Years, and What Owners Should Know

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Car Maintenance

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The Hyundai Santa Fe has quietly built a reputation as one of the most sensible...

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