Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4: known faults compared
Long-running compact SUVs from the two Japanese brands most used buyers trust first, overlapping in size and price across most generations.
The catalogue documents 63 faults for the Toyota RAV4 and 59 for the Honda CR-V. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Honda CR-V | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 59 | 63 |
| Rated major or critical | 48 | 57 |
| Rated common or very common | 39 | 34 |
| Typical repair | $350–$1,400 | $600–$1,800 |
| Model years covered | 1995–2023 | 1994–2023 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | hybrid, petrol | hybrid, petrol |
| Service schedule on the model page | No | Yes |
Where the Honda CR-V goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- Brake Caliper Slide Pin Seizure Causing Uneven Pad Wear
- Throttle Body Carbon Fouling (K24Z)
- B20B Timing Belt Snap — Interference Engine Damage
Most expensive to fix
Where the Toyota RAV4 goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 1AZ-FE Head Bolt Thread Pull-Out
- 2AR-FE Piston Ring Excessive Oil Consumption
- 2AZ-FE Excessive Engine Oil Consumption (Piston Ring Flutter)
Most expensive to fix
Where the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 differ
- Transmission: 12 documented on the Honda CR-V, 8 on the Toyota RAV4. The costliest on the Honda CR-V is e:HEV Rear Diff Heat Coupling Overheating Damage, at up to $9,500.
- Fluid Leaks: 2 documented on the Honda CR-V, 6 on the Toyota RAV4. The costliest on the Toyota RAV4 is XA30 Power Steering Rack Internal Seal Leak, at up to $2,800.
- Suspension: 10 documented on the Honda CR-V, 13 on the Toyota RAV4. The costliest on the Toyota RAV4 is Electric Power Steering Rack Internal Rattle, at up to $4,500.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, suspension, electrical, transmission and cooling, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Honda CR-V | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 14 | 14 |
| Suspension | 10 | 13 |
| Electrical | 9 | 11 |
| Transmission | 12 | 8 |
| Cooling | 7 | 8 |
| Fluid Leaks | 2 | 6 |
| Body & Rust | 3 | 1 |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 |
| Interior | 0 | 1 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4?
The catalogue documents 63 faults for the Toyota RAV4 and 59 for the Honda CR-V. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 48 on the Honda CR-V and 57 on the Toyota RAV4 are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $350 to $1,400 on the Honda CR-V and $600 to $1,800 on the Toyota RAV4, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Honda CR-V it is e:HEV Rear Diff Heat Coupling Overheating Damage, documented at up to $9,500. On the Toyota RAV4 it is Hybrid Inverter Electric Cooling Pump Failure, documented at up to $12,000.