2008 Toyota RAV4 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2008 Toyota RAV4 run from 19–21 mpg in town to 25–27 on the highway, or 21–24 combined, depending on which of its 4 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 24 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 21 mpg combined, 3 mpg less.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2WD | 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 24 | Regular · 370 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 2WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 4WD | 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 4WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular · 423 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Toyota RAV4 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Toyota RAV4 costs about $2,720 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (24 mpg combined), or roughly 18 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (21 mpg combined) comes to about $3,110 a year, $390 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Toyota RAV4 specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2008 Toyota RAV4: 2.4 L 4-cyl and 3.5 L 6-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L | 4 | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.5 L | 6 | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2008 Toyota RAV4 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 575 owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota RAV4.
Engine is the most-reported area (19% of component mentions), followed by vehicle speed control (13%) and suspension (12%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 30 complaints a year: more than the 2009 (18 a year).
That ranks 9th of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 575, 42 mention a crash, 16 a fire and 23 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 137 | 19% |
| Vehicle speed control | 92 | 13% |
| Suspension | 82 | 12% |
| Steering | 74 | 10% |
| Air bags | 62 | 9% |
| Power train | 39 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 29 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 28 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 4% |
| Structure | 19 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 18 | 3% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 17 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 2% |
| Visibility | 11 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 7 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 7 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | <1% |
| Equipment | 6 | <1% |
| Wheels | 6 | <1% |
| Tires | 5 | <1% |
| Seats | 4 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
My daughter and I are leasing our Toyota Rav4 almost paid off. Our last 2 oil changes done by professional the engine has burned off the oil in between the oil changes. …
I'M EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PEDAL FROM A STATIONARY POSITION.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to drive in a straight line and would erroneously drift out of the lane. …
2008 Toyota RAV4 recalls
The 2008 Toyota RAV4 has been the subject of 14 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 16V596000 from August 2016, concerns suspension.
Equipment accounts for 3 of the 14 campaigns, more than any other area.
14V168000 · April 9, 2014 · Air bags
Problem: In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.
11V245000 · April 21, 2011 · Air bags
Problem: IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH.
Risk: INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE CONTAINING IMPROVED ROLL RATE SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | RAV4 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V596000 | August 12, 2016 | Suspension | 2008–2011 |
| 16V396000 | June 2, 2016 | Seats | 2008–2011 |
| 16V096000 | February 19, 2016 | Seat belts | 2008–2012 |
| 15V689000 | October 22, 2015 | Visibility | 2008–2011 |
| 14V743000 | November 19, 2014 | Seats | 2008–2011 |
| 13V383000 | August 28, 2013 | Suspension | 2008–2011 |
| 12V491000 | October 10, 2012 | Visibility | 2008–2009 |
| 12V373000 | August 2, 2012 | Suspension | 2008–2011 |
| 11V113000 | February 24, 2011 | Vehicle speed control | 2008–2010 |
| 10V035000 | February 3, 2010 | Equipment | 2008–2010 |
| 10V036000 | February 3, 2010 | Equipment | 2008–2010 |
| 09V223000 | June 15, 2009 | Equipment | 2008–2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2008 Toyota RAV4, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Toyota RAV4s can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's sport utility vehicle class, the 2008 Ford Escape (24 mpg), 2008 Nissan Rogue (24 mpg) and 2008 Honda CR-V (23 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 24 | 575 | 30 | 14 |
| 2009 | 24 | 327 | 18 | 15 |
| 2010 | 24 | 400 | 23 | 14 |
| 2011 | 24 | 287 | 18 | 11 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Toyota RAV4 has 30 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (9th most of 17 model years), 14 recall campaigns and up to 24 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are engine (137), vehicle speed control (92) and suspension (82). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 21–24 mpg combined (19–21 city, 25–27 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 RAV4 per year?
About $2,720 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $3,110 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).