2013 Toyota RAV4 MPG
Across its 3 EPA-rated versions, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 returns 22–23 mpg city, 28–30 highway and 25–26 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 25 mpg combined, 1 mpg less. That is 2 mpg better than the best gasoline 2012 version (24 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 2WD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular · 338 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 25 | Regular · 357 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 Limited AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Regular · 358 g CO₂/mi |
2013 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 2013 Toyota RAV4 costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (25 mpg combined) comes to about $2,610 a year, $100 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.
2013 Toyota RAV4 specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2013 Toyota RAV4: a 2.5 L 4-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 "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 3 |
2013 Toyota RAV4 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 257 owner complaints about the 2013 Toyota RAV4.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (23% of component mentions), followed by engine (9%) and power train (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 18 complaints a year: about as many as the 2012 (17 a year) and more than the 2014 (15 a year).
That ranks 13th of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 257, 22 mention a crash, 29 a fire and 11 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 75 | 23% |
| Unknown or other | 40 | 12% |
| Engine | 29 | 9% |
| Power train | 29 | 9% |
| Structure | 28 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 5% |
| Air bags | 13 | 4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 4% |
| Steering | 11 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 2% |
| Visibility | 7 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1% |
| Tires | 4 | 1% |
| Wheels | 4 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 2 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Suspension | 2 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 1 | <1% |
| Seats | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that a mileage discrepancy was discovered after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. …
Over the course of the past two days, 2013 Toyota RAV4 has engine cut-off while moving on surface streets, tollroads, and Interstate Highways. Thus far, this has occurred 9 times without any warning whatsoever. …
The vehicle shudders significantly when accelerating/cruising between 35-45 mph. The shudder started slight and did not pose an issue for a while, but now its significant enough that is causes erratic steering. …
2013 Toyota RAV4 recalls
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 has been the subject of 2 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 23V734000 from November 2023, concerns electrical system.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | RAV4 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V734000 | November 1, 2023 | Electrical system | 2013–2018 |
| 15V011000 | January 16, 2015 | Trailer hitches, Exterior lighting | 2013–2015 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 4 versions of the 2013 Toyota RAV4; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV AWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| SUV AWD Later Release | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
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 2013 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2013 Chevy Equinox (26 mpg), 2013 Ford Escape (26 mpg) and 2013 Honda CR-V (26 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 24 | 400 | 23 | 14 |
| 2011 | 24 | 287 | 18 | 11 |
| 2012 | 24 | 260 | 17 | 5 |
| 2013 | 26 | 257 | 18 | 2 |
| 2014 | 26 | 197 | 15 | 4 |
| 2015 | 26 | 305 | 25 | 4 |
| 2016 | 32 | 257 | 23 | 3 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2013 models
FAQ
Is the 2013 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 has 18 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (13th most of 17 model years), 2 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 26 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2013 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (75), engine (29) and power train (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2013 RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 2 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 2013 RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 25–26 mpg combined (22–23 city, 28–30 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 RAV4 per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,610 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).