2015 Toyota RAV4 MPG
Across its 4 EPA-rated versions, the 2015 Toyota RAV4 returns 22–23 mpg city, 28–30 highway and 24–26 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 24 mpg combined, 2 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2014 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular · 344 g CO₂/mi |
| RAV4 LE/XLE | 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 | 28 | 24 | Regular · 362 g CO₂/mi |
2015 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 2015 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 (24 mpg combined) comes to about $2,720 a year, $210 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.
2015 Toyota RAV4 specs
The EPA lists one engine for the 2015 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 | 4 |
2015 Toyota RAV4 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 305 owner complaints about the 2015 Toyota RAV4.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (21% of component mentions), followed by steering (12%) and engine (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 25 complaints a year: more than the 2014 (15 a year) and about as many as the 2016 (23 a year).
That ranks 10th of 17 Toyota RAV4 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 305, 37 mention a crash, 41 a fire and 21 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 86 | 21% |
| Unknown or other | 60 | 15% |
| Steering | 47 | 12% |
| Engine | 37 | 9% |
| Structure | 31 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 30 | 7% |
| Power train | 25 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 5% |
| Air bags | 16 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 1% |
| Suspension | 5 | 1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility | 3 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 2 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 2 | <1% |
| Wheels | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
| Firerelated | 1 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
While driving my 2015 Toyota RAV4 XLE 2WD (2.5L, about 207,000 miles), the electric power steering assist failed instantly with no warning, making the steering wheel feel locked. At the same moment, the infotainment screen went black and rebooted. …
While driving a 2015 Toyota Rav4 (w/AWD) the vehicle's steering wheel started to shake and the vehicle lost acceleration. The check engine, AWD, and traction (trac) control lights illuminated. After pulling the vehicle over I tried calling AAA. …
The oil filter housing is made of plastic and can crack when removing and installing and if not alert after an oil change, the engine can blow if oil drains out under pressure.
2015 Toyota RAV4 recalls
The 2015 Toyota RAV4 has been the subject of 4 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 |
| 15V144000 | March 13, 2015 | Steering | 2014–2015 |
| 15V011000 | January 16, 2015 | Trailer hitches, Exterior lighting | 2013–2015 |
| 14V828000 | December 30, 2014 | Equipment | 2014–2015 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 4 versions of the 2015 Toyota RAV4; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
Its SUV FWD Early Release and SUV AWD Early Release versions scored 4 stars overall.
| 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 2015 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2015 Chevy Equinox (26 mpg), 2015 Ford Escape (26 mpg) and 2015 Subaru Forester (27 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2017 | 32 | 321 | 32 | 3 |
| 2018 | 32 | 348 | 38 | 3 |
Every Toyota RAV4 model year compared →
Similar 2015 models
FAQ
Is the 2015 RAV4 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2015 Toyota RAV4 has 25 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (10th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 26 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2015 RAV4 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (86), steering (47) and engine (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2015 RAV4 have?
NHTSA lists 4 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 2015 RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 24–26 mpg combined (22–23 city, 28–30 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 RAV4 per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,720 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).