ToyotaRAV42010L4/toyota/rav4/2010/l4/

2010 Toyota RAV4 — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 RAV4 L4.

Body SUVEngine L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 L4 is an SUV powered by a four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, requiring 4.6 quarts of 0W-20 or 5W-20 API oil and returning EPA fuel economy figures of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Within the model's documented reliability history from 1994 through 2025, this particular year generated 400 owner complaints—primarily concentrated in the suspension category—and 14 recalls, placing it well below the 2007 high-water mark of 1,002 complaints yet substantially above the 1995 minimum of a single reported issue. This positioning indicates a moderate reliability profile that sits comfortably in the middle range of the RAV4's generational timeline, offering a baseline expectation of average durability for researchers examining this production year.

Model year201120102009200820072006200320022001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 / 5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnEHWOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter17801YZZ06
Spark plug9091901233
Battery2880028080 alt 2880054020
Front wiper blades852120R040 alt 852220R040
Serpentine belt99367K1550 alt 9091602668
Thermostat90916A3002 alt 90916A3003
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.1 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3481 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2010 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.8–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 2008 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008SUV 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.90 sec166 hpAWD
2008SUV 2.4L I-49.50 sec17.10 sec166 hpFWD
2012Limited 2.5L I-49.00 sec17.00 sec179 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.6 qt of 0W-20 / 5W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 9.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil0W-20 · API · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts72 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi
Residual Pressure21.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum50.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.984 in / 1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.984 in / 1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.866 in / 0.984 in / 0.413 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
127 ft. lbs.27 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Bolts 9-10: 22 ft. lbs.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The third-generation RAV4 (2006–2012) shows a clear arc: complaint volume peaked dramatically in 2006–2007 (703 and 1,002 complaints respectively) alongside elevated recalls (11–15 per year), then gradually declined through the back half of the generation. The 2010 model year sits in the descending portion of that arc, with 400 complaints—a modest uptick from 2009's 327 but still well below the 2007 peak—and 14 recalls, matching the elevated levels seen in 2007–2008. Notably, investigations dropped to just 1 in 2010 from 3–4 in the prior three years, suggesting regulatory scrutiny was already winding down, though the 313 technical service bulletins remained among the highest in the generation, indicating Toyota was still actively issuing repair guidance. The top complaint areas—Suspension (87), Vehicle Speed Control (58), and Power Train (26)—align with the issues that dominated this generation's worst years, and the 57 crash-related complaints and 3 fire complaints are significant for a single model year. By 2011, complaints fell to 287 and recalls to 11, confirming the generation was stabilizing, but 2010 had not yet fully turned that corner. **Bottom line: 2010 is a marginally acceptable but not ideal year to buy—it carries residual risk from the generation's problem period, so if you choose this year, insist on verifying that all 14 recalls have been completed and pay particular attention to suspension and speed-control systems.**

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
313
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
400
Owner complaints
57 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 400 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension87
Vehicle Speed Control58
Power Train26
Unknown Or Other23
Air Bags17
Steering15
Visibility/Wiper12
Seat Belts10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V596000Suspension:RearReported 12/08/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may…

14V743000Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/CoolerReported 19/11/2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4… Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 313 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAV4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 RAV4 L4 take?

4.6 qt of 0W-20 API, 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 RAV4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the L4 get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.