ToyotaRAV42011L4/toyota/rav4/2011/l4/

2011 Toyota RAV4 — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 RAV4 L4.

Body SUVEngine L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 L4 is an SUV that pairs its L4 engine with an automatic four-speed transmission, calls for 4.6 quarts of 0W-20 or 5W-20 API oil, and carries EPA ratings of 21/28/24 mpg. Within the model’s 1994–2025 complaint history, the 2011 model year logged 287 owner complaints and 11 recalls—well below the 2007 peak of 1,002 yet far above the 1995 low of one—so it sits in the middle of the range rather than at either extreme. That positioning points to a moderate reliability profile for researchers, with vehicle speed control standing out as the top complaint area.

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 economy21/28/24 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 9030179006. 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 sizeP215-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter17801YZZ06
Spark plug9091901233
Battery2880054020 alt 2880028080
Front wiper blades852220R040 alt 852120R040
Serpentine belt9091602668 alt 90916A2021
Thermostat90916A3002 alt 90916A3003
Cabin air filter8713902090 alt 8713950100

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 weight3360 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 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 2011 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
2012Limited 2.5L I-49.00 sec17.00 sec179 hpAWD
2008SUV 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.90 sec166 hpAWD
2008SUV 2.4L I-49.50 sec17.10 sec166 hpFWD

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 Bolts15 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.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.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 System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · 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 2011 Toyota RAV4 sits within the third generation (2006–2012), a period marked by elevated complaint volumes—peaking at 1,002 in 2007—before gradually declining. By 2011, complaints dropped to 287, aligning with a broader downward trend that continued through 2014, suggesting Toyota addressed earlier issues through recalls (11 in 2011, down from 15 in 2009) and TSBs (283). However, the 2011 model still reflects lingering concerns, particularly in vehicle speed control (38 complaints) and visibility/wiper systems (30), though crash-related complaints (44) and fire reports (8) remain relatively low. Compared to 2010’s 400 complaints and 2012’s 266, the 2011 figures are neither an outlier nor a standout, indicating a mid-cycle stabilization rather than a clear improvement or regression. The data implies Toyota had largely resolved the generation’s early reliability hiccups by this point, but the persistence of speed control and visibility issues warrants scrutiny. **Takeaway:** The 2011 RAV4 is a reasonable used buy, provided the speed control and wiper systems are verified as problem-free, as it avoids the generation’s earlier peaks in complaints while benefiting from matured production refinements.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
283
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
287
Owner complaints
44 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 287 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control38
Visibility/Wiper30
Seat Belts,Visibility/Wiper15
Power Train15
Service Brakes15
Electrical System11
Engine11
Air Bags10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 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…

15V577000Visibility/WiperReported 18/09/2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 283 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
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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 2011 RAV4 L4 take?

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

Does the 2011 RAV4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the L4 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.