Both nameplates hit their cleanest year at once. The tiebreak is which leftover risk you'd rather carry.

The 2022 Prime falls in the 23V-478 window: a production-damaged rectifying module in the DC-DC converter can short and overheat, with fire risk. Interim guidance told owners not to charge below 41°F; the permanent fix is a free converter replacement, and 2022 complaint filings include the standard 'parts not yet available' wait during 2024. Confirm it's closed on any Prime — it's the one open-safety item with teeth on this year.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime · NHTSA manufacturer communications (recall documents, CSP windows)

The most striking pattern in the 2022 Prime's small complaint file: at least four separate reports of the panoramic moonroof exploding without impact — highway speed, clear weather, 'sound of a gunshot,' one repair estimate at $5,600. It appears across gen-5 years and there is no recall; insurance comprehensive coverage is the practical backstop. Inspect the glass and ask about prior glass claims.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime

Scattered reports: pre-collision braking activating with nothing ahead, the system disabling itself in cold rain or snow when front sensors ice over, and one recurring forward-camera failure at 60k denied goodwill coverage. Also in the file: the pre-collision system being slow to return throttle control after a false trigger. These are annoyance-grade at 2022 volumes, but test the ADAS suite on the drive and pull codes if the dash shows any system-malfunction history.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime

Still the top complaint component. It is the same symptom family Honda later recalled on 2023+ models — but the 2022 is not covered by that recall, so a steering repair out of warranty is on you, potentially $1,000+. A highway steering-feel test is the single most important check on this year. Recent owner-reported dealer quotes for the full electric-power-steering gearbox assembly run $5,500–$5,700 (2026) — treat $1,000 as the floor, not the estimate.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 CR-V · Mechanic channel and owner-comment signal (5th-gen CR-V)

Owner reports describe head gasket failure on 2.0L hybrids around 100–150k miles at roughly $3,000–$4,500. The volume is small but the cost is severe — this is an emerging community signal, not yet a strong federal pattern. Hybrid buyers should ask for coolant service records and any overheating history, budget or negotiate accordingly, and consider a compression test on high-mileage examples.

Sources: Mechanic channel and owner-comment signal (5th-gen CR-V)

Service brakes is the #3 complaint category: mostly emergency-braking false activations plus some brake-feel reports. Honda Sensing phantom braking is reduced versus earlier years but persistent — include highway driver-assist behavior in the test drive.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 CR-V