NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
17 reportsClear category filter72,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND HORSESHOE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY CUT OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND HORSESHOE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY CUT OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #11054241
379 miles · Nov 16, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES CEASED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO THREE TRUCKS AND A TREE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES CEASED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO THREE TRUCKS AND A TREE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 379.*TT CONSUMER STATED SHE STARTED REVERSING AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATION, SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE IT DID NOT STOP AS A RESULT THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT 3 PARKED TRUCKS. UPDATED 8/15/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11046612
103 miles · Mar 31, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE RAV4 CLASS ACTION WAS EVEN FILED. I OWN A RAV 4 2003 AND I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE 103,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON A REGULAR BASE .RECENTLY 3/25, 2016 IT STARTED TO RUN ROUGH, AND WAS DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO MY …
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I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE RAV4 CLASS ACTION WAS EVEN FILED. I OWN A RAV 4 2003 AND I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE 103,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON A REGULAR BASE .RECENTLY 3/25, 2016 IT STARTED TO RUN ROUGH, AND WAS DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ADJUST THE ECM WHICH THEY DID AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT ANOTHER 100 MILES. WELL, I ASKED THEM WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND THEY SAID THEN WE REPLACE THE ECM FOR $ 1100 DOLLARS IF THAT DOES NOT FIX IT THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $6,000 DOLLARS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. AT THE TIME I DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWNED THIS MODEL HAD THIS PROBLEM. SO I TOOK IT HOME AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT. I AM A HOME DIALYSIS NURSE AND TRAVEL QUITE FREQUENTLY TO PATIENT'S HOMES WHO DEPEND UPON ME WHEN THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR DIALYSIS TREATMENTS. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS WORKING LATE AND COMING HOME ON A MAIN HIGHWAY PM 03/31/2016 AND IT HESITATES TO SHIFT WHEN MERGING AND SHAKES. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BUT LUCKY IT FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER AND TOLD THEM AND THEY WENT ON TO SAY WELL WE THEN HAVE TO REPLACE THE ECM ETC. I TOLD THEM ABOUT MY SEARCH REGARDING THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND THEY PUT THE MANAGER ON THE LINE. I TOLD HIM ABOUT BY RESEARCH ETC. HE SAID HE WOULD THEN FIND PARTS FROM A DISCARDED RAV 4. NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR, WHICH WILL AFFECT THE LIVES OF MY PATIENT'S, AND HOW RELIABLE WILL IT BE IF THEY ARE GOING TO THE JUNK YARD FOR PARTS TO REPAIR IT. PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA ODI #10852840
23,000 miles · Nov 16, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
ON AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE OWNING THIS TOYOTA RAV4 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS ENGINE CONTROL PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN THE ECONOMY MODE OF THE CAR WHICH IS THE DEFAULT MODE YOU START THE CAR UP IN. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET FAST SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC…
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ON AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE OWNING THIS TOYOTA RAV4 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS ENGINE CONTROL PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN THE ECONOMY MODE OF THE CAR WHICH IS THE DEFAULT MODE YOU START THE CAR UP IN. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET FAST SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THE ENGINE STALLS. YOU CAN HAVE THE ACCELERATOR PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE ENGINE GIVES YOU NO POWER. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION ON THE ROAD AS MY CAR IS ACTUALLY STALLING WHEN IT SHOULD BE ACCELERATING. I HAVE TESTED AND DONE THE SAME THING IN THE 'SPORT MODE' OF THE VEHICLE AND IT DOES NOT CREATE THE SAME STALL SITUATION. THUS MY CONCLUSION IS THE PROBLEM RESTS IN THE 'ECONOMY MODE'. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY. I AM GOING BACK TOMORROW TO AS THEM TO TAKE BACK THIS CAR, AS IT IS DANGEROUS AND IS NOT PREDICTABLE OR DEPENDABLE IN DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10791578
28,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT INTENT ALMOST CRASHING INTO A WALL. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR W/OUT INJURY OR ACCIDENT . I WAS ENTERING MY GARAGE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED ( UNDER 5 MPH).
NHTSA ODI #10789954
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM RPMS JUMP FROM 2200 TO 4000 OR HIGHER 5000 CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON.
NHTSA ODI #10749522
50 miles · Apr 20, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE DURING A TURN. IT FOR A MOMENT WILL LOOSE POWER AND THEN HAVE A BURST OF ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STARTED AND TURNED BUT IT MAY ALSO HAVE HAPPENED…
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WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE DURING A TURN. IT FOR A MOMENT WILL LOOSE POWER AND THEN HAVE A BURST OF ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STARTED AND TURNED BUT IT MAY ALSO HAVE HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN LATELY AND MAKES TURNING DANGEROUS IF THERE IS A VEHICLE APPROACHING ACROSS THE CURVE OF THEE TERM. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 RAV4. I ASKED THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF THEN COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD NO. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706705
17,745 miles · Mar 26, 2015
Air BagsStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
THE THROTTLE STUCK ON THE CAR. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND IT WENT OVER A 10 FOOT FALL AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. IT WAS A VERY SCARY RIDE. I TRIED EVERY WAY TO STOP THE CAR BUT COULD NOT . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE UNINTENDED EVENT. I AM STILL VERY SORE THREE WEEKS LATER AND HAVE SOME SPINAL SPRAIN AND …
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THE THROTTLE STUCK ON THE CAR. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND IT WENT OVER A 10 FOOT FALL AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. IT WAS A VERY SCARY RIDE. I TRIED EVERY WAY TO STOP THE CAR BUT COULD NOT . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE UNINTENDED EVENT. I AM STILL VERY SORE THREE WEEKS LATER AND HAVE SOME SPINAL SPRAIN AND WRIST SPRAIN, CERVICAL SPRAIN AND BOTH KNEES BRUISED BOTH KNEES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS AFTER I CONSULTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY....UPDATED 06-16-15 *BF *TR UPDATED 10/2/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10701827
15,000 miles · Mar 11, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT REMAINED STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED INCREASED AND CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT REMAINED STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED INCREASED AND CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10693644
5,000 miles · Feb 8, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
ON RARE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING, I WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER. IT'S AS IF SOMEONE HAS SUDDENLY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER IS TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN PUSH DOWN AGAIN TO REGAIN SPEED. IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME ON FLAT ROADS, …
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ON RARE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING, I WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER. IT'S AS IF SOMEONE HAS SUDDENLY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER IS TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN PUSH DOWN AGAIN TO REGAIN SPEED. IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME ON FLAT ROADS, HILLS, SNOW OR RAIN COVERED, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON FOR THIS. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS HE CAN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM UNLESS I CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM FOR HIM SO HE CAN SEE FOR HIMSELF WHAT IS HAPPENING & THEN SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT I CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM! IT'S TOTALLY RANDOM. THIS PUTS ME LITERALLY ON PINS & NEEDLES WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM PASSING A CAR AND SUDDENLY I LOSE POWER? I HAVE 20000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND LOSS OF POWER HAS OCCURED MAYBE 20 TIMES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10682011
Official recalls
2Nov 1, 2023
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
Jan 16, 2015
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Trailer Hitches
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Consequence: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Exterior Lighting
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Consequence: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE21005 · Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
Opened Feb 25, 2021 · Closed Aug 12, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 involved the originally supplied 12V battery. The reported fires took place in vehicles known to contain aftermarket batteries or whose age exceeded the expected life of the original equipment battery. ODI identified battery dimensioning as it relates to the battery retention system (hold down bracket, radiator support bolt, J-hook, and battery tray) as the main factor set in the contact between the battery hold down bracket contacting the positive terminal of the 12V battery. The subject vehicles carried over the same battery tray and retention system from the prior generation (MY2006 – MY2012) of RAV4 vehicles. However, the subject vehicles were equipped with a dimensionally smaller battery (Group 35) than the prior generation (Group 24F). The smaller- length measurement in the Group 35 battery size in a battery tray originally designed to fit a Group 24F battery contributed to increased potential for battery movement which was exacerbated by the diversity in aftermarket battery configuration and irregularities intrinsic to battery replacement procedures. Battery movement coupled with the proximity of the B+ terminal on the battery and the grounded electrically conductive hold down bracket set the stage for a short to ground leading to an engine stall (if in operation) followed by a vehicle fire. This investigation was not able to classify the installation status, battery size, or cause of every allegation due to the fire event causing damage to the area, inaccessible vehicle, modification to the battery retention system after the event, and/or inconclusive photographic evidence. Toyota's investigation of the issue identified aftermarket battery catalogs that listed an improper battery replacement size (Group 26R) that would nevertheless fit into the subject vehicles whose battery retention system is incapable of reliably restraining a Group 26R battery. On 18 November 2021, Toyota initiated a consumer advisory campaign (21TG01) to the subject vehicle owners, notifying them of the correct size battery and offering a free inspection of the battery and retention hardware, a caution label to affix to the hold down bracket, and a discounted replacement 12V battery. This investigation with Toyota established three broad categories to characterize the battery retention system state of a given vehicle: "correct", "minor mis-installation", and "major mis-installation". - The "correct" terminology references the front bolt, bracket, and J-hook installed in a position not in contact with the positive battery terminal and the front bolt torqued to 17 Nm and the J-hook engaged with the tray hole and torqued to 4.9 Nm. - A "minor mis-installation" would describe the three retention components installed in the prescribed location, however not to the correct torque values. - The "major mis-installation" condition would constitute a retention component missing or disconnected from the system. Toyota's own testing used five exemplar batteries installed on a subject vehicle in each battery categorization resulted in: - Contact between the B+ terminal and hold down bracket in "major mis-installations" - Movement of the battery in "minor mis-installations" - No observable motion in "correct" installations. ODI conducted its own evaluation of the Toyota- specified replacement battery and 5 aftermarket Group 35 batteries. The six batteries tested conformed to the Group 35 Battery Council International (BCI) standard on overall dimensional tolerance and terminal location. That standard does not define the edge shape or material of battery casing. Physical interaction between the hold down bracket and the battery case and the friction between the casing material and the battery tray resulted in a large variability in movement forces required to incite movement when the battery was installed in the "correct" condition. Resulting in movement at an induced lateral load between 0.6 G and 1.91 G equivalent force across each battery. This force is higher than a typical vehicle could exert in a steady state turn and would only experience loads through brief shock or impulses. Multiple shock or impulse loads across time would contribute to a delay between the replacement battery installation and the fire event. Likelihood of a fire event increases as the installation method degraded from the "correct", to "minor mis-installation", and then to "major mis-installation". Protruding vent caps atop some of the batteries tested aided in restricting battery movement relative to the hold down. An absence of vent caps permitted additional movement. Following several discussions and vehicle inspections with ODI during this investigation, on 01 November 2023, Toyota filed a safety recall (NHTSA 23V-734) of 1,853,568 MY 2013 through MY 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles to reduce the risk of a vehicle fire with redesigned battery retention components. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.