Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
870–25K
2325–50K
2150–75K
1275–100K
12100–150K
6150K+
161 reports with mileage · 96 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports29 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
257 reports
54,000 miles · May 1, 2017
Power Train
TOURQUE CONVERTER IS BAD IN RAV 4 VEHICLE AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED IN EVERY VEHICLE. I OBSERVED HESITATION IN LOWER SPEEDS LIKE 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I HAD 20 TO 30 THOUSAND MILES IN MY VEHICLE. I DID A MISTAKE AND DIDN'T CARED MUCH ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AT 78,000 MILES, THE TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE WITH BAD TOURQUE CONVE…
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TOURQUE CONVERTER IS BAD IN RAV 4 VEHICLE AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED IN EVERY VEHICLE. I OBSERVED HESITATION IN LOWER SPEEDS LIKE 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I HAD 20 TO 30 THOUSAND MILES IN MY VEHICLE. I DID A MISTAKE AND DIDN'T CARED MUCH ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AT 78,000 MILES, THE TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE WITH BAD TOURQUE CONVERTER AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COSTS ME ABOUT 2,500 TO DO IT. I JUST WANT THE OWNERS OF THE RAV 4 TO GO TO DEALERS TO MAKE SURE THEY WOULD CHECK THIS ISSUE BEFORE 60,000 MILES AND GET IT FIXED. LOOKS LIKE RAV 4 HAS THIS ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION IN EVERY VEHICLE AND ITS BETTER AS A CONSUMER, WE WOULD FIX IT BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 60,000. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE BEHIND YOU MAY HIT YOU DUE TO LOSS IN ACCELERATION AND CAUSE INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10981659
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
SQUIRRELS CRAWLED INTO THE HOOD AND CHEWED THE BATTERY CABLE WIRE AND TURN SIGNAL WIRE, THIS HAPPENED 2 DAYS IN A ROW AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE THE FIRST TIME. THE SOY BASED COATING OF THE WIRES IS ATTRACTING A SWARM OF SQUIRRELS.
NHTSA ODI #10966663
58,000 miles · Feb 20, 2017
Structure
2/20/2017 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED PEAR WHITE. ONE WEEK AGE ON A SATURDAY I WAS WETTING MY SUV WITH A GARDEN HOSE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE OFF BEFORE WASHING AND WHEN I GOT TO THE PASSENGER DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE PAINT STARTED FLAKING OFF. I STOPPED SPRAYING AT THAT TIME AND I WAS LEFT WITH A 3 INCH DIAMETER AREA THAT…
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2/20/2017 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED PEAR WHITE. ONE WEEK AGE ON A SATURDAY I WAS WETTING MY SUV WITH A GARDEN HOSE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE OFF BEFORE WASHING AND WHEN I GOT TO THE PASSENGER DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE PAINT STARTED FLAKING OFF. I STOPPED SPRAYING AT THAT TIME AND I WAS LEFT WITH A 3 INCH DIAMETER AREA THAT HAS NO PAINT LEFT, BUT A GRAY BASE. I DID REPORT THIS TO LAKE CHARLES TOYOTA IN LOUISIANA AND WAS TOLD SINCE THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS ENDED AND I HAVE 60,000 MILES, THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER, TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT MY 'BUMPER TO BUMPER' EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WAS LEFT UP TO THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HE SAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. THIS IS THE WORST TREATMENT I HAVE EVER RECEIVED FROM THEM. THE SERVICE STARTING GOING DOWNHILL ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AT LC TOYOTA. I HAVE REFERRED SEVERAL PEOPLE THERE FOR PURCHASE OF THEIR NEW VEHICLE. BUT WILL ONLY GIVE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ON THEM NOW. MELINDA D. IN LOUISIANA
NHTSA ODI #10955673
30,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON. THIS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WITHIN 6 WEEKS.
NHTSA ODI #10939782
20,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Service Brakes
THIS VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY BRAKE, IT MAKES A SOUND EVERY TIME YOU APPLY BRAKE. MOREOVER THE BRAKES FEELS VERY SOFT, NEED TO PUSH VERY HARD ON BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND ON ORIGINAL TOYOTA BRAKES THAT CAME WITH THE NEW CAR. IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10936362
36,000 miles · Dec 9, 2016
Service Brakes
MAKES LOT OF NOISE FRONT BRAKES WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10934019
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2016
Service Brakes
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED IN THE CITY OF YONKERS, NEW YORK. CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND HAS HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THRU TOYOTA DEALERSHIP
NHTSA ODI #10926032
47,000 miles · Aug 30, 2016
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCKS DID NOT WORK AT ANYTIME. IF THE VEHICLE WERE LOCKED MANUALLY, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCKS DID NOT WORK AT ANYTIME. IF THE VEHICLE WERE LOCKED MANUALLY, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA ODI #10899640
28,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016
Power Train
TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER: OCCURS BETWEEN 35 MPH - 40 MPH, WHEN ENGINE STILL COLD AND ACCELERATING LIGHTLY. OCCURS DURING SHIFTING BETWEEN LOW GEARS. NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. SHUDDER IS TEMPORARY LASTING JUST A FEW SECONDS BUT VIBRATION IS OBVIOUS DURING POWER TRANSFER FROM FRONT TO BACK.
NHTSA ODI #10896093
30,000 miles · Jun 6, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesCrash
POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION WITH THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). CAR FAILS TO BRAKE PROPERLY AND SLIDES WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED THE BRAKE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP, SLID INTO THE BACK OF AN 18-WHEELER.
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.
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
1
PE21005 · 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.
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