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2014 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

107 reports with mileage · 90 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 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports25 fire reports16 injury reports

Engine complaints

31 reports
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48,000 miles · Jun 30, 2020
Engine

I BOUGHT THIS RAV4 IN FEBRUARY 2017, AFTER DRIVING FEW I REALIZED MY CAR IS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. I HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT BY THE TIME I WENT FOR MY ISSUE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I CALLED TOYOTA COMPANY AND EXPLAINED MY OIL BURNING ISSUE, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME LATER. I RECEIVED A…

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I BOUGHT THIS RAV4 IN FEBRUARY 2017, AFTER DRIVING FEW I REALIZED MY CAR IS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. I HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT BY THE TIME I WENT FOR MY ISSUE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I CALLED TOYOTA COMPANY AND EXPLAINED MY OIL BURNING ISSUE, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME LATER. I RECEIVED A CALL FEW DAYS LATER AND THEY OFFERED ME $1000.00 TOWARDS PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS, WHICH WASN'T ENOUGH. BECAUSE TOYOTA DEALERS TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE WHOLE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP OIL BURNING PROBLEM, WHICH WOULD COST ALMOST $5000.00. SO I DIDN'T ACCEPT $1000.00 OFFER FROM TOYOTA MOTORS, EVER SINCE I AM PUTTING ONE QUARTER OIL EVERY 500 MILES. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ME OUT. THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11331641

10,459 miles · Oct 9, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

AFTER STOP UPON TURNING RIGHT TO BLEND WITH TRAFFIC ENGINE LOOSES ALL POWER , RPM DROPS FROM 1500 TO 400 , THEN WILL CATCH IN ABOUT 4 TO 5 SECOND AND ACCELERATE , HAS HAPPENS 12 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS CAR HAS 11000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #11267320

29,000 miles · Jul 28, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFire

WHILE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA, WE HAD JUST GOT ON TO THE BUCKMAN BRIDGE WHEN THE CAR SLOWED, UNCOMMANDED TO 20MPH. I LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE ALTERNATOR AND THE AUTO LSD OR TRACK LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL. SINCE THE ENGINE TEMPERATU…

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WHILE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA, WE HAD JUST GOT ON TO THE BUCKMAN BRIDGE WHEN THE CAR SLOWED, UNCOMMANDED TO 20MPH. I LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE ALTERNATOR AND THE AUTO LSD OR TRACK LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL. SINCE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL I TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO KEEP DRIVING TO GET OFF THE BRIDGE, I FELT AS THOUGH THE BRIDGE WAS A BAD PLACE TO PULL OVER. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE WE STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND AT THIS POINT WE DECIDED TO PULL OVER. WHEN WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THREE OF US THEN EVACUATED THE VEHICLE AND STARTED WALKING AGAINST TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE. AS WE WERE WALKING AWAY THE SMOKE INTENSIFIED AND THEN ERUPTED INTO FLAMES THAT EMANATED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. I BELIEVE IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11114328

98,500 miles · Feb 28, 2018
Engine

VEHICLE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. 1 QUART PER 500 MILES CONSUMED WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE, IN TOWN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11075521

8,000 miles · Oct 26, 2017
Engine

RAV4 W/15,500MI... ENGINE PAUSE. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE DEFINITELY SLOWS DOWN AND YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO STOP BUT WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR IT RESUMES SPEED. IT IS FRIGHTENING AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL RESUME SPEED. IT PAUSES FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE 3 OR 4 SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPE…

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RAV4 W/15,500MI... ENGINE PAUSE. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE DEFINITELY SLOWS DOWN AND YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO STOP BUT WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR IT RESUMES SPEED. IT IS FRIGHTENING AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL RESUME SPEED. IT PAUSES FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE 3 OR 4 SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES,TRYING TO GET ON A HIGHWAY..AROUND TOWN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11040020

41,034 miles · Oct 20, 2017
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

RAV4 2014 CAUGHT A FIRE WHEN WAS DRIVEN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SUDDENLY STUCK WHEN WAS DRIVEN ON THE LOCAL ROAD AT SPEED LESS THAN 40 MILES, SO PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER ON THE ROAD. SUDDENLY THE SMOKES CAME OUT UNDER THE HOOD, AND TURN TO FLAME. THE CAR BURNED ALL FRONT WINDSHIELD, ENGINE, BATTERY, AND HOOD. FIRE TRUCK COMES…

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RAV4 2014 CAUGHT A FIRE WHEN WAS DRIVEN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SUDDENLY STUCK WHEN WAS DRIVEN ON THE LOCAL ROAD AT SPEED LESS THAN 40 MILES, SO PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER ON THE ROAD. SUDDENLY THE SMOKES CAME OUT UNDER THE HOOD, AND TURN TO FLAME. THE CAR BURNED ALL FRONT WINDSHIELD, ENGINE, BATTERY, AND HOOD. FIRE TRUCK COMES UP AND POLICEMAN HELP TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IT WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO HIGH SPEED ON LOCAL ROAD, AND NO RAINNING DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11034782

12,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Engine

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, AS I WAS COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, I INEXPLICABLY HEARD MY ENGINE RACE AT AN ALARMING PITCH AND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY MY CAR ACCELERATED AT AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND MY VEHICLE CAME TO A SCREECHING STOP AFTER TRAV…

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WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, AS I WAS COASTING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, I INEXPLICABLY HEARD MY ENGINE RACE AT AN ALARMING PITCH AND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY MY CAR ACCELERATED AT AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND MY VEHICLE CAME TO A SCREECHING STOP AFTER TRAVELING A FEW FEET.

NHTSA ODI #11025455

46,290 miles · Mar 1, 2017
EngineUnknown Or OtherCrash

I WAS SITTING IN HEAVY STOP & GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THREE LANES WERE STOPPED. AND ALTERNATELY INCHING FORWARD DUE TO ACCIDENTS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE - THE RAVE 4 SUDDENLYSURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBL…

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I WAS SITTING IN HEAVY STOP & GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL THREE LANES WERE STOPPED. AND ALTERNATELY INCHING FORWARD DUE TO ACCIDENTS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE - THE RAVE 4 SUDDENLYSURGED FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE (RAV 4). ALL MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD AN INFANT IN THE BACK SEAT IN A CAR SEAT. I WAS EXTREMELY IN SHOCK AND SHAKEN AND HAD TROUBLE GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND BACK IN TO GET THE BABY OUT. MY VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. I ALSO QUESTION WHY ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. TAKATA AIRBAGS

NHTSA ODI #10957766

34,000 miles · Sep 11, 2016
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 RAV4 NEAR DOWNTOWN TAMPA ON ADAMO DRIVE AND WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN, AND SUDDENLY I HEARD SOME KIND OF NOISE AND FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WENT DEAD WITHOUT ANY ELECTRICAL POWER AND IT STARTED REVERSING ON IT'S OWN AND SPUN TO RIGHT. FORTUNATELY SINCE I WAS TAKING A TURN I WAS HARDY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT …

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RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 RAV4 NEAR DOWNTOWN TAMPA ON ADAMO DRIVE AND WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN, AND SUDDENLY I HEARD SOME KIND OF NOISE AND FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE WENT DEAD WITHOUT ANY ELECTRICAL POWER AND IT STARTED REVERSING ON IT'S OWN AND SPUN TO RIGHT. FORTUNATELY SINCE I WAS TAKING A TURN I WAS HARDY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 10 MPH AND HENCE MY FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR & HEAD LIGHT ETC. GOT DAMAGED AND THERE WAS A VERY MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND OUR RAV4. FOR THE SAME REASON NONE OF US - EITHER MYSELF, MY FRONT CO-PASSENGER OR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND OUR RAV4 WERE PHYSICALLY HURT AND WERE VERY SAFE AFTER THIS INCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BEHIND OUR RAV4 INFORMED THAT HE HEARD A KIND OF STRANGE SOUND AND SAW OUR RAV4 REVERSING & TURNING RIGHT, AND HE MOVED AWAY INTO THE RIGHT LANE. THE POLICE OFFICER, WHO HAS COME ALSO INFORMED THAT SHE HAS COME ACROSS THIS KIND OF INCIDENTS WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES RECENTLY, AND DID NOT GIVE ME CITATION AFTER REVIEWING MY INCIDENT FREE DRIVING RECORD AND ALSO SHE COULD NOT FIND REASON FOR THIS FREAK INCIDENT WHICH LOOKS MORE LIKE A MECHANICAL DEFECT OF MY RAV4, AND ADVISED TO TAKE TO TOYOTA DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION & RESOLUTION. ON FURTHER RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS RECALL - "ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST SYSTEM" (EPS) FOR 2014 RAV4 WHICH WAS IDENTIFIED & DOCUMENTED BY TOYOTA ON 03/13/2015 BUT WAS NOT NOTIFIED TO THE CUSTOMERS. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA COMPANY, COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, INFORMED THE RECALL AND WE ARE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA AFTER A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, COMPUTER DATA ANALYSIS FROM OUR RAV4. I AM HEREWITH ATTACHING THE DOCUMENTATION FOR THE RECALL. I AM VERY MUCH WORRIED & CONCERNED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, SINCE IT IS OF VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW AND REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10905635

9,800 miles · Nov 25, 2015
EnginePower TrainSteering

WHILE MAKING A TURN UNDER 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AFTER. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ONLY A QUICK REACTION ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE CAR FROM HITTING SOMETHING. 2 OF THE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS T…

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WHILE MAKING A TURN UNDER 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AFTER. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ONLY A QUICK REACTION ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE CAR FROM HITTING SOMETHING. 2 OF THE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING UP A SLIGHT HILL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED SINCE TOYOTA CAN'T FIND AN ISSUE, A UN-EXPERIENCED DRIVER MAY NOT REACT FAST ENOUGH TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10807075

Official recalls

4

23V734000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Nov 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.

15V144000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 13, 2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

15V011000 · Exterior Lighting; Trailer Hitches

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.

14V828000 · Equipment

Dec 30, 2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.

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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