As I drive the multimedia system reboots on its own. Also as I was exiting the freeway coming off a curvy ramp, the car shut down as I was driving and the steering wheel locked for a second and then it came back to life. As this happened the dashboard lit up as if it was in accessory mode. Luckily there was not a lot of traffic …
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As I drive the multimedia system reboots on its own. Also as I was exiting the freeway coming off a curvy ramp, the car shut down as I was driving and the steering wheel locked for a second and then it came back to life. As this happened the dashboard lit up as if it was in accessory mode. Luckily there was not a lot of traffic on the ramp. Also about 5 months ago i had it repaired at the dealer because of a torque converter extended recall
NHTSA ODI #11491642
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringFire
Steering and brakes quit working while driving. Able to safely get off road. Took to Toyota Service Department. Per invoice "improperly installed battery caused everything to melt" battery installed by AAA in March 2020. Size 35 battery. Extensive damage.
NHTSA ODI #11479937
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2021
Steering
The first thing that happened was while driving in the day my dash board lights shut off and back on three different times with in 5-7 minutes. Then the next day while driving down the road by vehicle electrical dash board system shut itself off and came back while I was driving. The warning symbol for the electrical steering …
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The first thing that happened was while driving in the day my dash board lights shut off and back on three different times with in 5-7 minutes. Then the next day while driving down the road by vehicle electrical dash board system shut itself off and came back while I was driving. The warning symbol for the electrical steering power flashed on and my steering wheel locked up as I was turning and caused me not to be able to steer normally. Also, my air conditioning shut off and back on during these incidents.
NHTSA ODI #11430946
74,800 miles · Aug 19, 2021
Steering
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the power steering assist message displayed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The next day the vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The cause of the failure was not dete…
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The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the power steering assist message displayed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The next day the vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined, and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 74,800.
NHTSA ODI #11429690
102,000 miles · Jul 12, 2021
EngineSteeringFire
The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. During the failure, the instrument panel flashed approximately 4-5 times before going black. The contact stepped out to look under the hood and noticed a small fire. The police dep…
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The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. During the failure, the instrument panel flashed approximately 4-5 times before going black. The contact stepped out to look under the hood and noticed a small fire. The police department was contacted and arrived and put out the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away and deemed a total loss. The contact was not injured. Medical attention was not needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #11424423
20,700 miles · Apr 6, 2016
Steering
AT THE FIRST TIME, I DROVE THIS CAR TO PICK MY DAUGHTER UP FROM HER SCHOOL. WHEN I WAITED FOR MY DAUGHTER,I WASN'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE, JUST STEPPED ON THE BREAK UNTIL MY DAUGHTER GOT ON ABOUT ONE MINUTE. AND THEN I RELEASED THE BREAK WANTED TO MOVE ON. I COULDN'T TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR JUST MOVE STRAIGHT. I REST…
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AT THE FIRST TIME, I DROVE THIS CAR TO PICK MY DAUGHTER UP FROM HER SCHOOL. WHEN I WAITED FOR MY DAUGHTER,I WASN'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE, JUST STEPPED ON THE BREAK UNTIL MY DAUGHTER GOT ON ABOUT ONE MINUTE. AND THEN I RELEASED THE BREAK WANTED TO MOVE ON. I COULDN'T TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR JUST MOVE STRAIGHT. I RESTARTED MY CAR AGAIN AND THE CAR COULD MOVE NORMALLY. AT THE SECOND TIME, WHEN I WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY CAR SUNDDENLY SHAKED ABOUT FOUR SECONDS AND THEN THE ENGINE OFF AUTOMATICALLY AND THE STREERING WHEEL COULDN'T TURNED TOO. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT COULD MOVE AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10853928
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
16,000 miles · Oct 22, 2015
Steering
ON 10/19/2015 THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM WARNING PANEL ACTIVATED, LOCKING MY STEERING COLUMN AND PREVENTING THE START OF THE RAV4. TOWING COMPANY ARRIVED, EXPERIENCED/WITNESSED SAME EVENT. RAV4 TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 10/20 DEALERSHIP STATED "NO REPAIRS PERFORMED VEHICLE OPERATING AS DESIGNED." 10/20/2015 THE CUSTOMER REPRES…
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ON 10/19/2015 THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM WARNING PANEL ACTIVATED, LOCKING MY STEERING COLUMN AND PREVENTING THE START OF THE RAV4. TOWING COMPANY ARRIVED, EXPERIENCED/WITNESSED SAME EVENT. RAV4 TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 10/20 DEALERSHIP STATED "NO REPAIRS PERFORMED VEHICLE OPERATING AS DESIGNED." 10/20/2015 THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE STATED "THERE WAS NO ELECTRONIC FOOTPRINT IN THE MEMORY CARD, INDICATING THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE." NO ACTION BY DEALERSHIP. REPORTED TO GENERAL MANAGER AND TOYOTA CO. TOYOTA CASE #1510220162. TOYOTA STATED THEY WILL NOT BE MAKING ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN IS NOT PART OF RECALL NUMBER 15V144000 DATED 3/13/2015. DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATION STATED THE VEHICLE MUST PRESENT THE ISSUE AT THE SHOP OR ON THE ROAD (AT THIS POINT THERE WILL BE A CRASH) BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE ANY ACTION.
NHTSA ODI #10785348
200 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Steering
THIS IS AN ONGOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I NOTICE IT WHILE MOVING SLOWLY AND TURNING. THE STEERING HAS A SPOT WHERE IT IS HARDER TO TURN. IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY STALLS. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AT THE FIRST SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706096
300 miles · Sep 2, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering
WHILE DRIVING MY BRAND NEW TOYOTA 2014 RAV4, THEY WERE THE FOLLOWING: 1. THE CAR WAS VIBRATING SLIGHTLY AND THE CAR WAS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. 2. THE ?CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE AWD DRIVE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS. 3. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BECOMING FIRM ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. REMEMBER, THIS W…
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WHILE DRIVING MY BRAND NEW TOYOTA 2014 RAV4, THEY WERE THE FOLLOWING: 1. THE CAR WAS VIBRATING SLIGHTLY AND THE CAR WAS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. 2. THE ?CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE AWD DRIVE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS. 3. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BECOMING FIRM ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. REMEMBER, THIS WAS ALL WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. 4. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE CAR. 5. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WOULD ONLY USE THE BATTERY. 6. I TRIED TO START THE CAR FOR THE THIRD TIME, BUT STOPPED WHEN I COULD SMELL BURNING RUBBER. I WAS VERY NERVOUS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. MOREOVER, I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE, TRUST, AND A SENSE OF SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE. BASICALLY, I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE AND SECURE IN THIS CAR. MY EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY 09/01/2014 WAS TERRIFYING, I WAS AFRAID THAT SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUT DOWN I WAS SCARED FOR MY FRIENDS LIFE AND MINE. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP THE CAR AS MUCH AS I COULD TO THE SIDE SAFELY AND PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON, AND CALL FOR HELP. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER I HAD TO STOP ON A BUSY ROAD, WHERE CARS DRIVE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. WHEN I WAS BUYING THE VEHICLE THEY WERE MY BEST BUDDY OFFERING YOU WATER, PIZZA, AFTER THE DEAL SHAKING HANDS 20 TIMES, WHEN YOU GO BACK ITS LIKE WE ARE VERY BUSY. TOYOTA CARE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT, DON'T REALLY WANT TO KNOW YOU! AT THE MOMENT IT IS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING CHECKED! LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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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