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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

45 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 14, 2026
Unknown Or Other

I am filing a complaint regarding Toyota’s handling of a known paint defect affecting my 2014 Toyota RAV4 Limited in Blizzard Pearl paint. Over the past several years, the paint on my vehicle has progressively peeled and deteriorated. Approximately 50% of the vehicle’s paint is now damaged. This issue is clearly consistent with…

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I am filing a complaint regarding Toyota’s handling of a known paint defect affecting my 2014 Toyota RAV4 Limited in Blizzard Pearl paint. Over the past several years, the paint on my vehicle has progressively peeled and deteriorated. Approximately 50% of the vehicle’s paint is now damaged. This issue is clearly consistent with Toyota’s known Blizzard Pearl paint defect program. However, I was never notified by Toyota about this defect program through mail, email, or phone call. In addition, I regularly serviced my vehicle at authorized Toyota dealerships during the years the program was active, yet no dealership or Toyota representative informed me that my vehicle qualified for repair coverage. I only recently learned about the existence of this program after visiting a Toyota dealership regarding another issue. At that time, I was told the program had already expired in April 2024 and that Toyota would no longer provide assistance. I believe this is unfair because: - Toyota acknowledged this as a manufacturing-related defect. - I was never properly notified. - Toyota dealerships had multiple opportunities to inform me during regular service visits. - The defect became progressively worse over time. I am requesting that Toyota reconsider my case and provide goodwill assistance or repair coverage despite the expiration date, due to the lack of notification and the severity of the defect. Toyota Brand Engagement Center still told me the recall expiated.

NHTSA ODI #11737937

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2026
Unknown Or Other

My vehicle's factory applied paint which is Blizzard Pear 070 is failing and peeling on entire vehicle in multiple areas including roof, hood, interior doors, side panels, and rear door. This started as chipping back in 2019 and then peeling around late 2019 and has progressively gotten worse with even being garaged. This is …

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My vehicle's factory applied paint which is Blizzard Pear 070 is failing and peeling on entire vehicle in multiple areas including roof, hood, interior doors, side panels, and rear door. This started as chipping back in 2019 and then peeling around late 2019 and has progressively gotten worse with even being garaged. This is a know issue acknowledge by Toyota customer support program that has since expired. The paint is delaminating down to the primer with bare metal exposed. Yes it is available for inspection and actually had my local Toyota dealer who I purchased from take pictures last month and tell me the peeling paint is from the know manufacture defect. This is a could pose a safety risk as peeling paint can detach while driving and and also the exposed metal is susceptible to corrosion which could lend to body panels deterioration over time. Toyato manufacturer was contacted and I was told the customer support warranty is expired. Although Toyato said they sent out recall noticed I never received them. Back in 2019 I approached the dealership service dept with issue but they didn't document it and at the time told me it was general wear and tear. Now Toyato manufacturer is not standing behind it. They dealership also told me there are many others having the same issue when I took my car in to get assessed. If there are this many people Toyato should stand behind the paint defect and extend the opportunity for it to be fixed.

NHTSA ODI #11735636

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2026
Power TrainService BrakesUnknown Or Other

2014 Toyota RAV4 AWD XLE purchased June 2025. Multiple pre-existing safety defects confirmed by dealership personnel were never disclosed at time of sale. POWER TRAIN: Torque converter failure — vibration documented at pre-sale inspection, never disclosed or diagnosed. Axle bracket corroded so severely it was fused to axle and r…

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2014 Toyota RAV4 AWD XLE purchased June 2025. Multiple pre-existing safety defects confirmed by dealership personnel were never disclosed at time of sale. POWER TRAIN: Torque converter failure — vibration documented at pre-sale inspection, never disclosed or diagnosed. Axle bracket corroded so severely it was fused to axle and required cutting off — confirmed by service advisor on recorded call. BRAKES: Aftermarket brake parts installed pre-sale without disclosure. Brake system rated RED by dealership within 9,734 miles of purchase. Severe brake pedal pulsation confirmed on multiple invoices. ODY/STRUCTURE: Severe underbody and structural corrosion — subframe, crossmembers, fuel tank surfaces — never disclosed. Swollen lug nuts documented. Prior welded exhaust repair undisclosed. Exhaust flange separation and catalytic converter failure — repair quote $4,745. SEAT BELT: Rock found lodged in seat belt buckle — safety restraint failure — not noted on pre-sale inspection. RECALL 23V734000 / 23TA13: Aftermarket battery used as recall remedy — OEM replacement required — non-compliant — fire risk not disclosed at sale. All defects confirmed by dealership invoices, MPI video, and recorded calls. Vehicle out of service since February 2026. Complete documentation available.

NHTSA ODI #11728692

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2026
Unknown Or Other

All four of my door lock actuators are not working properly. All four usually don’t work, however once in a great while they will actually lock or unlock. This is a big safety issue because when I think they lock, they don’t. When I drive at night with my daughter in the backseat I do not feel safe. I always have to check all 4…

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All four of my door lock actuators are not working properly. All four usually don’t work, however once in a great while they will actually lock or unlock. This is a big safety issue because when I think they lock, they don’t. When I drive at night with my daughter in the backseat I do not feel safe. I always have to check all 4 doors a couple times, because sometimes they will unlock but not lock. Also note that they do not work all at the same time. It always varies by the day. I was going to pay for them to be fixed myself, but it was too costly.

NHTSA ODI #11721326

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Lift gate struts quit working.The lift gate is no longer is accessible or responsive to the proximity key commands to open or close, even after changing proximity key batteries. You cannot open the lift gate by hand because of the resistance of the hydrolics of the struts. I have complained to Toyota, and the dealership where …

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Lift gate struts quit working.The lift gate is no longer is accessible or responsive to the proximity key commands to open or close, even after changing proximity key batteries. You cannot open the lift gate by hand because of the resistance of the hydrolics of the struts. I have complained to Toyota, and the dealership where it was purchased. Both said they would contact me if there was a recall and suggested I file a complaint, which I am doing now. The is a huge inconvenience when grocery shopping, or traveling to spot events, or trying to get the dog to the vet. Luckily I don't use a wheelchair yet. I'm very late in filing this complaint, as the liftgate failure took place in April of 2021. I cannot afford to get them replaced on my limited income. I'm just looking for a little help.

NHTSA ODI #11691021

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2025
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

Year: 2014 Make: Toyota Model: RAV4 Approx. mileage: 60K 2. Incident Details Date of most recent incident: [XXX] Problem: Vehicle stalls and loses power steering while turning. Engine shuts off suddenly, causing complete loss of steering control. Consequence: On [XXX], my son lost control of the RAV4, hit a curb, and went thr…

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Year: 2014 Make: Toyota Model: RAV4 Approx. mileage: 60K 2. Incident Details Date of most recent incident: [XXX] Problem: Vehicle stalls and loses power steering while turning. Engine shuts off suddenly, causing complete loss of steering control. Consequence: On [XXX], my son lost control of the RAV4, hit a curb, and went through bushes before stopping. Previous stalls also occurred while turning, with loss of steering assist. This is a severe safety hazard. Frequency: Has occurred multiple times, even after dealership inspection and repairs. 3. Dealer/Repair Info Dealer name: Sarasota Toyota Address: 7435 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 Repair attempts: Dealer inspected in August 2025, charged nearly $900, but problem persists. Car is now back in the shop (not Toyota) for a second opinion at an additional cost of over $200. 4. Description My 2014 Toyota RAV4 repeatedly stalls and loses engine power and power steering without warning, especially while turning. On [XXX], my son lost control of the vehicle, hit a curb, and went through bushes before managing to stop. This is extremely dangerous and could have resulted in a serious accident. Sarasota Toyota has inspected the vehicle and charged nearly $900 for repairs, but the defect was not fixed. The vehicle continues to stall and is unsafe to drive. I am pursuing a second opinion at additional expense. This issue places my family and others on the road in danger. I am filing this complaint so that Toyota and regulators address this defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11688355

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2025
Unknown Or Other

My 2014 Toyota RAV4 (Blizzard Pearl, paint code 070) began experiencing hood paint peeling in early 2023. I first assumed it was simply a disappointing paint quality issue. However, this past weekend, the problem significantly worsened when large sections of paint on the roof suddenly flaked off completely, leaving exposed metal…

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My 2014 Toyota RAV4 (Blizzard Pearl, paint code 070) began experiencing hood paint peeling in early 2023. I first assumed it was simply a disappointing paint quality issue. However, this past weekend, the problem significantly worsened when large sections of paint on the roof suddenly flaked off completely, leaving exposed metal vulnerable to rust and corrosion. After this severe flaking occurred, I researched the issue online and discovered this problem is widespread among Toyota's with paint code 070. Toyota acknowledged this known manufacturing defect through their Customer Support Program (ZKG), but I was never notified of this program, despite receiving other recall notices. Additionally, my local Toyota dealership did not inform me about ZKG during a service visit before the program expired in 2024. On March 28th, 2025, I called Toyota’s customer service line to request goodwill assistance and was informed that they are not willing to offer any support or extend the program. I was told that the only thing they could do was “document” my case, and that if enough complaints were received, Toyota might reconsider extending the program in the future. I believe this response is quite unreasonable, especially given that this is a clear manufacturing defect now manifesting in catastrophic failure for many customers shortly after the 10-year ZKG window closed. The cost of a full repaint is commonly quoted around $4,000 to $5,000. For many RAV 4's currently valued at approximately $10,000, that repair cost represents nearly 50% of the car’s value—essentially totaling the vehicle due to a known paint defect. It’s an extreme hardship for customers that a widely acknowledged exterior manufacturing issue can result in such significant devaluation and repair costs. For this to happen to so many people just outside the expiration window (which only ended recently in 2024), and for Toyota to decline any extension or support, does not seem fair. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ODI #11651340

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

At least three time this happened while driving upon stopping at a stop sign or traffic light I was proceeding while making a turn after getting the clearance to do so. However the engine shut down and I was perplexed as to what was happening. I discovered the car had shut down and I had to restart the car. Additionally thi…

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At least three time this happened while driving upon stopping at a stop sign or traffic light I was proceeding while making a turn after getting the clearance to do so. However the engine shut down and I was perplexed as to what was happening. I discovered the car had shut down and I had to restart the car. Additionally this occurred at a stop sign, while trying to make a sharp turn the car once again shut off and I was in the middle of intresection and other cars were behind me, and other coming towards me and I realized this SUV had stopped running again, putting me in direct harms way.

NHTSA ODI #11553645

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2023
Unknown Or OtherFire

i have just driven the car for about 15 minutes and pulled in a driveway to wait for someone. My car was in park but running, and white smoke started to come out from under the hood. I turned the car off and got out. I walked around to the front of the car and it immediately went up in flames. I called 911 and a police car jus…

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i have just driven the car for about 15 minutes and pulled in a driveway to wait for someone. My car was in park but running, and white smoke started to come out from under the hood. I turned the car off and got out. I walked around to the front of the car and it immediately went up in flames. I called 911 and a police car just happened to be going by and called the fire department. They block off the street and put out the fire but the car was completely trashed.

NHTSA ODI #11508849

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2023
Unknown Or Other

My car was glitching and stuttering, then one day the transmission did not engage and the car would not move forward or in reverse. This only happened one time, we were told it is not the transmission, it is the torque converter. I checked on this NTHSA site and found that many Rav4s throughout the years have had torque convert…

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My car was glitching and stuttering, then one day the transmission did not engage and the car would not move forward or in reverse. This only happened one time, we were told it is not the transmission, it is the torque converter. I checked on this NTHSA site and found that many Rav4s throughout the years have had torque converter problems and that the warranty has been extended.

NHTSA ODI #11507612

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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