NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
197 reports48,000 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury
MY SISTER ACCIDENTALLY RAN INTO THE BACK OF A BOX TRUCK ON 7/2/2020 AND THE KNEE AIRBAG IN HER TOYOTA 2014 RAV4 DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG OR COVER CAUSED MAJOR GASHES IN HER LEG AND SHE IS NOW IN THE HOSPITAL AND WILL NEED TO HAVE SKIN GRAFTS. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT THAT IS NOT YET READY. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES OF THE LEG. I HAVE…
Read full complaint
MY SISTER ACCIDENTALLY RAN INTO THE BACK OF A BOX TRUCK ON 7/2/2020 AND THE KNEE AIRBAG IN HER TOYOTA 2014 RAV4 DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG OR COVER CAUSED MAJOR GASHES IN HER LEG AND SHE IS NOW IN THE HOSPITAL AND WILL NEED TO HAVE SKIN GRAFTS. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT THAT IS NOT YET READY. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES OF THE LEG. I HAVE NEVER SEEN DAMAGE LIKE THIS CAUSED BY AIRBAG AND WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF ISSUES WITH KNEE AIRBAGS?
NHTSA ODI #11337736
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…
Read full complaint
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
40,000 miles · Jun 5, 2020
Unknown Or Other
MY RAV4 2014 XLE RADIO/BLUE TOOTH STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 3 YRS AGO. I CALLED TOYOTA, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX. THE RADIO SCREEN IS BLUE , AND KEEP REBOOTING. IT WAS ONLY 3 YRS OLD AND WE ARE TAKING CARE OF THE CAR VERY GOOD. IT COST 1500 TO REPLACE A NEW ONE, BUT I THINK IT'S NOT CUSTOMER FAULT, AND I'M STILL DRIVING WITHOUT THE …
Read full complaint
MY RAV4 2014 XLE RADIO/BLUE TOOTH STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 3 YRS AGO. I CALLED TOYOTA, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX. THE RADIO SCREEN IS BLUE , AND KEEP REBOOTING. IT WAS ONLY 3 YRS OLD AND WE ARE TAKING CARE OF THE CAR VERY GOOD. IT COST 1500 TO REPLACE A NEW ONE, BUT I THINK IT'S NOT CUSTOMER FAULT, AND I'M STILL DRIVING WITHOUT THE RADIO. I FEEL THAT IT'S NOT CUSTOMER FAULT AND TOYOTA MAY GET THE DEFECT RADIO TO INSTALL IN THE CAR. I DID RESEARCH AND SEE LOTS OF CUSTOMER HAS SAME ISSUE. I SEE THERE IS FEW RECALLS FOR RAV4 2014, BUT I NEVER GET A LETTER FROM TOYOTA TO GET THE CAR FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11327437
91,000 miles · Apr 8, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
RADIO WILL COMPLETELY STOP WORKING TO WHERE YOU HAVE TO BUY A NEW $1200 RADIO FROM THE DEALER. ALL DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WILL STOP WORKING AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME CAUSING YOU TO NOT BEING ABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN YOUR DOORS.
NHTSA ODI #11320480
60,000 miles · Mar 7, 2020
Electrical System
2014 TOYOTA RAV 4. OVER THE PAST YEAR--THE ELECTRIC LOCKS ON ALL FOUR DOORS STOPPED WORKING--TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID IT WAS THE ACTUATORS IN THE DOORS AND WOULD COST OVER $2000 TO FIX THEM. I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. I FIND IT VERY HARD …
Read full complaint
2014 TOYOTA RAV 4. OVER THE PAST YEAR--THE ELECTRIC LOCKS ON ALL FOUR DOORS STOPPED WORKING--TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID IT WAS THE ACTUATORS IN THE DOORS AND WOULD COST OVER $2000 TO FIX THEM. I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL FOUR WOULD BE KNOCKED OUT AT ONCE, AND SUSPECT THAT IT IS A . IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I SUSPECT THAT THEY USED INFERIOR/FAULTY PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #11316695
76,000 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Electrical System
THE RADIO CONTROL UNIT WENT INTO A REBOOT CYCLE AND NEVER COMPLETES. THE ENTIRE UNIT IS UNABLE TO BE USED FOR ANY OF IT'S FUNCTIONS. RADIO, BLUETOOTH, GPS, ETC. THERE ARE A LOT OF TOYOTA OWNERS REPORTING THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2014 RAV4. THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLE AND VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE.
NHTSA ODI #11309607
17,000 miles · Jan 23, 2020
SeatsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND WHO OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, A VEHICLE APPROACHING BEHIND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TO THE LEFT. THE FRONT DRIVE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND WHO OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, A VEHICLE APPROACHING BEHIND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TO THE LEFT. THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED AND WAS DEFORMED DURING THE IMPACT. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD REST COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ASKED ABOUT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND CONFIRMED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A PASSENGER SITTING IN AN UNKNOWN LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT AND THEN TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE AN ADJUSTER WAS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA ODI #11301354
45,000 miles · Dec 11, 2019
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, JUST TURNED THE CAR FROM ENGINE ON TO OFF WITH JUST THE BATTERY ON RUNNING THE RADIO WHILE I WAS PREPARING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE ENTIRE RADIO SYSTEM COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. I LOOKED AT MY INFOTAINMENT SCREEN AND IT WAS CERTAINLY HAVING A ISSUE BECAUSE EVER SINCE THAT DAY OVER ONE YEAR AGO I HA…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, JUST TURNED THE CAR FROM ENGINE ON TO OFF WITH JUST THE BATTERY ON RUNNING THE RADIO WHILE I WAS PREPARING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE ENTIRE RADIO SYSTEM COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. I LOOKED AT MY INFOTAINMENT SCREEN AND IT WAS CERTAINLY HAVING A ISSUE BECAUSE EVER SINCE THAT DAY OVER ONE YEAR AGO I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LISTEN TO RADIO, USE GPS, USE BLUETOOTH, ETC. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNDER A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO 1) LOSS OF PHONE/BLUETOOTH (USE OF MOBILE PHONES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IS REQUIRED IN MANY STATES TO GO THROUGH BLUETOOTH) AND I CANNOT COMPLY WITH THESE LAWS IF MY SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED, 2) I PAID FOR A VEHICLE WITH A GPS NAVIGATION FOR A REASON AND NOW I LOST THAT EXPENSIVE CAPABILITY AS WELL, 3) RADIO'S ARE USED TO KEEP THE DRIVER ALERT AND FOCUSED AND THIS WAS LOST 4) THE LOOPING SCREEN IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT, CANNOT BE DARKENED AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH IT. I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY COVER OVER MY SCREEN SO NOW IT'S LIKE I'M DRIVING A FLINTSTONES VEHICLE WITH NOTHING TECHNOLOGY WISE IN THIS $25,000 VEHICLE I PAID FOR. "TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE CONTACT US - I CONTACTED TOYOTA VIA PHONE CALL EARLIER TODAY WITH LIMITED RESULTS, BUT LATER EMAILED TOYOTA AND PROVIDED A LINK TO THIS PAGE. THE CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE SUGGESTED THAT ANYONE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOULD CALL AND EMAIL THEIR COMPLAINTS. TOYOTA IS NOT CURRENTLY OFFERING ANY REMEDY OR ASSISTANCE TO PREMATURELY FAILING RADIO SYSTEMS THAT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT ALL CALLS AND EMAILS ARE MONITORED AND WHEN THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, TOYOTA WILL RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM AND MAY OFFER ASSISTANCE OR REIMBURSEMENT." HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/TOYOTA/RAV4/2014/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/
NHTSA ODI #11288506
60,000 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Unknown Or Other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE NAVIGATION/INFORMATION SYSTEM SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE SCREEN TURNED A BLUE COLOR AND THE SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. SCREEN KEEPS ATTEMPTING TO RELOAD BUT IT FAILS. RADIO OR NAVIGATION INOPERABLE BUT THE REAR VIEW CAMERA DOES WORK. OCCURRED AT 60,000 …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE NAVIGATION/INFORMATION SYSTEM SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE SCREEN TURNED A BLUE COLOR AND THE SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. SCREEN KEEPS ATTEMPTING TO RELOAD BUT IT FAILS. RADIO OR NAVIGATION INOPERABLE BUT THE REAR VIEW CAMERA DOES WORK. OCCURRED AT 60,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11287661
74,815 miles · Nov 24, 2019
Power TrainService BrakesInjury
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/13/2019 @ 8:30AM. I HAD STARTED MY 2014 TOYOTA RAV4, PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THE CARPORT APPRX. 25FT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND FULLY ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE I ALWAYS DO THIS IF I NEED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING FOR ANY REASON. IN THIS CASE I WAS HEATING THE INTERIOR AS IT WAS CHILLI. I WENT BA…
Read full complaint
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/13/2019 @ 8:30AM. I HAD STARTED MY 2014 TOYOTA RAV4, PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THE CARPORT APPRX. 25FT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND FULLY ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE I ALWAYS DO THIS IF I NEED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING FOR ANY REASON. IN THIS CASE I WAS HEATING THE INTERIOR AS IT WAS CHILLI. I WENT BACK INSIDE MY HOME TO GET THE ANIMAL CRATE THAT CONTAINED MY CAT WHO NEEDED TO GO TO THE VET. AS I WAS LOADING THE CRATE INTO THE FRONT SEAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. I WAS BETWEEN THE OPEN DOOR AND THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND AFTER FREAKING OUT A SECOND LOOKED TO SEE IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAD DISENGAGED. IT HAD NOT.AT THAT POINT I WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE AND THE CAR DRUG ME TOWARD THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND I WENT UNDERNEATH THE OPEN DOOR HOLDING ONTO THE ARMREST. WHEN I HAD TO RELEASE MY TRIP I WAS LAID OUT ON MY BACK WITH MY ARMS AND HANDS RAISED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH FIRST MY LEFT ELBOW THEN WRIST THEN HAND WRENCHING MY LEFT SHOULDER AS IT DID SO. THIS ACCIDENT SHOULD NEVER HAVE OCCURRED. THE SAFETY MEASURES FAILED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2017 AND HAD NO TROUBLE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS DESCRIBED MANY MANY TIMES. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND NOW NEEDS TO GO TO ANY LENGTHS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE.
NHTSA ODI #11281992
Official recalls
4Nov 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Illustration