NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
197 reports41,034 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
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2017
Structure
THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF THE CAR IS PEELING.
NHTSA ODI #11004137
60,312 miles · Jun 28, 2017
Electrical SystemStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE VEHICLE DOORS, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS HAD TO BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ALSO FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN LOC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE VEHICLE DOORS, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS HAD TO BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ALSO FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DICK DYER TOYOTA, LOCATED ON 240 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY COLUMBIA, SC 29203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DOOR ACTUATORS ON BOTH SIDES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,312.
NHTSA ODI #11001934
36,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POTHOLE OR WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE CLICKING NOISE WOULD GET LOUDER. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POTHOLE OR WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE CLICKING NOISE WOULD GET LOUDER. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DALLAS TOYOTA LOCATED ON DELTON DR DALLAS, TX 75229) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #11000089
20,829 miles · May 7, 2017
Tires
DUNLOP GRAND TREK TIRES ARE SEPERATING AT TREAD-DOT U2F5 3M5R3413
NHTSA ODI #10983910
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other
DUNLOP GRAND TREK TIRES TREAD SEPERATION
NHTSA ODI #10983907
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
HI I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 2014 RAV4 MY MILEAGE IS 62,000. PRIOR TO THIS CAR BEING 3 YEARS OLD AND 55,000 MILES THE RADIO SHORTED OUT INCLUDING THE BLUETOOTH AND NAVIGATION. I AM SHOCKED TOYOTA HAS NOT DONE A RECALL WHEN IT IS EVIDENT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT. BROWSING YOU TUBE SHOWS MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH TH…
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HI I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 2014 RAV4 MY MILEAGE IS 62,000. PRIOR TO THIS CAR BEING 3 YEARS OLD AND 55,000 MILES THE RADIO SHORTED OUT INCLUDING THE BLUETOOTH AND NAVIGATION. I AM SHOCKED TOYOTA HAS NOT DONE A RECALL WHEN IT IS EVIDENT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT. BROWSING YOU TUBE SHOWS MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR TOYOTA RADIO. AFTER MONTHS OF SILENCE I ENDED UP PAYING $1345.41 TO REPLACE THIS UPON REASEARCH SEEMS TO BE A COMMON KNOWN PROBLEM. MY INVOICE #TOCS231192 WITH DUBLIN TOYOTA IS DATED 3/16/2017. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR REVIEW, CONSIDERATION AND RESPONSE IN THIS MATTER
NHTSA ODI #10969675
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
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2017
EquipmentInjury
THE SHADE POPPED OFF THE WINDOW AND SMACKED THE CONSUMERS CHILD IN THE FACE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CORNERS WERE WAY TOO HEAVY FOR THIS PRODUCT TO BE CONSIDERED SAFE IN A CAR. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER HAD A SWOLLEN LIP AND HER LIP WAS BLEEDING. SHE LATER HAD BRUISING ON HER FACE AND HER LIP STAYED SWOLLEN FOR DAYS. *JB..…
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THE SHADE POPPED OFF THE WINDOW AND SMACKED THE CONSUMERS CHILD IN THE FACE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CORNERS WERE WAY TOO HEAVY FOR THIS PRODUCT TO BE CONSIDERED SAFE IN A CAR. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER HAD A SWOLLEN LIP AND HER LIP WAS BLEEDING. SHE LATER HAD BRUISING ON HER FACE AND HER LIP STAYED SWOLLEN FOR DAYS. *JB...*BF *CN
NHTSA ODI #10944768
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.
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