NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
21 reportsClear category filter24,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EXPRESS TOWING'S FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EXPRESS TOWING'S FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
NHTSA ODI #11061200
10,000 miles · Jun 21, 2017
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS PULLING IN A PARKING SPACE AT THE BACK OF THE BUILDING IN WHICH I WORKED. I TURNED RIGHT INTO MY SPACE GOING ABOUT IDLE SPEED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MOVE INTO THE SPACE WHEN IT TOOK OFF AND WENT INTO THE BUILDING. I MISSED THE SENSOR BY A QUARTER OF AN INCH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLORE. I HAD THE BLACK B…
Read full complaint
I WAS PULLING IN A PARKING SPACE AT THE BACK OF THE BUILDING IN WHICH I WORKED. I TURNED RIGHT INTO MY SPACE GOING ABOUT IDLE SPEED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MOVE INTO THE SPACE WHEN IT TOOK OFF AND WENT INTO THE BUILDING. I MISSED THE SENSOR BY A QUARTER OF AN INCH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLORE. I HAD THE BLACK BOX READ BY TOYOTA AND THEN THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK TO EXPLAIN THE "BOOK" OF PAPERS THAT GAVE ALL SORTS OF INFORMATION WHICH I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND. AFTER ABOUT TWO OR THREE MONTHS IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A FOUR WAY STOP ON A CITY STREET. WHEN IT LET UP OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR TOOK OFF AND SINCE HE HAD ABOUT A HALF MILE OF STREET HE LET IT GO. IT TOOK HIM AT 40 MPH FOR THE WHOLE WAY. HE HAD TROUBLE WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKE TO MAKE IT STOP. HE HAD TO PUMP THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THIS CAR HAD DONE THIS 7 OR 8 TIMES TO US. WE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE IT WAS LEASED THEY COULDN'T HELP. SO WE HAVE KEPT THE CAR AND I DRIVE IT WITH MY HAND ON THE GEAR SHIFT AND WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES I KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND SOMETIMES PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL. I FEEL THIS CAR IS VERY DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA HAS READ THE BLACK BOX TWICE AND NEVER GOT BACK TO US TO EXPLAIN IF THEY KNOW WHY THIS DOES THIS THE CRASH CAUSED 8000 TO THE CAR AND 16000 TO THE BUILDNG
NHTSA ODI #11000496
6,000 miles · Feb 15, 2017
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING LOT, I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MOVED MY GEARSHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION, MY CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND DROVE INTO MY EXTERIOR WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE CAR THEN STARTED DRIVING BACKWARDS AT AN ACCELERATING SPEED. AFTER JUMPING BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, I CRASHED INTO A C…
Read full complaint
AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING LOT, I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MOVED MY GEARSHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION, MY CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND DROVE INTO MY EXTERIOR WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE CAR THEN STARTED DRIVING BACKWARDS AT AN ACCELERATING SPEED. AFTER JUMPING BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, I CRASHED INTO A CAR PARKED BEHIND ME, WHICH MADE THE CAR FINALLY STOP. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING EITHER COLLISION. BY THE END, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOTALED.
NHTSA ODI #10954930
20,000 miles · Jul 7, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE MERGING INTO THE RIGHT LANE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED LEFT AND ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED TWICE DOWN A SHORT INCLINE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE MERGING INTO THE RIGHT LANE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED LEFT AND ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED TWICE DOWN A SHORT INCLINE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND SCRATCHES TO THEIR ELBOWS. THE REAR PASSENGER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10883451
14,000 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE PULLING UP TO A GAS PUMP THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT FROM ZERO TO 40 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. HE PUMPED THE BRAKES BUT CAR MADE A LOUD REVVING NOISE AND WOULD NOT STOP. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING A TRUCK, BUT THE CAR WENT OVER A CONCRETE MEDIANO AND ONLY CA…
Read full complaint
WHILE PULLING UP TO A GAS PUMP THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT FROM ZERO TO 40 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. HE PUMPED THE BRAKES BUT CAR MADE A LOUD REVVING NOISE AND WOULD NOT STOP. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING A TRUCK, BUT THE CAR WENT OVER A CONCRETE MEDIANO AND ONLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED. THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH AIRBAG SMOKE EVEN THOUGH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A WITNESS SAID THAT HE COULD TELL IT WAS A MECHANICAL ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE LOUD REVVING NOISE THE CAR WAS MAKING. TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO TELL US WHAT HAPPENED. THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. THE CAR HIT THE MEDIAN SO HARD THAT THE FRAME HAS BEEN BENT. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER FOR OVER 20 YEARS, MY HOPE IS THAT THEY TOTAL THE CAR SO THAT I DON'T EVER HAVE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. OUR TOYOTA CASE # IS1604122141. I KNOW THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES-THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10876294
4,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS DEPERESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN AN EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS DEPERESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN AN EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY ONCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10838964
15,000 miles · Feb 11, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10825647
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2016
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ENTERING AN ON-RAMP, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FENDE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ENTERING AN ON-RAMP, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FENDER AND PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10818191
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATES WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. WHEN STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT IT IS EAGER TO GO IF THE BRAKES ARE NOT DEPRESSED VERY FIRMLY AND BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR IT SHIFTS INTO A HIGHER GEAR WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. IT HAS ALSO DONE THIS WHEN ONCE GOING UP A HILL AT 39 MILES PER HOUR. IT F…
Read full complaint
THE CAR SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATES WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. WHEN STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT IT IS EAGER TO GO IF THE BRAKES ARE NOT DEPRESSED VERY FIRMLY AND BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR IT SHIFTS INTO A HIGHER GEAR WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. IT HAS ALSO DONE THIS WHEN ONCE GOING UP A HILL AT 39 MILES PER HOUR. IT FEELS DANGEROUS TO ME WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND IT CHOOSES TO ACCELERATES UNLESS I AM BRAKING LONG BEFORE THE SIGN. THE CAN WAS EXAMINED BY THE DEAQLERSHIP 2 TIMES AND "NOTHING WAS FOUND". I THEN CONTACTED SOMEONE IN TOYOTA'S COLORADO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE. THIS PERSON TOOK A COMPUTER APPARATUS ATTACHED IT TO MY CAR, WE TEST DROVE IT AROUND AND THEY DETERMINED IT DOES AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR DURING THESE ACCELERATION TIMES. THE CAR FEELS UNSAFE AND WILL SOONER OR LATER BE THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10816259
1,200 miles · Sep 22, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMAT…
Read full complaint
TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. UPDATED 11/04/15*LJ; 03/19/18 JB*05/15/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10767530
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