IllustrationWater is collecting in the outside taillights (attached to the body, not the rear hatch) on both sides. There are no visible leaks in the seals or holes in the lenses. In the attached photos, finger is pointing to water level on both lenses.
2015 Toyota RAV4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAV4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
700–25K
3725–50K
2750–75K
1875–100K
16100–150K
2150K+
170 reports with mileage · 133 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 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
37 crash reports41 fire reports21 injury reports
What owners actually said
303 reportsNathing everything is my car working good
Yesterday, on 9/1/2022, my son parked the car on the parking lot of CVS in Tucson, AZ. He turned the car off and locked it and went into the store. While at CVS the car spontaneously burst into flames. More specifically the front of the car burst into flames. The car has been meticulously maintained and was in perfect mechanic…
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Yesterday, on 9/1/2022, my son parked the car on the parking lot of CVS in Tucson, AZ. He turned the car off and locked it and went into the store. While at CVS the car spontaneously burst into flames. More specifically the front of the car burst into flames. The car has been meticulously maintained and was in perfect mechanical condition. No one smokes. There was nothing flammable in the car. It just caught on fire out of the blue on its own while parked. Good thing no one got hurt and no other property damage occurred, but the car is totaled. It had about 88,000 miles on it. Thank god it was not inside the garage at night or our house would most likely have burned down as well. This is a VERY disturbing event. No one expects their well-maintained car to catch on fire while turned off and parked. We would like the incident investigated.
The car hesitates when I press the gas and also does this when the cruise control is activated
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the illumination from the headlights was poor due to scratches inside the headlight housings. The contact stated that the illumination made nighttime driving difficult. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture…
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The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the illumination from the headlights was poor due to scratches inside the headlight housings. The contact stated that the illumination made nighttime driving difficult. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Rav-4. The contact received notification of Customer Service Campaign: 21TG01 (12-Volt Battery Size and Installation Inspection). The contact stated that she inspected the battery and confirmed that it was the correct battery size prior to the failure. The contact stated that after refueling the v…
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The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Rav-4. The contact received notification of Customer Service Campaign: 21TG01 (12-Volt Battery Size and Installation Inspection). The contact stated that she inspected the battery and confirmed that it was the correct battery size prior to the failure. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, she drove to her friend's residence at an undisclosed speed when the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and the air conditioner and radio inadvertently turned off. The contact arrived at her friend's residence and parked the vehicle for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove down the driveway when the vehicle lost motive power with smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact and her friend exited the vehicle before it caught fire. A police officer was driving by when he witnessed the fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Cs Traction Light Is On Cause INTERNAL OPEN IN STEERING ANGLE SENSPR MODULE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR TRANSMITS THE STEERING WHEEL'S RATE OF TURN, WHEEL ANGLE, AND OTHER IMPORTANT DATA TO THE SPECIFIC VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. IF THERE IS A FAULT IN THE SIGNAL, THE COMPUTER CAN DISABLE THE VEHICLE'S STABILITY CONTROL. Correction REP…
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Cs Traction Light Is On Cause INTERNAL OPEN IN STEERING ANGLE SENSPR MODULE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR TRANSMITS THE STEERING WHEEL'S RATE OF TURN, WHEEL ANGLE, AND OTHER IMPORTANT DATA TO THE SPECIFIC VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. IF THERE IS A FAULT IN THE SIGNAL, THE COMPUTER CAN DISABLE THE VEHICLE'S STABILITY CONTROL. Correction REPLACE STEERING ANGEL SENSOR MODULE
The power hatch door liftgate support rods problems. The hatch door won't close. This is the third times. First two times were under warranty, this time is after warranty. The liftgate must have mechanical or design problem when manufacturing. If the hatch back door suddenly drop, it will hurt my head or body when I try to r…
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The power hatch door liftgate support rods problems. The hatch door won't close. This is the third times. First two times were under warranty, this time is after warranty. The liftgate must have mechanical or design problem when manufacturing. If the hatch back door suddenly drop, it will hurt my head or body when I try to reach my trunks.
OUR 2015 RAV 4 IS EXPERIENCING A TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER AT ABOUT 40MPH. WE CAN FEEL THIS RATTLE OR AS TOYOTA HAS EXPLAINED IN A WARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN # POL17-06 DATED 9-15-2017 AND REVISED IN 2021, A SHUDDER, AND HAVE CONCERNS FOR OUR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING. OUR MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE CAR AND FELT THE SHUDDER. HE THEN PROV…
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OUR 2015 RAV 4 IS EXPERIENCING A TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER AT ABOUT 40MPH. WE CAN FEEL THIS RATTLE OR AS TOYOTA HAS EXPLAINED IN A WARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN # POL17-06 DATED 9-15-2017 AND REVISED IN 2021, A SHUDDER, AND HAVE CONCERNS FOR OUR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING. OUR MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE CAR AND FELT THE SHUDDER. HE THEN PROVIDED THE WARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN WHICH WE THEN PRESENTED TO BALISE TOYOTA ON POST RD IN RHODE ISLAND. THEY ALSO DOCUMENTED AND EXPERIENCED THE SHUDDER CONFIRMING OUR CONCERNS AND THOSE OF OUR MECHANIC. BALISE TOYOTA TOLD US OUR vin # WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY COVERED PERIOD. TOYOTA IS COVERING VEHICLE TO NOV. 2014 AND OUR VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED FEB. 9, 2015. THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (ZH1) WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER ON CERTAIN 2013-2015 MY RAV4 OFFERING A SECONDARY COVERAGE FOR 8 YEARS FROM DATE OF FIRST USE OR 150,000 MILES. OUR VEHICLE FALLS WITHIN THIS COVERAGE ALLOWANCE, TOYOTA CORPORATE REFUSED OUR CLAIM FOR INCLUSION. HOWEVER, WE ARE SUSPICIOUSLY CLOSE TO THE INCLUSION DATE, EXPERIENCING THE VERY ISSUE, HAVE CONFIRMATION FROM A MECHANIC AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO CONFIRMED EXISTENCE OF PROBLEM UPON TEST DRIVE. WE NOTICED THE SHUDDER ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE HAVING IT CHECKED OUT. I WILL PERSUE TOYOTA FURTHER BUT WOULD LIKETO REPORT THIS ISSUE AS THEY ARE NOT COVERING ALL VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN 2013-2015 AS I THINK THEY SHOULD. MY RAV4 IS BEHAVING EXACTLY AS THEY DESCRIBE A VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER WILL. PROBLEM THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT WILL NOT CONSIDER MY CAR AS IT IS OUTSIDE THE DATE THEY HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE. THEY NEED TO EXTEND THAT DATE OUT TO COVER ALL VEHICLES EXPERIECING THE ISSUE.
Transaxle Repair: reman transition with torque converter. The car begins to shake around 60MPH as well as acceleration gets stuck at times. The Toyota dealership looked at the vehicle 2 times before the cause was addressed.
Official recalls
423V734000 · 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
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.