NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
303 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 18, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
ON JUNE 13, 2016, I NOTICED MY GAS TANK WAS FULL, AFTER IT WAS TANK THE DAY BEFORE. SO, I THOUGHT MY HUSBAND HAD FILLED IT UP BEFORE HE LEFT FOR HIS BUSINESS TRIP THAT MORNING. TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK, I NOTICED THE TANK WAS STILL FULL, SO I KNEW SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT. SPOKE TO MY HUSBAND WHO HAD THEN CONFIRMED THAT HE …
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ON JUNE 13, 2016, I NOTICED MY GAS TANK WAS FULL, AFTER IT WAS TANK THE DAY BEFORE. SO, I THOUGHT MY HUSBAND HAD FILLED IT UP BEFORE HE LEFT FOR HIS BUSINESS TRIP THAT MORNING. TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK, I NOTICED THE TANK WAS STILL FULL, SO I KNEW SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT. SPOKE TO MY HUSBAND WHO HAD THEN CONFIRMED THAT HE DID NOT FILL UP THE TANK BEFORE HE LEFT. WENT TO THE GAS STATION AND IT COST ME $34.00 DOLLARS TO FILL IT UP, I ALMOST RAN OUT OF GAS! I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A BAD ACCIDENT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY! TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE EITHER THE FLOATER OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN RODENTS NIBBLING AT THE WIRES, BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD HAD THAT EXPERIENCE ALREADY. ANYWAY, OF COURSE IT ENDS OF BEING THE RODENTS. SO, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO GET MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND A LOAD OF INFORMATION. APPARENTLY, THIS IS CONTRIBUTED TO TOYOTA'S MOVE TO ECO-FRIENDLY ORGANIC WIRING INSULATOR COMPOUNDS THAT ATTRACT RODENTS AS A FOOD SOURCE! THIS IS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA CAR OWNERS. I HAVE A RAV4 2010 WHICH IS KEPT INSIDE AND THIS SITUATION HAS NEVER HAPPENED. THIS 2015 RAV4, WHICH IS GARAGE KEPT, RODENTS SEEM TO ENJOY. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED WIRING DAMAGE BY MUNCHING RODENTS, WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER TOYOTA WARRANTY - A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION. NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY HAZARD, HAD I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY! LAST WEEK, IT COST ME $611.51, HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME THE NEXT TIME WHEN THEY MUNCH ON ANOTHER PART OF THE CAR?
NHTSA ODI #10885439
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.…
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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…
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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
9,000 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY RESTART INDEPENDENTLY. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AIR BAG, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY RESTART INDEPENDENTLY. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AIR BAG, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. UPDATED 08/31/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHT O HE CRUISE CONTROL STALK BLINKS OFF AND ON CRUISE CONTROL DROPS OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND YOU LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. IT WILL SOMETIMES NOT RESTART FOR UP TO 15 MINUTES. THE ENGINES SHUTS DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS TO A MINUTE AND THEN RESTARTS ON ITS OWN. IT LEAVES THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE ABS, AWD AND TRACTION CONTROL ON AND THEY DON'T GO OFF UNTIL YOU CYCLE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE RADIO/ NAVIGATION SCREEN ALSO LOCKS UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT A TOTAL OF SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. CAR HAS SPUN 9 TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. UPDATED 6/12/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10874884
18,000 miles · May 11, 2016
Service BrakesCrash
INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. TWO INSTANCES OF BRAKES FAILING TO ENGAGE WHEN PRESSURE APPLIED. FIRST INSTANCE CAUSED CAR TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE MEDIAN; NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE AND INCIDENT NOT REPORTED. SECOND BRAKE FAILURE APRIL 14, 2016 AS CAR WAS DESCENDING PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY (DOWNHILL SLOPE) AND DRIVER APPLIED BRAK…
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INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. TWO INSTANCES OF BRAKES FAILING TO ENGAGE WHEN PRESSURE APPLIED. FIRST INSTANCE CAUSED CAR TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE MEDIAN; NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR STRUCTURE AND INCIDENT NOT REPORTED. SECOND BRAKE FAILURE APRIL 14, 2016 AS CAR WAS DESCENDING PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY (DOWNHILL SLOPE) AND DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE CAR CAREENED OVER A COMMENT CURB, THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND INTO A GAS MAIN AND APARTMENT BUILDING WALL. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURY TO NECK AND BACK DUE TO FORCE OF IMPACT. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOWED OUT OF ACCIDENT BACK ON TO THE ACCESS ROAD. POLICE OFFICERS IN TAKOMA PARK, MD THEN TESTED CAR. ACCIDENT REPORT DESCRIBES "IMPACT AND DAMAGE" AS "DISABLING", HOWEVER OWNER WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. DRIVER IS NOT FLUENT IN ENGLISH AND DUE TO TRANSLATION ERRORS THE POLICE REPORT DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF ACCIDENT. CAR IS NOW AT DARCARS TOYOTA IN ROCKVILLE WITH AT LEAST $12,000 IN REPAIRS PENDING. OWNER HAS AUTO INSURANCE AND CAR WILL BE REPAIRED OR TOTALED OUT. HOWEVER, OWNER IS (UNDERSTANDABLY) TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE RAV4 AGAIN FOR FEAR THAT THE BRAKES WILL FAIL A THIRD TIME - WITH POSSIBLLY CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES TO DRIVER AND OTHERS. OWNER SPEAKS LIMITED ENGLISH AND IS A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY. I AM CONCERNED FOR NOT ONLY HER SAFELY, BUT THE SAFELY OF OTHERS EITHER FROM AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD BE CAUSED BY THIS CAR OR A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION THAT AFFECTS A GREATER NUMBER OF RAV4'S ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE VERY SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATED BEFORE PLACING THE CAR ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10864472
500 miles · May 11, 2016
Steering
THE CAR WANTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN ACCELERATING OR,JUST RELEASING THE BRAKE TO COAST.TOYOTA DEALER AND TOYOTA SAID IT IS NORMAL.I NEVER HAD A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR DO THIS.I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE,BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEL ALL THE TIME.THE FRONT END IS ALIGNED CORRECTLY.
NHTSA ODI #10864461
6,000 miles · May 10, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH DOWN AN INCLINE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WALL AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED TWICE. A POLICE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH DOWN AN INCLINE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WALL AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED TWICE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
NHTSA ODI #10864263
5,896 miles · May 6, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,896.
NHTSA ODI #10863541
9,000 miles · May 3, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
THE LIGHT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK BLINKS AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED DROPPING OUT WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES WERE STORED IN THE COMPUTER WHEN CHECKED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE ENGINE STARTE…
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THE LIGHT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK BLINKS AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED DROPPING OUT WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES WERE STORED IN THE COMPUTER WHEN CHECKED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE ENGINE STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND WOULD TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART DUE TO NO ELECTRICAL POWER. THE DEALER THEN ADJUSTED THE SWITCH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SCREEN HAS SINCE LOCKED UP AND YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO RESET IT. THE ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES SHUT OF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE RESTART ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON (ABS, AIRBAGS, TRACTION CONTROL & ALL WHEEL DRIVE). THE LIGHTS DO NOT RESET UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON BY THE KEY. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE CAR AND THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE SELLING DEALERS INCOMPETENCE IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND MANAGEMENT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 5 MONTHS AND OVER A PERIOD OF 15,000 MILES AND I DO NOT BELIEVE IT CAN BE FIXED AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER IS REALLY TRYING TO REPAIR THE CAR BECAUSE OF ALL THE STALLING THEY ARE CURRENTLY DOING AT THIS TIME. I NEED YOUR HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10862741
5,500 miles · Apr 1, 2016
SteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE FACE AND ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE FACE AND ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500.
NHTSA ODI #10852963
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.