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 reports
4,500 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Steering
TOYOTA ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL THAT AFFECTS POTENTIALLY 46,000 VEHICLES AND TOYOTA ESTIMATES THAT 20,000 WILL NEED TO HAVE A STEERING PART REPLACED. THE LETTER FROM TOYOTA ADVISES CAR OWNERS THAT IT WILL TAKE 1.5 HOURS TO INSPECT AND 2.5 HOURS TO REPLACE THE PART. AFTER AN ENTIRE DAY AT THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY, MY CAR HAS N…
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TOYOTA ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL THAT AFFECTS POTENTIALLY 46,000 VEHICLES AND TOYOTA ESTIMATES THAT 20,000 WILL NEED TO HAVE A STEERING PART REPLACED. THE LETTER FROM TOYOTA ADVISES CAR OWNERS THAT IT WILL TAKE 1.5 HOURS TO INSPECT AND 2.5 HOURS TO REPLACE THE PART. AFTER AN ENTIRE DAY AT THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY, MY CAR HAS NOT HAD THE STEERING PART REPLACED AND TOYOTA IS UNABLE TO TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL HAVE THE PART FOR THEIR OWN RECALL! I CALLED FORDHAM TOYOTA LAST WEEK TO MAKE AN SAFETY RECALL APPOINTMENT. I TOOK MY CAR IN YESTERDAY (TUESDAY, JUNE 9) AT 8:30. WHEN I PICKED IT UP AT 2:30, THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED THE PART, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE IT. NO SENSE OF HOW RIDICULOUS IT IS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A RECALL REPAIR WITHOUT EVEN HAVING THE PART AVAILABLE. NOR THE WORRY THIS CAUSES ME TO KNOW THAT I AM DRIVING MY DAUGHTER AROUND IN A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WHERE OUR SAFETY IS COMPROMISED. I CALLED TOYOTA CENTRAL TO ASK IF THEY MIGHT FACILITATE HAVING A DIFFERENT DEALER (MANHATTAN TOYOTA) DO THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTER NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH DIFFERENT TOYOTA EMPLOYEES (INCLUDING MANHATTAN TOYOTA), I WAS ADVISED THAT THE PROCEDURE IS THAT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INSPECTS THE VEHICLE, THEN ORDERS THE PART AND THAT IT TAKES 2 DAYS TO GET THE PART. AND THAT IF I WANTED TO HAVE MANHATTAN TOYOTA DO THE RECALL REPAIR, I WOULD FIRST NEED TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE VEHICLE - MEANING ANOTHER TWO DAY ADVENTURE. HAVING GOTTEN NO RESOLUTION FROM THE CENTRAL TOYOTA CARE LINE OR MANHATTAN TOYOTA, I DECIDED TO CALL FORDHAM TOYOTA TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT FOR SATURDAY MORNING (2 DAYS FROM NOW, ENOUGH TIME FOR THEM TO GET THE PART),I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NEED THE CAR ALL DAY ON SATURDAY (NOT 2.5 HOURS AS STATED IN THE TOYOTA LETTER), BUT THAT THEY NEED TO FIRST RECEIVE THE PART. I WAS TOLD THEY WILL CALL ME WHEN THEY GET IT.
NHTSA ODI #10724492
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10723367
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN E…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10723153
4,875 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
RECALL ON POWER STEARING UNIT EPS ECU BEEN IN SHOP TWO WEEK AND STILL NOT FIX
NHTSA ODI #10723152
5 miles · Jun 2, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other
LOUD BUFFETING WIND NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN ANY REAR WINDOW IS PARTIALLY LOWERED OR OPEN. WILL DIMINISH OR GO AWAY IF EITHER FRONT WINDOW IS OPEN PARTIALLY OR ALL THE WAY. VIBRATING DRONING NOISE IS SO LOUD YOU CAN HEAR NOTHING ELSE. NOISE INCREASES WITH SPEED STARTING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND UP. DESIGN FLAW OR IS A REPAIR AVAILABL…
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LOUD BUFFETING WIND NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN ANY REAR WINDOW IS PARTIALLY LOWERED OR OPEN. WILL DIMINISH OR GO AWAY IF EITHER FRONT WINDOW IS OPEN PARTIALLY OR ALL THE WAY. VIBRATING DRONING NOISE IS SO LOUD YOU CAN HEAR NOTHING ELSE. NOISE INCREASES WITH SPEED STARTING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND UP. DESIGN FLAW OR IS A REPAIR AVAILABLE? DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NATURE OF THE VEHICLE? HOPE NOT.
NHTSA ODI #10722906
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10721736
164,000 miles · May 26, 2015
Air Bags
I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT THE TOYOTA AIR BAG RECALL(TAKATA) THEY PROVIDED MY WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT I CALL THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. WHEN I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT REGISTERED TO MY NAME AS IT WAS STILL IN THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S NAME ACCORDING TO THEIR DATA BASE.…
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I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT THE TOYOTA AIR BAG RECALL(TAKATA) THEY PROVIDED MY WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THAT I CALL THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. WHEN I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT REGISTERED TO MY NAME AS IT WAS STILL IN THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S NAME ACCORDING TO THEIR DATA BASE. THIS IS MY CONCERN. I HAD TO TELL TOYOTA CORPORATION THE TYPE AND YEAR OF VEHICLE THAT I HAD AS WELL AS THE VIN NUMBER AND SHE "UPDATED" THE DATA BASE. MY CONCERN IS FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT DRIVE TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT ARE PART OF THIS RECALL BUT ARE NOT IN THEIR DATA BASE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE OVER 1 YEAR AGO AND IT SHOULD BE IN THEIR DATA BASE. I DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE TOYOTA CORPORATION ABOUT THE AIR BAG AS I READ THE PAPER AND FOLLOWED WHAT THE NHTSA SAID FOR OWNERS OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES TO DO. IF I WOULD HAVE NOT CALLED TOYOTA THEY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD MY INFORMATION ON MY CAR TO SEND ME A RECALL SAFETY NOTICE. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE OTHER OWNERS OF VEHICLES RECALLED BY TOYOTA THAT ARE NOT UPDATED IN THEIR DATA BASE WITH THE NEW OWNER'S INFORMATION. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A PREMIER TOYOTA IN AMHERST, OHIO. I AM NOT SURE HOW THESE DATA BASES ARE UPDATED, IF OHIO SENDS THE LICENSE INFORMATION TO TOYOTA OR INDIVIDUAL CAR COMPANIES SEND IN THE INFORMATION ON THE UPDATES. IT IS AN ISSUE I THINK NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #10721527
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15VI44000 (STEERING) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15VI44000 (STEERING) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10716667
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING) AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.. WHEN THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING) AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.. WHEN THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT SEND ANY AND WOULD NOT PAY FOR A REPAIR UNTIL THE DEALER SENT PHOTOS SHOWING THE NEED FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AGAIN AND CONFIRMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER MADE THAT REQUIREMENT. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 6/30/15*CN UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10716496
955 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Structure
SIGHT LINES - AGAIN. NO ONE UNDER APROX. 5'9" CAN SAFELY OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. I (AT 5'7") CAN NOT SEE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE OR DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE BECAUSE OF THE POOR DRIVER POSITION. THE REAL DANGER HAPPENS AT NIGHT AT UNLIGHTED INTERSECTIONS. TURNS ARE MISSED BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE FR…
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SIGHT LINES - AGAIN. NO ONE UNDER APROX. 5'9" CAN SAFELY OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. I (AT 5'7") CAN NOT SEE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE OR DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE BECAUSE OF THE POOR DRIVER POSITION. THE REAL DANGER HAPPENS AT NIGHT AT UNLIGHTED INTERSECTIONS. TURNS ARE MISSED BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE. I KNOW THIS DOESN'T SOUND DANGEROUS, BUT MARK MY WORDS, THERE ARE GOING MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THIS VEHICLE'S POOR DESIGN. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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
1
PE21005 · 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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