THE AIR BAG LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF FROM THE DASH ALL THE TIME, I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAM DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE LIGHT WASN'T ON WHEN I WENT THERE BUT I THINK THEY COULD AT LEAST TAKE A LOOK AT IT BUT THEY DIDN'T CARE, IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL WITH THESE …
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THE AIR BAG LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF FROM THE DASH ALL THE TIME, I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAM DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE LIGHT WASN'T ON WHEN I WENT THERE BUT I THINK THEY COULD AT LEAST TAKE A LOOK AT IT BUT THEY DIDN'T CARE, IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #11280463
35,000 miles · Oct 3, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SPOUSE WHO OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NOSE AND BRUISING TO THE RIBS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE …
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS SPOUSE WHO OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NOSE AND BRUISING TO THE RIBS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TT UPDATED 11/28/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11133111
8,500 miles · Jul 25, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
TAKATA RECALL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR ENDED COLLISION ON A HIGHWAY WHILE STOPPED CAUSING MY CAR TO REAREND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SAID MALFUNCTION ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS $19000 IN DAMAGE, I ASKED FOR THE SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND FEEL…
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TAKATA RECALL, I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR ENDED COLLISION ON A HIGHWAY WHILE STOPPED CAUSING MY CAR TO REAREND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SAID MALFUNCTION ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS $19000 IN DAMAGE, I ASKED FOR THE SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND FEEL SAFE. THEY WOULD NOT DO IT BECAUSE THEY SAID THE COMPUTER WAS ABLE TO RESET. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED OVER AND OVER AS I COULD NOT FEEL SAFE, NO ONE WOULD LISTEN SO I ENDED UP TRADING THE CAR THAT WAS 7 MONTHS OLD IN AND TAKING A LOSS TO FEEL SAFE. SINCE THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED I COULD NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD KEEP ME SAFE IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11113645
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
IN MAY, THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THIS VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A 4-LANE HIGHWAY; HWY 60 IN PHOENIX. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WERE NO ERROR MESSAGES OR INDICATED MALFUNCTIONS. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTU…
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IN MAY, THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THIS VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A 4-LANE HIGHWAY; HWY 60 IN PHOENIX. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THERE WERE NO ERROR MESSAGES OR INDICATED MALFUNCTIONS. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT, TWO ERROR MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH:H AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND AN AWD MALFUNCTION 2WD MODE ENABLED. I FOUND THIS VERY DISTURBING AS I CAN'T BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, MY DAUGHTER SUFFERED FROM A CONCUSSION, NECK PAIN, AND HER KNEE SUFFERED INJURY BY SLAMMING INTO THE DASHBOARD. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, LIBERTY MUTUAL, WAS CONTACTED THAT EVENING TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. THE NEXT DAY, I FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA REGARDING THE ERROR MESSAGES AND THE LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. A THIRD PARTY RETRIEVED THE 'BLACK BOX' FROM THE VEHICLE AND PRESENTED A REPORT TO TOYOTA. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THE THIRD PARTY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AND THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE DOESN'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE A TRUE ASSESSMENT, NOR DO I. I ASKED TOYOTA HOW TO HAVE THIS ESCAPED TO THE NEXT LEVEL FOR FURTHER REVIEW AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD NO OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ME. MEANWHILE, THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG ICON WILL NOT LEAVE THE DASH AND THE CAR REPAIR SHOP WILL NOT RELEASE AN UNSAFE CAR TO ME. SOMEONE IS BEING REASONABLE. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WASN'T WORKING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AND IS NOW INDICATING THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MEANWHILE, I AM STRANDED IN PHOENIX, AZ BECAUSE I STILL DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE IN WHICH TO MOVE MY DAUGHTER HOME TO N.C. PHOTOS AND REPORTS ARE ATTACHED FOR YOUR REVIEW. THE FILE FROM THE BLACK BOX WAS TOO LARGE TO UPLOAD.
NHTSA ODI #11100513
42,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND FRONT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SPRAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND FRONT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 1802082867. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #11071841
7,700 miles · Dec 21, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
ON DECEMBER 5, 2016 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE LEFT FRONT FENDER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IMPACT WAS DIRECT AS THE OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK MINE AT A NINETY DEGREE ANGLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FENDER AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY. IMPACT FORCED MY VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A CONCRETE PILLA…
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ON DECEMBER 5, 2016 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE LEFT FRONT FENDER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IMPACT WAS DIRECT AS THE OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK MINE AT A NINETY DEGREE ANGLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FENDER AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY. IMPACT FORCED MY VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR SUPPORTING A STEEL LIGHTPOLE. I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 30 MPH AT TIME OF IMPACT WITH THE CONCRETE PILLAR. SUDDEN IMPACT CAUSED THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE GROUND. THIS WAS THE DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE SUDDEN STOP. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT I WAS TRAVELLING ON A HIGHWAY AND IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER, PASSENGER AND SIDE AIRBAGS.
NHTSA ODI #10936651
600 miles · Sep 4, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury
NA
NHTSA ODI #10903507
700 miles · Aug 16, 2016
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND METAL FRAGMENTS EJECTED FROM THE AIR BAGS ALONG WITH A YELLOW POWDER. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND METAL FRAGMENTS EJECTED FROM THE AIR BAGS ALONG WITH A YELLOW POWDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.
NHTSA ODI #10896294
15,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Tires
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
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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