IllustrationTHE AUTO HIGHBEAM FEATURE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
2016 Toyota RAV4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 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
810–25K
3625–50K
1450–75K
1075–100K
8100–150K
2150K+
151 reports with mileage · 88 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 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
33 crash reports12 fire reports21 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
28 reportsTHIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT #11268870, CONCERNING A HEADLIGHT PROBLEM WITH OUR 2016 RAV 4 LE. THE CURTAIN OF DARKNESS CREATED BY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MOVES UP AND DOWN WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AS THE VEHICLE ADJUSTS TO THE VAGARIES OF THE ROAD. IT BECOMES A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO SEE WHAT I…
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THIS IS AN ADDENDUM TO COMPLAINT #11268870, CONCERNING A HEADLIGHT PROBLEM WITH OUR 2016 RAV 4 LE. THE CURTAIN OF DARKNESS CREATED BY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MOVES UP AND DOWN WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AS THE VEHICLE ADJUSTS TO THE VAGARIES OF THE ROAD. IT BECOMES A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO SEE WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE PAST ABOUT 60 FEET. SO YOU ARE DEALING NOT ONLY WITH LIMITED SIGHT DISTANCE AND AN OMINOUS CURTAIN OF DARKNESS, ITS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY BECAUSE THE DARKNESS CONTINUES TO MOVE UP AND DOWN AS YOU DRIVE CAUSING A SERIOUS DIVERSION OF CONCENTRATION. PUTTING ALL THE FACTORS TOGETHER CREATES A VERY STRESSFUL, ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS SITUATION.
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON THE VISIBILITY DISTANCE IS LIMITED TO ABOUT 60 FEET. AFTER THAT ALL THAT YOU CAN SEE IS A BLACK VEIL LIKE A CURTAIN HUNG OVER THE LIGHTS. NOTHING CAN BE SEEN OR DETECTED IN THE DARKNESS BEYOND WHERE THE LIGHT ABRUPTLY ENDS PRESENTING A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THE CONDITIO…
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WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON THE VISIBILITY DISTANCE IS LIMITED TO ABOUT 60 FEET. AFTER THAT ALL THAT YOU CAN SEE IS A BLACK VEIL LIKE A CURTAIN HUNG OVER THE LIGHTS. NOTHING CAN BE SEEN OR DETECTED IN THE DARKNESS BEYOND WHERE THE LIGHT ABRUPTLY ENDS PRESENTING A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THE CONDITION IS AMPLIFIED ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS WHERE THERE IS NO STREET LIGHTING OR OTHER AMBIENT LIGHT. DRIVING ON HIGH BEAMS IS THE ONLY SAFE OPTION, BUT EVEN THEN THE HIGH BEAMS CONFLICT WITH EACH SIDE AND THERE IS NO PERIPHERAL VISION MAKING TURNING A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. SEARCHING THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BRINGS UP A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS NOT ONLY FOR THE 2016 RAV 4 LE BUT THROUGH 2018 AS WELL. DRIVING UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS A VERY DANGEROUS COMMUTE, AND SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS INCLUDE HITTING DEER, DRIVING OFF THE ROAD WHILE TURNING, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DETECT ANY MOVEMENT OR OBSTACLES IN THE CURTAIN OF DARKNESS THAT THESE HEADLIGHTS CREATE. STATEMENTS IN THE COMPLAINTS MENTION THAT THE DEALERSHIPS SAY THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM AND THEY CAN ONLY ADJUST TO TOYOTA'S SPECS. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY SMALL ON THIS VEHICLE SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE SOLUTION IS. AS FAR AS I KNOW NO ONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FLAW, BUT PERHAPS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THAT OCCURS, UNLESS THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM CAN BE CORRECTED. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SAFELY IN THIS VEHICLE WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON. AND TO DRIVE WITH ONLY THE HIGH BEAMS AT ALL TIMES PRESENTS ANOTHER HAZARD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA MANUFACTURING BEFORE THE WORST HAPPENS BECAUSE OF IT. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES TAKEN OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT SHOWS THE LIMITED SIGHT DISTANCE AND THE CURTAIN OF DARKNESS THAT FALLS BEYOND THE LIGHT.
PURCHASED 2016 RAV4 FROM LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN JUNE 2019. HAD BADLY FOGGED TAIL LIGHTS ON PURCHASE (AS DID FOUR OTHER 2016 RAV4S I LOOKED AT ON DEALER LOTS). PAID LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP $650 ON 6/24/19 TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS WITH OEM. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER (8/17/19) HAD RAIL STORM AND SAW CONDENSATION INSIDE RIM OF ALL 4 …
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PURCHASED 2016 RAV4 FROM LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN JUNE 2019. HAD BADLY FOGGED TAIL LIGHTS ON PURCHASE (AS DID FOUR OTHER 2016 RAV4S I LOOKED AT ON DEALER LOTS). PAID LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP $650 ON 6/24/19 TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS WITH OEM. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER (8/17/19) HAD RAIL STORM AND SAW CONDENSATION INSIDE RIM OF ALL 4 TAIL LIGHTS. CAN REPLACE THEM AGAIN BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN LIGHTS ARE DIMMED FROM FOGGING.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE NOT ADEQUATE. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT FAR ENOUGH DOWN THE ROAD TO SEE OBJECTS ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ON THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2017, I NEARLY HIT TWO DEER ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THEM.
I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS FROM DAY ONE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED PROPERLY. SINCE THEN MY WIFE HAS HIT A DEER BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT SEE MORE THAN ONE CAR LENGTH IN FRONT WITHOUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON. NOW SHE ALWAYS DRIVES WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. THISORNING SHE WAS VERBALLY ACCOSTED FROM ANOTHER …
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I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS FROM DAY ONE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED PROPERLY. SINCE THEN MY WIFE HAS HIT A DEER BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT SEE MORE THAN ONE CAR LENGTH IN FRONT WITHOUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON. NOW SHE ALWAYS DRIVES WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. THISORNING SHE WAS VERBALLY ACCOSTED FROM ANOTHER DRIVER FOR DRIVING WITH HER HIGH BEAMS ON. WE LIVE IN A MORE RURAL AREA WITH VERY FEW STREET LIGHTS. GET A RAV 4 PUT IT IN A TOTALLY DARK AREA AND TURN ON THE HEAD LIGHTS. MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN BUMPER AND END OF LIGHT. THEN YOU WILL SEE THE ISSUE. THE LIGHTS MIGHT HAVE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE REQUIREMENT MEET BUT THE SQUARE FOOTAGE GOES LEFT AND RIGHT AND NOT FORWARD WHILE DRIVING.
DIM HEADLAMPS ARE LIFE THREATENING. FIELD OF VISION IS SHORT WITH A LINE AND DARKNESS ABOVE LIMITING VISION. RIGHT AND LEFT TURNING VISION NON EXISTENT. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS AND OFFICIAL COMPLAINT TOYOTA REPAIR SAYS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO, LAMPS MEET FEDERAL STANDARDS. EVENING TEST DRIVES SHOULD BE MANDATORY. I WOULD L…
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DIM HEADLAMPS ARE LIFE THREATENING. FIELD OF VISION IS SHORT WITH A LINE AND DARKNESS ABOVE LIMITING VISION. RIGHT AND LEFT TURNING VISION NON EXISTENT. AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS AND OFFICIAL COMPLAINT TOYOTA REPAIR SAYS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO, LAMPS MEET FEDERAL STANDARDS. EVENING TEST DRIVES SHOULD BE MANDATORY. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE WITH AUTHORITY TO TRY AND DRIVE MY VEHICLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE DARK. MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE A RESOLUTION. MY LIFE IS IN DANGER.
AUTO HIGH BEAMS - INTERMITTENTLY GET STUCK IN "LOW" I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT CAN'T REPRODUCE IT ON DEMAND. LAST INSTANCE WAS ON A STRAIGHT, FLAT RURAL ROAD WITH NO LIGHTS, SIGNALS OR SAME DIRECTION TRAFFIC TRAVELLING AT 55MPH. WAS APPROACHED BY ONCOMING CAR WHICH FAILED TO DIM LIGHTS. MINE DIMMED BUT DID…
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AUTO HIGH BEAMS - INTERMITTENTLY GET STUCK IN "LOW" I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT CAN'T REPRODUCE IT ON DEMAND. LAST INSTANCE WAS ON A STRAIGHT, FLAT RURAL ROAD WITH NO LIGHTS, SIGNALS OR SAME DIRECTION TRAFFIC TRAVELLING AT 55MPH. WAS APPROACHED BY ONCOMING CAR WHICH FAILED TO DIM LIGHTS. MINE DIMMED BUT DID NOT RETURN TO BRIGHT. HAD TO POWER CYCLE THE LIGHTS TO GET THE HIGH BEAMS BACK. A MINUTE LATER WAS APPROACHED BY 3 CARS CLOSE TOGETHER WITH OVERLY BRIGHT LIGHTS. MINE DIMMED AND STAYED DIM JUST LIKE BEFORE. HAD TO POWER CYCLE TO GET THE BRIGHTS BACK. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT TO NOT HAVE BRIGHTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING BLINDED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC!
THE HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE ARE HORRIBLE! IT IS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING IN A POORLY LIT TUNNEL WITH VERY LITTLE PERIPHERAL VISION. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING ONCOMING DRIVERS FLASH THEIR HIGH BEAMS AT ME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM, SO IT MUST BE AFFECTING THEIR ABILITY TO SEE. VERY DANGEROUS …
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THE HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE ARE HORRIBLE! IT IS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING IN A POORLY LIT TUNNEL WITH VERY LITTLE PERIPHERAL VISION. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING ONCOMING DRIVERS FLASH THEIR HIGH BEAMS AT ME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM, SO IT MUST BE AFFECTING THEIR ABILITY TO SEE. VERY DANGEROUS FOR BOTH DRIVERS! THIS IS A VERY POOR HEADLIGHT SETUP AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED ON ALL THE AFFECTED MODELS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE TURNED ON TO HAVE SUFFICIENT VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ST. COULD TOYOTA (418 2ND ST S, WAITE PARK, MN 56387 (320) 227-8052). THE TECHNICIAN ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE TURNED ON TO HAVE SUFFICIENT VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ST. COULD TOYOTA (418 2ND ST S, WAITE PARK, MN 56387 (320) 227-8052). THE TECHNICIAN ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS AND STATED THAT NO FURTHER ACTION COULD BE TAKEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE STILL NOT SUFFICIENT. THE STOCK HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE AND WERE NOT REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND TOYOTA STATED THAT THE STOCK LIGHTS WERE DESIGNED PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT CONSUMER STATED CANNOT SEE MORE THAN 2 TO 3 CAN LENGTHS AHEAD WHEN ON, DIM AT START UPDATED 8/27/18*JB
Official recalls
323V734000 · 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.
16V236000 · Equipment:other:labels; Tires
Apr 22, 2016
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.
16V198000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Apr 7, 2016
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
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.