I had a significant car accident in 2020 and luckily only broke my thumb. I was rear ended. The car I had at the time was a brand new Toyota Rav4, which luckily did have side airbags and they deployed appropriately. However, I have since had the opportunity to drive other vehicles and would like to ensure the safety of myself an…
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I had a significant car accident in 2020 and luckily only broke my thumb. I was rear ended. The car I had at the time was a brand new Toyota Rav4, which luckily did have side airbags and they deployed appropriately. However, I have since had the opportunity to drive other vehicles and would like to ensure the safety of myself and others on the road whether the car be foreign or domestic. Please see the following requests: 1. Toyota's electronics freeze intermittently. This is not the first Toyota Rav4 that I have had and it seems to have done this in the majority of them (2/3). This is dangerous as it can become a distraction to the driver if not familiar with this abnormality. The backup camera also variously changes it's functions, preferences, and layout. 2. The navigation system has to be updated by a chip instead of updated wirelessly. 3. It is not an electric vehicle. 4. I should not have to pay for gasoline or electricity if the sun can be used as a fuel source. Please research the and utilize solar cell panel paint to charge all electric cars and implement that into all domestic and foreign electric cars as soon as possible due to the inflating economy. 5. With full self driving availability please ensure that all cars on the road, whether they be electric or gas, have this capability due to safety issues as well as the extent of morbidity and mortality cases due to trauma patients. I have already emailed you on this problem. Please follow up. 6. Due to the younger generation and their addiction to social media as well as their cell phones, please ensure that there is voice capability within all cars. It may also be beneficial for a camera to be installed inside of the car since the younger generation is so prone to filming themselves. This would also help with liability issues if an accident were to occur. 7. Ensure there is a way to charge a cell phone without needing to plug in the phone.
NHTSA ODI #11640194
30,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper
I HAVE HAD AND CONTINUE TO HAVE BATTERY TROUBLE WITH MY TOYOTA RAV4. I FIRST BOUGHT A NEW 2014 AND AT MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO TRADE IT IN AND GET A NEW 2016. I STILL HAVE THIS ONE, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAVE BATTERY TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN LEFT ST…
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I HAVE HAD AND CONTINUE TO HAVE BATTERY TROUBLE WITH MY TOYOTA RAV4. I FIRST BOUGHT A NEW 2014 AND AT MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO TRADE IT IN AND GET A NEW 2016. I STILL HAVE THIS ONE, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAVE BATTERY TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED AT WORK WHEN MY CAR WOULD NOT START. THAT IS WHEN I FOUND MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CORROSION, AND TO THIS DAY, THE TERMINALS CORRODE OVER EVEN WITH NEW BATTERY. THE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK WITH THE KEY BUTTON BC OF THIS ISSUE. I WOULD ESTIMATE I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY 3-5 TIMES BETWEEN THE TWO CARS, WITH NO REAL SOLUTION. BATTERIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN REPLACED/INSTALLED BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. (I'M SURE INVOICES COULD BE PULLED IF NECESSARY) MY CARS HAVE NOT STALLED WHILE RUNNING, THEY WON'T START OR JUST START TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES W LIGHTS, AND IT GETS CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THEY USUALLY RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT WHILE THE BATTERY IS COVERED. A SEPARATE BUT EQUALLY UNSETTLING ISSUE IS WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IT RECENTLY CRACKED DUE TO A PASSENGER FLICKING A BUG ON IT. YOU WOULD THINK A ROCK LANDED ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11399862
14,600 miles · Mar 3, 2021
EngineStructureVisibility/wiperFire
MY BRAND NEW CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN THE FRONT WHILE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RESTAURANT. I CAME OUTSIDE TO LEAVE AND IT WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED FROM THE FIRE. I SAW THE RAV4 INVESTIGATION IS HAPPENING AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAD MY REPORT INCLUDED. THE FIRE HAPPENED IN THE FRONT LEFT (AS IT WAS STATED IN THE ARTICLE O…
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MY BRAND NEW CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN THE FRONT WHILE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RESTAURANT. I CAME OUTSIDE TO LEAVE AND IT WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED FROM THE FIRE. I SAW THE RAV4 INVESTIGATION IS HAPPENING AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAD MY REPORT INCLUDED. THE FIRE HAPPENED IN THE FRONT LEFT (AS IT WAS STATED IN THE ARTICLE OTHER CARS). I CAN SEND YOU ADDITIONAL DETAILS IF NEEDED BUT EVERYTHING IS MATCHING UP WITH THE OTHER INCIDENTS. IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR WHICH IS WHY IT WAS SUCH A STRANGE EVENT.
NHTSA ODI #11398858
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD WIPER INTERVALS DO NOT CHANGE SPEED AND THE FASTEST SETTING IS INADEQUATE IN HEAVY RAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324567
40,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper
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.
NHTSA ODI #11141041
10,000 miles · Jan 13, 2018
Visibility/wiper
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR SIDE. THE SUN ROOF GLASS EXPLODED. NO PERSONAL INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI #11062588
9,756 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Visibility/wiper
SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS UNDER OR NEAR AN OVERPASS WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING DROPPED FROM THE OVERPASS AND STRUCK THE SUNROOF, BUT WE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING FALL.
NHTSA ODI #11058147
30,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Visibility/wiper
WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF SHATTERED SENDING GALSS ONTO MY WIFE AND THE CAR BEHIND US.
NHTSA ODI #11057915
9,421 miles · May 15, 2017
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED IT TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONATCT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REPAIR PART WAS ON BACKO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A ROCK STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED IT TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONATCT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REPAIR PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,421.
NHTSA ODI #10985690
5,300 miles · Apr 21, 2017
Visibility/wiper
AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT WITH OUR GRANDCHILD GETTING INTO OUR 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 VEHICLE, GLASS STARTED FALLING OFF THE BACK OF THE ROOF AS WE PULLED OUT ON THE HIGHTWAY. IT APPEARS THAT POSSIBLY A FOUR DOORS CLOSING CLOSE TO THE SAME TIME SHATTERED OUR SUNROOF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOMBARD TOYOTA IN LOMBARD, IL WHERE THEY DEEM…
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AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT WITH OUR GRANDCHILD GETTING INTO OUR 2016 TOYOTA RAV4 VEHICLE, GLASS STARTED FALLING OFF THE BACK OF THE ROOF AS WE PULLED OUT ON THE HIGHTWAY. IT APPEARS THAT POSSIBLY A FOUR DOORS CLOSING CLOSE TO THE SAME TIME SHATTERED OUR SUNROOF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOMBARD TOYOTA IN LOMBARD, IL WHERE THEY DEEMED IT "ROAD DAMAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED". I CORRECTED THE SERVICE REP TO CLARIFY WE WERE JUST TAKING OFF FROM THE RESTAURANT AFTER GETTING INTO THE CAR. THE REMAINING GLASS WAS PUSHED UPWARD AND NOT INWARD. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE SUNROOF ON THE RAV4, BUT NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NOR THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER CLOSE TO TWO WEEKS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR, I JUST PICKED IT UP YESTERDAY. THE BILL--$1400 I SEE OTHER SUNROOF HAVE BEEN REPORTED BLOWING UP. THANKFULLY, WE HAD INSIDE DOOR CLOSED. NEVER AGAIN WILL I PURCHASE A VEHICLE WITH A SUNROOF, ESPECIALLY FROM TOYOTA.
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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