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2017 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

162 reports with mileage · 145 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 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 32 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 reports24 fire reports22 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

108 reports
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37,000 miles · Mar 3, 2020
Electrical System

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 AND IS 31 MONTHS OLD. DEALER WANTS $1000.00 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11315782

22,910 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11287688

27,220 miles · Aug 20, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD (6000 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD CA, 323-498-2260) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD (6000 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD CA, 323-498-2260) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,220.

NHTSA ODI #11245340

36,000 miles · Jul 4, 2019
Electrical System

IGNITION REMAINS ON WHEN I EXIT VEHICLE IF FORGET TO PUSH OFF BUTTON WITH MY KEY IN POCKET. CAR NOT RUNNING WHEN I LEAVE SO IT IS EASY TO FORGET AND ENGINE CAN/WILL RESTART AT LATER TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO TIMES IN DRIVEWAY. IF IN HAPPENED WHEN I PUT IN GARAGE AND WENT TO BED IN ROOM OVER GARAGE IT COULD P…

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IGNITION REMAINS ON WHEN I EXIT VEHICLE IF FORGET TO PUSH OFF BUTTON WITH MY KEY IN POCKET. CAR NOT RUNNING WHEN I LEAVE SO IT IS EASY TO FORGET AND ENGINE CAN/WILL RESTART AT LATER TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO TIMES IN DRIVEWAY. IF IN HAPPENED WHEN I PUT IN GARAGE AND WENT TO BED IN ROOM OVER GARAGE IT COULD PRESENT A CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11229458

44,329 miles · Mar 28, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiperCrash

I HAD TO VISIT TOYOTA BECAUSE MY RADIO WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF, WHEN I PARK. EVEN AFTER VISITING TOYOTA FOR AN UPDATE, MY RADIO WILL CHANGE ON ITS OWN, NOT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL) BUT ON ITS OWN.SO IT IS NOT FIXED. WIPERS WILL TURN ON THEN STOP. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEVICE BEHIND THE DASH THAT I CAN HEAR CLICKING ON AND OFF WELL …

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I HAD TO VISIT TOYOTA BECAUSE MY RADIO WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF, WHEN I PARK. EVEN AFTER VISITING TOYOTA FOR AN UPDATE, MY RADIO WILL CHANGE ON ITS OWN, NOT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL) BUT ON ITS OWN.SO IT IS NOT FIXED. WIPERS WILL TURN ON THEN STOP. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEVICE BEHIND THE DASH THAT I CAN HEAR CLICKING ON AND OFF WELL AFTER THE IGNITION IS OFF OR WHILE THE CAR IS IDLE FOR A BIT. MY CLIMATE CONTROL CHANGES ON ITS ON EVEN THOUGH IT WORKS FINE MOST OF THE TIME. IT IS AS IF MY CAR IS RECEIVING ADDITIONAL COMMANDS FROM ANOTHER SOURCE. LAST WEEK, AT NIGHT, I WITNESSED TWO MEN STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, SOMEHOW ACTIVATING CAR ALARMS FROM RANDOM CARS. JUST YESTERDAY, NOT FAR FROM WHERE I LIVE A DRIVER "LOST CONTROL" AND RAN INTO TWO HOMES. THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FROM THE CAR, WHILE THE CAR AND THE HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THAT WAS STRANGE TO HEAR ABOUT. IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR MY CAR, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11192165

8 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Electrical System

ON 01/31/19 I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 RAV4 ON FREEWAY ABOUT 4 MILES THEN LOCAL ABOUT 5 BLOCKS I HEARD NOISE ON MY CAR SO I STOPPED. IT TURNED OUT I HAD A FLAT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I REPLACED IT WITH SPARE AND THE 'LOW TIRE PRESSURE' LIGHT JUST CAME ON. I THEN REALIZED WHY THE LTP LIGHT NEVER CAME ON BEFORE I REPLACED WITH SP…

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ON 01/31/19 I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 RAV4 ON FREEWAY ABOUT 4 MILES THEN LOCAL ABOUT 5 BLOCKS I HEARD NOISE ON MY CAR SO I STOPPED. IT TURNED OUT I HAD A FLAT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I REPLACED IT WITH SPARE AND THE 'LOW TIRE PRESSURE' LIGHT JUST CAME ON. I THEN REALIZED WHY THE LTP LIGHT NEVER CAME ON BEFORE I REPLACED WITH SPARE. I TOOK THE RAV4 TO PASADENA TOYOTA TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO FIND OUT WHY LTP LIGHT NEVER CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A FLAT. THE DIAGNOSTIC FOUND 'NOTHING WRONG' AND THE SYSTEM DIDN'T RECORD ANYTHING. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THE TIRE SUFFERED 'RUN FLAT DAMAGE' AND NOT REPAIRABLE. I THEN CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SVC. CASE # 1902010530, CASE MANAGER DEREK. DEREK JUST INFORMED ME ON 2/11/19 THAT THE LTP LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN THE TIRE SUDDEN LOST PRESSURE AND TURN FLAT (OWNER'S MANUAL PG 571). I ASKED HIM WHY THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON WHEN I DROVE IT ON FLAT FOR A WHILE TO CAUSE THE RUN FLAT DAMAGE. WASN'T THE TIRE PRESSURE LOW ENOUGH WHEN IT'S FLAT? HE SAID THE LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN IT'S FLAT. THIS SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T SEND OUT SIGNAL EVEN WHEN IT'S FLAT. HOWEVER PASADENA TOYOTA SVC ADVISOR TOLD ME THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO CHECK THE PRESSURE EVERY 30 SECONDS. THIS CONFLICTS WITH WHAT DEREK TOLD ME. IF I ONLY DROVE WITH FLAT FOR 30 SECONDS LOCALLY IT WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED 'RUN FLAT DAMAGE'. I WAS ESPECIALLY DRIVING SLOW LOCALLY ON 1/31/19 BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC. I MUST HAVE DRIVEN IT MORE THAN 30 SECONDS (TO CAUSE THE RUN FLAT DAMAGE) BUT THE SYSTEM FAILED TO DETECT IT AND SENT ME THE WARNING. I KEEP THE DAMAGE TIRE IN CASE FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED. WE ALSO HAD ANOTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS 2017 RAV4 WHEN IT WAS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD. A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON SO WE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER TO CHECK ON 10/30/17. AGAIN, THE DIAGNOSTIC FOUND NOTHING. CAN I TRUST MY DASHBOARD?

NHTSA ODI #11176309

12,978 miles · Feb 1, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

POWER TRANSMISSION, SAFETY ISSUE, THE POWER TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO PROPER GEARS,IN COLD WEATHER, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY AFTER LEAVING WORK, THE CAR WILL ONLY GO 30 MPH AT 3,500 RPM. UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND NOW IT IS. TOYOTA DEALER CONFIRME…

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POWER TRANSMISSION, SAFETY ISSUE, THE POWER TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO PROPER GEARS,IN COLD WEATHER, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY AFTER LEAVING WORK, THE CAR WILL ONLY GO 30 MPH AT 3,500 RPM. UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND NOW IT IS. TOYOTA DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SHIFT POINTS ARE HIGHER THAN NORMAL, WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING, AND PER THE DEALER WELL IT TAKES AWHILE FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP BEFORE IT WILL GO TO NORMAL SHIFT POINTS, AND ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. WELL 30 MPH AT 3500 RPM, THIS IS NOT NORMAL, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO WHEN YOU LEAVE WORK YOUR CAR WILL ONLY GO 30 MPH ON A 60 MPH FREEWAY. THE DEALERS RESPONSE IS AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING AND WARMED UP IT WILL WORK NORMALLY. THERE IS NOTHING NORMAL ABOUT THIS ISSUE, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE LAST WINTER NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVING THIS ISSUE THIS WINTER.

NHTSA ODI #11173469

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE TRANSMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY IN EVEN MILDLY COLD WEATHER. HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS, AND NOW THE TRANMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY WHEN YOU FIRST START IT UP. THE ENGINE RPMS ARE AT 3,500, WHEN DOING 30 MPH DOWN THE ROAD,AND PUSHING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL NOT GO, THERE ARE NO ERROR L…

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THE TRANSMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY IN EVEN MILDLY COLD WEATHER. HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS, AND NOW THE TRANMISSION, IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY WHEN YOU FIRST START IT UP. THE ENGINE RPMS ARE AT 3,500, WHEN DOING 30 MPH DOWN THE ROAD,AND PUSHING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL NOT GO, THERE ARE NO ERROR LIGHTS, THERE IS AN TRANMISSION SHIFT ISSUE WITH ACCELERATION ISSUE. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN GOING DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD, THERE ARE CARS THAT CAN ACCELERATE AND THIS CAR GOES NOWHERE. START THE CAR AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE IN COLD WEATHER, WAITED 5 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR, AND IT IS STILL NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY. THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT AND GO INTO GEAR PROPERLY, NOT SURE IF ITS THE COMPUTER PROGRAM, OR GEAR ISSUE. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WITH THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO GO THE PROPER SPEED LIMIT, AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO SAY OH, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP, DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM LAST WINTER BEING LEFT OUT ALL DAY AND NIGHT. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FOR THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE GEARS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS, THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ACCELERATE PROPERLY BECAUSE OF THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND IF YOU DO ACCELERATE YOU CAN END UP RUINNING THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11173462

12,921 miles · Feb 1, 2019
Electrical System

WHEN IT IS RAINING, OR SNOWING AND FOR SOME REASON, THE SENSORS GET WET FROM THE BUMPER, CROSSTRAFFIC ALERT OR BACKUP OR SIDE WARNING, THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT IS RAINING AND THE WHOLE COMPUTER JUST FROZE, AND LOST ALL SENSORS AND A FAILURE ALERT SHOWED UP ON THE DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH THE CARS T…

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WHEN IT IS RAINING, OR SNOWING AND FOR SOME REASON, THE SENSORS GET WET FROM THE BUMPER, CROSSTRAFFIC ALERT OR BACKUP OR SIDE WARNING, THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT IS RAINING AND THE WHOLE COMPUTER JUST FROZE, AND LOST ALL SENSORS AND A FAILURE ALERT SHOWED UP ON THE DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH THE CARS TRANSMISSION HAVE A HARD TIME SHIFTING AS EXITING THE FREE WAY. THIS IS TOTAL COMPUTER FAILURE BUT AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, AND AT A STOP LIGHT PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND SHIFTING BACK TO DRIVE, ALL THE COMPUTER ERRORS CLEARED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND OF COURSE THEY FOUND NOTHING. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR BLIND SPOT WARNING SENSORS TO GO OUT THE PBM SENSOR SAID FAILURE AND THERE IS AN ELECTRIC HARNESS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR WHERE THE WIRES EITHER WERE NOT INSULATED OR NICK ALONG WITH THE COMPUTER MODEL TO THE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS FAULTY INSULATION, THIS HAPPENS ONLY ON OCCASION AND NOT ALL THE TIME, AND EVERY NOW AND THEN THERE IS A COMPUTER ISSUE, THE CLEARS ITSELF. ALSO THE CLOCK WAS LOSING TIME. DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE,. WHEN EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN IS A SAFETY ISSUE. YET, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION CLEARED THE ERRROS OFF THE DASH.

NHTSA ODI #11173461

38,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SWITCHED LANES AND THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE FEATURE IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DETECTION SYSTEM ACTIVATED ALTHO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SWITCHED LANES AND THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE FEATURE IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DETECTION SYSTEM ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE PRECEDING VEHICLE WAS MORE THAN 150 FEET AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11166201

Official recalls

3

23V734000 · 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.

19V503000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 28, 2019

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.

17V295000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

May 2, 2017

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.

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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