NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
12 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 13, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
All wheel drive disengages while driving. It has disengaged several times while driving up a steep hill in the rain resulting in loss of control of vehicle. First time car skidded into a ditch. Warning on dash said return vehicle to dealer. Vehicle has been returned 3 times. They blame the problem on a defect in the emission con…
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All wheel drive disengages while driving. It has disengaged several times while driving up a steep hill in the rain resulting in loss of control of vehicle. First time car skidded into a ditch. Warning on dash said return vehicle to dealer. Vehicle has been returned 3 times. They blame the problem on a defect in the emission control system which turns off the AWD system when a leak in the vapor control system is detected. Dealer first replaced the fuel filler cap. That worked for a couple of weeks, then something under the hood which worked a few days. Now the car is scheduled for a gasket on the fuel tank to be replaced for $1,500! I am all for controlling emissions to the environment, but it should not be at the cost of safety. A fix is needed to separate the AWD from the emission control system. SAFETY FIRST!
NHTSA ODI #11642427
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System
I was driving in the free way, my 2017 Rav4 started shaking and then stopped. I looked at my dash board it says: "Charging System Malfunction". I confirmed that I have 1/4 tank of fuel (reading the gauge). I had my car towed to a mechanic. Troubleshot it, found out that car was out of fuel but the fuel gauge said: 1/4 tank of fu…
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I was driving in the free way, my 2017 Rav4 started shaking and then stopped. I looked at my dash board it says: "Charging System Malfunction". I confirmed that I have 1/4 tank of fuel (reading the gauge). I had my car towed to a mechanic. Troubleshot it, found out that car was out of fuel but the fuel gauge said: 1/4 tank of fuel left. Reported the problem to Toyota. I was told they recalled other Rav 4's , different years but not the 2017.
NHTSA ODI #11622232
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherCrashFireInjury
This vehicle was involved in a T-Bone crash, where the battery came out and the vehicle caught fire. The driver of this vehicle died at the scene. This involves NHTSA recall number 23V734 & Manufacturer Recall number 23TB13.
NHTSA ODI #11567168
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire
--Battery terminal/wiring for negative terminal came into contact with the metal hold down clamp --Caused a two alarm structure fire and loss of two vehicles --Current recall in place but remedy of situation not available until 2024 --Current recall in place --Maintenance required light appeared and owner took vehicle in for se…
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--Battery terminal/wiring for negative terminal came into contact with the metal hold down clamp --Caused a two alarm structure fire and loss of two vehicles --Current recall in place but remedy of situation not available until 2024 --Current recall in place --Maintenance required light appeared and owner took vehicle in for service two weeks prior to the incident
NHTSA ODI #11563588
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Vehicle experienced an unexplained acceleration while at a complete stop with foot on the brake. This has happened several times.
NHTSA ODI #11536606
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Vehicle surges when accelerating since it was new. Throttle goes dead where engine idles but now power at all. Does it from a standing start, does it on hills and when merging onto a freeway. Now it happens on cruise control, when set on 75 mph engine loses power and slows down to 45 for a few minutes then shutters and speeds ba…
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Vehicle surges when accelerating since it was new. Throttle goes dead where engine idles but now power at all. Does it from a standing start, does it on hills and when merging onto a freeway. Now it happens on cruise control, when set on 75 mph engine loses power and slows down to 45 for a few minutes then shutters and speeds back up to 75. This past month if you let the fuel get down to 1/4 of a tank it will happen all the time. On interstate this week it happened and slowed to 35 mph and wouldn't go any faster until more gas was added. No check engine light ever. Dealer has checked twice and says no codes found and can't get it to happen it's a intermittent problem. We almost got hit by a semi on the interstate this week week due to this happening and I was unable to get out of his way because I no throttle response at all.... But engine was idling that all. Had to turn the engine off for 45 minutes before it would have any throttle response at all. Drove down the emergency lane to the next exit and filled up with gas. Engine surged for next 60 miles home. This is a huge problem! I am going to my local Toyota dealer tomorrow to talk with them again about this problem. If they give me the run around again I am going to file a lawsuit against Toyota and the dealership!
NHTSA ODI #11524969
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
la transmisión de mi vehículo presenta ruidos extraños y ala ves se escucha un zumbido qué es bien molestoso perdió fuerza y velocidad también el consumo de combustible es demasiado mi rav 4 solo tiene 40,400 millas corridas es frustrante porqué la marca no a hecho nada para corregir el problema tengo muchos conocidos qué frecue…
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la transmisión de mi vehículo presenta ruidos extraños y ala ves se escucha un zumbido qué es bien molestoso perdió fuerza y velocidad también el consumo de combustible es demasiado mi rav 4 solo tiene 40,400 millas corridas es frustrante porqué la marca no a hecho nada para corregir el problema tengo muchos conocidos qué frecuentan el mismo problema
NHTSA ODI #11521058
43,000 miles · Feb 12, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
THE 2017 RAV4 THAT I OWN BEGAN HAVING FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN JULY OF 2017. THE CAR WOULD STALL WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP OR IT WOULD STALL SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WOULD THEN SMELL OF GASOLINE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER 3 TIMES TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE. FIRST THE DEALER CLEANED TH…
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THE 2017 RAV4 THAT I OWN BEGAN HAVING FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS IN JULY OF 2017. THE CAR WOULD STALL WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP OR IT WOULD STALL SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WOULD THEN SMELL OF GASOLINE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER 3 TIMES TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE. FIRST THE DEALER CLEANED THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THROTTLE BODY AND A FEW WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM RETURNED. ON THE SECOND VISIT TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS FUEL IN THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THE CANISTER WAS REPLACE AND LESS THAN A MONTH LATER THE PROBLEM RETURNED. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER IN OCTOBER OF 2020 AGAIN AND THEY SAID THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AGAIN HAS GASOLINE IN IT. THIS TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND CHARCOAL CANISTER. SINCE OCTOBER OF 2020 THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 1600 MILES AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2021. AGAIN THE DEALER FOUND GASOLINE IN THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. ON FEBRUARY 9, 2021 TOYOTA CORPORATE INSTRUCTED THEM TO AGAIN REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, CHARCOAL CANISTER ALONG WITH THE FUEL GAGE AND OTHER RELATED PARTS. I WAS ASKED BY THE DEALER IF WE WERE OVERFILLING THE FUEL TANK, I ASSURED THEM THAT WE WERE NOT AS WE DISCONTINUE ADDING FUEL WHEN THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I WAS ALSO ASKED IF WE PARK THE CAR ON A SLOPE TO THIS I SAID YES BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A HILLY AREA. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY 2017 AND PARKING THE CAR ON A HILLY STREET WAS NEVER A PROBLEM. AT PRESENT WE ARE WAITING ON PARTS FROM TOYOTA.
NHTSA ODI #11395988
9,978 miles · Feb 9, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
MY CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW ON JUNE 24, 2017. IT HAD TWO TIMES SERIOUS GAS LEAKAGES. 4/29/2019, 1ST. TIME, MILEAGE WAS 9,967, I PAID $837.72, FOR REPLACING THE 'CHARCOAL CANISTER' AND I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT UNDER TOYOTA FACTORY WARRANTY BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP & HEADQUARTERS CENTER IN DALLAS, TX. 7/01/2019, 2ND. TIME GAS LEAKAGE, MILEAGE…
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MY CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW ON JUNE 24, 2017. IT HAD TWO TIMES SERIOUS GAS LEAKAGES. 4/29/2019, 1ST. TIME, MILEAGE WAS 9,967, I PAID $837.72, FOR REPLACING THE 'CHARCOAL CANISTER' AND I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT UNDER TOYOTA FACTORY WARRANTY BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP & HEADQUARTERS CENTER IN DALLAS, TX. 7/01/2019, 2ND. TIME GAS LEAKAGE, MILEAGE WAS 10,691, MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SAME TOYOTA SERVICE FOR THE SAME GAS LEAKAGE ISSUE AGAIN... FINALLY, TOYOTA REPLACED 'CHARCOAL CANISTER' FOR THE 2ND. TIME, AND OTHER SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAS LEAKAGE WITH NO CHARGE. BOTH GAS LEAKAGE ARE ALL THE SAME, 60 DAYS APART, WERE ALL FROM THE REAR, BOTTOM, DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A GAS PUDDLE ON MY INCLINED DRIVEWAY. AFTER I CHECKED TOYOTA OWNER'S WARRANTY RIGHTS NOTIFICATION BOOKLETS - FEDERAL EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY ' 'CHARCOAL CANISTER' IS CLEARLY UNDER TOYOTA WARRANTY PARTS LIST ' WITHIN 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. APPARENTLY, TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID MODEL -'GAS LEAKAGE' CAUSED BY DEFECTED EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM, CAN'T PARKING ON INCLINED OR UPHILL DRIVEWAY WITH MORE THAN HALF TANK OF GAS. I CALLED AND SENT TWO CLAIM LETTERS DATED ON 6/25/2019 AND 8/26/2019, REQUEST TOYOTA REFUND MY $837.72 ' FOR 1ST. TIME REPAIRED COST THAT PAID ON 5/7/2019. TOYOTA HAS DECLINED MY CLAIMS, REFUSED REFUNDING MY PAYMENT OF $837.72, WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA'S UNETHICAL, FRAUD NOTES ON THE INVOICE ' SO CALLED 'GAS IS OVERFILLED'. TOYOTA SHIRKS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CUSTOMER IN ORDER NOT COVER THE VEHICLE DEFECTIVE. INTENTIONALLY VIOLATE THEIR WARRANTY POLICY. WE HAVE BEEN WRONGLY, UNFAIRLY TREATED. SO WE ASK THE NHTSA, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, MONITOR THE TOYOTA CORRECT THEIR MISTAKE, AND REFUND MY $837.72 ASAP. THERE ARE SOME OTHER SIMILAR GAS LEAKAGE CLAIM CASES OF THE RAV4 HYBRID MODEL. IT'S VERY DANGER TO DRIVE WITH THE GAS LEAKAGE, CAN GET FIRE. JUSTICE IS MATTERS.
NHTSA ODI #11395334
60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
FROM A STOP OR SLOW MOVE, SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE TO PULL AHEAD QUICKLY, AS TO GO BEFORE AN ONCOMING CAR, THE ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER AND NOT ACCELERATE AS INTENDED.
NHTSA ODI #11389554
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
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.
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
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.
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