Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
3225–50K
1450–75K
1575–100K
9100–150K
3150K+
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
What owners actually said
307 reports
10,685 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ALL SCREENS AND GAUGES SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 SECONDS THEN THE CAR RESTARTED ON ITS OWN AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY SO I HAD TO USE THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THIS EVENT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THAT DAY ALL ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ALL SCREENS AND GAUGES SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 SECONDS THEN THE CAR RESTARTED ON ITS OWN AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY SO I HAD TO USE THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THIS EVENT HAPPENED THREE TIMES THAT DAY ALL ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON.I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT NO ISSUES FOUND. A FEW WEEKS LATER I GOT THE OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALER AND AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP THE ROADS WERE ICY SO I WAS DRIVING AROUND 25 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE DASH WENT OUT FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 SECONDS AND THEN THE CAR STARTED RUNNING AGAIN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON AT THIS TIME. I CALLED THE DEALER AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO CHECK THE CAR AGAIN I ALSO OPENED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA FOR THIS ISSUE. THE CAR WAS EVALUATED AGAIN STILL NO ISSUE COULD BE FOUND. THE RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA WAS NO ISSUE WAS FOUND WITH THE CAR AND NO FURTHER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN BY TOYOTA BECAUSE NOTHING WAS FOUND ON THE DATA RECORDER. THIS CAR IS ON A TOYOTA LEASE AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT AND I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR MY FEELING IS THAT SOMEONE COULD GET HURT OR WORSE AND I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER RAVS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11078543
17,500 miles · Mar 4, 2018
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING VERY SLOWLY ON A STRAIGHT AWAY ON A CITY COBBLESTONE ROAD MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE BROKE. I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING FOR LYFT. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE AND HAVE MY VEHICLE FLAT-BEDDED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11076164
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2018
Exterior LightingSeat Belts
THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHES IN THE CABIN , BUT IT IS QUIET,AND I CAN NOT HEAR IT. THE DEALER SAID 2 TIMES THAT IT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED , CASE CLOSED.. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXP.CENTER , CASE # [XXX] AND [XXX] AND TALKED TO [XXX] . THE CASE MANAGER 1-800-331-4331 AND HE SAID THE DEALERS SERVICE TECH.IS RIGHT CASE IS CLOSED.I BE…
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THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHES IN THE CABIN , BUT IT IS QUIET,AND I CAN NOT HEAR IT. THE DEALER SAID 2 TIMES THAT IT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED , CASE CLOSED.. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXP.CENTER , CASE # [XXX] AND [XXX] AND TALKED TO [XXX] . THE CASE MANAGER 1-800-331-4331 AND HE SAID THE DEALERS SERVICE TECH.IS RIGHT CASE IS CLOSED.I BELIEVE A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS HERE... I HAVE ELECTRIC SEATS AND THE SEAT BELT RECEIVER IS LOW IN THE CREVICE IN THE CORNER MAKING TIME TO BUCKLE UP VERY ,VERY HARD IN THE WINTER.AGAIN TOYOTA CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED,CASE CLOSED.MY WEIGHT IS 158 LBS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11075808
9,000 miles · Jan 27, 2018
Exterior Lighting
REVERSE LIGHTS ARE 2'X2' TRIANGLE LIGHTS AT THE BOTTOM OF CAR. MOST REVERSE LIGHTS ARE TOWARDS MIDDLE OF PANEL WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. NOT VISIBLE TO SOMEONE ELSE POSSIBLE REVERSING AT SAME TIME AND CAN'T SEE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. 2014 MODEL HAD THEM IN MIDDLE. NOT SURE OF 2016 OR 2016 BUT MY 17 AND CURRENT 2018 HAS REVERSE LIGHTS…
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REVERSE LIGHTS ARE 2'X2' TRIANGLE LIGHTS AT THE BOTTOM OF CAR. MOST REVERSE LIGHTS ARE TOWARDS MIDDLE OF PANEL WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. NOT VISIBLE TO SOMEONE ELSE POSSIBLE REVERSING AT SAME TIME AND CAN'T SEE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. 2014 MODEL HAD THEM IN MIDDLE. NOT SURE OF 2016 OR 2016 BUT MY 17 AND CURRENT 2018 HAS REVERSE LIGHTS AT BOTTOM. SAFETY ISSUE IF PEOPLE CAN'T NOTICE YOUR REVERSE LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #11065361
8,000 miles · Jan 19, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAD THE DEALER CHECK ON A PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. THE STATED "IF CUSTOMER IS A TWO FOOTED RIVER OR THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOUCHED ALONG WITH THE GAS PEDAL THE ACCELERATOR IS OVER RIDDEN IN THE COMPUTER CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE". THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIME WITH MY VEHICLE RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. . USUALLY WH…
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I HAD THE DEALER CHECK ON A PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. THE STATED "IF CUSTOMER IS A TWO FOOTED RIVER OR THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOUCHED ALONG WITH THE GAS PEDAL THE ACCELERATOR IS OVER RIDDEN IN THE COMPUTER CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE". THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIME WITH MY VEHICLE RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. . USUALLY WHEN FROM A STOP INTO TRAFFIC. POTENTIAL PROBLEM OF NO POWER WHEN CROSS TRAFFIC IS COMING OR WHEN ENTERING FREEWAY. WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.
NHTSA ODI #11063741
6,259 miles · Jan 6, 2018
Air Bags
SRS AIRBAG MALFUNCTION
NHTSA ODI #11060875
2,225 miles · Dec 31, 2017
SteeringSuspensionWheels
AIR PRESSURE SEEMS WRONG AND THE CAR SHAKES SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. I HIT POTHOLES ALL OVER THIS TOWN BUT IT CAN'T BE HELPED.
NHTSA ODI #11057714
3,000 miles · Dec 20, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, TOXIC FUMES EMITTED FROM THE HEATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. KOONS ARLINGTON TOYOTA IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESENCE OF THE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, TOXIC FUMES EMITTED FROM THE HEATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. KOONS ARLINGTON TOYOTA IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE PRESENCE OF THE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11055761
4,000 miles · Dec 19, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
2017 RAV4 HYBRID XLE - 4300 MILES HELLO, EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM LAST WEEK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL TO COAST, THE "EV" LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT "1/2 - 1" SECOND AND THEN WENT OFF. IF I HAPPENED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AT THE TIME THE LIGHT WAS ON AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH, I EXPERIENCED…
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2017 RAV4 HYBRID XLE - 4300 MILES HELLO, EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM LAST WEEK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL TO COAST, THE "EV" LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT "1/2 - 1" SECOND AND THEN WENT OFF. IF I HAPPENED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AT THE TIME THE LIGHT WAS ON AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH, I EXPERIENCED A SHAKING, VIBRATION, AND A FEELING THAT I RAN OVER SOMETHING FOR ABOUT A 1/2 SECOND TIMEFRAME. IT WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND TROUBLING. IF I WAITED THE SECOND FOR THE LIGHT TO GO OFF WHILE COASTING, THEN NO PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE, NO COMPUTER CODES, AND INDICATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL SINCE THE ELECTRIC AND GAS IS "OUT OF SYNC" AT THE HIGH SPEED. THIS WAS CERTAINLY NOT NORMAL TO ME. MY THOUGHT IS THAT THE EV LIGHT SHOULD NEVER HAD COME ON (EVEN FOR A 1/2 SECOND) AT THE HIGH SPEEDS AND THERE IS A PROBLEM SOMEWHERE.
NHTSA ODI #11055580
4,200 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other
I STARTED IT AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY SOMETHING WAS WRONG. VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AND I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKE. BRAKE WAS HARD INITIALLY AND VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING. THEN I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY BUT IT KEPT MOVING. WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR I GOT PANIC. I SWITCHED TO P AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING, THOUGH SLO…
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I STARTED IT AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY SOMETHING WAS WRONG. VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AND I TRIED TO APPLY BRAKE. BRAKE WAS HARD INITIALLY AND VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING. THEN I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY BUT IT KEPT MOVING. WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR I GOT PANIC. I SWITCHED TO P AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING, THOUGH SLOWLY ON THE STREET. THEN I TURNED POWER OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. AT THIS POINT ALL DASH BOARDS LIGHTS WERE ON AND IT WAS MAKING A LOUD, WIRED NOISE. IT LASTED SEVERAL SECONDS AND VEHICLE KEPT MOVING DURING THIS TIME. FINALLY IT CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 4200 MILES. THE SCARY THING IS, BRAKE FAILED FOR NO REASON AND ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS WERE ON EVEN AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED.
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 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.
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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