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
14,000 miles · Sep 20, 2017
Structure
THE SUNROOF EXPLODES / SHATTERS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH, NO OTHER CARS ANYWHERE CLOSE TO ME IN A WOODED AREA AND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT IT AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE ANYWHERE NEAR THE SUNROOF, NO CHIPS, SCRATCHES, JUST A SHATTERED SUNROOF. YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT M…
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THE SUNROOF EXPLODES / SHATTERS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH, NO OTHER CARS ANYWHERE CLOSE TO ME IN A WOODED AREA AND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT IT AND THERE WAS NO DAMAGE ANYWHERE NEAR THE SUNROOF, NO CHIPS, SCRATCHES, JUST A SHATTERED SUNROOF. YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A ROCK THROWN UP FROM A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BUT AS I STATED, THERE WERE NO OTHER DRIVERS EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO ME ON THE INTERSTATE.
NHTSA ODI #11024675
13,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
Service BrakesCrash
PURCHASED MY NEW RAV4 ON 12/2017. ON 8/13/2017 I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND STOPPED AT THE END OF THE LINE AND THE SERVICE BRAKE WHEN I PRESSED THE PEDDLE THE BRAKE WAS FIRM AND STOPPED CORRECTLY. THE LINE MOVED AND I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF OF THE SERVICE BRAKE AND THE LINE STOPPED AND I APPLIED THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE AND HAD TO P…
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PURCHASED MY NEW RAV4 ON 12/2017. ON 8/13/2017 I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND STOPPED AT THE END OF THE LINE AND THE SERVICE BRAKE WHEN I PRESSED THE PEDDLE THE BRAKE WAS FIRM AND STOPPED CORRECTLY. THE LINE MOVED AND I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF OF THE SERVICE BRAKE AND THE LINE STOPPED AND I APPLIED THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE AND HAD TO PRESS THE PEDDLE FURTHER THAN I PRESSED THE PEDDLE THE FIRST TIME I STOPPED IN THE LINE. WHILE STOPPED IN THE LINE THE SECOND TIME THE RAV4 STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND I HAD TO PRESS THE SERVICE BRAKE EVEN FURTHER TO GET THE RAV4 STOP. THE LINE MOVED FORWARD AND I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF OF THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE LINE STOPPED AND WHEN I PRESSED THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT SLOW UNTIL I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE ACCIDENT MY SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS VERY SPONGY AND SLOW TO RESPOND WHEN PRESSING THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE. I TOOK MY RAV4 ON 8/14/2017 TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY SERVICE BRAKES CHECKED. WHEN I TOOK THE RAV4 IN I DID NOT HAVE ANY PAPER WORK TO SIGN. THE AFTERNOON THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID MY RAV4 WAS READY. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY RAV4 THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID NO CODES AND DID NOT GIVE ME ANY PAPER WORK AND I DID NOT SIGN ANY PAPER WORK. WHEN I GOT IN TO DRIVE THE RAV4 AWAY MY SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS FIRM NOT SPONGY AND RESPONDED QUICKLY AS VERY LITTLE MOVEMENT TO PRESS THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDDLE TO STOP THE RAV4. MY SERVICE ON THE TOYOTA WEB SITE SERVICE HAS NEVER REPORTED THE SERVICE EVEN TODAY. I CALLED THE TOYOTA AND TOLD THEM OF THIS SITUATION AND THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO BRING MY RAV4 BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 8/24/2017 AND HE WOULD DOWNLOAD THE EVENT RECORDER AND DID ON 8/31/2017. NO ISSUES WAS REPORTED ON THE EVENT RECORDER. LETTER SHOWED NO REFERENCE THAT I HAD MY SERVICE BRAKES CHECKED ON 8/14/2017. SERVICE BRAKE IS SPONGY WHILE STOPPED NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11022755
3 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Electrical System
THE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING TONE CANNOT BE HEARD WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY TO INCREASE THE VOLUME OF THE WARNING TONE AS THE CONSUMER. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM (SEE PG 258 OF OWNER'S MANUAL) BUT REFUSES TO FIX. THIS IS A RISK TO PERSONAL SAFETY.
NHTSA ODI #11022150
3,020 miles · Aug 27, 2017
Structure
I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 IN APRIL AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN AUGUST. WHILE DRIVING ON I15, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE A TIRE BLOWOUT FOLLOWED BY SOUNDS OF BREAKING GLASS AND THEN WIND. MY SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND EXAMINED THE ROOF. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ANYTHING HAD STRUCK THE GLASS…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 IN APRIL AND THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN AUGUST. WHILE DRIVING ON I15, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION LIKE A TIRE BLOWOUT FOLLOWED BY SOUNDS OF BREAKING GLASS AND THEN WIND. MY SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND EXAMINED THE ROOF. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ANYTHING HAD STRUCK THE GLASS OR MY VEHICLE. THE INSIDE "VISOR" WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME AS WAS THE SUNROOF. I HAD NOT PASSED UNDER ANY OVERPASS OR OTHER OVERHEAD STRUCTURE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA. TOYOTA DENIED THE "WARRANTY" SINCE I COULD NOT "PROVE" THE GLASS HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK! THE DEALER REPLACED THE GLASS AT NO COST "ONE TIME WARRANTY". I AM CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR SINCE THERE WAS NO CAUSE DETERMINED. PHOTOS ATTACHED
NHTSA ODI #11019986
80 miles · Aug 22, 2017
Structure
AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET, I MADE A LEFT TURN. WHILE TURNING THE DRIVER'S DOOR POPPED OPEN (IT MADE A POPPING SOUND). IT WAS AJAR, NOT FULLY OPEN. I WAS ABLE TO CLOSE IT BACK WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11018797
300 miles · Aug 22, 2017
Exterior Lighting
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 LE. THE FIRST TIME WE DROVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT WE WERE SHOCKED THAT, WHEN USING LOW OR HIGH BEAMS, A DARK AREA APPEARED ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING OUR VISION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND FEEL SAFE. WHEN YOU GO UP AND DOWN SMALL HILLS, THE DARKNESS MOVES UP AND …
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WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4 LE. THE FIRST TIME WE DROVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT WE WERE SHOCKED THAT, WHEN USING LOW OR HIGH BEAMS, A DARK AREA APPEARED ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING OUR VISION. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND FEEL SAFE. WHEN YOU GO UP AND DOWN SMALL HILLS, THE DARKNESS MOVES UP AND DOWN AS WELL, AND IS VERY ANNOYING. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS WAS THE WAY THE CAR WAS MADE. THEY WOULD DO NOTHING AND,IN FACT, TOLD US THAT THEY DIDN'T OWN THE CAR ANYMORE AND THAT WE SHOULD COMPLAIN TO TOYOTA; THAT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED PERHAPS THEY WOULD HAVE A RECALL. FRANKLY, WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11018788
350 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD DARKENED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY SENSE, WHICH DARKENED THE WINDSHIELD AT NIGHT TO PROTECT THE DRIVER FROM THE GLARE OF ONCOMING HEADL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD DARKENED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY SENSE, WHICH DARKENED THE WINDSHIELD AT NIGHT TO PROTECT THE DRIVER FROM THE GLARE OF ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED (PIERCEY TOYOTA IN MILPITIS, CA) WHERE THE SALES MANAGER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350.
NHTSA ODI #11018704
75 miles · Aug 18, 2017
Visibility/wiper
MY 2017 RAV4 IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE CAR IS A LEASE AND WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I GOT IT. IT HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES, WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING. WHEN I HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT THEY SEEM TO CAP OFF. THIS ALLOWS ME TO ONLY SEE THROUGH THE BOTTOM HALF OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE UPPER HALF GOES PITCH BLACK. IT IS EXTREMELY…
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MY 2017 RAV4 IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE CAR IS A LEASE AND WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I GOT IT. IT HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES, WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING. WHEN I HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT THEY SEEM TO CAP OFF. THIS ALLOWS ME TO ONLY SEE THROUGH THE BOTTOM HALF OF MY WINDSHIELD. THE UPPER HALF GOES PITCH BLACK. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BECAUSE IT IMPAIRS MY VISION. THIS IS A REOCCURRING EVENT AND HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT STARTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016, AND I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF HOW DANGEROUS IT IS.
NHTSA ODI #11016253
10,050 miles · Aug 12, 2017
Service BrakesCrashInjury
BREAKS FAILED WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND FAILED IMMEDIATELY AGAIN WHEN TRYING TO PULL BACK INTO PARKING SPACE AFTER CAR HIT A CAR AND THEN HIT A CART CORRAL PUSHING THAT INTO ANOTHER CAR. AS A RESULT 3 CARS INCLUDING OURS WERE DAMAGED.
NHTSA ODI #11014830
1,400 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PERFORMANCE TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5676 DIXIE HWY FAIRFIELD, OH 45014) WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES MET TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PERFORMANCE TOYOTA LOCATED AT 5676 DIXIE HWY FAIRFIELD, OH 45014) WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES MET TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE DISTANCE THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS BEFORE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP THE CAR. DISTANCE IS INCREASING AS WE PUT MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL CONTINUE MOVING TOWARDS THE FLOOR AFTER STOPPING. AS IN A DRIVE THRU LINE. BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT AND SPONGEY. MIMCS AIR IN BRAKE LINE. UPDATED 10/4/18*JB
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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