Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
970–25K
2125–50K
1650–75K
475–100K
4100–150K
2150K+
144 reports with mileage · 187 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 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
31 crash reports32 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
331 reports
5,000 miles · Sep 24, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
TOYOTA RAV 4 ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING I BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWS THAT IT DIDN'T ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES THE LATEST WAS TODAY SEPT 24. I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVER BECAUSE ONCE IT TOOK ME THR A RED LIG…
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TOYOTA RAV 4 ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING I BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWS THAT IT DIDN'T ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES THE LATEST WAS TODAY SEPT 24. I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVER BECAUSE ONCE IT TOOK ME THR A RED LIGHT A D TODAY I ALMOST HIT A TREE.
NHTSA ODI #11131090
500 miles · Sep 24, 2018
Exterior Lighting
MY RAV4 HAS VERY POOR LIGHTING AT NIGHT MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE LINES ON THE ROAD. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW A FEW DAYS AGO BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANY DEFECTS WITH THE HEAD LIGHT BUT DOES AGREE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS POOR.
NHTSA ODI #11130873
500 miles · Sep 1, 2018
Service BrakesStructureCrash
THE VEHICLE BREAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET BACK FROM STOPPED VEHICLE SITTING AT REDLIGHT, THIS COMPLETELY RESULTED IN COLLISION ON AUGUST 26, 2018. THERE WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED ON AUGUST 18, 2018
NHTSA ODI #11123950
1,700 miles · Aug 30, 2018
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury
HAZARDS OF THE PUSHBUTTON START: THE ENGINE CAN BE TURNED OFF WHILE CAR IS STILL IN GEAR.....MINE WAS IN REVERSE, (I THOUGHT IT WAS IN P AS THERE IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT (R IS UP & TO THE RIGHT).....FIRST DAY I DROVE IT, JUMPED OUT, WAS KNOCKED DOWN, FRONT L TIRE ROLLED OVER MY LEG....NO WARNING, NO SAFEGUARD AGAINST THIS.......
NHTSA ODI #11123536
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2018
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels
TAMARA RECALL. VEHICLE CONSTANTLY DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF FIXING THE ISSUE HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. AT THIS POINT THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE FURTHER I…
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TAMARA RECALL. VEHICLE CONSTANTLY DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF FIXING THE ISSUE HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. AT THIS POINT THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11122326
500 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Electrical SystemFireInjury
MY RAV4 CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 12+ HOURS. AFTER BURNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, IT EXPLODED WITH A FORCE SO GREAT THAT IT LIFTED THE CAR ONTO THE CURB, KNOCKED OVER A FIREFIGHTER, AND DAMAGED OUR BOAT PARKED 10 FEET ACROSS THE STREET. THE INSPE…
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MY RAV4 CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 12+ HOURS. AFTER BURNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, IT EXPLODED WITH A FORCE SO GREAT THAT IT LIFTED THE CAR ONTO THE CURB, KNOCKED OVER A FIREFIGHTER, AND DAMAGED OUR BOAT PARKED 10 FEET ACROSS THE STREET. THE INSPECTOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE INITIAL FIRE WAS FROM FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING BUT SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN A CAR EXPLODE IN HIS 25 YEARS ON THE FORCE. TOYOTA CONDUCTED THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION AND AGREED IT WAS ELECTRICAL BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE FAULT DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE
NHTSA ODI #11121578
21,500 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HALEY TOYOTA OF RICHMOND, 3600 LONAS PKWY, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23112, (804) 545-7411) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (HALEY TOYOTA OF RICHMOND, 3600 LONAS PKWY, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23112, (804) 545-7411) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1808171087, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500.
NHTSA ODI #11121008
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2018
Exterior Lighting
DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS BEAM PATTERN CUTOFF. WHILE DRIVING WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT, TOP PART OF LIGHT BEAM PATTERN IS A STRAIGHT LINE LEFT TO RIGHT ACROSS FIELD OF VISION WITH ZERO LIIGHT ABOVE MIDPOINT FIELD OF VISION BOTTOM (ROAD) TO TOP (SKY). ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DECENDING HI…
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DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS BEAM PATTERN CUTOFF. WHILE DRIVING WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT, TOP PART OF LIGHT BEAM PATTERN IS A STRAIGHT LINE LEFT TO RIGHT ACROSS FIELD OF VISION WITH ZERO LIIGHT ABOVE MIDPOINT FIELD OF VISION BOTTOM (ROAD) TO TOP (SKY). ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DECENDING HILLS IN DARK AND ROAD AHEAD IS FLAT (OR HORIZONTAL) AS WELL AS DECENDING A DIP WHICH CLIMBS BACK UP. NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH LIGHT ABOVE MID FIELD OF VISION. REQUIRES HIGHBEAMS SELECTED WHICH CANNOT ALWAYS BE SELECTED DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR FOLLOWING SOMEONE WHERE IT WOULD BLIND THEM. HIGHER MODEL RAV4 TRIM LEVELS HAVE LED HEADLIGHTS WHICH TOYOA SHOULD RETROFIT ONTO XLE, LE, AND ANY OTHER MODELS AFFECTED. WORRIED ABOUT WIFE DRIVING WITH KIDS. 6 MONTHS INTO A 3YR LEASE.
NHTSA ODI #11119755
14 miles · Aug 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE AIR CONDITIONER / HEATER / VENTILATION SYSTEM IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD. THE RADIO IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE REQUIRES DISTRACTED DRIVING. THE HORN CANNOT BE SOUNDED BY PRESSING THE STEERING WHEEL SPOKES; TH…
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THE AIR CONDITIONER / HEATER / VENTILATION SYSTEM IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD. THE RADIO IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER TAKING THEIR EYES OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE REQUIRES DISTRACTED DRIVING. THE HORN CANNOT BE SOUNDED BY PRESSING THE STEERING WHEEL SPOKES; THE DRIVER MUST TAKE A HAND OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRESS THE CENTER HORN "BUTTON". IF THERE IS A COLLISION AT THAT TIME, THE AIRBAG WILL EXPLOSIVELY FORCE THE DRIVER'S HAND INTO THEIR FACE. THE SPEEDOMETER IS VERY SMALL AND IS HARD TO READ IN THE DAYTIME BECAUSE IT IS RECESSED, SHADED AND VERY DIMLY BACKLIGHTED. THE FLAT PANEL DISPLAYS ARE MUCH BRIGHTER AND EASY TO READ IN THE DAYTIME. THE NUMBERS ON THE SPEEDOMETER ARE MUCH TOO SMALL TO BE EASILY READ, AND SINCE THEY ARE SET UP AT 20-MPH INTERVALS THE EXACT SPEED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE. THE RIGHT-HAND OUTSIDE MIRROR CREATES AN UNUSUALLY LARGE BLIND SPOT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT IS TO THE RIGHT OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND IN PARKING LOTS. IT IS SHOCKING HOW DIFFICULT THIS CAR'S INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS ARE TO USE, COMPARED TO VEHICLES MADE BETWEEN 1970 - 2013.
NHTSA ODI #11119743
230 miles · Jul 28, 2018
Exterior Lighting
HEADLAMP PROVIDES DANGEROUSLY INSUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION WHILE DRIVING IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS: DARK, CURVED, OR HILLY ROADS (SUCH AS US HIGHWAY 1 IN MARIN COUNTY, SKYLINE BLVD IN OAKLAND, CA). 1. VERY LITTLE PERIPHERAL ILLUMINATION ON CURVES 2. SHARP HORIZONTAL CUT-OFF RESULTS IN SHORT BEAM PROJECTION WHEN ASCEND…
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HEADLAMP PROVIDES DANGEROUSLY INSUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION WHILE DRIVING IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS: DARK, CURVED, OR HILLY ROADS (SUCH AS US HIGHWAY 1 IN MARIN COUNTY, SKYLINE BLVD IN OAKLAND, CA). 1. VERY LITTLE PERIPHERAL ILLUMINATION ON CURVES 2. SHARP HORIZONTAL CUT-OFF RESULTS IN SHORT BEAM PROJECTION WHEN ASCENDING OR DESCENDING HILLS. BOTH OF THESE OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY AND IS FRIGHTENINGLY DANGEROUS WHEN ASCENDING/DESCENDING ON CURVES. THE NHTSA FORM ASKS FOR A DATE THIS OCCURRED. PLS NOTE THIS IS ONGOING UNLESS A DEALER CAN MAKE SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS TO THE BEAM SPREAD. (THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM OF COURSE ON BRIGHTLY LIT ROADS.)
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. 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 load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
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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