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2023 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2023 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

Limited mileage data: 12 of 153 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

153 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2026
Unknown Or Other

The backup camera display only works intermittently. About 75% of the time the screen is blank when I put it into reverse

NHTSA ODI #11763436

58,000 miles · Sep 1, 2026
Tires

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Destination LE2, Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: [XXX]. The contact stated that while driving on [XXX], the red light illuminated and there was an abnormal rumbling sound. The contact pulled over at the exit and became aware that the outside circumf…

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The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Destination LE2, Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: [XXX]. The contact stated that while driving on [XXX], the red light illuminated and there was an abnormal rumbling sound. The contact pulled over at the exit and became aware that the outside circumference of the tire was shredded on the driver’s side rear tire. The tread was in good working order. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where all four tires were replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about rebates on the tires. The tire and failure mileage was approximately 58,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11761355

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2026
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed Control

Front forward camera unavailable, World wide shortage of part. No known date of supply.

NHTSA ODI #11760990

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2026
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

The vehicle experienced a sudden, severe loss of vehicle control while driving twice. Without any warning lights, dash indicators, or stored error codes, it began violently surging and decelerating uncontrollably around 20 mph with severe bucking. My [XXX] daughter was driving. Fortunately, this occurred on a quiet local residen…

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The vehicle experienced a sudden, severe loss of vehicle control while driving twice. Without any warning lights, dash indicators, or stored error codes, it began violently surging and decelerating uncontrollably around 20 mph with severe bucking. My [XXX] daughter was driving. Fortunately, this occurred on a quiet local residential road at 5 am; had this sudden failure occurred at highway speeds, it would have resulted in a catastrophic rear-end collision. The vehicle was purchased in May 2023, has 42k miles, and was used normally for school commuting. Incident 1 (XXX): Towed to Toyota. Techs could not diagnose it and opened a Tech Case. Per instructions, dealer replaced shifter assembly due to internal short (Part 33560-0R070). However, within 24 hours of return, the exact same dangerous failure reoccurred suddenly without warning in mild traffic. Experiencing an uncontrollable vehicle was terrifying. Fortunately no crash occurred, but it was towed back immediately. When I raised urgent safety concerns and sought a permanent resolution, Toyota stated it takes 60 days for review. During this period, if the dealer requests loaner return, I must return it immediately. They further stated that as soon as the dealer declares the vehicle "ready for pickup," I must retrieve it immediately or be charged daily storage fees. When I asked how the dealer could diagnose and repair the car entirely on their own—without Toyota Corporate engineering instructions while Toyota is supposedly still investigating the root cause—Toyota had no logical answer. When I asked who assumes legal and safety responsibility if another failure or accident occurs after pickup, Toyota Executive Offices explicitly stated "no one" assumes responsibility. No reasonable consumer would drive an unresolved, life-threatening defect under an explicit disclaimer of safety accountability. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11760840

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2026
Latches/locks/linkages

Description of the Defect:I am reporting a premature and dangerous failure of the electronic door lock actuators on my 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE. The issue began with the driver’s door lock intermittently failing to respond to the key fob and the internal master switch. Shortly after, the rear passenger door developed the exact…

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Description of the Defect:I am reporting a premature and dangerous failure of the electronic door lock actuators on my 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE. The issue began with the driver’s door lock intermittently failing to respond to the key fob and the internal master switch. Shortly after, the rear passenger door developed the exact same failure. Both doors can now only be operated strictly by manual intervention. The vehicle currently has over 36,000 miles, meaning this safety-critical component failed immediately after the expiration of the manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper warranty.Safety Risk:This component defect poses a severe safety hazard. In the event of a severe crash, electrical failure, or fire, passengers (especially children or occupants in the rear seats) face a high risk of entrapment, as the doors cannot be unlocked electronically for a quick evacuation. Furthermore, because the doors fail to lock automatically while driving, the occupants are left vulnerable to carjacking or external intrusion at intersections, and the doors could potentially be forced open by a child pulling the lever while the vehicle is in motion. This is a well-documented systemic issue across Toyota's 5th generation RAV4 platform, and a safety recall is urgently needed

NHTSA ODI #11757071

57,079 miles · Aug 13, 2026
Visibility

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal bang coming from the vehicle, and the rear glass shattered without impact. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the contact was informed that the damage was not covered under warranty. Th…

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The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal bang coming from the vehicle, and the rear glass shattered without impact. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the contact was informed that the damage was not covered under warranty. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 57,079.

NHTSA ODI #11756676

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2026
EngineFuel/propulsion System

On August 6 2026, my RAV4 just cut off at the traffic light. The car was completely dead. I was unable to unlock the trunk but the doors did open. The vehicle was towed to the local dealership. The tow truck man hooked up his portable car charger and the car started. On August 8, 2026 the car cut off after parking in a parking …

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On August 6 2026, my RAV4 just cut off at the traffic light. The car was completely dead. I was unable to unlock the trunk but the doors did open. The vehicle was towed to the local dealership. The tow truck man hooked up his portable car charger and the car started. On August 8, 2026 the car cut off after parking in a parking space and would not start so I had to get a jump off. After driving for approximately 50 miles to home, I got a low voltage warning and a statement the battery is charging. The local Toyota dealership did a diagnostic test on August 11, 2026 and stated the battery, starter, and alternator were okay. The same thing happened again on August 12, 2026. The car just cut off after stopping in the parking lot. After getting a jump off, I received a message that the battery is charging. Also, the car shifts speed while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11756623

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2026
Unknown Or Other

Driving South on [XXX] and almost to [XXX] about 60 MPH. The rubber roof drip moldings released and starting flying against my car very hard, this was beyond scary. I had to pull over and try to tuck them in, they are so worn and keep scratching my car from hitting it and could possibly break window or fly off damaging another…

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Driving South on [XXX] and almost to [XXX] about 60 MPH. The rubber roof drip moldings released and starting flying against my car very hard, this was beyond scary. I had to pull over and try to tuck them in, they are so worn and keep scratching my car from hitting it and could possibly break window or fly off damaging another vehicle. These rubber moldings have flown all over the place ever since I got vehicle in 2023, I have continually tried to glue them in they won't stay. There is one on each side and their both loose, I keep pushing back in but won't stay. They have scratched my paint and trim so badly. I called and reported to Toyota they didn't care. They told me you shouldn't run vehicle through car wash, that was a very dumb response, everyone uses car washes. I don't have time to hand wash my vehicle weekly, this should be made to go through a car wash. This is my company vehicle and its the most dangerous vehicle I've ever driven, I'm working in it all day long. I would never buy this vehicle because of this issue, I don't feel safe. Everyone at my company that has this vehicle has the same problem. We purchase all our fleet cars from Toyota and are a huge company Nationwide, Old Dominion Freight Line. This is a major hazard and I'm asking you publish a recall immediately, Toyota needs to fix this dangerous issue and should not sell a vehicle like this. Please I'm asking for your help, thanks so much. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11755630

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2026
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

While making a left turn in my 2026 Toyota RAV4, the vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking / Pre-Collision System suddenly activated without cause. The system sounded an audible warning beep and forced the vehicle to brake and come to a hard stop mid-turn. There was nothing in front of me that should have triggered the system. …

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While making a left turn in my 2026 Toyota RAV4, the vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking / Pre-Collision System suddenly activated without cause. The system sounded an audible warning beep and forced the vehicle to brake and come to a hard stop mid-turn. There was nothing in front of me that should have triggered the system. This put my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk. The forced stop occurred suddenly and unexpectedly while turning, which nearly caused an accident, as vehicles behind me had no warning that I would suddenly brake mid-turn. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages prior to the incident — the false activation occurred suddenly with no prior symptoms. I have dashcam footage of the incident attached below.

NHTSA ODI #11754058

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2026
Visibility/wiper

Hello Respected Sir/Madam, I am the owner of a 2023 Toyota RAV4. I discovered a visible hairline crack in the windshield that originated from the lower left corner on the passenger side. The crack measured approximately 6 inches when I first noticed it in the morning and grew to approximately 12 inches by the afternoon. The win…

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Hello Respected Sir/Madam, I am the owner of a 2023 Toyota RAV4. I discovered a visible hairline crack in the windshield that originated from the lower left corner on the passenger side. The crack measured approximately 6 inches when I first noticed it in the morning and grew to approximately 12 inches by the afternoon. The windshield was not impacted by a rock, road debris, or any other object, and the vehicle was not involved in an accident. There were no visible chips or signs of external damage at the point where the crack originated. The crack appeared to develop spontaneously and continued to spread on its own. I am submitting this complaint because I am concerned that the windshield may have a manufacturing or installation defect that could affect visibility and vehicle safety. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11752696

Official recalls

3

25V744000 · Back Over Prevention:display Function

Oct 30, 2025

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

25V595000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Sep 11, 2025

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.

23V485000 · Tires:valve

Jul 11, 2023

Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota RAV4 vehicles equipped with 17" black alloy accessory wheels. During installation of the alloy wheels, the tire valve stem may have been improperly installed or damaged. In addition, the load carrying capacity label may state the incorrect weight. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel valve stems and replace the load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 18, 2023. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 23R1.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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