NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
40 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Unknown Or OtherFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT, IGNITION TURNED OFF. LEFT CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MINUTES, RETURNED TO PARKING LOT TO FIND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. MOST OF DAMAGE DONE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE…
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VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT, IGNITION TURNED OFF. LEFT CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MINUTES, RETURNED TO PARKING LOT TO FIND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. MOST OF DAMAGE DONE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE DESTROYED.
NHTSA ODI #11378273
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I AM ENTERING A SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY TOYOTA 2013 RAV4. TODAY, I WENT TO MY LOCAL CAR REPAIRMAN TO FIX A HEADLIGHT THAT BLEW OUT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 6 MONTHS. IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAD TO COMPLETELY CHANGE BOTH HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE PARTS IN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MELTING. YET, LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER, MY PA…
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I AM ENTERING A SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY TOYOTA 2013 RAV4. TODAY, I WENT TO MY LOCAL CAR REPAIRMAN TO FIX A HEADLIGHT THAT BLEW OUT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 6 MONTHS. IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAD TO COMPLETELY CHANGE BOTH HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE PARTS IN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MELTING. YET, LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER, MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS SOMETHING SYSTEMATICALLY WRONG WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. ACCORDING TO MY CAR MECHANIC, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BURN OUT. THIS CREATES HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS.
NHTSA ODI #11309649
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2019
Unknown Or OtherFire
THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE PARKING LOT. NOBODY WAS INSIDE THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED.FIREFIGHTERS PUT OUT THE FLAMES LATER. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS INJURED OR HURT.
NHTSA ODI #11279270
84,000 miles · Oct 26, 2019
Unknown Or OtherFire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON, THEN OFF. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND ON TO A PARKING LOT. THINKING THAT A BATTERY CABLE POSSIBLY HAD COME LOOSE, I RAISED THE HOOD. THE AREA AT OR NEAR THE BATTE…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON, THEN OFF. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND ON TO A PARKING LOT. THINKING THAT A BATTERY CABLE POSSIBLY HAD COME LOOSE, I RAISED THE HOOD. THE AREA AT OR NEAR THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED 9-1-1, BUT BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHER RAV4 DRIVERS MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE.
NHTSA ODI #11271217
17,000 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Unknown Or Other
SPEEDOMETER IS NOT ACCURATE. WHEN USING AN EXTERNAL GPS UNIT IN OTHER VEHICLES, THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER IS ACCURATE. WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THIS 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4, THE SPEEDOMETER SAYS 60 MPH BUT THE GPS SAYS 57 MPH. THE FASTER YOU DRIVE , THE LARGER THE DISCREPANCY.THIS IS A LIMITED WITH 18 'WHEELS, MAYBE IT WAS SET FROM THE…
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SPEEDOMETER IS NOT ACCURATE. WHEN USING AN EXTERNAL GPS UNIT IN OTHER VEHICLES, THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER IS ACCURATE. WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THIS 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4, THE SPEEDOMETER SAYS 60 MPH BUT THE GPS SAYS 57 MPH. THE FASTER YOU DRIVE , THE LARGER THE DISCREPANCY.THIS IS A LIMITED WITH 18 'WHEELS, MAYBE IT WAS SET FROM THE FACTORY FOR 17' WHEELS?
NHTSA ODI #11244782
160,000 miles · Dec 3, 2018
Unknown Or Other
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE CARPOOLING TO WORK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC IN A CLEAR STRAIGHT AWAY (NO OVERPASSES) WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND I PANICKED. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OUT OF FEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO COACH ME TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY SO WE COULD INSPECT THE VEH…
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MY HUSBAND AND I WERE CARPOOLING TO WORK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC IN A CLEAR STRAIGHT AWAY (NO OVERPASSES) WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND I PANICKED. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OUT OF FEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO COACH ME TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY SO WE COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF HAD LOOKED LIKE IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHICH STATED THEY DO NOT COVER ANY GLASS DAMAGE AND REFERRED ME TO SAFELITE WHICH THEN REFERRED ME TO SUNROOF EXPRESS FOR REPAIR. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UPSETTING AS NOTHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE AND WE FEEL THAT WE WERE NOT AT FAULT. WE DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE BREAKAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11155715
100,000 miles · Aug 23, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE RAV4 2013 IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET. THE CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP WHEN PRESSING GAS AND JERKS SUDDENLY. PER DEALER, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD A LOT OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11121794
47,000 miles · Jun 22, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THIS REPAIR IS FOR THE PISTONS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE OF THE 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4
NHTSA ODI #11103362
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainUnknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SUDDENLY GIVE OFF A "JERKING" SOUND. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE TEND TO JIGGLE OR SHAKE THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAS BECOME FRIGHTENING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS EVENT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY,…
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TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SUDDENLY GIVE OFF A "JERKING" SOUND. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE TEND TO JIGGLE OR SHAKE THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAS BECOME FRIGHTENING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS EVENT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, LOCAL ROAD, CITY STREETS, IN FACT, ANYWHERE. IT JUST HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, HENCE I AM VERY CONCERNED NOW. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018. BEFORE THAT, IT WAS INFREQUENT, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL OVER THE YEARS, BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING TOO OFTEN.
NHTSA ODI #11101297
65,600 miles · Jan 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN OKLAHOMA HER SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED INTO SMALL PIECES OF GLASS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING HITTING IT PRIOR TO IT EXPLODING. IT JUST HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11062599
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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