NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
257 reports20,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Electrical SystemService Brakes
THE "POWER BRAKE ACTUATOR" WENT OUT ON MY 2013 TOYOTA RAV-4 THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD WOULD COME ON. AT THE SAME TIME ALL OF THE GAUGES INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, ANTI LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND P…
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THE "POWER BRAKE ACTUATOR" WENT OUT ON MY 2013 TOYOTA RAV-4 THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD WOULD COME ON. AT THE SAME TIME ALL OF THE GAUGES INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, ANTI LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING WOULD ALL STOP WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THIS WOULD MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHAT SO EVER.
NHTSA ODI #10819456
45,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Structure
"BLIZZARD PEARL BISQUE" PAINT PEELING BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. PAINT IS COMING OFF IN LARGE PIECES THE SIZE OF SILVER DOLLARS. PAINT "BLISTERS" FIRST THEN JUST FALLS OFF THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE FOR THE BETTER PART OF THE YEAR AND SEEMS TO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR BEING STATIONARY, I…
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"BLIZZARD PEARL BISQUE" PAINT PEELING BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. PAINT IS COMING OFF IN LARGE PIECES THE SIZE OF SILVER DOLLARS. PAINT "BLISTERS" FIRST THEN JUST FALLS OFF THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE FOR THE BETTER PART OF THE YEAR AND SEEMS TO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR BEING STATIONARY, IN MOTION - OR THE ENVIRONMENT. IT HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE SAME PLACES THAT MY PRIOR TOYOTAS HAVE BEEN PARKED, AND THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM, WITH THIS COLOR PAINT ON OTHER RAV4S, PRIUS, AND LEXUS MODELS.
NHTSA ODI #10816715
6,500 miles · Dec 14, 2015
Engine
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, SATURDAY 12/12/15, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SPEEDED UP RADICALLY AND I SPED BACKWARD TO THE END OF MY DRIVE. I BRAKED AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE. IT STOPPED AND UPON RESTARTING, WAS OK. THIS COULD BE DEADLY IF IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #10809982
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
MANUFACTURER: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): XXXXXXX. BOUGHT A TOYOTA CERTIFIED AT DEALERSHIP, (PUSH BUTTON) HOWEVER IN SIX OCCASIONS, CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN ON. INDICATOR LIGHT FOR STEERING WAS ON. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, AND ONCE I PULLED THE STEERING HARD THEN CAR STARTED FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEA…
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MANUFACTURER: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): XXXXXXX. BOUGHT A TOYOTA CERTIFIED AT DEALERSHIP, (PUSH BUTTON) HOWEVER IN SIX OCCASIONS, CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN ON. INDICATOR LIGHT FOR STEERING WAS ON. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, AND ONCE I PULLED THE STEERING HARD THEN CAR STARTED FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO CHECK IT, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. THE LAST TIME, THE CAR DID NOT START EVEN WITH THE TOYOTA ROAD ASSISTANCE STAFF/TOWING, WAS UNABLE TO GET IT OUT OF GARAGE, AREA WAS TOO LOW. ENDED UP LEAVING CAR AT GARAGE OVERNIGHT. NEXT DAY, I RETURNED THE CAR, DID A TRADE IN FOR NEW TOYOTA. HOWEVER, DEALER OR TOYOTA CO. DID NOT ADMIT PROBLEMS WITH CAR. BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING FINE AS EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD TURN ON, IE, RADIO, AC ..FAN, LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #10807676
23,000 miles · Nov 16, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
ON AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE OWNING THIS TOYOTA RAV4 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS ENGINE CONTROL PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN THE ECONOMY MODE OF THE CAR WHICH IS THE DEFAULT MODE YOU START THE CAR UP IN. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET FAST SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC…
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ON AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE OWNING THIS TOYOTA RAV4 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS ENGINE CONTROL PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN THE ECONOMY MODE OF THE CAR WHICH IS THE DEFAULT MODE YOU START THE CAR UP IN. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET FAST SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THE ENGINE STALLS. YOU CAN HAVE THE ACCELERATOR PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE ENGINE GIVES YOU NO POWER. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION ON THE ROAD AS MY CAR IS ACTUALLY STALLING WHEN IT SHOULD BE ACCELERATING. I HAVE TESTED AND DONE THE SAME THING IN THE 'SPORT MODE' OF THE VEHICLE AND IT DOES NOT CREATE THE SAME STALL SITUATION. THUS MY CONCLUSION IS THE PROBLEM RESTS IN THE 'ECONOMY MODE'. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY. I AM GOING BACK TOMORROW TO AS THEM TO TAKE BACK THIS CAR, AS IT IS DANGEROUS AND IS NOT PREDICTABLE OR DEPENDABLE IN DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10791578
28,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT INTENT ALMOST CRASHING INTO A WALL. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR W/OUT INJURY OR ACCIDENT . I WAS ENTERING MY GARAGE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED ( UNDER 5 MPH).
NHTSA ODI #10789954
19,700 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,700. UPDATED 01/07/16*LJ *JS
NHTSA ODI #10786991
57 miles · Oct 26, 2015
Steering
CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MY CAR, EVEN TEST DROVE WITH ONE OF THE MECHANICS, AND THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING AFTER SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS AND INSPECTIONS. FINALLY, THEY SAID IT'S SOMETHING WITH MY STEERING AND HAVE YET TO FULLY …
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CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MY CAR, EVEN TEST DROVE WITH ONE OF THE MECHANICS, AND THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING AFTER SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS AND INSPECTIONS. FINALLY, THEY SAID IT'S SOMETHING WITH MY STEERING AND HAVE YET TO FULLY DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH AND YOU'LL FIND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND LITTLE HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #10786121
26,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Wheels
I WAS PUTTTING AIR IN A FLAT TIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE TIRE COLLASPED. I LOOKED AT THE TIRE ( BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T 687 235/55R18 DOT # EL7CCFH5012) AND SAW A 12 INCH RIP IN THE SIDEWALL. THE EXPLOSION CAUSED A FENDER BRACKET TO BREAK AND CRACKED MY FRONT BUMPER. I SENT IT BACK TO MFGR. AND THEY SAI…
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I WAS PUTTTING AIR IN A FLAT TIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE TIRE COLLASPED. I LOOKED AT THE TIRE ( BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T 687 235/55R18 DOT # EL7CCFH5012) AND SAW A 12 INCH RIP IN THE SIDEWALL. THE EXPLOSION CAUSED A FENDER BRACKET TO BREAK AND CRACKED MY FRONT BUMPER. I SENT IT BACK TO MFGR. AND THEY SAID THE TIRE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND DENIED REQUEST FOR COMPENSSATION FOR MY DAMAGES AND TIRE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10780065
32,721 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Unknown Or Other
BEFORE MY 2013 RAV4 LIMITED WAS EVEN 2 YEARS OLD, I DISCOVERED AN INDOOR SWIMMING POOL ON MY PASSENGER FLOOR. MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY RAV4 HAD A CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBE, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WE FOUND ALL EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY. THE SERVICE MANAGER REMOVED TWO PIECES OF TRIM: ONE THAT SITS DIRECTL…
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BEFORE MY 2013 RAV4 LIMITED WAS EVEN 2 YEARS OLD, I DISCOVERED AN INDOOR SWIMMING POOL ON MY PASSENGER FLOOR. MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY RAV4 HAD A CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBE, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WE FOUND ALL EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY. THE SERVICE MANAGER REMOVED TWO PIECES OF TRIM: ONE THAT SITS DIRECTLY BENEATH THE A-PILLAR (WHERE THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE WATER TRAVELLED) AND ANOTHER THAT SITS BACK UNDERNEATH MY DASH AND GLOVE BOX. BOTH TRIM PIECES HAD PADDING (JUST LIKE THE CARPET PADDING) ON THE BACK SIDE. THE PADDING BENEATH THE A-PILLAR WAS BONE DRY. THE PADDING UNDERNEATH THE DASH WAS DAMP. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW WATER TRAVELING DOWN THE A-PILLAR MANAGED TO MAKE A 90 TURN??? THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING BUT CLEAR THE "SUPPOSED" CLOG AND ASK IF I WANTED TO HAVE THE CARPETS AIR-DRIED FOR 24 HOURS. THEY MADE IT SOUND LIKE THEY DID ME SUCH A GREAT FAVOR ON THE INVOICE AND ALSO LIKE I WAS LEAVING THE HOSPITAL AGAINST DOCTORS ORDERS. WHAT THEY FAIL TO MENTION IS THAT A) I HAD ALREADY HAD THE CARPET PADDING AIR-DRIED THE DAY BEFORE AND B) I REQUESTED THAT THEY REPLACE MY CARPET PADDING AND REAPPLY THE BLACK RUBBER SOUNDPROOFING MATERIAL ATTACHED TO MY FLOORBOARD (THEY DECLINED). IN HINDSIGHT, NEITHER WOULD HAVE FIXED THE DAMAGE ALREADY INFLICTED UPON MY VEHICLE. BOTH TOYOTA OF NORTH AMERICA AND NCDS DECLINED MY CASE CLAIMING THAT MY "VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED." I HAVE A NEW CAR THAT IS DRY ROTTING, MOLDING, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE RISK (PAGE 409 OF THE 2013 RAV4 OWNER'S MANUAL) AND IF IT THE WATER ACTUALLY DID RUN DOWN THE A-PILLAR MY TAKATA SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ARE NOW PRIMED TO THROW SHRAPNEL -- BUT MY VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED!!! IF YOU OWN A 2013 OR 2014 RAV4, PLEASE CHECK UNDER YOUR CARPETS FOR SIGNS OF A WATER LEAK. IF YOU FIND A WATER LEAK IN YOUR RAV4, PLEASE POST IT HERE.
NHTSA ODI #10764521
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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