IllustrationTHE HATCH WILL NOT CLOSE FULLY UNLESS I PUSH ON IT. IT'S A SELF CLOSING DOOR. NOW IT STOPS 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN AND STAYS OPEN. THE VEHICLE IS BEING LOADED AND THEN CLOSED. IT IS STATIONARY.. I'VE HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. I'VE QUERIED ON-LINE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM
2014 Toyota RAV4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAV4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
360–25K
2025–50K
2050–75K
1075–100K
11100–150K
10150K+
107 reports with mileage · 90 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 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports25 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
197 reportsLA TRANSMISSION TARDA EN APLICAR EL DRIVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED AND EXPLODED. GLASS PIECES SHATTERED BETWEEN THE HEAD LINER AND THE METAL ROOFING. THE SOFT COVER WAS CLOSED AND PREVENTED GLASS FROM ENTERING THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE AND…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED AND EXPLODED. GLASS PIECES SHATTERED BETWEEN THE HEAD LINER AND THE METAL ROOFING. THE SOFT COVER WAS CLOSED AND PREVENTED GLASS FROM ENTERING THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURING THE CONTACT. THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF BOERNE, 31205 FRONTAGE RD, BOERNE, TX 78006, (888) 311-6058) REPLACED THE PART AND CLEANED THE INTERIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
VEHICLE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. 1 QUART PER 500 MILES CONSUMED WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE, IN TOWN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING.
MY AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILED. LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON JANUARY 24, 2017. IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 2018 AND THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED AGAIN. I CANNOT LOCK MY CAR AS I CANNOT EVEN MANUALLY UNLOCK THE FRONT DOOR AS THE LOCK WILL NOT ALWAYS RESPOND TO THE TURN OF THE KEY. MY VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND TURNED ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY, AND INSTANTANEOUS FOR A FEW SECONDS (LIKE IT WAS BLINKING) SUPER FAST. EVERYTHING WAS GOING ON AND OFF. AS I WAS PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER FROM THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY!!! I COULDN'T EVEN PUT MY HAZARDS O…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND TURNED ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY, AND INSTANTANEOUS FOR A FEW SECONDS (LIKE IT WAS BLINKING) SUPER FAST. EVERYTHING WAS GOING ON AND OFF. AS I WAS PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER FROM THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY!!! I COULDN'T EVEN PUT MY HAZARDS ON. I WAS WAITING IN THE CAR FOR A TOW TRUCK AND MY HUSBAND, I WAS WITH MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AND FLAME AND WAS ON FIRE. WE JUMPED OUT AND YET WAS UP IN FLAMES!!!!!!!
ISSUE FIRST STARTED WHEN BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN IN MOTION DRIVING TO THE BANK, THE RADIO STARTED ACTING UP AND GOT STUCK ON STATION AND SONG AND THEN JUST WENT BLACK THEN A PICTURE OF THE RADIO APPEARED THE ON THE SCREEN AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO UPDATE BUT WOULD GO BLACK AGAIN AND THEN START OVER SO W…
Read full complaint
ISSUE FIRST STARTED WHEN BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN IN MOTION DRIVING TO THE BANK, THE RADIO STARTED ACTING UP AND GOT STUCK ON STATION AND SONG AND THEN JUST WENT BLACK THEN A PICTURE OF THE RADIO APPEARED THE ON THE SCREEN AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO UPDATE BUT WOULD GO BLACK AGAIN AND THEN START OVER SO WAS STUCK IN SOME KIND OF REBOOT. NOT SURE IF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR WHAT SO TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY $50-60 TO REBOOT IT. THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID THE BATTERY WAS LOW CHARGE AND REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE BUT SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO REBOOT THE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STAY UP LONG ENOUGH BEFORE IT WOULD BLACK OUT AGAIN. SINCE IT WAS BARELY PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER THE SYSTEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1000 TO HAVE REFURBISHED SYSTEM INSTALLED. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND FOUND ONE HERE AT THIS SITE AS WELL SO ADDING MINE. I SENT LETTERS AND EMAILS TO TOYOTA TO STAND BEHIND THEIR LONG TIME CUSTOMERS AND PRODUCTS BUT THEY WOULD NOT BUDGE. MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 3 YEARS. I CALL THAT A DEFECT BUT I GUESS BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE IT IS NOT IMPORTANT TO TOYOTA. WE ARE A TOYOTA FAMILY AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING TOYOTA'S SINCE MY FIRST CAR BACK IN THE 70'S. I WILL PROBABLY GO AHEAD AND REPLACE WITH REFURBISHED SYSTEM HOPING THIS IS NOT AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND REPEAT BUT I WILL CERTAINLY RECONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING ANOTHER TOYOTA IN THE FUTURE.
I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 2014 XLE AWD. THE RADIO SYSTEM WENT OUT SHOWING A PICTURE ON THE SCREEN OF THE RADIO AND WHAT SEEMED TO BE A REBOOTING OF THE SYSTEM CONSTANTLY. THE USB PORT IS ALSO SHORTING OUT. TO NOTE WHAT I WAS DOING, I WAS TURNING THE CAR ON IN MY GARAGE TO LEAVE AND RUN ERRANDS FOR THE DAY. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON THE …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 2014 XLE AWD. THE RADIO SYSTEM WENT OUT SHOWING A PICTURE ON THE SCREEN OF THE RADIO AND WHAT SEEMED TO BE A REBOOTING OF THE SYSTEM CONSTANTLY. THE USB PORT IS ALSO SHORTING OUT. TO NOTE WHAT I WAS DOING, I WAS TURNING THE CAR ON IN MY GARAGE TO LEAVE AND RUN ERRANDS FOR THE DAY. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON THE SAME DAY. I ONLY USE THE SYSTEM FOR CD PLAYING, RADIO PLAYING, AND OCCASIONALLY NAVIGATION. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST RESPONSE WAS I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $98 EACH FOR A SYSTEM CHECK ON BOTH PROBLEMS. ALSO, I GAVE THE VIN NUMBER TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE REP AND HE STATED THERE WAS AN UPDATE AVAILABLE AT NO COST TO ME. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AND THE REP CALLED ME AND SAID HE MADE A MISTAKE; THERE WAS NO UPDATE AND THE RADIO IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THE COST WOULD BE $1200. HE WANTED TO KNOW HOW MANY MILES I HAD ON THE CAR AND IF BOUGHT IT NEW, WHICH I DID BUY IT NEW AT HIS DEALERSHIP. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER RAV4 VEHICLES WITH SAME YEAR. ALSO, OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH SAME TYPE RADIO SYSTEM AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THEM DOING THE SAME THING MINE IS DOING. I FEEL A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS TYPE OF ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED WITH AN UPGRADE, NOT THE FACT THE RADIO IS BROKEN AS WELL AS USB PORT NOT WORKING. I TAKE CARE OF MY CAR. IT STILL LOOKS NEW! I HAVE OWNED TOYOTA VEHICLES SINCE I WAS 16 AND I AM NOW 54. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FACT THE TYPE OF RADIO MOST OF THE NEWER TOYOTAS HAVE INSTALLED ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND TOYOTA IS NOT ADDRESSING IT AS THEY SHOULD. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I FEEL IT IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA AS I FEEL THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM.
MY NAME IS [XXX]. THE TOYOTA SERVICE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA. IT STATES IN FEBRUARY 2017 BRAKES IS GOOD WITH 8MM ON THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. NEXT SERVICE IS IN JUNE 2017, WITH 5,174 MILES LATER BRAKES ARE AT 3.5MM AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE DRIVER SIDE IS AT 3.5 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS 6.0 MM. TH…
Read full complaint
MY NAME IS [XXX]. THE TOYOTA SERVICE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA. IT STATES IN FEBRUARY 2017 BRAKES IS GOOD WITH 8MM ON THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. NEXT SERVICE IS IN JUNE 2017, WITH 5,174 MILES LATER BRAKES ARE AT 3.5MM AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE DRIVER SIDE IS AT 3.5 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS 6.0 MM. THE ISSUES STARTED WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED ON 12/4/2015. [XXX]STATED IT WAS ON MY DRIVING AND NOT THE BRAKES. IT CONTINUES FROM THE FIRST BRAKE SERVICE TILL TODAY. IF YOU WANT ANY MORE OF THE SERVICE HISTORY I DO HAVE IT IF YOU NEED IT. 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR
RAV4 W/15,500MI... ENGINE PAUSE. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE DEFINITELY SLOWS DOWN AND YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO STOP BUT WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR IT RESUMES SPEED. IT IS FRIGHTENING AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL RESUME SPEED. IT PAUSES FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE 3 OR 4 SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPE…
Read full complaint
RAV4 W/15,500MI... ENGINE PAUSE. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE DEFINITELY SLOWS DOWN AND YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO STOP BUT WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR IT RESUMES SPEED. IT IS FRIGHTENING AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL RESUME SPEED. IT PAUSES FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE 3 OR 4 SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES,TRYING TO GET ON A HIGHWAY..AROUND TOWN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.
Official recalls
423V734000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
Nov 1, 2023
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.
15V144000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Mar 13, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
15V011000 · Exterior Lighting; Trailer Hitches
Jan 16, 2015
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Trailer Hitches
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Consequence: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Exterior Lighting
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Consequence: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
14V828000 · Equipment
Dec 30, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.
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
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.