NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
30 reportsClear category filter61,372 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KINGS TOYOTA (4700 FIELDS ERTEL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513)…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KINGS TOYOTA (4700 FIELDS ERTEL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513) 683-5440) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE DEALER UPDATED THE ECM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,372.
NHTSA ODI #11220647
45,000 miles · May 1, 2019
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TWO INCHES ABOVE THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM COLEMAN TOYOTA (10400 AUTO PARK AVE, BETHESDA, MD 20817), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TWO INCHES ABOVE THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM COLEMAN TOYOTA (10400 AUTO PARK AVE, BETHESDA, MD 20817), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #11204933
33,000 miles · Feb 15, 2018
Service Brakes
BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP CAR ON HIGHWAY PETAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TOW CAR TO DEALERSHIP .CHECKED OK TO DEALERSHIP" THEY SAID"
NHTSA ODI #11073179
73,000 miles · Dec 7, 2017
EngineService BrakesSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE KEY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH FREEHOLD TOYOTA (4268 U.S. 9 S, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE KEY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH FREEHOLD TOYOTA (4268 U.S. 9 S, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
NHTSA ODI #11052980
27,900 miles · Oct 22, 2017
Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND AROUND 27,500 MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT. THE SERVICE AGENT TOLD ME THAT THE 2015 RAV4 HAD A DESIGN ISSUE WHERE THE BRAKES START TO GO BAD AROUND MY CURRENT MILLAGE OF ABOUT 27,900. HE ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT IS …
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND AROUND 27,500 MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT. THE SERVICE AGENT TOLD ME THAT THE 2015 RAV4 HAD A DESIGN ISSUE WHERE THE BRAKES START TO GO BAD AROUND MY CURRENT MILLAGE OF ABOUT 27,900. HE ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, NOR IS THERE A RECALL. HE TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AT THE NEXT SERVICE. HE ALSO SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN ISSUE, HE IS OFFERING A DISCOUNT AT $290.00. IT SEAMS TO ME THAT A DESIGN ISSUE THAT CAUSES YOUR BRAKES TO GO BAD AROUND 28,000 MILES SHOULD NOT ONLY BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT ALSO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11035518
4,500 miles · Jun 5, 2017
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN; 645 11TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10036; (866) 386-5003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN; 645 11TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10036; (866) 386-5003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER APPROXIMATELY THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. ..UPDATED 07/24/17 *BF UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS
NHTSA ODI #10993265
13,405 miles · May 9, 2017
Service Brakes
THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOTALLY LOCKED (CAN'T PRESS DOWN AT ALL) WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 9:45AM ON 5/6/2017. I CAN'T SLOWDOWN MY CAR. I SWITCHED THE SHIFT FROM DRIVING TO PARKING, TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN THE CAR STOPPED.
NHTSA ODI #10984400
6,000 miles · Feb 15, 2017
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING LOT, I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MOVED MY GEARSHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION, MY CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND DROVE INTO MY EXTERIOR WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE CAR THEN STARTED DRIVING BACKWARDS AT AN ACCELERATING SPEED. AFTER JUMPING BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, I CRASHED INTO A C…
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AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING LOT, I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MOVED MY GEARSHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION, MY CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND DROVE INTO MY EXTERIOR WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE CAR THEN STARTED DRIVING BACKWARDS AT AN ACCELERATING SPEED. AFTER JUMPING BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, I CRASHED INTO A CAR PARKED BEHIND ME, WHICH MADE THE CAR FINALLY STOP. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING EITHER COLLISION. BY THE END, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOTALED.
NHTSA ODI #10954930
24,000 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Service BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING (POSSIBLE STALLING, LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE), RESULTING IN A SEVERE CRASH INVOLVING TWO PARKED CARS AND PROPERTY, INJURY TO DRIVER, AND TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED GOING DOWN HILL DUE TO HAVING NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP, TH…
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VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING (POSSIBLE STALLING, LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE), RESULTING IN A SEVERE CRASH INVOLVING TWO PARKED CARS AND PROPERTY, INJURY TO DRIVER, AND TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED GOING DOWN HILL DUE TO HAVING NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP, THE VEHICLE RAN TWO STOP SIGNS. THE CRASH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO TWO PARKED CARS, "JUMPING" THOSE VEHICLES AND RUNNING INTO A HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TWICE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FOR STALLING. OCCASION 1 (14K MILES): VEHICLE STALLED AT STOPLIGHT AND KEY LIGHT WAS FLASHING. ERROR CODES P1605 AND P219A AT THE TIME. OCCASION 2 (16K MILES): VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE STOPPED, ON THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKY AT THE STOPLIGHT AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, CODE P1605 (2ND REPAIR). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10928436
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2016
Service BrakesSteeringCrash
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES FAILED , DURING AN EVASIVE MANEUVER ..ON OR 11. 2015 : WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED A TREE
NHTSA ODI #10920262
Official recalls
4Nov 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.
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.
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.
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.
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