NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
303 reports14,733 miles · Apr 27, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CUT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY HEAVY WITH NO ASSIST. THE RED STEERING WHEEL ICON LITE UP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AND LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY FAMILY I…
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WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CUT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY HEAVY WITH NO ASSIST. THE RED STEERING WHEEL ICON LITE UP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AND LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11322348
49,000 miles · Apr 21, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
CAR WILL NOT START ON 1ST TRY. IT MAY START 2ND OR 3RD TIME WHILE HOLDING GAS PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR. LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. SOUNDS LIKE CHANGING GEARS ON A MANUAL. CAR HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES
NHTSA ODI #11321859
23,000 miles · Apr 13, 2020
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA OF SOMERSET (4195 S HWY 27, SOMERSET, KY 42501) AND GAMBREL TOYOTA(311 W CUMBERLAND GAP PKWY, CORBIN, KY 40701), HOWEVER, THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA OF SOMERSET (4195 S HWY 27, SOMERSET, KY 42501) AND GAMBREL TOYOTA(311 W CUMBERLAND GAP PKWY, CORBIN, KY 40701), HOWEVER, THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
NHTSA ODI #11320981
58,000 miles · Mar 3, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire
SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING WITH NO ISSUES, THE PARKED CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS, A LARGE FIRE HAD STARTED WHICH COMPLETELY CONSUMED THE CAR AND ALSO SPREAD TO MY WIFE'S CAR AND THE HOUSE'S CARPORT. INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR INFORMED US THAT THE FIRE LIKELY STARTED IN/NEAR THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE DRIV…
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SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING WITH NO ISSUES, THE PARKED CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS, A LARGE FIRE HAD STARTED WHICH COMPLETELY CONSUMED THE CAR AND ALSO SPREAD TO MY WIFE'S CAR AND THE HOUSE'S CARPORT. INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR INFORMED US THAT THE FIRE LIKELY STARTED IN/NEAR THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE BASED ON WHERE THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN. HOWEVER, NO CONCLUSIVE DETERMINATION WAS MADE REGARDING THE CAUSE. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAD NOT HAD ANY MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED ON IT RECENTLY. THERE WERE ALSO NO SIGNS OF INTRUSION BY RODENTS OR OTHER ANIMALS. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. I'VE ALSO SINCE LEARNED THIS HAD HAPPENED ONLY ONE MONTH BEFORE TO THE PARENTS OF ONE OF OUR CHILDRENS' FRIENDS. THEY ALSO HAD A RAV4, ALTHOUGH NOT THE SAME MODEL YEAR (I BELIEVE IT WAS A 2013). I HAVE ALSO SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE. IF THERE IS A DEFECT OR DESIGN FLAW CONTRIBUTING TO THESE FIRES, IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED QUICKLY!
NHTSA ODI #11315799
60,000 miles · Feb 25, 2020
Electrical SystemFire
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ENTRANCE RAMP WHEN THE BATTERY DIED BUT THEN I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK AND DROVE JUST A SHORT DISTANCE WHEN THE HOOD STARTED SMOKING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND RAISED THE HOOD, AND THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED.
NHTSA ODI #11311546
40,000 miles · Feb 18, 2020
Power Train
HESITATES BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR LIKE GOING INTO NUETRAL FOR ABOUT 3 / 5 SECONDS BEFORE SHIFTING BACK TO FIRST. THE CAR CAN BE AT A STOP UPON STARTING IT HESITATES, OR WHEN IN MOTION AND GOING TO PASS IT HESITATES, ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND TURNING. WE HAVE RETURNED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY DROVE THE CA…
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HESITATES BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR LIKE GOING INTO NUETRAL FOR ABOUT 3 / 5 SECONDS BEFORE SHIFTING BACK TO FIRST. THE CAR CAN BE AT A STOP UPON STARTING IT HESITATES, OR WHEN IN MOTION AND GOING TO PASS IT HESITATES, ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND TURNING. WE HAVE RETURNED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY DROVE THE CAR AND STATED NOTHING WRONG. THE FOURTH TIME IN I DROVE THE CAR WITH A MECHANIC AND HE WITNESS THE HESITATION, THEN THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN RESEARCHING ON LINE WE FOUND COMPLAINTS GOING BACK TO 2006 AND NOTHING BEING DONE. WHY IS TOYOTA GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. WE KNOW IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ALL TOYOTA'S AS WE HAD A 2008 AND IT WAS PERFECT. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND NUMEROUS TIMES AND SCARY WHEN PULLING OUT TO PASS, YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF. CAR WAS BOUGHT USED WITH 35000 MILES ON IT IN JUNE OF 2018 AND CERTIFIED NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA ODI #11309940
6,000 miles · Jan 20, 2020
Engine
TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER. ON A TRIP FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO CYPRESS, CA ON THE I-5 FREEWAY CRUISING AT 70 MPH A SUDDEN TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AT LEAST 30 TIMES (THIS WITH ODOMETER IN 6,000 MILE RANGE). I HAD REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES. THEY SAID THEIR TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND AN…
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TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER. ON A TRIP FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO CYPRESS, CA ON THE I-5 FREEWAY CRUISING AT 70 MPH A SUDDEN TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AT LEAST 30 TIMES (THIS WITH ODOMETER IN 6,000 MILE RANGE). I HAD REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES. THEY SAID THEIR TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. AROUND 1/3/2020 I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND SAID I WOULD LEAVE IT THERE UNTIL THEY REPAIRED IT. I PURCHASED AN 8 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IN OCT., 2014. AFTER. 4 DAYS DEALER CALLED FOR ME TO PICK IT UP. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, THEIR COMPUTER READ MY CAR COMPUTER AND FOUND THAT WHILE RIGHT FOOT WAS ON GAS AND LEFT FOOT EITHER NEAR OR ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT OCCURRED. SINCE MY LEFT FOOT WAS RESTING ON MAT WITHOUT ANY MOVEMENT WHY DIDN'T THE LOSS OF POWER HAPPEN CONSTANTLY! THEY SAID IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. I SAY IT IS A DANGER.. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS & STARTING WHEN SIGNAL TURNS GREEN. ON LINE I HAVE SEEN SAME COMPLAINTS. ONE MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT COULD BE A MASS AIR FLOW CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. ANOTHER SAID IT COULD BE AIR FUEL RATIO SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY FAILING WHICH COULD TEST OK. NOTICE WE ONLY HAVE AROUND 6,000 MILES ON CAR WE BOUGHT IN OCT. 2014 BECAUSE PROBLEM CANNOT BE PREDICTED.
NHTSA ODI #11300449
13,781 miles · Jan 15, 2020
Electrical System
1ST OCCURRENCE 1/4/2016: DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WITH SEVERAL LANES GOING SAME DIRECTION AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING INTERMITTENTLY 2ND OCCURRENCE 2/26/2019: HAD TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STOPPED WITH MOTOR STILL RUNNING, THEN OPENED DOOR TO CHECK IF I WAS PARKED BETWEEN THE PARKING LINES CORRECTLY AND THE HORN STAR…
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1ST OCCURRENCE 1/4/2016: DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WITH SEVERAL LANES GOING SAME DIRECTION AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING INTERMITTENTLY 2ND OCCURRENCE 2/26/2019: HAD TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STOPPED WITH MOTOR STILL RUNNING, THEN OPENED DOOR TO CHECK IF I WAS PARKED BETWEEN THE PARKING LINES CORRECTLY AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING 1ST OCCURRENCE: POOR CONNECTION TO HORN TO THEFT DETERRENT IN SECURITY ALARM 2ND OCCURRENCE: INTERMITTENT OPEN CIRCUIT IN PARKING ALARM HARNESS
NHTSA ODI #11299603
76,000 miles · Jan 3, 2020
Steering
A CRACKING NOISE IS NOTICE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, WHETHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AT A TOYOTA DEALER AND RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA ODI #11296963
55,000 miles · Jan 3, 2020
Unknown Or Other
TWO DOORS (FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS) NO LONG LOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR THE AUTOMATIC BUTTONS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE (THE LOCK ACTUATOR) WITH TOYOTAS, ESPECIALLY SUVS AROUND 2015 LIKE RAV4S AND HIGHLANDERS. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS, THE DOOR LOCK ITSELF GO…
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TWO DOORS (FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS) NO LONG LOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR THE AUTOMATIC BUTTONS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE (THE LOCK ACTUATOR) WITH TOYOTAS, ESPECIALLY SUVS AROUND 2015 LIKE RAV4S AND HIGHLANDERS. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS, THE DOOR LOCK ITSELF GOT STUCK AND I HAD TO FIDDLE WITH IT SIMPLE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. SURPRISED THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SAFETY HAZARD. COST TO REPAIR EACH DOOR'S ACTUATOR (BY MECHANIC) IS OVER $500.
NHTSA ODI #11296842
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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