NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
239 reports89,000 miles · Jul 9, 2021
EngineCrashFireInjury
The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed smoke and flames were coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that when they attempted to move to the passenger side of the road they realized there was not enough room to do so causing th…
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The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed smoke and flames were coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that when they attempted to move to the passenger side of the road they realized there was not enough room to do so causing them to roll over several times downhill eventually crashing into two trees. The contact stated that a civilian came and assisted them out of the vehicle once they noticed the crash. The air bags did deploy. The contact received head, neck, rib, sternum, and foot. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #11424085
43,000 miles · May 20, 2021
Visibility
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the moon roof was leaking. The failure had gotten progressively worse over time causing damage to the interior of the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was…
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The contact owns a 2016 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the moon roof was leaking. The failure had gotten progressively worse over time causing damage to the interior of the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #11417886
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2021
Exterior Lighting
CONDENSATION IS APPEARING ON BOTH OF THE BACK BRAKE LIGHTS THE CAR HAS 40000 MILES NOT SURE SHY THIS IS HAPPENING I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN ON THE RIM OF THE BACK LIGHTS
NHTSA ODI #11416697
102,000 miles · May 6, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFire
OUR 2016 RAV4 PRODUCED A LOUD CLUNK THEN LOST POWER (AFTER BEING DRIVE 5-10 MINUTES) AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER NOR THE CAR POWER COME BACK ON. WHITE SMOKE BEGAN WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF LOSING POWER AND WITHIN ONE MINUTE FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER HOOD.
NHTSA ODI #11415425
52,000 miles · Apr 30, 2021
Electrical SystemFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HE STARTED SMELLING AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR BEFORE FLAMES STARTED COMING UP FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND OUT OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE VENTS. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AND STARTED POURING WATER FROM A COOLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, HE STARTED SMELLING AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR BEFORE FLAMES STARTED COMING UP FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND OUT OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE VENTS. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AND STARTED POURING WATER FROM A COOLER ONTO THE FIRE TO TRY TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES HOWEVER, THE FLAMES REIGNITED. ANOTHER MOTORIST PULLED OVER TO ASSIST AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. A BUSINESS OWNER ALSO STOPPED BY, AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED HOWEVER, THE FIRE WAS ALREADY EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS ON BOTH HANDS HOWEVER, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. THE DRIVER CONTACTED FIESTA KIA (7400 LOMAS BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110, (505)999-2700) WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PURCHASED ONLY 22 DAYS EARLIER. THE DEALER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED STILL UNREPAIRED. THE INSURANCE PROVIDER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT A FIRE INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE SENT OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE PROVIDER HAD NOT YET DECIDED WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #11414617
55,000 miles · Apr 19, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG. I PULL OVER MY CAR AND NOTICE A LARGE HOLE IN MY SUNROOF. I DIDN'T PASS UNDER A BRIDGE AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE A ROCK OR OTHER OBJECT WAS DROPPED ON THE ROOF. ADDITIONALLY, THE GLASS WAS CURVED UPWARD, LIKE A BOTTLE TOP BURSTING FR…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG. I PULL OVER MY CAR AND NOTICE A LARGE HOLE IN MY SUNROOF. I DIDN'T PASS UNDER A BRIDGE AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE A ROCK OR OTHER OBJECT WAS DROPPED ON THE ROOF. ADDITIONALLY, THE GLASS WAS CURVED UPWARD, LIKE A BOTTLE TOP BURSTING FROM A BOTTLE. THE SUNROOF SEEMED TO SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODE. I BELIEVE THE ONLY POSSIBLE EXPLANATION IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11412949
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2021
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT WATER CONDENSATION....IN MADE IN JAPAN MODEL....MY HEADLIGHT GOT WATER CONDENSATION LOOKS WORST OVER THE TIME... I LOOK ON INTERNET N FOUND THAT'S RAV4 ASSEMBLED IN JAPAN HAS SPECIFIC WITH HEADLIGHTS.... HTTPS://WWW.RAV4WORLD.COM/THREADS/MOISTURE-IN-HEADLAMPS.294553/
NHTSA ODI #11405450
58,000 miles · Mar 27, 2021
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR REED WITH THE TACHOMETER REACHING THREE. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR FROM JUMPING BACKWARD. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT ON APRIL 19, 2012. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT I MUST…
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I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR REED WITH THE TACHOMETER REACHING THREE. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR FROM JUMPING BACKWARD. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT ON APRIL 19, 2012. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT THE BAKE AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR COMPUTER HAS TO LEARN THE WAY I DRIVE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM THROUGH BEING INSULTED.
NHTSA ODI #11405116
39,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO START THE VEHCILE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FILLED WITH WATER AND WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED NYC MOTORCARS OF THE BRONX (3748 BOSTON RD, THE BRONX, NY 10469, (347) 966-4272) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO START THE VEHCILE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FILLED WITH WATER AND WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED NYC MOTORCARS OF THE BRONX (3748 BOSTON RD, THE BRONX, NY 10469, (347) 966-4272) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA ODI #11403332
25,000 miles · Mar 14, 2021
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES ONLY AFTER 20K MILES. BATTERY BECOME DEAD AFTER 25K MILES
NHTSA ODI #11402953
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
Apr 22, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Tires
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Yaris, Rav4, Land Cruiser and 4Runner vehicles, and Scion FR-S, iM, and TC vehicles manufactured January 28, 2016, to March 14, 2016. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: An incorrect label may result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide them a corrected label to be installed over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16A.
Apr 7, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
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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