NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
307 reports90,000 miles · Dec 14, 2019
Unknown Or Other
TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER AND SHIFT HESITATION - SHUDDERS BETWEEN GEARS, OCCURS BETWEEN ANY TWO GEARS BUT MOSTLY WITHIN THE 20-55 MPH RANGE. BEGUN MOST NOTICEABLY AT ~90K, VEHICLE NOW HAS 103K ON IT AND SHUDDER CONTINUES TO WORSEN AND BECOME MORE FREQUENT. BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND THEY HAVE ADV…
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TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER AND SHIFT HESITATION - SHUDDERS BETWEEN GEARS, OCCURS BETWEEN ANY TWO GEARS BUT MOSTLY WITHIN THE 20-55 MPH RANGE. BEGUN MOST NOTICEABLY AT ~90K, VEHICLE NOW HAS 103K ON IT AND SHUDDER CONTINUES TO WORSEN AND BECOME MORE FREQUENT. BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND THEY HAVE ADVISED MOST LIKELY TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (APPROX $3-$4K REPAIR). SAME PROBLEM AS THE GENERATION BEFORE WHERE TOYOTA EVENTUALLY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVER FOR: HTTPS://WWW.TOYOHEADQUARTERS.COM/THREADS/2013-2015-TOYOTA-RAV4-TRANSMISSION-SHUDDER-WARRANTY-EXTENSION-ZH1.1148/PAGE-2
NHTSA ODI #11289064
22,910 miles · Dec 7, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A CITY STREET.
NHTSA ODI #11287688
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2019
Power Train
2017 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION GIVES UP AT 100K MILES.THE TOYOTA DEALER ASK ME TO $6000 FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11280163
25,000 miles · Nov 7, 2019
Exterior Lighting
AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAMS (AHB) MALFUNCTION. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE AHB SYSTEMS OCCASIONALLY (EVERY ~10 MINUTES LATELY) SHUTS DOWN AND THE GREEN "AUTO HIGH BEAM" INDICATOR GOES OFF - RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF HIGH BEAMS IN ALL AMBIENT CONDITIONS. THIS USUALLY LASTS ABOUT A MINUTE AND THEN THE SYSTEMS RECOVERS. THERE ARE MANY C…
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AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAMS (AHB) MALFUNCTION. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE AHB SYSTEMS OCCASIONALLY (EVERY ~10 MINUTES LATELY) SHUTS DOWN AND THE GREEN "AUTO HIGH BEAM" INDICATOR GOES OFF - RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF HIGH BEAMS IN ALL AMBIENT CONDITIONS. THIS USUALLY LASTS ABOUT A MINUTE AND THEN THE SYSTEMS RECOVERS. THERE ARE MANY CASES OF THIS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET - WHICH CAN BE FOUND BY GOOGLING "TOYOTA AUTO HIGH BEAMS MALFUNCTION". THE ISSUE SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE LAST ~3 YEARS AND EQUIPPED WITH AHB. LEXUS OWNERS SEEM TO BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY FIX THIS UNDER WARRANTY BY THEIR DEALERS - THE FIX IS CLEANING THE CAMERA LENS AND THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA. UNFORTUNATELY IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THIS ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. I HAD TWO DEALER VISITS AND TWO CALLS WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE - EACH TIME THEY JUST TRY TO CONVINCE ME THAT "I AM USING IT WRONG". BY THE WAY I HAVE A VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING AND SHOWED IT MY DEALER BUT WAS DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE NEVERTHELESS. A SIMILAR VIDEO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE - JUST SEARCH FOR "A_32T4QTX4M" THERE.
NHTSA ODI #11278713
36,000 miles · Oct 30, 2019
Exterior Lighting
AUTO DIM HEADLIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR MANY MONTHS
NHTSA ODI #11277111
17,500 miles · Sep 30, 2019
EngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 30 OR 50 MPH, THE RPMS ABRUPTLY INCREASED WITHOU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING 30 OR 50 MPH, THE RPMS ABRUPTLY INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUDSON TOYOTA (599 NJ-440, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305, 201-713-5508) AND PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROUTE 22 TOYOTA (109 US-22, HILLSIDE, NJ 07205, 973-287-4741) WHERE THEY DID NOT HONOR HIS EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE $250 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,500.*BF CONTACT STATED ENGINE CONTROL WAS REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS REPAIRED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11259053
77,000 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. THEN, I COULD HEAR WIND THROUGH THE INSIDE COVER. THERE ARE PIECES OF BROKEN GLASS ABOVE THE INSIDE COVER. I HAD THE INSIDE COVER CLOSED WHILE DRIVING, SO THE GLASS DID NOT ENTER THE CABIN. REVIEW OF MY DASH CAM FOOTAGE DID NOT SHOW ANY VISIBLE DEBRIS OR ROCK…
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WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. THEN, I COULD HEAR WIND THROUGH THE INSIDE COVER. THERE ARE PIECES OF BROKEN GLASS ABOVE THE INSIDE COVER. I HAD THE INSIDE COVER CLOSED WHILE DRIVING, SO THE GLASS DID NOT ENTER THE CABIN. REVIEW OF MY DASH CAM FOOTAGE DID NOT SHOW ANY VISIBLE DEBRIS OR ROCKS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND NOT A CRACK.
NHTSA ODI #11253450
27,220 miles · Aug 20, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD (6000 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD CA, 323-498-2260) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHARGING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF HOLLYWOOD (6000 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD CA, 323-498-2260) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,220.
NHTSA ODI #11245340
6,000 miles · Jul 19, 2019
Service Brakes
I PURCHASED MY 2017 RAV 4 IN JULY 2017 WITH 125 MILES. AT 6,000 MILES MY VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW BRAKE PADS ( THE PADS WERE BROKEN IN HALF). TOYOTA OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD AGREED TO REPLACE THE PADS OUT OF COURTESY. THEY BLAMED IT ON THE WAY I DRIVE SAID TOTAL PERSON AT FAULT WAS ME. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 34,000 MILES THIS WILL BE THE FIF…
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I PURCHASED MY 2017 RAV 4 IN JULY 2017 WITH 125 MILES. AT 6,000 MILES MY VEHICLE REQUIRED NEW BRAKE PADS ( THE PADS WERE BROKEN IN HALF). TOYOTA OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD AGREED TO REPLACE THE PADS OUT OF COURTESY. THEY BLAMED IT ON THE WAY I DRIVE SAID TOTAL PERSON AT FAULT WAS ME. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 34,000 MILES THIS WILL BE THE FIFTH TIME MY BRAKE PADS REQUIRE CHANGING. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT MY DRIVING. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11233340
36,000 miles · Jul 4, 2019
Electrical System
IGNITION REMAINS ON WHEN I EXIT VEHICLE IF FORGET TO PUSH OFF BUTTON WITH MY KEY IN POCKET. CAR NOT RUNNING WHEN I LEAVE SO IT IS EASY TO FORGET AND ENGINE CAN/WILL RESTART AT LATER TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO TIMES IN DRIVEWAY. IF IN HAPPENED WHEN I PUT IN GARAGE AND WENT TO BED IN ROOM OVER GARAGE IT COULD P…
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IGNITION REMAINS ON WHEN I EXIT VEHICLE IF FORGET TO PUSH OFF BUTTON WITH MY KEY IN POCKET. CAR NOT RUNNING WHEN I LEAVE SO IT IS EASY TO FORGET AND ENGINE CAN/WILL RESTART AT LATER TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO TIMES IN DRIVEWAY. IF IN HAPPENED WHEN I PUT IN GARAGE AND WENT TO BED IN ROOM OVER GARAGE IT COULD PRESENT A CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #11229458
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.
Jun 28, 2019
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
May 2, 2017
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
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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