2013 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 256 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 22 involved a crash and 29 involved a fire. 15 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v batteryNov 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.
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 23V734000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesJan 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Oct 18, 2013
THE CENTER CONSOLE SLIDES BACK AND FORTH. WHILE DRIVING, IF YOU HAVE YOUR ARM ON IT, IT WILL SLIDE. THE LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN A PASSENGER IS USING THE CENTER CONSOLE AS AN ARM REST AS WELL, IF YOU ARE REVERSING, AND/OR YOU ARE ADJUSTING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY WITH YOUR ARM ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 16, 2013
THE CENTER CONSOLE SLIDES BACK AND FORTH. WHILE DRIVING, IF YOU HAVE YOUR ARM ON IT, IT WILL SLIDE. THE LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *TR
Structure, Equipment, Sep 16, 2013
THE INSTALLED NAVIGATION SCREEN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN THE DRIVER'S NORMAL DRIVING POSITION AND IN ALMOST ANY DAYTIME LIGHTING CONDITION. GLARE FROM THE SCREEN AND DASHBOARD BORDERS ON UNSAFE. THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY USE THAT ITEM AND THE 12 OR SO FUNCTIONS LOCATED THERE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION. BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL DISTRACTION THIS WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SOME WILL BE FATAL. *TR