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: other or unspecified
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2026
Toyota issues a Customer Support Program Notification regarding paint peeling on vehicles with factory applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint. The original expiration date was December 11, 2022 with secondary expiration being 10 years after first use, in my case October 14, 2023. Within the period I had 3 different parts of my car repainted due to peeling paint. On July 19, 2026, paint began peeling again on the roof which is one of the panels that was repainted. I contacted Toyota Customer Care and their response was that the program was closed and no one could reopen the issue. I feel that the 10 year time was just an arbitrary deadline and since this issue had already been repaired once, the issue should be resolved again.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2026
I have a Blizzard White RAV4 2013 that I just bought the paint is peeling from roof and side doors. I called a Toyota dealer and they told me that they wouldn’t be able to paint it beacause the warranty of repainting had expired. In some parts of the car the pint is starting to bubble up . .
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2025
There is a large amount of peeling paint on the roof and front side panels of the car that started on 1/9/25. Toyota says they had a recall but that it expired. I brought the car to the dealer where it was original purchased (by the previous owner) and they completed a paint inspection and found "excessive paint peeling" but they are not willing to do anything. I called Toyota customer care but they have denied and closed my case (case #250109001939). There is at least a 2 foot section on the roof where the paint just peeled off and blew away. Without the paint the car will rust and become unsafe.
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2024
On 4/4/18 I purchased a preowned 2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited from Grappone Toyota. It had approximately 80000 miles on it. I was told it was gone over completely and everything was good with it. For quite some time now I have been feeling a vibration/shudder when pressing the gas. I initially thought it was just getting old & that it was normal. During the winters I have tried dry gas thinking that could be helpful. I had also tried higher octane gas. It's been getting considerably worse so when I made an appointment at Grappone for my oil change, I asked them to diagnose it. They came back saying I need a new $4000 Torque Converter. Once I got home I began doing research. I found T-SB-0023-15. Then an extension on it to 8 years or 150000 miles. It's a problem big enough to put a TSB out. I tried contacting Toyota & they said my car is beyond the warranty (it has 135000 miles on it, but over 8 years old). My gripe is I was never told of this TSB. If I would've known, I would've jumped on it as soon as I started feeling the vibration. I feel like Grappone sold this car to me deceitfully as I was never told about it. Toyota confirmed the TSB was sent to the previous owner as I didn't buy until 04/18. I have the estimate for repair from Grappone. I feel betrayed & duped.
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2024
The paint (Blizzard Pearl) on the roof of my car came off in very large sheets while I was driving. I contacted my local dealership to have my car repainted (per the warranty with Toyota) only to find out that the warranty on the paint for my particular vehicle had expired in 2023. I would like to see this warranty on the paint extended so I called Toyota directly and they advised I issue a compliant here so you can force them to extend this warranty.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2024
It is taking too much time for Toyota to offer a remedy on this recall. I am disappointed. This is affecting me because I have not been able to work with my car for to this unresolved recall. I don't know what to do please help
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2024
In at least 5 or more instances the vehicle has had unintended acceleration and thrust the car forward while I was braking and trying to come to a stop. Once it happened at a 4-way intersection and propelled my car into the middle of the intersection and I had to swerve to avoid a head-on collision with another car. I , or the other driver, could have been killed. In all cases the braking failed to stop the car and in fact sped it up even though the brakes were applied.
Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2024
My vehicle is a Rav 4, pearl white and the vin number is [XXX] . I called a phone number (1-877-855-8377) provided by Toyota de Puerto Rico so I could work on the paint recall on my 2013 SUV. I was not aware of this recall, but a co-worker told me about the recall when I noticed that my SUV was peeling off the paint on the hood. The gentleman who answered my call told me that they had sent me a recall letter, which is not true because I never get a letter. Now my RAV4 is losing its paint and I need Toyota to answer me for their negligence in relation to their defect in that type of paint. I will be grateful if you give me some help and what I should do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2024, fire
While driving the car, it stalled on the expressway and then started to smoke and seconds later started on fire.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2024, fire
Had to make a quick right hand turn, when I did, my vehicle lost power and I thought I had been hit. No power steering or power brakes. Got out, inspected my car, no damages or anything, vehicle restarted and so I continued on my way. Getting back on the road had to make another right, and vehicle sputtered and dash blinked, but seemed to recover. Started to look for a safe place to get off the road, when the dash was blinking and I lost power steering again. Turned into a place of business. As I stopped, smoke was showing from the drivers side, I tried to get out, but my door handle didn't unlock,. I realized I had to manually flip the lock to get out. Dialed 911 from cell phone and went into the business to tell them to keep people away. I could see flames coming down from the engine compartment to the ground. Luckily fire department arrived and extinguished fire. Initially Toyota dealership quoted $12,550 to fix, my insurance company declared it a total loss.
Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2023, fire
My battery was not secure and caused a fire under hood
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2023, fire
The car stalled on the expressway. Then started smoking and was on fire seconds later.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 3, 2023
Car jerks when shifts gears and the problem just appeared one day with no warning. I went to 4 different mechanics and none can confirm if there is metal in transmission but to solely tell the transmission needs to be replaced. Either defective transmission or another problem not related causing jerking in driving.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2023
I parked my car at Omaha airport. I came to know that “[XXX]" stole the car and kept it near her Apt at [XXX]”. Her phone number is [XXX]. Please arrest her immediately. She took the car without my consent and without my authorization. She is not even registered as a driver/owner of the car. Please arrest her. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2022
Since we purchased the car new in 2013 the trunk doesn’t always open when the button is pushed. I never saw a recall so I figured “my luck” until today. I saw another person unable to open the trunk. Is there a fix?
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2022, fire
Engine started smoking and a few minutes later the vehicle completely engulfed in flames.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2022
Please see letter attached. Thank you!
Other or unspecified, May 1, 2021, fire
THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO EXTINGUISH. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2021
INDICATES A MALFUNCTION IN THE EV SYSTEM. HIGH BATTERY TEMP SHOW MALFUNCTION ON EVSYSTEM WHILE ON ROAD AND SUDDEN POWER LOSS MAY BE CREATE DEADLY ACCIDENT. WHILE CHARGING IT SHOW MALFUNCTION IN EV SYSTEM.
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2020, fire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT, IGNITION TURNED OFF. LEFT CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MINUTES, RETURNED TO PARKING LOT TO FIND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. MOST OF DAMAGE DONE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE DESTROYED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2020
I AM ENTERING A SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY TOYOTA 2013 RAV4. TODAY, I WENT TO MY LOCAL CAR REPAIRMAN TO FIX A HEADLIGHT THAT BLEW OUT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN 6 MONTHS. IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAD TO COMPLETELY CHANGE BOTH HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE PARTS IN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MELTING. YET, LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER, MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS SOMETHING SYSTEMATICALLY WRONG WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. ACCORDING TO MY CAR MECHANIC, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BURN OUT. THIS CREATES HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2019, fire
THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE PARKING LOT. NOBODY WAS INSIDE THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED.FIREFIGHTERS PUT OUT THE FLAMES LATER. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS INJURED OR HURT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2019, fire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON, THEN OFF. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND ON TO A PARKING LOT. THINKING THAT A BATTERY CABLE POSSIBLY HAD COME LOOSE, I RAISED THE HOOD. THE AREA AT OR NEAR THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED 9-1-1, BUT BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHER RAV4 DRIVERS MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2019
SPEEDOMETER IS NOT ACCURATE. WHEN USING AN EXTERNAL GPS UNIT IN OTHER VEHICLES, THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER IS ACCURATE. WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THIS 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4, THE SPEEDOMETER SAYS 60 MPH BUT THE GPS SAYS 57 MPH. THE FASTER YOU DRIVE , THE LARGER THE DISCREPANCY.THIS IS A LIMITED WITH 18 'WHEELS, MAYBE IT WAS SET FROM THE FACTORY FOR 17' WHEELS?