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, Dec 3, 2018
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE CARPOOLING TO WORK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC IN A CLEAR STRAIGHT AWAY (NO OVERPASSES) WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND I PANICKED. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OUT OF FEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO COACH ME TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY SO WE COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF HAD LOOKED LIKE IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHICH STATED THEY DO NOT COVER ANY GLASS DAMAGE AND REFERRED ME TO SAFELITE WHICH THEN REFERRED ME TO SUNROOF EXPRESS FOR REPAIR. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UPSETTING AS NOTHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE AND WE FEEL THAT WE WERE NOT AT FAULT. WE DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE BREAKAGE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2018
THE RAV4 2013 IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET. THE CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP WHEN PRESSING GAS AND JERKS SUDDENLY. PER DEALER, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD A LOT OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2018
THIS REPAIR IS FOR THE PISTONS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE OF THE 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4
Power train, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 12, 2018
TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SUDDENLY GIVE OFF A "JERKING" SOUND. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE TEND TO JIGGLE OR SHAKE THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAS BECOME FRIGHTENING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS EVENT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, LOCAL ROAD, CITY STREETS, IN FACT, ANYWHERE. IT JUST HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, HENCE I AM VERY CONCERNED NOW. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018. BEFORE THAT, IT WAS INFREQUENT, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL OVER THE YEARS, BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING TOO OFTEN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2018
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN OKLAHOMA HER SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED INTO SMALL PIECES OF GLASS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING HITTING IT PRIOR TO IT EXPLODING. IT JUST HAPPENED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2017
SQUIRRELS CRAWLED INTO THE HOOD AND CHEWED THE BATTERY CABLE WIRE AND TURN SIGNAL WIRE, THIS HAPPENED 2 DAYS IN A ROW AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE THE FIRST TIME. THE SOY BASED COATING OF THE WIRES IS ATTRACTING A SWARM OF SQUIRRELS.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A LOUD THUD OF SOMETHING HITTING THE ROOF OF OUR CAR, BUT WE WERE DRIVING IN AN OPEN PARK AREA WITH NOTHING OVERHEAD AND NO OTHER CARS WITHIN CLOSE DISTANCE. WE OPENED THE SUNROOF COVER AND SAW THAT IT HAD COMPLETELY CRACKED. BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME, MUCH OF THE GLASS WAS MISSING.
Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2016
ON RARE OCCASIONS,THE PUSH BUTTON START WILL NOT TURN OFF ENGINE EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. I ALSO HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2016
TRIED TO PLACE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OUT OF GARAGE AFTER STARTUP. THERE WAS UNUSUAL NOISE, GRINDING, FROM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PUT LEVER BACK INTO PARK AND TRIED AGAIN TO PLACE TRANSMISSJON INTO REVERSE. AND HEARD SAME NOISE. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND MADE RESTART. ALL NORMAL. THIS SAME TYPE OF EVENT HAPPENED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAS NOT, AS YET, OCCURED AGAIN.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2015
MANUFACTURER: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN): XXXXXXX. BOUGHT A TOYOTA CERTIFIED AT DEALERSHIP, (PUSH BUTTON) HOWEVER IN SIX OCCASIONS, CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN ON. INDICATOR LIGHT FOR STEERING WAS ON. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, AND ONCE I PULLED THE STEERING HARD THEN CAR STARTED FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO CHECK IT, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. THE LAST TIME, THE CAR DID NOT START EVEN WITH THE TOYOTA ROAD ASSISTANCE STAFF/TOWING, WAS UNABLE TO GET IT OUT OF GARAGE, AREA WAS TOO LOW. ENDED UP LEAVING CAR AT GARAGE OVERNIGHT. NEXT DAY, I RETURNED THE CAR, DID A TRADE IN FOR NEW TOYOTA. HOWEVER, DEALER OR TOYOTA CO. DID NOT ADMIT PROBLEMS WITH CAR. BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING FINE AS EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD TURN ON, IE, RADIO, AC ..FAN, LIGHTS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2015
BEFORE MY 2013 RAV4 LIMITED WAS EVEN 2 YEARS OLD, I DISCOVERED AN INDOOR SWIMMING POOL ON MY PASSENGER FLOOR. MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT MY RAV4 HAD A CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBE, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WE FOUND ALL EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY. THE SERVICE MANAGER REMOVED TWO PIECES OF TRIM: ONE THAT SITS DIRECTLY BENEATH THE A-PILLAR (WHERE THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE WATER TRAVELLED) AND ANOTHER THAT SITS BACK UNDERNEATH MY DASH AND GLOVE BOX. BOTH TRIM PIECES HAD PADDING (JUST LIKE THE CARPET PADDING) ON THE BACK SIDE. THE PADDING BENEATH THE A-PILLAR WAS BONE DRY. THE PADDING UNDERNEATH THE DASH WAS DAMP. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW WATER TRAVELING DOWN THE A-PILLAR MANAGED TO MAKE A 90 TURN??? THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING BUT CLEAR THE "SUPPOSED" CLOG AND ASK IF I WANTED TO HAVE THE CARPETS AIR-DRIED FOR 24 HOURS. THEY MADE IT SOUND LIKE THEY DID ME SUCH A GREAT FAVOR ON THE INVOICE AND ALSO LIKE I WAS LEAVING THE HOSPITAL AGAINST DOCTORS ORDERS. WHAT THEY FAIL TO MENTION IS THAT A) I HAD ALREADY HAD THE CARPET PADDING AIR-DRIED THE DAY BEFORE AND B) I REQUESTED THAT THEY REPLACE MY CARPET PADDING AND REAPPLY THE BLACK RUBBER SOUNDPROOFING MATERIAL ATTACHED TO MY FLOORBOARD (THEY DECLINED). IN HINDSIGHT, NEITHER WOULD HAVE FIXED THE DAMAGE ALREADY INFLICTED UPON MY VEHICLE. BOTH TOYOTA OF NORTH AMERICA AND NCDS DECLINED MY CASE CLAIMING THAT MY "VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED." I HAVE A NEW CAR THAT IS DRY ROTTING, MOLDING, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE RISK (PAGE 409 OF THE 2013 RAV4 OWNER'S MANUAL) AND IF IT THE WATER ACTUALLY DID RUN DOWN THE A-PILLAR MY TAKATA SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ARE NOW PRIMED TO THROW SHRAPNEL -- BUT MY VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED!!! IF YOU OWN A 2013 OR 2014 RAV4, PLEASE CHECK UNDER YOUR CARPETS FOR SIGNS OF A WATER LEAK. IF YOU FIND A WATER LEAK IN YOUR RAV4, PLEASE POST IT HERE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2015
CROSSWIND CAUSED HOOD TO SHAKE VIOLETLY IN THE CENTER AS IF THE METAL WAS TOO THIN OR NEEDS SOME KIND OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT .
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2014
SUN ROOF EXPLODED INTO MANY PIECES FLEW OFF AND DAMAGED PAINT JOB OF CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND PIECES WERE FOUND IN MY CAR CAR TRAVELING AT 55 MPG JUST PASSED BURLINGTON VERMONT ON JULY 3, 2014 AT AROUND 11:30 AM NO ONE INJURED IF SOMEONE SITTING BEHIND DRIVER SEAT NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED STOPPED AT TOYOTA DEALER IN SCRANTON VT HE REMOVED REMAINING BROKEN CLASS PART WOULD TAKE 5 DAYS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON. *JS
Other or unspecified, May 19, 2014, crash, fire
DEAR SIRS, I DON'T HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE, WE HERE ON THE ISLAND OF CURACAO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MANY VEHICLES WHICH ARE CHINESE AND THEIR VIN NO, ARE ALSO CLONED, I BELIEVE THIS IS A WORLD PROBLEM, AND ALSO US MANUFACTURERS HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A WORLD PROBLEM, AND THEY CAN ALSO HELP TO EXPOSE THIS SITUATION. I HAVE POSTED MANY ON BLOGS, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE CLONING OF CARS. THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH SOME ONE BOUGHT A VEHICLE AT THE TOYOTA DEALER A RAV4 2013 AND WE CAME TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS A 2010 MEXICAN CLONE CAR. AND I HAVE REPORTED THESE ALSO TO OTHER AGENCIES IN USA , ONE OF THEM IS THE SEC SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION WHISTLE BLOWER DEPARTMENT. *JS
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2014
THE VEHICLE IS A CLONE RAV4, I HAVE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A TOYOTA DEALER SHIP, AND I PAID FOR A RAV4 2013, WHEN I WENT TO INVESTIGATE I FOUND OUT IT WAS CLONED TOYOTA RAV4 OF THE YEAR 2010, AND IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY IN MEXICO, SO THESE IS AGAINST THE LAWS. SO WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE ME TO DO? *TR