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
256 reports, newest first.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 30, 2013
VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. NO POWER AND THEN A SURGE CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK. HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE ECM IS DEFECTIVE AND TOYOTA WAS FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS AFTER CLASS ACTION SUIT SEE RAV4ECMSETTLEMENT.COM, ALTHOUGH THIS RESULTED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY RATHER THAN A RECALL. MY CAR IS 4 MONTHS PASSED THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY ALTHOUGH IT HAS LOW MILEAGE. THE FAULTY ECM CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR SITUATION FOR THOUSANDS OF OWNERS. TOYOTA DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2013
2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE DISPLAY PANEL BACK LIGHT ONLY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. EVEN IF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON DURING THE DAY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ONLY MARGINALLY ILLUMINATED AND THE BRIGHTNESS CONTROL THUMBWHEEL HAD VERY LITTLE EFFECT.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 28, 2013, crash
2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL SHE HIT A CEMENT POST IN FRONT OF THE PARKING AREA.
Structure, Oct 22, 2013
TELL ME WHO TO TALK TO ABOUT HOW YOU DECIDE SAFETY FEATURES FOR THE NEWLY IMPROVED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS IN CARS. OR FORWARD THIS TO THEM. FIRST OF "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR". HAVE YOU DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY LATELY? DID YOU NOT NOTICE HOW EACH AND EVERY CAR GETS IN FRONT OF A SEMI W ONLY 3' DISTANCE? THAT MIRROR THING NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED BECAUSE NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION. I DON'T SEE ANY CARS IN MY BLIND SPOT. THEN THERE IS THAT NEW THING ABOUT PUTTING THE DIALING PAD ON MY NEW PANEL? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND MY DIALING ON MY PHONE. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. NOW, SOME CARS HAVE AUTO ANSWER WITH A BUTTON, OTHERS DON'T. MINE HAS THE ANSWER WHICH SHOULD BE PAINTED GREEN BUT IT'S NOT, BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE THE "CALL BUTTON" VOICE ACTIVATED. ONLY UPGRADED VEHICLES DO. SO, I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND FORGET WHAT EXIT OR WHAT CITY I'M SUPPOSED TO GET OFF ON. IT'S RUSH HOUR AND THE TRAFFIC IS MOVING SLOWLY. I HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE CURB AND CALL?. THEN I HAVE TO MERGE ONTO THAT CRAZY TRAFFIC. REALLY? WHO ACTUALLY DOES IT. AND YOU ASK WHY THERE ARE SO MANY ACCIDENTS? THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY FEATURE ON ALL CARS FROM NOW ON FOR AN ACTUAL HANDS OFF EXPERIENCE. BLUETOOTH IS THE BEST NEW INVENTION FOR DRIVING, BUT WE NEED TO UTILIZE IT TO IT'S BEST. NEXT: MY CAR HAS A METALLIC DECORATING RIM ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS ALMOST BLINDED BY THE SUN THE OTHER DAY. I HAD THAT AND THE WINDOW OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SHINING ON MY FACE. I COULD BARELY FIND A SAFE SPOT FOR ME TO SEE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE CERTAIN THINGS MANDATORY STANDARD FEATURES (NO METAL RIMS ON DASHBOARD.). YOU WANT SAFETY? LEND ME EACH NEW CAR AND I BET YOU I WILL FIND STUFF WRONG WITH IT WITHIN THE MONTH. THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2013
I HAVE BROUGHT MY 2013 RAV 4 BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A DAMP AND MUSTY SMELL COMING THRU THE AIR VENTS. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AND SPRAYED SOME AIR FRESHENER BUT THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE REP HAD EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE IS A DRAIN AND THIS DRAIN ALLOWS WATER TO BUILD UP AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSES THE ODOR. *TR
Power train, Oct 18, 2013
I HAVE BRAND NEW 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT ANY KIND OF INDICATION OR WARNING. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABOUT TO HIT MY VEHICLE. SOME HOW, HE COULD MANAGE TO DIVERT THE VEHICLE. AFTER THAT ENGINE STARTS, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE ANY FURTHER. I HAD STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD, BLOCKING THE TRAFFIC. FINALLY I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE FROM THAT PLACE TO SERVICE CENTER. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN THE CITY LIMITS. IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM SURE, I MIGHT NOT BE LIVING ANYMORE. I CHECKED WITH TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID IT IS AN AXLE FAILURE. I AM SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT, HOW COME A BRAND NEW CAR (4 MONTHS OLD) COULD HAVE MECHANICAL FAILURE WITHOUT ANYKIND OF WARNING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD SUDDENLY STOPS. I COULD NOT EVEN PULL OUT THE CAR FROM THE ROAD. *TR
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
Equipment, Oct 13, 2013
AT ANY SPEED IN ANY WEATHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE...THIS NEEDS ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IS A PAID FOR UPGRADE AND DUE TO PEOPLE WORKING TO SEE THE SYSTEM ACCIDENTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2013
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WAS PULLING INTO PARK AT WORK WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE (FORTUNATELY) AND THE RAV4 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Sep 29, 2013
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, UNDER ANY CONDITION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SCREEN, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOK, RATHER THAN GLANCE, AT THE SCREEN TO DETERMINE DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS, ROAD HAZARDS, WARNINGS, ETC. THE GLARE IS ALMOST BLINDING AT TIMES. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 27, 2013
THIS VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY BRAKE, IT MAKES A SOUND EVERY TIME YOU SQUEEZE THE RELEASE THE BRAKE. MOREOVER THE BRAKES DOES NOT GRIP AS TIGHT AS EXPECTED FROM A BRAND NEW CAR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 17, 2013
I LEASED A RAV4EV. WENT TO PICK IT UP ON THURSDAY (8/8/13) AND IT WOULDN'T START-- CHECK EV SYSTEM, ETC. DEALER GAVE ME A LOANER, IT SPENT THE DAY IN THE SERVICE DEPT, AND THEY WOUND UP UPDATING THE SOFTWARE & IT APPARENTLY WAS OK. BROUGHT THE CAR HOME ON FRIDAY. ON SUNDAY, 8/11/13, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY-- ENGINE STOPPED, POWER STEERING STOPPED, AND I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO NEGOTIATE ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND GET OFF OF THE ROAD. CHECK EV SYSTEM MESSAGE ON SCREEN, BATTERY IS STILL HALF FULL. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, 120 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PROPULSION SYSTEM AND THE GATEWAY ECU WERE FAULTY. I DECIDED NOT TO KEEP THAT CAR AND LEASED ANOTHER RAV4 EV. VERY SCARY! *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
Electrical system, Equipment, Sep 12, 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. NOTIFIED THE SERVICE MANAGER 2 TIMES AND BOTH TIMES WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL DISTRACTION THIS WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SOME WILL BE FATAL. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2013
ON LOCAL ROAD, ACCELERATING FROM STOP. VEHICLE SUDDENLY "SHUT-OFF" GOING INTO NEUTRAL AND UNABLE TO PUT BACK INTO DRIVE. STEERING WENT "LIMP". VEHICLE DRIFTED RIGHT, POWER STEERING WAS EFFECTED, STEERING DIFFICULT. VEHICLE COASTED INTO PARKING LOT TO THE RIGHT, FORTUNATELY NO VEHICLES HAPPENED TO BE PASSING ON THE RIGHT AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT, THEREFORE NO ACCIDENTS. BUT THERE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN ONE. ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING VEHICLE RESULTED IN "TAKE EV TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP" MESSAGE AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ON DASH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ORIGINATING DEALERSHIP WHICH IT CONTINUES TO BE DIAGNOSED AND UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 9/3/2013 < 6 DAYS PRIOR. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2013
NAVIGATION SCREEN DIFFICULT TO SEE IN MOST LIGHTING CONDITIONS. MUST TAKE MORE THAN BRIEF GLANCE AT NAV SCREEN TO DETERMINE FREEWAY MARKINGS, INTERSECTIONS, STREET NAMES OR SEARCH FOR RADIO STATION. HAS POSSIBILITY FOR BECOMING GREAT DISTRACTION. *JB
Equipment, Aug 31, 2013
I OWN A 2013 RAV 4 LIMITED WITH ENTUNE NAVIGATION. DURING THE DAY IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO VIEW THE SCREEN. TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. *JS
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN WOULD SHINE ON THE DASHBOARD, IT WOULD PRODUCE A BLINDING GLARE THAT CAUSED THE INFORMATION PANEL AND THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM TO BECOME UNREADABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 320.
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 23, 2013
I HAVE A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED. IN ANY SIGNIFICANT AMBIENT LIGHT LEVEL, THE NAVIGATION SCREEN IS NOT VISIBLE. THE GLARE ON THE SCREEN IS HORRIFIC. NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND CONFIRMED THAT I DID, INDEED, HAVE A PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ME TO MEET WITH A FACTORY REP. I MET WITH THE REP, AND HE AGREED THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER HE HAD NO IMMEDIATE SOLUTION. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA "HOTLINE" AND THEY REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, TRYING TO POSITION MY HEAD SO THAT I CAN TRY TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF THE SCREEN. (WHICH IS STILL NOT POSSIBLE) I FEEL LIKE I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN OPTION THAT IS UNUSABLE. PLEASE HELP! TOYOTA DOES NOT SEEM TO BE LISTENING TO ME. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Jul 17, 2013
BOUGHT A 2013 RAV4. 2490 MILEAGE HAS TWO MESSES OF PURCHASED. WHICH BROUGHT THE CONTINENTAL MODEL CROSS CONTACT TIRES 225/65/17 LX 102 H. THE RIM HAS A OPENING ON THE SIDES . CONTACT TO CONTINENTAL.CLAIM #[XXX]. NADIE IN PUERTO RICO FOR THE WARRANTY. APONTE SR JOSE DE PUERTO RICO 787 752 2886 COST OF RUBBER IS 185.00. NO WARRANTY WORK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 11, 2013
AT ANY SPEED IN ANY WEATHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE...THIS NEEDS ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE AS IS A PAID FOR UPGRADE AND DUE TO PEOPLE WORKING TO SEE THE SYSTEM ACCIDENTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Power train, Jun 22, 2013
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A JERK WAS FELT AND A NOISE WAS HEARD AS THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS. (THIS VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC.) THIS SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN LATER THE SAME DAY. HOWEVER, AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND THE "TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED ON THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT. *TR
Equipment, May 28, 2013
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COME WITH VOICE ACTIVATED BLUETOOTH. TO MAKE A CALL YOU NEED TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL STEPS, ONE INCLUDES LOOKING AT A SCREEN WHICH IS HARD TO SEE, IF THERE IS A GLARE ON IT. YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME LOOKING AT SCREEN TO FIND NUMBER, ALL THE WHILE WITH YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD. *TR
Power train, May 15, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH,MY NEW 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY WHEN I ACCELERATED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD ASAP AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE IS LESS THAN 600 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR