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.
Electrical system, May 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING THE DAY, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SCREEN DUE TO AN INTENSE GLARE, EVEN ON CLOUDY DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 6/4/13 *CN UPDATED 06/13/2013 *JS
Engine, May 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE, THE TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,120.
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2013
BOUGHT NEW RAV4 TOYOTA 2013 LAST MONTH WITH NAVIGATION. SCREEN BARELY VISIBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TOYOTA FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WHO DOES NOT KNOW TO REPAIR. DEALER SAY IT IS INDEED A PROBLEM AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I ALSO HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHICH HAS A PERFECTLY CLEAR SCREEN TOYOTA TELEPHONED ME BUT NOT ENCOURAGING. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 12, 2013
I BOUGHT A NEW 2013 RAV 4 WITH TOYOTA NAVIGATION. ON ANY SUNNY DAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE MAP DUE TO THE GLARE. I PLAN ON COMPLAINING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 10, 2013
2 SEPARATE EPISODES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A BRAND NEW CAR DEALER UNABLE TO VERIFY DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Apr 2, 2013
PURCHASED NEW 2013 RAV4 ON 23 MAR 13. THE ENTUNE NAVIGATION DISPLAY (BOTH DAY AND NIGHT MODE) IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT (IN DAY MODE) OR AT NIGHT TIME (IN NIGHT MODE). THIS IS A SERIOUS DISTRACTION WHEN USING THE NAVIGATION AND RESULTS IN THE DRIVER HAVING TO AVERT EYES TO FOCUS ON THE DISPLAY LONGER THAN NECESSARY FOR DETAILS. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. A NORMAL DISPLAY WOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES. I HAVE EXAMINED ANOTHER BRAND NEW RAV4 WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED MY ENTUNE SYSTEM; THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE PREVAIL UPON TOYOTA TO FIX THIS WITH EITHER A HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR