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.
Seat belts, Nov 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MECHANISM AND PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2019
2013 RAV4 LIMITED W/ 63,000 MILES. VEHICLE EQUIPMENT WITH SMART KEY PUSH BUTTON START. FOR TWO YEARS THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A INTERMITTENT IGNITION FAILURE. SCENARIO: CAR IS UNLOCKED, KEY FOB IS RECOGNIZED, FOOT ON BRAKE, PUSH START AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE ANTI-THEFT COLUMN LOCK WILL NOT RELEASE AND THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND TO ITS START COMMAND. THEN IT WILL. THERE IS NO CONSISTENT PATTERN TO WHEN IT WILL FAIL OR WHEN IT WILL "FIX" ITSELF. RECENTLY IT HAS REACHED A LEVEL OF FAILURE THAT ITS TOO RISKY TO TAKE ANY PLACE AND EXPECT TO START AND GET HOME SAFELY. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF DEALER SERVICE 12 PLUS DAYS IN THE LAST 30. DEALER HAS EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE AND HAS DONE EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS, CONCLUSION IS, ITS NORMAL. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IN 2013 AND WHAT TOYOTA HAS PROVEN IS THEY ARE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO REPAIR. I NOW RESORT TO DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY BEFORE PUTTING CAR IN PARK OR CLOSING THE DOORS SO THE ANTI THEFT WON'T LOCK. DOORS AND STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK SO WHEN I RECONNECT THE BATTERY IT WILL START. IT HOWEVER RUNS REALLY BADLY UNTIL IT RECALIBRATES. A RELATED CONCERN OF MINE IS THIS INTERMITTENT UNLOCK PROBLEM MAY SUDDENLY LOCK WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA CORPORATE AND HAVE A CLAIM. I HAVE REPORTED TO LOCAL ATTORNEY GENERAL CLAIMING VIOLATION OF SERVICE CONTRACT. I HAVE READ ON LINE OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BUT I'VE NOT READ OF A SOLUTION. I SERVICE RECORDS, EMAILS AND RELATED CLAIMS DOCUMENTS. THIS FIRST OCCURRED IN 2017 AND HAS GROWN FROM AN ANNOYANCE TO UNACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU
Power train, Sep 29, 2019
MY CAR IS ONLY 70,000 MILES AND FROM THE PAST I AM EXPERIENCING MISSED MISFIRE OF MY TRANSMISSION FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THE CAR IS DRIVEN DAILY, BUT BEING FAIRLY LESS NUMBER OF MILES THIS IS A VERY UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR. I CHECKED WITH A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO ASKED ME TO GET IT REBUILT FOR MORE THAN $3,000. BUT COULD NOT TELL ME THE REASON FOR THIS ISSUE. HE SAID LIKELY TO BE TOYOTA TRANSMISSION ISSUE.
Steering, Sep 10, 2019
STEERING RACK IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
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?
Electrical system, Jun 2, 2019
MECHANISM THAT ALLOWS DOORS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK STARTED FAILING ONE BY ONE. I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF MY CAR AND IT WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS BEGAN. I CAN NO LONGER OPEN SEVERAL DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE.
Service brakes, May 21, 2019
THE BRAKES NEVER APPEARED TO BE RIGHT ON THIS CAR FROM DAY 1. THEY SQUEEK WHEN BRAKING AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PADS, SHOES OR ROTORS, PER SEVERAL MECHANICS, INCLUDING TOYOTA CERTIFIED MECHANICS. GOT THEM CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. IF I HIT THE BRAKES TOO HARD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE UNTIL I LET UP ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME, ON ANY ROADWAY, WHILE IN MOTION.
Visibility/wiper, May 17, 2019
MY FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS SINCE THERE WAS NO IMPACT. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WAS COVERED WITH ICE AND THE DEFOGGER WAS WORKING TO MELT IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING AS IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Structure, May 11, 2019
ROOF PAINT PEELING OFF
Structure, May 6, 2019
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF.
Power train, May 3, 2019
TRANSMISSION HESITATES 2 TO 3 SECONDS BEFORE CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE AND JUMPS WHEN IT GOES TO DRIVE IF YOU DON'T LEAVE YOUR FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL IT GEARS.
Seat belts, Apr 18, 2019, crash
MY SEAT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK IN A CRASH BUT THE PASSENGER WORKED
Structure, Mar 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED AND OPENED. THE OWNER WAS ONLY ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE MASTER LOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE DOORS HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND THE DOOR ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED. ANDREW TOYOTA (1620 W. SILVER SPRING DR., MILWAUKEE, WI) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Power train, Mar 6, 2019
MY 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 IS SHOWING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. AFTER STARTING, PUT IN GEAR AND IT WON'T MOVE, JUST REVS LIKE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN I SHUT OFF AND RESTART IT RUNS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS, AND ONE TIME I WAS IN A LINE OF CARS AND WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GO, IT WAS JUST REVVING. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THIS, ONE TIME THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND ANOTHER TIME OVERNIGHT SO THEY COULD DO A COLD START AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH IT. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT LIKE SHIFTS TO A LOWER GEAR, LIKE SOMETHING HOLDING IT BACK.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 26, 2019
CAR WON'T START. PANEL TURNS ON BUT IT WON'T ENGAGE THE STARTER. CAN HEAR A BUZZ NOISE, LIKE A MAGNETIZED COIL GOING OFF. SHIFTER IS LOCKED. STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. BRAKE IMPOSSIBLE TO PUSH DOWN. ONLY WAY I CAN START THE CAR IS WITH THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE PUSHING THE START BUTTON FOR 15 SECONDS. BUT STILL THE SHIFTER IS BLOCKED IN PARKING AND TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR I NEED TO USE THE LITTLE SWITCH UNDER THE BUTTON SIZE COVER NEXT TO THE SHIFTER. TOYOTA HAS NO CLUE WHAT IS GOING ON. VEHICLE HAS 45K MILES
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.
Engine, Sep 15, 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, 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.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 16, 2018
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN SIX MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR WINDSHIELD ON MY RAV4. BOTH TIMES IT HAD BEEN PARKED IN A PARKING SPOT OUTSIDE WHEN THE WINDOWS SHATTERED. BOTH TIMES THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE A VISIBLE REASON TO HAVE CAUSED THE SHATTERING OF THE WINDOW .
Wheels, Aug 14, 2018
PRESSURE SENSORS MAL FUNCTIONING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT MIGHT BE DAMAGED WHEN TIRES WERE REPLACED AND ASKING DIAGNOSTIC FEES AND REPAIR CHARGES. THIS WAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM IN THIS CAR
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.
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2018
BOTH POWER LOCKS FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE FUSES ARE FINE. IT SEEMS IT'S AN ACTUATOR ISSUE COMMON WITH TOYOTAS.