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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 20, 2015
WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE DURING A TURN. IT FOR A MOMENT WILL LOOSE POWER AND THEN HAVE A BURST OF ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STARTED AND TURNED BUT IT MAY ALSO HAVE HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN LATELY AND MAKES TURNING DANGEROUS IF THERE IS A VEHICLE APPROACHING ACROSS THE CURVE OF THEE TERM. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 RAV4. I ASKED THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF THEN COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD NO. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Seat belts, Apr 6, 2015
CONTINUALLY SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE TO ENGAGE THE SEAT BELT. WE HAVE STRUGGLE WITH THIS, AND AS SUCH ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE SEAT BELT FASTENED, FOR AS MANY AS FIVE BLOCKS. THIS IS UNSAFE. THE DEALER, AND TOYOTA ADVISES ME THAT "YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE A SEAT BELT". ARE THEY CRAZY? I AM 64, AND KNOW ABOUT SEAT BELTS, AND SAFETY. MY FATHER HAD MANY AWARDS FROM THE USAF FOR SAFETY, AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. THIS IS A PROBLEM I HAVE ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING, NOT SURE IF IT TIES TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. FINALLY THE GPS GIVES INCORRECT OR ERRONEOUS DIRECTIONS. THEY TELL ME IT IS UP TO DATE. THE AIR BAGS BASED UPON NEWS ARE AN UNKNOWN ISSUE. IT SEEMS WITH THESE ISSUES, THEY SHOULD REPLACE VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMERS ARE INJURED, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE, IS THERE PROFIT MARGIN/ *TR
Air bags, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Mar 26, 2015, crash
THE THROTTLE STUCK ON THE CAR. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND IT WENT OVER A 10 FOOT FALL AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. IT WAS A VERY SCARY RIDE. I TRIED EVERY WAY TO STOP THE CAR BUT COULD NOT . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE UNINTENDED EVENT. I AM STILL VERY SORE THREE WEEKS LATER AND HAVE SOME SPINAL SPRAIN AND WRIST SPRAIN, CERVICAL SPRAIN AND BOTH KNEES BRUISED BOTH KNEES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS AFTER I CONSULTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY....UPDATED 06-16-15 *BF *TR UPDATED 10/2/2017*CN
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT REMAINED STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED INCREASED AND CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Power train, Mar 11, 2015
POTENTIALLY LETHAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN TOYOTA RAV4 IN MARCH 2013 I BOUGHT A NEW TOYOTA RAV4 AT ACTON TOYOTA, IN MASSACHUSETTS. ON FEBRUARY 21ST 2014, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN SUDBURY, MASSACHUSETTS ON ROUTE 20 WHEN SUDDENLY IT WENT COMPLETELY HAYWIRE. THE ENGINE STALLED OUT ? RESTARTED ? STALLED OUT AGAIN ? RESTARTED. THIS WAS ALL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. I DROVE INTO THE LOCAL CITIZENS BANK CAR PARK, WHERE I PARKED HEAD IN TO A VERY LARGE SNOW DRIFT. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE GEARS WERE GONE EXCEPT FOR 'D'! OI CYCLED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH CLOSING THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTING IT - NO CHANGE. OI COULD NOT PUSH THE CAR BACKWARDS AWAY FROM THE SNOW DRIFT ON MY OWN. OEVENTUALLY I WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. OON ARRIVAL AT ACTON TOYOTA, THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - RANDY IRWIN - TESTED THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY ENCOUNTERED THE ISSUE - SHIFTER IN REVERSE - REVVING THE ENGINE - NOTHING. HE TRIED THIS WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT SHIFTER POSITIONS OTHER THAN 'D', ALWAYS WITH THE SAME RESULT. HE THEN ENGAGED 'D' AND MOVED THE CAR FORWARD SLIGHTLY. HE THEN SLOWLY ENGAGED REVERSE AND THERE WAS A HUGE CLUNK FROM UNDER THE CAR. AND NOW REVERSE WAS ENGAGED! THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A LOANER VEHICLE AND KEPT THE RAV4. ON MARCH 3RD 2014, I PHONED IRWIN - HE SAID A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE DROVE IT THE PREVIOUS WEEK. THERE HAD BEEN NO RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM - NOW THEY WERE DOING A 'VISUAL INSPECTION' (WHATEVER THAT IS!) SINCE NOTHING CAME UP IN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. ON MARCH 5TH 2014 I PHONED IRWIN AGAIN ? HE SAID THAT TOYOTA HAD TAKEN THE CASE OVER. TOYOTA THEN CALLED - THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE ISSUE TO RECUR, AND SO THEY REQUESTED THAT I PICK UP THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS I DID. AT NO POINT DID TOYOTA EVER ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM ? THEY ALWAYS STATED SIMPLY THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE ISSUE TO RECUR. *TR
Air bags, Feb 25, 2015, crash
THIS WAS A FRONT END COLLISION. THE OTHER PARTY SPUN INTO OUR LANE (LOCAL ROAD) AND DESTROYED OUR FRONT END. AIR BAGS DID NOT APPEAR TO CAUSE THE INJURY (FRONT PASSENGER HAD A BROKEN RIB ON THE LEFT SIDE AND A POSSIBLE SEPARATED STERNUM). THE AIR BAGS SEEM TO HAVE DEPLOYED PROPERLY BUT DID NOT DEFLATE AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE INJURED PERSON (FRONT PASSENGER). ALSO, ONE OF THE AIR BAGS RELEASED ITS CHEMICAL INTO THE FACE OF THE INJURED PERSON CAUSING THEM A LOT OF DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NO INJURIES.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2015
ON RARE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING, I WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER. IT'S AS IF SOMEONE HAS SUDDENLY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER IS TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN PUSH DOWN AGAIN TO REGAIN SPEED. IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME ON FLAT ROADS, HILLS, SNOW OR RAIN COVERED, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON FOR THIS. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS HE CAN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM UNLESS I CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM FOR HIM SO HE CAN SEE FOR HIMSELF WHAT IS HAPPENING & THEN SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT I CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM! IT'S TOTALLY RANDOM. THIS PUTS ME LITERALLY ON PINS & NEEDLES WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM PASSING A CAR AND SUDDENLY I LOSE POWER? I HAVE 20000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND LOSS OF POWER HAS OCCURED MAYBE 20 TIMES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS. *JS
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 15, 2015
WHEN MAKING A LEGAL U-TURN ON A BUSY ROAD I RAPIDLY BRAKED THE CAR (FROM 45MPH TO 2-3MPH) TO A PARTIAL STOP ROLLING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS TO A HARD LEFT. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR EXPECTING TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE U-TURN AND INSTEAD THE CAR HESITATED AND SLOWED FEELING LIKE THERE WAS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER TO THE WHEELS. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH NO IMMEDIATE EFFECT IN ACCELERATION. APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS PASSED AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHED IN THE LANE I WAS DRIFTING INTO WHEN SUDDENLY ALL ACCELERATION RESUMED NORMALLY. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST ONCE. ECO MODE WAS TURNED ON AND MY RAV4 IS AN AWD MODEL. I CONSIDER IT TO BE A REPORTABLE INCIDENT SINCE THE HESITATION WAS NOT EXPECTED AND INCREASED THE PROBABILITY OF COLLISION WITH TRAFFIC IN THE DRIVING LANE I WAS TURNING INTO. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN USING EITHER THE KEY FOB OR DOING SO MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,005.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Jan 13, 2015, crash
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BRIDGE AT APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 36 AND BEFORE THE RED LIGHT I LEFT MY RIGHT LEG FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET READY TO STOP BY THE RED LIGHT . AT THAT MOMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND TO MY LEG PRESSING AND THE TOTAL BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND HAVING CARS STOPPED INFRONT OF ME BY THE RED LIGHT I HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BIG TREE. THE DAMAGE REACHED ALMOST TO THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT HOOD; HOWEVER, NO ANY AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED OR ACTIVATED DUE TO THE CRASH AND I WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE HOSPITAL BY THE AMBULANCE AND BEEN HOSPITALIZED FOR SEVEN DAYS AND FOR THE FIRST FOUR DAYS I LOST ANY SENSATION IN MY BOTH LEGS WITH A SEVER SPINE PAIN AND UNTIL NOW MY BOTH LEGS HURT ME AND SO DOES MY BACK ( SPINE ). PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE CAR STILL UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND ALL THE SERVICES WERE CONNECTED BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE. THE LAST WAS CONDUCTED AT THE DEALERSHIP ON SEP 15, 2014 AT 13:25 - 14:39. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE EXACTLY AS THE DEALER RECOMMENDED.....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF..........UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF *TR UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN
Visibility/wiper, Jan 9, 2015
WE HAD A WINTER BLIZZARD WITH ICE, SHOW WIND ETC. WHERE THE WIPER BLADES REST ON THE WINDSHIELD THEY RECEIVE MINIMAL IF ANY DIRECT HEAT. (I CAN NOT GET A THIN PIECE OF PAPER BETWEEN THE DASHBOARD AND INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD. THE PAPER IS 2 1/2" ABOVE THE WIPER BLADE.) I WARMED THE RAV 4 FOR AN EXTREMELY LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND THE ICE THAT HAD FORMED ON THE WIPERS BEFORE I STARTED IT WOULD NOT MELT OFF. I THEN SCRAPED AS MUCH OF THE ICE OFF THE WIPER AS YOU CAN REASONABLY DO WITHOUT DAMAGING THE WIPER AND ICE AND SNOW OFF THAT PART OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE BLADES REST. I STARTED TO DRIVE BUT ICE AND SNOW IMMEDIATELY STARTED ACCUMULATING ON THE LOWER PART WHERE DEFROST DOES NOT HEAT AND THE BLADES STARTED TO ICE UP AND THEY SCRAP ACROSS THE UNHEATED AREA. HAD TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE VISION. WOULD STOP EVERY SO OFTEN AND SCRAP EVERYTHING BEST AS I COULD. START DRIVING AND A TOTAL UNACCEPTABLE VISION WINDOW ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE DRIVEN IN THIS AREA FOR 47 YEARS IN A LOT OF BLIZZARDS AND WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A SITUATION WHERE I COULD NOT KEEP MY WINDOWS SO I COULD REASONABLY SEE TO SAFELY NAVIGATE. THIS RAV 4 WOULD NOT LET ME DO THAT AND I HAVE BEEN IN A LOT WORSE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THAN THIS ONE. SOME TOYOTAS HAVE WIPER DE-ICERS WITH LINES THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD TO HEAT THIS PART OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE TOYOTA DECIDED TO PLACE THE WIPERS. WHILE WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WHEN PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW, SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE AN ADD ON YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR. TOYOTA PLACED THE BLADES WHERE THEY ARE SO THEY SHOULD DE-ICE. I UNDERSTAND HEATED SIDE MIRRORS AND THE LIKE BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SAFELY REMEDIED BY A DRIVER WHO DOES NOT HAVE THEM. THIS WIPER PROBLEM CAN NOT BE. THANK YOU. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 1, 2015
WHILE BACKING UP, VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE DOING MUCH DAMAGE. WIFE DRIVING MANY YEARS, NEVER HITTING ACCELERATOR WHEN SHE MEANT TO HIT THE BRAKES. DO NOT KNOW WHY RAPID ACCELERATION OCCURRED. HAS NOT HAPPENED MOVING FORWARD. *JS
Engine, Dec 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800. UPDATED 6/8/2015 *JS
Service brakes, Oct 31, 2014
THE RAV4 WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A DEALER. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FELT EXCESSIVE, AS IF THERE WAS TOO MUCH AIR IN THE SYSTEM. WITH A MODERATE BRAKE APPLICATION, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE PEDAL WAS ALMOST TO THE END OF ITS STROKE. I MEASURED THE PEDAL TRAVEL STATICALLY IN MY GARAGE = WITH 25 POUNDS EFFORT, THE TRAVEL WAS 2.5 INCHES. BUT WITH 100 POUNDS EFFORT, THE PEDAL WAS ABOUT 1/2" FROM THE FLOOR, MEANING THAT IN THE ADVENT OF A FAILED BRAKE CIRCUIT, THERE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH PEDAL TRAVEL TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE PEDAL EFFORT V. TRAVEL FELT LINEAR, AND NOT ASYMPTOTIC AS ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM A BRAKE PEDAL. I TOOK THE RAV4 TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. THEY REPORTED THAT THEY FOUND NO ISSUES AND NO SERVICE WAS DONE. AFTER THE VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKE PEDAL FEEL WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. THE PEDAL TRAVEL AT 25 POUNDS EFFORT WAS NOW 1.5", WHICH FELT NORMAL. ALSO, THE PEDAL FEEL WAS NOW ASYMPTOTIC AND PLENTY OF TRAVEL WAS LEFT AVAILABLE TO ALLOW FOR A SAFE STOP WITH A FAILED CIRCUIT. SINCE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CHANGED ON THE VEHICLE DURING ITS VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT LEAVES OPEN THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF THE RAV4 BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE BRAND NEW STATE IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE. ON A SEPARATE ISSUE, WHILE MEASURING THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IN MY GARAGE I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD DEPLETE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BRAKE APPLICATION IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS MODULATED SLIGHTLY (FOR EXAMPLE, PULSED UP AND DOWN SLIGHTLY WITHOUT FULLY RETRACTING IT). I CONSIDER THIS UNSAFE AS WELL BECAUSE IF AN UNUSUAL EVENT OCCURRED, SUCH AS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, THEN THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD QUICKLY DEPLETE LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT BRAKE ASSIST AND UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, UNLESS HE/SHE HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO FULLY RETRACT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLY IT FIRMLY. *TR
Air bags, Oct 27, 2014, crash
MY WIFE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH HER 2013 RAV4 WITH ONLY 14K MILES IN WHICH SHE WAS T-BONED. BOTH THE PASSENGER DOORS AND QUARTER PANELS WAS EFFECTED BY THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE ALMOST FLIP TO ONE SIDE BUT DIDN'T AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION FAIL APART. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE CAR DEPLOYED, THE VEHICLE WILL MOST LIKELY BE TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY DUE TO FRAME DAMAGE ON THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE AND ABSOLUTELY NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I BELIEVE THE THEIR IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT CAUSE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS NOT TO BE DEPLOYED. I'M SO HAPPY MY NEW BORN AND 18 MONTH OLD WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE DURING THAT TIME. *TR
Equipment, Oct 26, 2014
THE GPS IS UNUSABLE IN DAYLIGHT DUE TO THE GLARE...MY OTHER CAR, A SUBARU, WORKS PERFECTLY. TOYOTA COMPLAIN DIVISION IS VERY POLITE BUT SAYS THE VEHICLE IS OK? SILLY BUT I GAVE UP CONTACTING THEM. *TR
Visibility, Oct 25, 2014
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS OVER 35MPH AND A REAR WINDOW IS ROLLED DOWN, WITH OTHER WINDOWS UP, THERE IS A BUFFETING AND FEELING OF PRESSURE TO YOUR EARS INSIDE THE VEHICLE.THIS CAN BE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO THE OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE.I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD VIA EMAIL THAT THIS IS NORMAL IN MODERN VEHICLES. *TR
Seats, Oct 13, 2014, crash
I GOT MY NEW TOYOTA RAV4 2013 EARLY IN 2013. ON THE SECOND DAY I OWNED IT I NOTICED THAT THE THREE TALL AND BROAD REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS OBSCURED AT LEAST ONE-THIRD OF MY VIEW OUT THE REAR WINDOW. I TOOK THEM OUT AND HAVE KEPT THEM OUT SO I CAN HAVE CLEAR VISION TO THE REAR. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THE TALL AND BROAD HEAD REST ON THE PASSENGER SEAT ALSO OBSCURED MY VIEW OUT TO THE RIGHT. I SIDE-SWIPED ANOTHER CAR EARLY IN AUGUST, AFTERWARD TELLING THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER THAT I DID NOT SEE THE CAR AT ALL, HAD NO IDEA OF WHERE IT HAD COME FROM. IT WASN'T UNTIL SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THAT I REALIZED THAT I HAD NOT SEEN THE OTHER CAR BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST OBSCURED MY 'OVER THE SHOULDER VIEW' TO THE RIGHT. I REALIZE THAT THESE HEAD RESTS ARE PRESUMED TO PREVENT NECK WHIPLASH INJURIES. AS IT HAPPENS I AM A PHYSICIAN AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DANGER OF WHIPLASH INJURY. BUT HEAD RESTS SUCH AS THESE, AT LEAST IN THE TOYOTA RAV 4 2013, ARE VERY DANGEROUS AS THEY OBSCURE THE DRIVER'S VISION BOTH TO THE REAR AND TO THE RIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2014
THE NAVIGATION SCREEN IS TOTALLY UNUSABLE IN DAYLIGHT. SCREEN IS FLAT AND EXPOSED TO SUN. DRIVER HAS TO LEAN OVER AND HOLD RIGHT HAND OVER THE SCREEN TO GET ANY VISIBILITY AT ALL. EVEN THEN YOU CAN BARELY SEE IT, NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER OF LEANING OVER, USING THE RIGHT HAND TO SCREEN, AND STARING AT THE SCREEN RATHER THAN THE ROAD. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE DESIGN. TOYOTA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. $1500 MISTAKE FOR ANYONE WHO PURCHASED THIS ADD-ON. YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY RELY ON THE VOICE FOR NAVIGATION. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Aug 26, 2014
IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SCREEN FROM THE NORMAL DRIVING POSITION IN THE SUNLIGHT DUE TO GLARE. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. THIS IS UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. TOYOTA SERVICE CLAIMS THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *TR
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2014
THE NAVIGATION SCREEN IS TOTALLY UNUSEABLE IN DAYLIGHT. SCREEN IS FLAT AND EXPOSED TO SUN. DRIVER HAS TO LEAN WAY OVER AND HOLD RIGHT HAND OVER THE SCREEN TO GET ANY VISIBILITY AT ALL. EVEN THEN IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO SEE, NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER OF LEANING OVER, USING THE RIGHT HAND TO SCREEN, AND STARING AT THE SCREEN RATHER THAN THE ROAD. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE DESIGN. TOYOTA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. $1500 MISTAKE FOR ANYONE WHO PURCHASED THIS ADD-ON. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 15, 2014, crash
I WAS PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO AN EXIT DRIVEWAY. ABOUT 12 FEET DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WAS A CEMENT BRICK WALL PARALLELING THE DRIVEWAY. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR ROCKETED INTO THE CEMENT BRICK WALL. FORTUNATELY,, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS NOT INJURED BADLY NOR WAS ANYONE ELSE. $ 13,000 TO FIX MY CAR AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL HAPPEN TOME AGAIN. I WILL BE LIKE DRIVING A TIME BOMB. I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO TOYOTA AND HAVE THEM CHECK MY SYSTEMS AND CERTIFY, THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC. *TR
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
Power train, Jun 26, 2014
SINCE BRAND NEW AT TIMES WHEN STOPPED THEN ACCELERATE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IT WILL HESITATE WHEN I AM HALF WAY TURNED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER THEN IT WILL CATCH CAUSING A BURST IN ACCELERATION. AT TIMES I HAVE LOST POWER WHEN I NEED IT MOST. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERS ATTENTION TO IT AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IN A TEST DRIVE SO NOTHING IS WRONG. IT DOES NOT DO IT OFTEN 6 OR 7 TIMES A WEEK BUT IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 10, 2014
BRAKES FADING AND OVERHEATING. DURING A LONG DESCENT ON HIGHWAY THAT REQUIRED FREQUENT APPLICATION OF BRAKES TO MAINTAIN SPEED, I EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT BRAKE FADING AND OVERHEATING. AT THE END OF THE HILL BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED REQUIRING MORE PRESSURE AND PEDAL TRAVEL TO ACHIEVE ADEQUATE BRAKING ACTION. BRAKING WAS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY VIBRATION THAT COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. BRAKING PERFORMANCE WAS RESTORED AFTER THE BRAKES COOLED DOWN. AFTER THE INCIDENT I DID A BIT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT RAV4 LE IS EQUIPPED WITH SMALLER FRONT BRAKES THAN XLE AND LIMITED MODELS. LE FRONT ROTORS ARE ONLY 10.8", SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER THAN 11.7" ROTORS ON THE XLE AND LIMITED, AS WELL AS MOST COMPETITIVE VEHICLE WHICH COME EQUIPPED WITH ~12" OR BIGGER BRAKE ROTORS. BASED ON THE FADING / OVERHEATING EXPERIENCED AND THE FACT THAT RAV4 LE BRAKES ARE MUCH SMALLER THAN MOST OTHER SMALL SUV, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE BRAKES ROTORS ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE SIZE / GVWR OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR