2014 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 197 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 20 involved a crash and 25 involved a fire. 22 people were injured.
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
Steering, electric power assist systemMar 13, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 15V144000 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
EquipmentDec 30, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.
Campaign 14V828000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
197 reports, newest first.
Power train, Nov 9, 2021
My husband made sure he took the car into the dealership before his current deployment & records showed nothing was wrong. About 2 months ago I noticed the vehicle would jump from 2 to 3 RPM. He changed the spark plugs and battery. The drive improved but soon started revving again. In September, I called the dealership & described the issue & noted that there was no check engine light or any light indicating anything was wrong. The maintenance personnel said to drop it off for further diagnosis. On October 15, I took the vehicle in for a diagnostic it came back with another clean report and was advised to bring it back in if the problem persist. The next morning, I noticed the vehicle was still behaving the same way. I called the dealership and told them I will bring the vehicle back in. I was insistent on finding out what the problem was & showed them a video of what I was describing the vehicle was doing. The dealership said they would keep it overnight to try & figure out what was wrong. The following evening October 21, I got a call stating that my transmission fluid was black with metal shavings and it was supposed to be red. The transmission fluid could no longer be changed at this point but instead the entire transmission needed to be replaced for $8,947.95! Keep in mind that the average cost of changing the transmission fluid is $250. If my vehicle was properly maintained when took it to Toyota dealerships since 2014 for ALL the recommended maintenance, we would not be having this issue. We TRUSTED the dealerships to tell us what maintenance was needed. The transmission fluid should have been replaced at 60,000 miles & it was not. Now we have to replace the entire transmission. Toyota needs to take ownership of their mistake; not properly maintaining our vehicle. It is no fault of our own that it was never indicated to us that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. His family with no vehicle, exactly what he was trying to avoid before he deployed.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 31, 2021, fire
On Sunday, Aug 29th, our RAV4 caught fire in our driveway. The vehicle was off/parked at the time and required the fire department to extinguish. The fire spread to our truck which was parked next to the RAV4. Both are a complete loss.
Steering, Aug 29, 2021
The first thing that happened was while driving in the day my dash board lights shut off and back on three different times with in 5-7 minutes. Then the next day while driving down the road by vehicle electrical dash board system shut itself off and came back while I was driving. The warning symbol for the electrical steering power flashed on and my steering wheel locked up as I was turning and caused me not to be able to steer normally. Also, my air conditioning shut off and back on during these incidents.
Steering, Aug 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the power steering assist message displayed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The next day the vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined, and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 74,800.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 19, 2021, fire
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After multiple attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. Soon after the vehicle was restarted there was smoke coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled again. The contact stated that the battery had caught on fire. The battery was destroyed. The fire department was not notified of the fire. There was no injury sustained. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic for repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. The VIN was not available.
Steering, Engine, Jul 12, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. During the failure, the instrument panel flashed approximately 4-5 times before going black. The contact stepped out to look under the hood and noticed a small fire. The police department was contacted and arrived and put out the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away and deemed a total loss. The contact was not injured. Medical attention was not needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 6, 2021, crash, fire
After a minor front end collision, the RAV4 immediately began smoking and caught fire. With a minor accident where the other car only had their front bumper minorly damaged, the RAV4 should not have caught fire. Their must be a defect in either the battery or oil line for the car to have caught fire. The car is a total loss and I am asking for a full investigation as my 2 children were in the car when the fire started.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 1, 2021, fire
Making a turn onto a local toll road and entire car went dead without warning of any kind. I had to struggle with loss of power steering to complete turn without going off road. Car came to a stop. I tried to call my wife to advise her I was having car problems which is surprising as I haven't had issues previously and had an earlier version of the RAV4 that I drove for 210,000 miles. Anyway, another vehicle stopped alongside and inquired if I needed assistance. As I talked, I noticed a smokey smell from what I had initially assumed was steam. I stepped outside the vehicle and observed through the drivers side front wheel well to see fire at the bottom of the engine compartment. Since I was driving to trails to ride my mountain bike, I had a water bottle and squeezed it onto the flames which partially extinguished and then relit. I hit the hood release but decided it was better to leave the hood down. I went to the rear lift gate to open it to retrieve my expensive carbon fiber mountain bike but it was locked. I tried to open the back driver side door also without success and tried hitting the unlock button on the drivers door but there was no power. About this time the smoke coming from the hood increased and I decided to heed the advise being given to step away from the car. Had I remembered sooner, I probably could have reached around the driver's seat to recover my wallet from the back pocket of the seat. As the fire increased, I stepped increasingly further back from the vehicle. About 5 minutes into the fire a state trooper arrived and expended his only extinguisher in an unsuccessful attempt to put out the fire. It was probably another 12-15 minutes before the fire department arrived to extinguish the fire but by that time, the car and its contents were a total loss.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 22, 2021
I was driving down the road. I slowed up for a light and it turned green and started to go and my car turned off. Electrical still worked but engine was off.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
All but one lock has now failed. The truck is not able to be opened. There were no warnings/indications, and now the company is telling me that it is no longer under warranty and it cannot be repaired unless paid for. I do find similar stories online and that the locks fail a second time in some cases.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 7, 2021, fire
ON MARCH 20, MY 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN MOVED FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. THE CAR FIRE CAUGHT THE RAFTERS IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE AND THEN CAUGHT THE REST OF MY HOME ON FIRE.
Engine, Mar 24, 2021, fire
WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK ON A WELL GRADED AND FULLY MAINTAINED DIRT ROAD, ALL THE LIGHTS IN MY DASH STARTED FLICKERING, AND THEN MY CARS ENGINE SHUT DOWN. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING / COASTING IN NEUTRAL. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. IT WAS A LITTLE SMOKE, THEN MORE, AND THEN SUBSIDED TO BEING BARLEY NOTICEABLE AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. AFTER IT SUBSIDED, I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO TRY TO START IT, HOPING IT WAS AN OVERHEATED ENGINE AND I MIGHT GET THE CAR TO TURN OVER. IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, I NOTICED A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD, SAW A LIQUID DRIPPING BENEATH THE THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS SIDE) PART OF THE CAR. I ALSO SAW A SMALL FLAME. I CALLED 911 TO REPORT THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WITHIN 10-15 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE PARK RANGER, SHERIFF, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP SHORTLY AFTER THAT. A CHARRED CAR FRAME IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT'S LEFT.
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2021
OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL RESTART WHILE I'M DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN FLICKING ON MY BRIGHTS. I GOT THE CAR CHECKED AND THE MECHANICS STATED IT PROBABLY WAS FROM THE BUILD UP ON THE BATTERY. THERE WERE A COUPLE DAYS WHEN THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE.
Engine, Feb 4, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE COMING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V011000 (TRAILER HITCHES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. THE CONTACT CASE HAS BEEN CLOSED OUT WITH CASE MGMT AND WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE TOYOTA CLAIMS DEPT IN REGARDS TO THE STATUS case and as of today my case 4/29/21.
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2021
MY HEAD UNIT WHICH PROVIDES NAVIGATION, SOUND, HANDS FREE PHONE, BLUETOOTH AND MUSIC OPTIONS CONTINUALLY ATTEMPTS TO RELOAD. SO I HAVE NONE OF THE ABOVE FEATURES TO USE. THIS PRESENTS A PROBLEM, AS IF I WANT TO MAKE OR RECEIVE A PHONE CALL, OR SPEAK HANDS FREE, THE OPTION NO LONGER EXISTS. I HAVE REVIEWED WEBSITES LIKE YOUTUBE AND CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF OWNERS OF NOT JUST A RAV4, BUT OTHER TOYOTA BRANDS WHO ARE HAVING OR HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE CALLED TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS SYSTEM. I DON'T SEE HOW NOT HAVING YOUR NAVIGATION, OR HANDS FREE PHONE SERVICES NOT WORKING, CANNOT BE A SAFETY CONCERN! THE WHOLE POINT OF HANDS FREE IS INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE! IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU ARE DRIVING OR NOT, THE SYSTEM JUST WANTS TO CONTINUALLY REBOOT. FROM WHAT I'VE READ AND WATCHED, THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING FLAW WITHIN THE 'ENTUNE' SYSTEM. I'M HOPING YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN REVIEW THIS ISSUE AND SUPPORT THE MILLIONS OF TOYOTA OWNERS ACROSS THE NATION.
Power train, Jan 17, 2021
GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS. THIS COMMUNICATION IS ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF. I ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 33,000 MILES AND I NOTICED THAT IT HAD THIS PROBLEM OF A SLIGHT INTERMITTENT SHUDDER, WHAT SOME WOULD CALL A SHAKE OR VIBRATION, DURING ACCELERATION COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IT DID NOT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE SO I IGNORED IT MAINLY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE TIME TO ADDRESS IT. AS TIME WENT ON THE CONDITION BECAME MUCH MORE NOTICEABLE AND TOYOTA SENT ME A LETTER EXPLAINING THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AFFECTING SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THIS LETTER WITH THIS COMMUNICATION. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY IS CONSIDERED A COURTESY AND CERTAINLY IT COVERED UP TO A CONSIDERABLE MILEAGE HOWEVER MY POSITION IS THAT BECAUSE THIS CONDITION EXISTED AT EARLY MILEAGE AND GREW CONSIDERABLY WORSE WITH EXTENDED MILEAGE AND TIME, THAT PERHAPS YOU MAY CONSIDER THAT TOYOTA SHOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR TIME. MY VEHICLE IS PAST THE ALLOWABLE MILEAGE IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I KNOW TOYOTA DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR THAT BUT PERHAPS THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF IS FOUND IN A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT IT MAY NOT CAUSE THEM MUCH GRIEF AT ALL. THANK YOU.
Engine, Jan 13, 2021
THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS HIGH, OVER 188,000 MILES BUT I THINK THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO MAKE NOTE OF IT. THE PLASTIC COUPLER AT THE UPPER END OF THE RADIATOR HOSE STARTED LEAKING COOLING FLUID AND I FOUND THAT IT HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE END OF THE PLASTIC COUPLER INSIDE OF THE RUBBER HOSE WAS BROKEN AND WHEN REMOVED I FOUND THAT IT WAS BRITTLE TO THE TOUCH. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE PART IN QUESTION. I THINK IF TOYOTA COULD MAKE THIS PARTICULAR PART OUT OF METAL IT WOULD NOT COST MUCH AND COULD SAVE THE CONSUMER FROM A SERIOUS ISSUE.
Power train, Dec 9, 2020
WHEN CAR IS IN MOVEMENT AT SPEED OF 20 OR30 MPG CHANGING CAUSE A SHIVERS INTO A JERKING FEELING
Power train, Nov 11, 2020
PURCHASED A USED 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 ON 01-2018 FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE OF $12,000. IT HAD 36,198 MILES AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICED A SHUTTERING WHILE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. LOOKED INTO RECALLS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THESE SYMPTOMS. CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOOK MY CAR'S INFORMATION. THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS 'ELIGIBLE' FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE DONE. HOWEVER, TOYOTA CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND SAID MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE IT WAS A 'TOTAL LOSS' VEHICLE. I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THIS AS I PURCHASED IT WITH A BLUE TITLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE VEHICLE HAD HAIL DAMAGE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY OPTED TO ISSUE A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM BUT DID NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO BADGE THE TITLE AS SALVAGE. I FILED COMPLAINT WITH TEXAS BOARD OF INSURANCE BUT THEY HAVE BEEN NO HELP. MY QUESTION TO NHTSA IS HOW CAN TOYOTA REFUSE TO PERFORM WORK ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS A BLUE TITLE? IT HAS NEVER BEEN DEEMED OR BADGED AS SALVAGE AND YET I AM LEFT TO CONTINUE DRIVING A POSSIBLY UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I PAID FULL MARKET PRICE FOR.
Air bags, Structure, Oct 24, 2020, crash
AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AFTER A CRASH THAT LEFT THE CAR CONSIDERED A 'TOTAL LOSS'. THE CAR HIT A POLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. CAUSING DRIVER TO INJURE FINGER AND MISS TIME FROM WORK.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2020
I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. THE LOCK ACTUATORS ON ALL THE DOORS AND REAR HATCH CONSTANTLY BREAK, THE RADIO COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING AND A NEW AFTER MARKET RADIO HAD TO BE INSTALLED SINCE TOYOTA WON'T RECALL THE RADIOS, THE AC BLOWER MOTOR KEEPS SHORTING OUT, AND THE USB PORTS SHORT OUT AND STOP WORKING.
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2020
THE RADIO SCREEN ONLY DISPLAYS THE TOYOTA SIGN. IT WILL CHANGE STATIONS WITH THE PRE SET ON THE STEERING WHEEL BUT YOU CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE CUZ THE SCREEN DOES NOT DISPLAY ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE TOYOTA SIGN.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2020
RUSTING INSIDE VEHICLE AND BOLTS FOR HATCH BACK IS RUSTING OUT
Seat belts, Aug 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER COAD TOYOTA LOCATED AT 357 SIEMERS DR, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO 63701, (573) 335-2927, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Electrical system, Jul 16, 2020
FUEL GAUGE LIGHT IS ON EMPTY BUT THE CAR HAS A FULL TANK