2015 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 304 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 37 involved a crash and 41 involved a fire. 30 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
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: electrical system
85 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, May 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Apr 22, 2024, fire
The contact owned a 2015 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his driveway, he observed black smoke emanating from the engine compartment. Shortly afterward, the vehicle became engulfed in flames originating from the engine compartment. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. No warning lights were illuminated. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle remained at the contact's residence but was deemed a total loss by his insurance provider. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System), and the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 34,000.
Electrical system, Mar 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, various unknown warning lights flashed and stalled. The vehicle was restarted but on several occasions, the vehicle would not start and required a jump start. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was burning oil at a faster rate due to the oil being changed less than a month ago. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced and an oil change was needed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2024
I just called Toyota dealer at Grime City IA this morning to make an appointment for recall the battery hold-down clamp and the battery tray as I just knew yesterday. Unfortunately, the customer lady let me know they are unavailable to do that because they do not have enough parts for now. As I knew, the program just extended until June 2024 then I asked her to put my case on the list, but she denied to do it too. So would you please give me your recommendation and email me back as a proof. After June 2024, if they continue to deny me as today, I will have proof to talk with them. Thank you very much and have a good day.
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2024, fire
My son was driving our RAV4 LE 2015 and took an exit. While driving, the car shut off, and the dashboard lights blinked. He turned the car on and moved about 40 feet in the exit when the car shut off again, and smoke came from the hood. A few minutes later, the car was on fire. The cause was a battery-induced short circuit. The burned RAV4 LE 2015 is available for inspection. This incident put my son and a friend at serious risk. At this moment, the problem hasn't been confirmed by a dealer or independent service. However, months later, the manufacturer issued a recall on Nov 01, 2023. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or any other party. There were no warning lamps or messages, except for the first time it shut off when the dashboard lights blinked.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 4, 2024, fire
When I try to start up my car after a full month of parking as usual I knew already it has a dead battery so I jump started then once it started I heard a very small explosion with smoke coming from underneath the glove compartment then I found a very small fire started from the same place so I left the car and I called 911 who came and extinguished the fire after the entire car was already engulfed and exploded in fire. The car closed the other two cars on both sides to melt partially as well. The picture attached has the incident number.
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Dec 31, 2023
Audio stopped working, display keeps rebooting
Electrical system, Dec 31, 2023
RADIO NOT UPDATING
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 21, 2023, fire
My vehicle's electrical components short-circuited, steering became difficult to control and the vehicle caught on fire under the hood near the battery compartment.
Electrical system, Dec 20, 2023, fire
The recall for my RAV4 was for the battery, and it may cause a fire. The safety of my family members and other families was affected by this fire. We are all displaced. My mom parked our car under our apartment, and 15 minutes later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The battery was replaced in 2019, and the rep told us of farmers that they can't confirm that the recall may be the root of the fire. I was told by the farmers rep that a certain battery is responsible for the fire. The car was parked and no lights were on.
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the touchscreen on the main computer failed to show the desired display on the lower right side of the screen. The failure occurred intermittently at first but had since become a persistent failure. The contact stated that the system updates could not be updated as needed due to the failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 144,675.
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2023, fire
I drove all day for work without issues and when I made a right into my neighborhood, I lost power and power steering. I pulled over and parked my car. I noticed smoke coming from it and popped the hood. The wired connecting to the battery caught fire. It seems the battery could have shifted and grounded itself.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2023, fire
Cause and Origin of the fire which led to the spread from the vehicle to the home resulted from a known issue with stated vehicle electrical failure. Fortunately the homeowner was able to remove herself from the home without injury. The vehicle had been parked and not operating for approximatley 18 hours prior to fire.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 9, 2023, fire
Approximately two minutes after turning the vehicle off, smoke started coming from the engine area. Within the next two minutes, flames emerged. The fire quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames causing a total loss. The fire department declared it a loss and stated a cause will likely not be known by them. I was not in the vehicle at the time of the smoke. A truck next to the vehicle quickly moved away. Insurance company is in route to investigate. No warning signs prior.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 25, 2023, fire
Today I started my RAV4 in my driveway to warm it up and went back in the house. Approximatly 5-10 minutes later someone knocked on the door to let me know the car was on fire. The fire department said it was likley that the fire started in the engine and spread to the rest of the vehicle.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Back over prevention, Feb 22, 2023
Radio and Navigation system is not working. Dealership stated this is a factory problem that is very costly to repair. A lot of Toyota vehicles are having the same problem. It is a safety issue because driver can't use the hands free option or navigation system. So using the phone while driving is really not safe!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2023
The infotainment unit is stuck in a loop. Spoke to multiple dealers that said they’ve seen at least 200+ of these issues in the past year. They said their fix is a total replacement of the unit.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 3, 2022, fire
Car caught on fire in my driveway .
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was started, the instrument panel went blank and then illuminated as needed. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving 45 MPH, the instrument panel went blank and the radio became inoperable; however, soon after the failure, the functions returned and operated as designed. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was not able to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Aug 4, 2022
The power hatch door liftgate support rods problems. The hatch door won't close. This is the third times. First two times were under warranty, this time is after warranty. The liftgate must have mechanical or design problem when manufacturing. If the hatch back door suddenly drop, it will hurt my head or body when I try to reach my trunks.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, May 23, 2022
Power to the vehicle was lost while making a turn under a stop light. Emergency flashers were used. All dashboard lights came on at the time the vehicle lost power. Radio stopped. The car was turned off and was able to be restarted after several seconds. The danger was having a vehicle stopped under a stop light for several seconds. The problem has yet to be repeated. It happened just this morning 5/23/22. No other warnings were given before loss of power. We have not yet had an inspection by any other parties but will plan on it as we are aware there had been an issue with a 12 volt battery case in the past on this model.