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, Apr 19, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, the instrumental panel shut down after the vehicle was pulled over. The contact mentioned there was a dark brown smoke coming from the front passenger dashboard and the front of the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact contacted the dealer to inform the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
Electrical system, Feb 8, 2022
Purchased our Rav4 (Certified Used Car) from a Toyota Dealership in January, 2018. On December 12, 2021, I went into our garage to start the car. Upon turning the ignition key, the car starter clicked and the car's starter did not turn. The instrument lights also started to blink on and off, so I turned the ignition key to the off position. I removed the battery and took it to our local mechanic who tested the battery and determined that the battery was dead and that it would not accept a charge. This battery was the second new battery that I had installed in the car, and the second one to fail. I took the dead battery back to Walmart where I purchase it, and Walmart replaced it for free under warranty. I installed the brand new battery to the car. Upon connecting both the positive and negative wires correctly to the positive and negative terminals of the new battery, the car's starter began to turn, but there was no key in the ignition when the starter began to turn. As soon as the car's starter began to turn without there being a key in the ignition, I disconnected the battery cables immediately as a precaution and I made an appointment with the service department at a Toyota Dealership nearby. I had the car towed to the Toyota Dealership. The Toyota Dealership told me there was a battery recall on the car to verify it's size. The Dealership diagnosed the car's electrical system and said that the battery was sized and installed correctly, but there was a short in the electrical system. The dealership said that they would need to remove the faulty car starter that was installed prior to me owning the car, and the dealership would need to restore the starting system to OEM specs. Total cost was $558.02 for the repair.
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2021, fire
The electrical system failed and the car has been towed by State Farm Insurance to Cop-art Savage Vendor in Elgin Il today. My safety was at risk by fast rapidly engulfing flames coming from under the car hood.The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center that we know of. Vehicle or components have been inspected by police, and might have been inspected by our Insurance after the vehicle was towed. There was a warning battery light just before smoke came out from under the hood, then the car stopped and then flames started to come out from under the hood engulfing the front part of the car.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2021, fire
My wife was driving her 2015 Toyota Rav4 on September 13, 2021 when the car stalled while on the interstate. She coasted to the side. It started back up so she continued to work which was off the next exit. As soon as she entered the parking lot, the Rav4 stalled again and she was able to coast in to a parking lot. As soon as she walked inside the building the Rav4 caught on fire. There were no warning lights are any indication of anything wrong with the vehicle up until this point. According to the dealer and the insurance company, the battery caught on fire. What exactly caused this I do not know. The Insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss per the Toyota Dealers recommendation.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 25, 2021, fire
Slow down to make a right turn, the car completely shut off. Put on emergency lights pulled into nearest safest parking lot, braking systems failed, finally put car in park. Pulled keys out of ignition. Took a look around nothing was physically wrong, got back into vehicle started it, with no problem. Took it through the same parking lot, through the drive-thru. Started smoking at the second window, pulled back into the parking lot, shut off vehicle. Got out of vehicle to access smoke, fire started, got back int car then an explosion. Grabbed my daughter and my things the best I could. There was about two or three more explosions afterwards, the fire department came to take out the flames; this was after other employees from the same area tried to put out the fire with fire extinguishers but it wasn’t much help. It halfway burned into the ground, the Fireman had to use the jaws of life to get the hood off of the car to extinguish the fire.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 24, 2021, fire
Driver was driving on the highway when the screen turned off and on and the steering wheel seized momentarily. Approximately 5 minutes later, screen went blank again and could not accelerate. Driver pulled over to the side of the road. Strange noises were coming from under the hood and the car starting smoking and then caught on fire.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 15, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway after driving for approximately 30 minutes, the contact parked and exited the vehicle. The contact stated that approximately 10 minutes later there was a loud explosion heard. The contact looked out to see the vehicle on fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The cause of the failure was unknown. There were no injuries sustained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. The VIN was not provided.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2021, fire
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND BATTERY SET ON FIRE. BATTERY WAS LAST REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2020 AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP.
Suspension, Electrical system, Apr 8, 2021
WHILE ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET AT TIMES THE RADIO AND PANEL LIGHTS FLICKER AND THE SOUND SYSTEM GOES OFF AND WILL NOT RETURN TILL I STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF THEN ONCE I START THE ENGINE THE SOUND SYSTEM WILL COME ON ONCE AGAIN. ALSO AT TIMES THE HIGH BEAMS WILL TAKE A WHILE TO COME ON. THE REAR DIIR WILL NOT OPEN IN AUTOMATIC MUST BE HAND FORCED. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS AS IT DOES NOT EXIST
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021, fire
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 15 MINUTES. I LOST POWER AT THE DASHBOARD, LOST POWER STEERING, AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I COASTED TO A SIDE STREET AND STOPPED THE CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE CLOSEST TO THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, AND HAD MELTED ONE CORNER OF THE BATTERY. A PASSERBY HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO INSPECT AND MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT. EARLIER THAT DAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE SAME WAY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, BUT THE POWER CAME BACK IN A FEW SECONDS. IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THAT WAS A 1-HOUR DRIVE AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO TROUBLES.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 3, 2021
CAR RANDOMLY SHUT OFF ON MONDAY OF THIS YEAR.ALSO THE RADIO IS DEFECTIVE AND CAR TRY'S TO SWITCH GEARS WHILE DRIVING
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2021, fire
THE CAR WAS RUNNING ON THE STREET IN THE CITY WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED, FIRE AND SMOKE ROSE FROM THE BATTERY'S SIDE. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE, AND HAD TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE WITNESSES.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 10, 2021
DRIVING NORMAL, MADE A RIGHT TURN AND CAR SUDDENLY RESTARTS, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP DURING TURN FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. ELECTRIC RESTART ENGINE AND TURNS OFF THE CAR AND CANNOT GAS IT, ONLY BRAKE. CAR COMES BACK ON WITHOUT ME TURNING IT ON AND DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN REST OF THE DRIVE. DRIVING NORMAL FOR A FEW DAYS, HAPPENS AGAIN, ENGINE RESTARTS AGAIN RANDOMLY WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, SAME EXACT DESCRIPTION AS DESCRIBED PREVIOUSLY. MULTIPLE DATES OF OCCURENCE
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 24, 2021
DRIVING NORMAL, MADE A RIGHT TURN AND CAR SUDDENLY RESTARTS, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP DURING TURN FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. ELECTRIC RESTART ENGINE AND TURNS OFF THE CAR AND CAN'T GAS IT, ONLY BRAKE. CAR COMES BACK ON WITHOUT ME TURNING IT ON AND DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN REST OF THE DRIVE. DRIVING NORMAL FOR 2 DAYS AND ON THE 3RD DAY, ENGINE RESTARTS AGAIN RANDOMLY WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, SAME EXACT DESCRIPTION AS DESCRIBED PREVIOUSLY. DRIVEN CAR FOR A DAY AND INCIDENT HASN'T REPEATED YET. BUT, NOW NOT SURE IF THIS AFFECTED IT, SENSORS OF CAR DOOR OPEN SIGN IS ON WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS ARE IN PLACE FOR LOCKING. ONLY WHEN CAR IS OFF AND I CANNOT FIX IT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Jan 10, 2021, crash
I WAS ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN AND COLLIDED WITH A BLACK CAR AT NIGHT THAT DID NOT HAVE IT'S HEADLIGHTS ON. THEIR AIR BAG DEPLOYED, - MINE DID NOT. CITY OF RALEIGH, NC. STREETS.
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 10, 2021, crash
I WAS ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN AND COLLIDED WITH A BLACK CAR AT NIGHT TIME THAT DID NO HAVE IT'S HEADLIGHTS ON. CITY OF RALEIGH, NC. STREETS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2020
THE DOM LIGHTS FUSE KEEPS BLOWING. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A SHORT BUT SOME TIMES THE FUSE TAKES A LITTLE TIME TO BLOW. YESTERDAY I TRIED TO REPLACE THE FUSE THREE TIMES, AND THREE FUSES WERE BLOWN IMMEDIATELY.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 25, 2020
I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY ON A CURVE (EST. 40MPH) WHEN MY POWER STEERING FAILED INSTANTLY JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. AT THE SAME TIME ALL OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 2015. THERE HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS DESCRIPTION BUT NOT ON MY VIN. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 7, 2020
NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS MY CARS EPS LIGHT WILL COME ON AFTER PUTTING MY CAR INTO REVERSE THE CAR DOES NOT CONNECT AND GOES INTO NEUTRAL INSTEAD CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL FORWARD CREATING HAZARDS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS ON HILLS AND FLAT AREAS. I THEN HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE CAR TO GET THE CAR TO GO INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TOYOTA BUT THEY WON?T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT UNDER RECALL. STARTING IN 2019 I STARTED NOTICING FLAKES OF PAINT IN CRACKS OF DOORWAYS AND CREASES OF THE CAR. LAST MONTH A BIG PIECE OF PAINT STARTED COMING OFF THE TOP OF MY CAR IN FRONT OF MY SUNROOF. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 3, 2020, fire
SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING WITH NO ISSUES, THE PARKED CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. WITHIN SECONDS, A LARGE FIRE HAD STARTED WHICH COMPLETELY CONSUMED THE CAR AND ALSO SPREAD TO MY WIFE'S CAR AND THE HOUSE'S CARPORT. INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR INFORMED US THAT THE FIRE LIKELY STARTED IN/NEAR THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE BASED ON WHERE THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN. HOWEVER, NO CONCLUSIVE DETERMINATION WAS MADE REGARDING THE CAUSE. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAD NOT HAD ANY MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED ON IT RECENTLY. THERE WERE ALSO NO SIGNS OF INTRUSION BY RODENTS OR OTHER ANIMALS. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. I'VE ALSO SINCE LEARNED THIS HAD HAPPENED ONLY ONE MONTH BEFORE TO THE PARENTS OF ONE OF OUR CHILDRENS' FRIENDS. THEY ALSO HAD A RAV4, ALTHOUGH NOT THE SAME MODEL YEAR (I BELIEVE IT WAS A 2013). I HAVE ALSO SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE. IF THERE IS A DEFECT OR DESIGN FLAW CONTRIBUTING TO THESE FIRES, IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED QUICKLY!
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2020, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ENTRANCE RAMP WHEN THE BATTERY DIED BUT THEN I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK AND DROVE JUST A SHORT DISTANCE WHEN THE HOOD STARTED SMOKING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND RAISED THE HOOD, AND THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2020
1ST OCCURRENCE 1/4/2016: DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WITH SEVERAL LANES GOING SAME DIRECTION AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING INTERMITTENTLY 2ND OCCURRENCE 2/26/2019: HAD TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STOPPED WITH MOTOR STILL RUNNING, THEN OPENED DOOR TO CHECK IF I WAS PARKED BETWEEN THE PARKING LINES CORRECTLY AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING 1ST OCCURRENCE: POOR CONNECTION TO HORN TO THEFT DETERRENT IN SECURITY ALARM 2ND OCCURRENCE: INTERMITTENT OPEN CIRCUIT IN PARKING ALARM HARNESS
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2019, fire
I DROVE FOR A FEW SECONDS, LESS THAN A BLOCK OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ONTO A LOCAL STREET, WHEN MY 2015 RAV4 SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO WALK FAR AWAY. I SAW FLAMES UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911.
Electrical system, May 19, 2019
GAS GUAGE AND ODOMETER WENT TO ZERO WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO PULL OVER. IT FELT LIKE THE BLUETOOTH RADIO BUTTON GOT HOT. I TURNED OFF CAR AND WAITED, THEN ALL THE GAUGES CAME BACK ON. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Oct 7, 2018, fire
CAR STALLED SO I PULLED OVER. THERE WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN MINUTES IT TURNED INTO A BIG FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED.