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: power train
25 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 27, 2025
The battery is off . It does not work. The car does not start. It looks like the battery is not properly installed. I just left my car at the Toyota dealership in June 12 for maintenance services, for brake fluid and flush etc including the replacement of a battery mounting hardware however it does not look right. The car started to go off and today it does not start at all. Please advice Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Mar 18, 2024
Transmission shudder between approximately 25-40 mph. Toyota had a recall on some of the 2013-2015 RAV4 for this problem by the vin number. Car shakes and it has stopped running once at a red light
Power train, Jan 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle started to hesitate. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the dealer informed the contact that if the failure reoccurred, the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Power train, Aug 10, 2023
Toyota dealer in the area says transmission fluid does not need to be serviced unless we tow trailer and etc. Well the transmission broke down and we need to put a remanufactured one. This could be fatal incident if vehicle quits on busy highway.
Power train, Aug 3, 2023
Ever since I purchased it, it had a shudder between 20-50 miles. Called the dealer, they said it was normal with these cars. 6 years after and still making shudder noise just louder now and it bothers my ears. Took it in for a diagnostic at the same dealer I bought it and they said it’s not a torque converter issue (a bulletin was issued), but a transmission issue and it will cost $6.100 to repair.
Power train, Jul 5, 2023
While driving on the interstate the transmission stopped working. There was no indication that anything was wrong with the transmission. It was working fine and suddenly would not engage in any gear. This was a new OE transmission replaced six months ago for the same issue, with less than 9,000 miles on the new unit. I had to coast from the middle lane to the side of the interstate in heavy traffic.
Power train, Jul 5, 2023
Transmission stopped working while driving in traffic. There was no indication that anything was wrong with the transmission. It worked fine one minute and the next it would not engage in any gear.
Power train, May 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at speeds between 20-30 MPH the vehicle had experienced a severe shutter and vibration coming from the rear end and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000
Power train, Feb 16, 2023
At 100,000 miles my 2015 RAV4 started experience intermittent shuttering during aacceleration when car is shifting gears. It feels like driving over a rumble strip. I read about the ZH1 torque converter extended warranty for 2013-2015 Toyota RAV4 models. This has been a frequent enough issue that Toyota has extended the warranty up to 8 years or 150,000 miles, in which they will replace the torque corverter and ECM at no charge. I called Toyota Customer Care and gave my VIN number. According to Toyota, my car is not covered under the warranty becuae my car was built in May 2015 and the warranty only covers RAV4s built through Nov 2014. In their extended warranty bulletin, Toyota claims the RAV4s that aren't covered have different software logic. I have called Toyota back to find out what is different about my car's software logic, but they claim they do not know and to ask the dealer. Today I took my car into the dealer to have it diagnosed. Sure enough, the torque converter is locking up and I need to have the torque converter clutch replaced and ECM reprogrammed. The dealer said they dont know the difference between the software logic. The dealer recommends i call Toyota Customer Care back and ask to speak to a field representative, who should know that information. So far, Toyota has not been helpful in answering my question, but I am planning to get to the bottom of this. I have read that many other RAV4 owners are experiencing the same issue, where Toyota claims they are not covered because the car was built outside of the designated window. I don't think the issue was corrected properly in the later toyotas and that is why others are experiencing the same problem. This is a safety concern. The ststor clutch will cause the torque converter not to work as efficiently, driving down your gas mileage. In some extreme cases, the convertor may violently self-destruct. https://www.rav4world.com/threads/2013-2015-rav4-torque-converter-shudder-warranty-extension.311617/
Power train, Nov 30, 2022
Toyota poorly designed the torque converter for this vehicle leading to future transmission failure prematurely! I have had two torque converters replaced due to them failing!!! A torque converter when it fails pushes metal shavings into the transmission leading to transmission failure most manufacturers when a converter fails they check the transmission and if there is shavings they replace it. I had my torque converter replaced under a a special program through Toyota but it only covered the torque converter and no additional parts. I had to have my axle replaced twice and my seal after torque converter replacement covered by the dealership not even Toyota warranty under the torque converter recall or special program. I have complained about my transmission since day one of owning the vehicle originally told it was normal operation down the road Toyota admitted to the torque converter issue but does not cover the transmission even though if the torque converter fails or is faulty it is destroying the transmission and the transmission should be covered. My vehicle Not only financed through Toyota financial service only at Toyota with Toyota and they offer no customer assistance it is almost $8000 just to replace the transmission, which should be covered and recalled under the torque converter failure. I would love to keep this car for its lifetime but 80,000 miles to 130,000 miles I have driven it with a failing transmission and torque converter Toyota will not replace the torque converter again it is an expired coverage at this point now that it has been done. I wish they would stand behind our customers a little better. My 2015 Chevy Silverado is in the shop now for torque converter failure & they are replacing the transmission along with the torque converter because they know the torque converter causes transmission failure it's covered by Chevy! I made a case with Toyota & Better Business Bureau trying to get a even some form of assistance DENIED by Toyota
Power train, May 19, 2022
Transmission does not work prior to 60,000 miles
Power train, May 10, 2022
Transmission shudder between approximately 25-40 mph. Toyota had a recall on some of the 2013-2015 RAV4 for this problem by the vin number.
Power train, Apr 27, 2022
Light acceleration causes car to jerk and stutter while increasing speed
Power train, Apr 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 25-50 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure mainly occurred while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown extended warranty for the torque converter as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised as the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Power train, Dec 3, 2021
Our Torque convertor went in our RAV4. There is a warranty bulletin on this issue for our make/year and our vehicle fell within the years and mileage needed to be covered by this warranty but when we asked Toyota to repair it under the warranty they told us that our VIN was not on the list for free repair. We recently had our local certified mechanic replace the torque convertor out of fear if we waited for VIN to show up on list further damage would be done. We sent a certified letter to Toyota Corp along with our invoice for repair and asked if they would reconsider and cover us under warranty and the answer is no. The reason for this complaint is to document the fact that we had faulty parts and even though the vehicle met all the guidelines needed for free repair, we were still denied. The warranty bulletin is #POL17-06 this covers models 2013-2015 up to 150,000 miles. We own a 2015 with 89,000 miles. We have logged a complaint with the Federal Trade Commissioner as well as THE Better Business Burea. Thank you for your time.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 4, 2020, crash
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV. PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND CAR WAS PUT IN HISH SPEED REVERSE CAUSING CAR TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.
Power train, Apr 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA OF SOMERSET (4195 S HWY 27, SOMERSET, KY 42501) AND GAMBREL TOYOTA(311 W CUMBERLAND GAP PKWY, CORBIN, KY 40701), HOWEVER, THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Power train, Feb 18, 2020
HESITATES BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR LIKE GOING INTO NUETRAL FOR ABOUT 3 / 5 SECONDS BEFORE SHIFTING BACK TO FIRST. THE CAR CAN BE AT A STOP UPON STARTING IT HESITATES, OR WHEN IN MOTION AND GOING TO PASS IT HESITATES, ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND TURNING. WE HAVE RETURNED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY DROVE THE CAR AND STATED NOTHING WRONG. THE FOURTH TIME IN I DROVE THE CAR WITH A MECHANIC AND HE WITNESS THE HESITATION, THEN THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN RESEARCHING ON LINE WE FOUND COMPLAINTS GOING BACK TO 2006 AND NOTHING BEING DONE. WHY IS TOYOTA GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. WE KNOW IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ALL TOYOTA'S AS WE HAD A 2008 AND IT WAS PERFECT. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND NUMEROUS TIMES AND SCARY WHEN PULLING OUT TO PASS, YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF. CAR WAS BOUGHT USED WITH 35000 MILES ON IT IN JUNE OF 2018 AND CERTIFIED NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
Power train, Service brakes, Oct 16, 2019
WHEN FIRST DRIVING VEHICLE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, BRAKES SQUEAK FOR THE FIRST ~5 MINUTES OF USE. WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STARTING CAR FIRST THING AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT ONTO CITY STREET, CAR'S TRANSMISSION AND RPM'S SKYROCKET OUT OF NOWHERE TO 4,000 - 5,000WHEN PULLING ONTO STREET WITH 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT. WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY - USUALLY IN SPORT MODE - CAR'S RPM'S GO UP LIKE THEY SHOULD BUT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY AND SEEMS TO GET STUCK AT 3,000 - 4,000 RPMS. CAR ONLY HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT AND TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE SLIPPING ALREADY.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2019, crash
THE POWER STICK SHIFT MOVES TO EASILY OUT OF GEAR. IT REQUIRES ONLY A LIGHT DEPRESSING OF THE BREAK TO DISENGAGE IT. ON MAY 17 2019, I HAD BEEN PARKED WITH THE CAR ON. I HAD DROPPED SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR AND WENT TO PICK IT UP. MY FOOT WAS LIGHTLY TOUCHING THE BREAK AS I BENT DOWN. THE BREAK WAS DEPRESSED JUST ENOUGH TO ALLOW MY SHOULDER OR BACK TO HIT THE STICK SHIFT AND PUSH IT INTO REVERSE. UNBENOUNCED TO ME, AS I WAS STILL BENDING OVER TO PICK SOMETHING UP, THE CAR WAS PUSHED INTO REVERSE AND MOVED BACKWARDS INTO TWO CARS BEHIND ME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A REALLY TRAGIC SITUATION HAD SOMEONE BEEN BEHIND ME IN THE PARKING LOT. OR WORSE, IF I HAD A CHILD IN THE CAR AND I HAD GOTTEN OUT TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE TRUNK AND THE CHILD JUMPED INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT. I AM NOT VERY TALL, AND SO A CHILD COULD EASILY DEPRESS THE BRAKE JUST ENOUGH TO RELEASE THE STICK SHIFT AND COULD HAVE RUN ME OVER. THERE SHOULD BE A SECONDARY RELEASE BUTTON ON ALL STICK SHIFTS OR THE BRAKE PEDDLE SHOULD NEED TO BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY. THIS INCIDENT DAMAGED THREE CARS. AND WHILE NOT MY FAULT AS IT WAS A DEFECT OR SAFTEY ISSUE WITH THE CAR, MY INSURANCE HAS NOW BEEN DINGED FOR IT. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO TOYOTA BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO CARE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 25, 2019
WHINNING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. HAPPENS IN ALL DRIVE MODES INCLUDING NEUTRAL
Power train, Feb 18, 2017
WHILE CAR PARKED IN MY HOME DRIVEWAY, WIRES UNDER CAR CHEWED THROUGH BY SQUIRRELS. ALMOST RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. MY DOUBLE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS APPARENTLY A TOYOTA FACTORY CHOICE TO MAKE THE WIRE COATINGS ATTRACTIVE TO RODENTS.
Power train, Dec 20, 2015
THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT ROLLS BACK ON THE SLOPE WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED. ROLLING BACK CONTINUES UNTIL THE BRAKE IS PRESSED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN "DRIVE". IT ROLLS BACK USUALLY WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN AT THE LOW SPEED WITH FREQUENT TURNS. IRVINE AUTONATION TOYOTA LEAD TECHNICIAN MARCO STATED THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR SOME CARS WITH A CERTAIN TRANSMISSION (760AE?). HE DEMONSTRATED WITH ANOTHER RAV4. THAT CAR ROLLED BACK ALSO UNTIL THE BRAKE IS PRESSED WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN "DRIVE". PROBLEM IS IT DOESN'T ROLL BACK ALWAYS. I EXPECT THE CAR WOULD NOT ROLL BACK WHILE IT'S IN "DRIVE". IT WOULD HIT THE CAR BEHIND IF I DON'T PRESS THE BRAKE FAST ENOUGH OR PRESS THE GAS PEDAL FAST ENOUGH. IT ACTS LIKE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION RATHER THAN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IF I DON'T HAVE FAST REACTION, DRIVING IN A HILLY AREA WOULD BE DANGEROUS.
Power train, Oct 13, 2015
NEW VEHICLE 625 MILES. DOES NOT SEEM TO SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING ACCELERATION UP HILLS OR FROM PARKING LOT TO ROADWAY ,OR PASSING VEHICLES. DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE POWER, ENGINE MAKES A STRAINING SOUND . WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO DRIVE UP HILLS, PASS OTHER VEHICLES ESPECIALLY ON HILL. SANTIAM HIWAY OREGON. LESS POWER THAN LITTLE KIA AND PT CRUISER WHICH EASILY PASSED ME. DEALER HAD ME COMPARE IT TO A SIMILAR MODEL ON THEIR LOT, NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE, LOT VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS SINCE 1984 AND HAVE A RAV 4 2010 SO I KNOW THIS CAR IS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY
Power train, Sep 4, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON; AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE; HOWEVER, SHE FORGOT TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARK POSITION. UPON THE CONTACT'S WIFE EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT RAN OVER HER AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85.