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: service brakes
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 23, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, A VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, RELEASING A CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ARM, LEGS AND WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ...UPDATED 12/06/16 *BF UPDATED 03/09/17.*JB
Service brakes, Oct 22, 2015, crash
BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND WHILE DRIVING AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
Service brakes, Aug 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FLICKERED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKES, PADS, AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Service brakes, Engine, Aug 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,010.
Steering, Wheels, Service brakes, Jul 29, 2015
I PURCHASE THE RAV4 IN OCTOBER 2015, AND THREE MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A CRUNCHING SOUND COMING FROM MY BRAKES AND A FLUCTUATION ISSUE WHERE THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS CATCH CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER AND TOYOTA ARE REFUSING ON TWO OCCASIONS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AGAIN ON 7/28/2015 IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL FINALLY FIX THE ISSUE. THE DEALER WILL NOT DOCUMENT THE ISSUE!
Service brakes, Jul 27, 2015
I USED TO HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS RAV 4 LIMITED. SOMETIMES WHEN I PARK, I FORGET TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (I NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN WITH MY HIGHLANDER) AND THEN TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. MY HIGHLANDER DID NOT DO THIS. TODAY MY CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I FELL DOWN AND MY ELBOW AND ARM IS REALLY SCRAPPED UP AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP THE CAR WITH MY BODY AND THEN I WAS ALMOST RUN OVER AS I FELL ON THE GROUND. I COULD HAVE HIT A CHILD OR RUN OVER A CHILD. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SOME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH MY CAR OR IF THERE IS A SETTING I COULD USE TO PREVENT THIS. I DON'T WANT TO BE RUN OVER BY MY CAR OR HAVE ANYONE RUN OVER.