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: structure
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Dec 28, 2015
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ROUGHLY 10 MONTHS. IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO WINDSHIELDS IN THAT TIME. ONE WAS CRACKED IN EARLY OCTOBER 2015 AND REPLACED ON NOVEMBER 7, 2015(LENGTHY DUE TO REPLACEMENT UNAVAILABILITY). THE OTHER HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 23,2015 AND REPLACED ON DECEMBER 26,2015 BOTH CRACKS WERE DUE TO (WHAT I CONSIDER) RELATIVELY SMALL STONE CHIPS THAT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 90 NEAR NORTH EAST, PA. I HAVE OWNED IN EXCESS OF 15 VEHICLES IN MY 44 YEARS OF DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD IN ANY OF THE OTHERS (YES SOME REPAIRS WERE DONE). I AM QUESTIONING IF THE WINDSHIELDS IN THESE CARS ARE BEING MANUFACTURED TO THE SAME SPECIFICATIONS AS IN THE PAST AND IF NOT DO THEY STILL MEET THE CURRENT SAFETY STANDARDS.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2015
YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS PARKED AT A SECURE LOCATION THE BACK GLASS OF MY 2015 TOYOTA RAV4 BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE APPEARED TO BE NO POINT OF IMPACT AND THE GLASS APPEARED TO HAVE EXPLODED OUTWARDS. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE CAR THAT WENT THROUGH THE WINDOW AND THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND THE CAR THAT MAY HAVE HIT THE WINDOW. OTHER THAN TWO SMALL AREAS WHERE THE GLASS FELL OUTWARD THE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED BUT TOGETHER. HOWEVER WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND MOVED IT ALL THE GLASS CRUMBLED AND FELL INTO THE TRUCK AREA.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2015
LOUD BUFFETING WIND NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN ANY REAR WINDOW IS PARTIALLY LOWERED OR OPEN. WILL DIMINISH OR GO AWAY IF EITHER FRONT WINDOW IS OPEN PARTIALLY OR ALL THE WAY. VIBRATING DRONING NOISE IS SO LOUD YOU CAN HEAR NOTHING ELSE. NOISE INCREASES WITH SPEED STARTING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND UP. DESIGN FLAW OR IS A REPAIR AVAILABLE? DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NATURE OF THE VEHICLE? HOPE NOT.
Structure, Apr 15, 2015
SIGHT LINES - AGAIN. NO ONE UNDER APROX. 5'9" CAN SAFELY OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. I (AT 5'7") CAN NOT SEE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE OR DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE BECAUSE OF THE POOR DRIVER POSITION. THE REAL DANGER HAPPENS AT NIGHT AT UNLIGHTED INTERSECTIONS. TURNS ARE MISSED BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE. I KNOW THIS DOESN'T SOUND DANGEROUS, BUT MARK MY WORDS, THERE ARE GOING MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THIS VEHICLE'S POOR DESIGN. *TR
Structure, Apr 12, 2015
FROM THE DRIVERS POSITION THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SEEN. I MISSED THREE CORNERS AT NIGHT BECAUSE I CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS AND I WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A LETHALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW AND DEMAND THAT THE 2015 RAV4 BE REMOVED FROM THE ROADS UNTIL TOYOTA REDESIGNS THE FRONT HOOD, LIGHTS AND DASH AREAS SO THE DRIVER CAN SEE WHERE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS. PS. I'M 5'7" TALL AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE FRONT OF ANY VEHICLE I'M DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Dec 30, 2014
THE ARMREST ABOVE THE CENTER COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAS A LIGHT RESISTANCE TO PRESSURE. I WAS DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT ARM RESTING ON THIS AND MY WIFE NEEDED TO ADJUST HER POSITION IN HER SEAT. SHE LEANED ON THE ARMREST AND THE ARMREST WENT SLIDING TO THE FRONT AND STARTLED ME. I HAD A 2014 AVALON THAT HAD THE SAME TYPE ARMREST AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. THE DEALER LOOKED AT THIS AND SAID ALL THE RAV4'S ARE LIKE THIS AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. THE INDENTS FOR THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE ARMREST SHOULD BE STRONGER AND NOT SO TEMPERAMENTAL. THERE SHOULD BE A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT BULLETIN TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *JS