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: other or unspecified
60 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2017
MICE HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE PLASTIC SCREEN OVER THE FRESH AIR INTAKE AND ENTERED MY RAV 4, SHREDDING EVERYTHING IN MY GLOVE BOX, SHREDDING THE CABIN AIR FILTER AND LEAVING FECES AND URINE THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE (SEATS, FLOOR BOARDS, CLOSED COMPARTMENT WHERE SPARE TIRE IS KEPT AND OTHER AREAS UNKNOWN/UNABLE TO SEE BY ME) DEALER WAS CONTACTED, RAV WAS TAKEN IN AND DEALER WAS INITIALLY GOING TO INSTALL A METAL SCREEN TO PREVENT REENTRY BY RODENTS-WAS QUOTED $185. UPON THE MECHANIC INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THAT "PER TOYOTA GUIDELINES" THEY COULD NOT/ WOULD NOT INSTALL A BARRIER TO PREVENT RODENTS FROM GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS MICE CARRY HANTAVIRUS AND BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I COULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THIS TERRIBLE ILLNESS AS RODENT WASTE WAS MADE AIRBORNE WITHOUT OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE INFESTATION INTO THE VENTILATING SYSTEM. TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE THE FRESH AIR INTAKE IMPENETRABLE BY RODENTS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE COMPUTER AND FIND THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DISGUSTING PROBLEM. SOME DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SCREEN AND OTHERS WILL NOT. THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUR OTHER VEHICLES AND NONE OF THEM HAVE ANY RODENT INFESTATION.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL. I WOULD LIKE MORE INVESTIGATION REGARDING WHEN A CAR IS REPAIR PER SPECIFICATION AND STATE LAW. HOW IS THAT A COMPANY TAKE CONTROL OF THE VALUE AND HISTORY OF THE CAR. BUT IS NOT REPORTED THE CORRECT WAY WHEN THE REPAIR IS DONE. AFFECTING THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 3, 2016
THE LIGHT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK BLINKS AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED DROPPING OUT WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES WERE STORED IN THE COMPUTER WHEN CHECKED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, BUT THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE ENGINE STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND WOULD TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART DUE TO NO ELECTRICAL POWER. THE DEALER THEN ADJUSTED THE SWITCH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SCREEN HAS SINCE LOCKED UP AND YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO RESET IT. THE ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES SHUT OF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE RESTART ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON (ABS, AIRBAGS, TRACTION CONTROL & ALL WHEEL DRIVE). THE LIGHTS DO NOT RESET UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON BY THE KEY. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN 3 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE CAR AND THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE SELLING DEALERS INCOMPETENCE IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND MANAGEMENT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 5 MONTHS AND OVER A PERIOD OF 15,000 MILES AND I DO NOT BELIEVE IT CAN BE FIXED AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER IS REALLY TRYING TO REPAIR THE CAR BECAUSE OF ALL THE STALLING THEY ARE CURRENTLY DOING AT THIS TIME. I NEED YOUR HELP.
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2015
THE ROOF RACK THAT CAME WITH THE RAV4 STATES THAT EACH STRUT CAN HOLD 100LBS, BUT IN THE MANUAL IT STATES THAT IT IS 100 LBS TOTAL. I PURCHASED SOME LUMBER AND MY ROOF RACK FAILED ON THE RETURN TRIP HOME. I BELIEVE IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ONE SIDE OF EACH STRUT BROKE AND DENTED THE ROOF OF MY CAR. IF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STRUTS FAILED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME DEVASTATION BEHIND ME AS LUMBER AND ROOF RACK PARTS WOULD HAVE FLOWN OFF BEHIND ME. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT WEIGHT OF THE LUMBER, BUT BASED ON THE QUANTITY I PURCHASED I CAN ASSUME IT WEIGHED AROUND 110-120 LBS. IF I KNEW THAT IT COULDN'T HANDLE 200LBS LIKE I WAS LED TO BELIEVE, I WOULD HAVE EASILY PUT ONE BOARD OR ALL OF THEM IN THE CAR INSTEAD OF THE ROOF RACK. I WOULD ALSO ASSUME THAT TOYOTA WOULD HAVE SOME SORT OF FACTOR OF SAFETY ON THE STRUTS. ALSO THE SIDE OF THE STRUTS THAT DIDN'T FAIL I ASSUME HAD AN INCREASED LOAD APPLIED TO THEM. THIS WOULD MAKE ME THINK THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THEIR MOLDING PROCESS AS WELL. THE PICTURE SHOWS THAT EACH ONE SAYS THAT IT CAN TAKE 100LBS EVENLY DISTRIBUTED. MY POINT IF MY TIRE SAYS 40PSI MAX THEN I DON'T FILL IT TO 10PSI BECAUSE THERE ARE 4 OF THEM. THE STRUTS ARE ALSO SEPARATE PIECES, WHAT IF I MIXED AND MATCHED OR ONLY HAD ONE ON THE CAR. ALSO THESE STRUTS ARE SOLD WITH THE RAV4 MODEL I GOT AND NOT PURCHASED AS AFTERMARKET OR AS AN ADD ON ITEM.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 11, 2015
PURCHASED THIS CAR DEALER CERTIFIED AFTER BEING LEASED FOR 9 MONTHS BY SOMEONE ELSE, FROM NEW ROCHELLE TOYOTA. HAD 5700 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. SINCE PURCHASE IT DOES NOT ALWAYS START THE FIRST TIME, SOMETIMES TAKING 3-4 TIMES TO START, AND MAKING STRANGE NOISES, IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS GOING TO START AND THEN DIES. HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES AND GOING IN FOR THE 4TH TIME TODAY, ON 12/4 A NEW FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS INSTALLED, STARTS BETTER BUT STILL UNKNOWN REASON WHY IT AT TIMES IT STILL TAKES 3-4 TIMES TO START IT. IS A MYSTERY , NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE TECH COMPUTERS AFTER IT HAPPENS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS FOR OVER 17 YEARS NEVER EXPECTED AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. ALSO LIGHTS FLICKER AND THERE ARE STRANGE NOISES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START AND UNSUCCESSFUL. NO RHYME OR REASON TO THIS ISSUE.TOOK POSSESSION OF THE CAR 10-13-15 I THINK IT IS A LEMON. I HAVE A VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENS DONT THINK I CAN UPLOAD TO THIS WEBSITE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2015
SUNROOF SPONTENOUSLY BUSTED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2015
AFTER 10 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR AND LESS THAN 600 MILES THE CAR WOULDN'T RUN AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A RODENT. LATER THAT SAME EVENING OUR SALESMAN CALLED AND INFORMED US THAT COMPONENTS IN THE CAR ARE "GREEN" AND MADE OF SOYBEAN AND TO KEEP OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE (WHICH WE DON'T HAVE). I HAVE SINCE CAUGHT A MOUSE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WITH A GLUE TRAP AND FOUND HAIR AND MOUSE DROPPINGS. THE BEST OFFER THEY HAVE GIVEN ME IS TO GIVE ME A DIFFERENT TOYOTA VEHICLE AT COST (AND TAKE THE LOSS ON MY CURRENT VEHICLE). I HAVE COMPLAINED TO BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND TO TOYOTA. I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER VEHICLES PARKED IN WITHIN THE SAME PROXIMITY FOR OVER TWO YEARS. I HAVE NEVER HAD RODENT ISSUES WITH EITHER OF THEM AND I RUN INTO ISSUES WITHIN THE FIRST 10 DAYS WITH A NEW VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND TWO YEAR OLD CHILD. IF THERE ARE MICE LIVING INSIDE THE CAR, THEY COULD BE LEAVING RAT DROPPINGS THAT COULD BE HARMFUL TO BOTH OF THEM. I AM ANGRY AND CONCERNED AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, WHEN OTHER VEHICLES PARKED IN THE SAME LOCATION AREN'T EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, THIS ISN'T A VALID REASON TO RETURN THE CAR. HERE ARE TWO ARTICLES THAT DETAIL THE PROBLEM MYSELF AND OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE HAD - HTTP://CTWATCHDOG.COM/FINANCE/RODENTS-DAMAGE-CARS-BY-CHEWING-ELECTRICAL-CONNECTIONS-TIPS-ON-HOW-TO-AVOID-COSTLY-REPAIRS, HTTP://WWW.SYNLUBE.COM/INCREDIBLEEDIBLECAR1.HTM
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2015
AFTER GASSING UP IN A STATION (FULL TANK) AND THE GAS NOZZLE CLICKED TO A STOP, SOON AS EXTRACTING THE NOZZLE FROM THE RAV4, FUEL SPRAYS WITH A FORCE OF PRESSURE FROM THE GAS TANK TOWARDS THE PERSON HOLDING THE NOZZLE. AFTER THIS EVENT HAPPENED THE THIRD TIME, WE BROUGHT THE RAV4 BACK TO TOYOTA TO BE CHECKED. WAS RETURNED TO US THE NEXT DAY WITH AN OK RESULT. BUT THE NEXT 2 TO 5 WEEKS THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED, SO WE REQUESTED THAT A REPLACEMENT RAV4 BE GIVEN US - BUT TOYOTA REFUSED STATING THAT WITH THE WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOW PERFORM A RIGID TEST - THE RESULTS OF WHICH CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM OF GAS SPRAYS. WE JUST GOT BACK THE RAV4, AND TOYOTA SAID THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK WITH A NEW ONE AND SAYING THAT THE OLD ONE HAD "A FACTORY DEFECT WHEREIN THE TANK FLAPPER WAS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. I AM PUTTING THIS ON RECORD ON THIS REPORT, FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF NHTSA FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER OWNERS.
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.