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
304 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2017
THE CAR FAILS TO START AT TIMES WITH KEYLESS START I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN UNSAFE SITUATION I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF FORT BEND TOYOTA WITH NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.
Service brakes, Oct 22, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND AROUND 27,500 MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANT. THE SERVICE AGENT TOLD ME THAT THE 2015 RAV4 HAD A DESIGN ISSUE WHERE THE BRAKES START TO GO BAD AROUND MY CURRENT MILLAGE OF ABOUT 27,900. HE ALSO SAID THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, NOR IS THERE A RECALL. HE TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AT THE NEXT SERVICE. HE ALSO SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN ISSUE, HE IS OFFERING A DISCOUNT AT $290.00. IT SEAMS TO ME THAT A DESIGN ISSUE THAT CAUSES YOUR BRAKES TO GO BAD AROUND 28,000 MILES SHOULD NOT ONLY BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT ALSO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2017, crash
WHEN I GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T COME OUT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2017
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AS A SAFETY DEVICE. TOYOTA SELLS VEHICLES WITH OUTDATED MAPS AND CHARGES OVER $200 FOR UPGRADES, WHICH DEALERS ARE RELUCTANT TO PROVIDE. I CONSIDER ACCURATE MAPS A SAFETY CONCERN AND I SUGGEST THAT MAP UPDATES SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON AT LEAST AN ANNUAL BASIS AT A NOMINAL (,$25) FEE. THE GARMIN POLICY WOULD BE A BENCHMARK. RIGHT NOW, MY GPS IS USELESS; CANNOT BE TRUSTED, AND MAY LEAD ME ASTRAY AS IT IS NOT CURRENT. TIS IS A SAFETY ITEM.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2017, crash
I WAS PULLING IN A PARKING SPACE AT THE BACK OF THE BUILDING IN WHICH I WORKED. I TURNED RIGHT INTO MY SPACE GOING ABOUT IDLE SPEED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MOVE INTO THE SPACE WHEN IT TOOK OFF AND WENT INTO THE BUILDING. I MISSED THE SENSOR BY A QUARTER OF AN INCH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLORE. I HAD THE BLACK BOX READ BY TOYOTA AND THEN THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK TO EXPLAIN THE "BOOK" OF PAPERS THAT GAVE ALL SORTS OF INFORMATION WHICH I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND. AFTER ABOUT TWO OR THREE MONTHS IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A FOUR WAY STOP ON A CITY STREET. WHEN IT LET UP OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR TOOK OFF AND SINCE HE HAD ABOUT A HALF MILE OF STREET HE LET IT GO. IT TOOK HIM AT 40 MPH FOR THE WHOLE WAY. HE HAD TROUBLE WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKE TO MAKE IT STOP. HE HAD TO PUMP THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THIS CAR HAD DONE THIS 7 OR 8 TIMES TO US. WE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE IT WAS LEASED THEY COULDN'T HELP. SO WE HAVE KEPT THE CAR AND I DRIVE IT WITH MY HAND ON THE GEAR SHIFT AND WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES I KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND SOMETIMES PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL. I FEEL THIS CAR IS VERY DEFECTIVE. TOYOTA HAS READ THE BLACK BOX TWICE AND NEVER GOT BACK TO US TO EXPLAIN IF THEY KNOW WHY THIS DOES THIS THE CRASH CAUSED 8000 TO THE CAR AND 16000 TO THE BUILDNG
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FALMOUTH TOYOTA (LOCATED ON 290 MACARTHUR BLVD, BOURNE, MA 02532), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/24/17*LJ *CN
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2017
WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONING MOLD ACCUMULATES ON THE CONDENSER DUE TO WATER NOT DRYING OUT AND THAT MOLD/MILDEW IS THEN BLOWN THRU VENTS WHEN TURNING AIR CONDITIONING ON AND I AM INHALING TOXIC MOLD. TOYOTA IS AWARE THEY'VE HAD THOUSANDS OF INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND AT DEAL ON HVAC AND REFUSE TO CALL IT A DEFECT DESPITE THE HEALTH HAZARD EFFECT. APPARENTLY CAMRY HAS CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT STARTED RE: THIS. I FEAR FOR MY HEALTH WITH THIS AND OTHERS IN MY CAR SMELL THIS AS WELL. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED CAR AND BCD AND FORTH TO DEALER.
Service brakes, Jun 5, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN; 645 11TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10036; (866) 386-5003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER APPROXIMATELY THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. ..UPDATED 07/24/17 *BF UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS
Steering, May 9, 2017
THE STEERING MECHANISM ON THIS VEHICLE HAS FROZEN TWICE. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE SO SENT ON OUR WAY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS MODEL TOYOTA. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON I-20 AND ON 5TH STREET BRIDGE. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING IGNITION TEMPORARILY RESOLVES ISSUE. BOTH TIMES OCCURRED ON RELATIVELY STRAIGHT ROADS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM
Service brakes, May 9, 2017
THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOTALLY LOCKED (CAN'T PRESS DOWN AT ALL) WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 9:45AM ON 5/6/2017. I CAN'T SLOWDOWN MY CAR. I SWITCHED THE SHIFT FROM DRIVING TO PARKING, TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN THE CAR STOPPED.
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2017, crash
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE IN DRIVEWAY WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO CAREEN INTO A WOOD SHED AND MY HUSBAND'S CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2017
SUNROOF EXPLODED. DRIVING DOWN PAVED HIGHWAY. 51 DEGREES OUTSIDE. GLASS SHATTERED. NO ROCK OR OTHER OBJECT FOUND INSIDE THE CAR. WASHINGTON STATE PATROL ON SCENE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2017
I HAVE A MILDEW/MOLD SMELL COMING FROM MY AIR VENTS IN THE CABIN EVERY TIME I TURN ON MY CAR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. STARTED AT 4000 MILES. WENT TO THE DEALER TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM. MANY AC MOLD/MILDEW ISSUES WERE FOUND IN MANY RAV4 FORUM. EXPOSURE TO SUCH SMELLS AND MOLD IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN LEAD TO SICKNESS AND OTHER HEALTH RELATED ISSUES. TOYOTA HIT WITH CLASS ACTION WITH DEFECTIVE AC UNIT BEFORE.
Structure, Mar 2, 2017
CPSC:THE WIRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY 2015 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT CONTROLS INFORMATION SENT TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS CHEWED THROUGH BY SQUIRRELS. THE CAR WAS LOCATED IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT WRAPPINGS AROUND THESE WIRES ARE NO LONGER RUBBER. *BF
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.
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.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 15, 2017, crash
AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING LOT, I PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MOVED MY GEARSHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION, MY CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND DROVE INTO MY EXTERIOR WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE CAR THEN STARTED DRIVING BACKWARDS AT AN ACCELERATING SPEED. AFTER JUMPING BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, I CRASHED INTO A CAR PARKED BEHIND ME, WHICH MADE THE CAR FINALLY STOP. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING EITHER COLLISION. BY THE END, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOTALED.
Visibility, Jan 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL THE SUNROOF ON MY TOYOTA RAV 4 EXPLODED. IT WAS A RAINY DAY AND I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK(REDLANDS) ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I PULLED THE SHADE TO FIND MY SUNROOF HAD A HUGE HOLE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. NO GLASS CAME DOWN BUT IT LOOK LIKE IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE. TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT WILL COST ME $1000. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2017
HI, I HAVE A 2015 RAV 4 PURCHASED 9/2015, NEW AND ONLY OWNER...OUT OF NOWHERE JAN. 2017...THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY...ON HWY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-70MPH AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS NOTHING...HAD TO REMOVE FOOT AND PRESS THE GAS AGAIN FOR THE CAR TO ENGAGE AND STAY AT ITS PROPER SPEED. TOYOTA DEALER COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE. JAN. 14TH....THE ISSUE STARTED AGAIN AND I RETURNED IT TO DEALER 1/21 AND STATED ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED...NOW HAPPENING BETWEEN 20-40MPH TOO. DOES NOT OCCUR ALL OF THE TIME AND YET CONSIST ENOUGH THAT IT IS SCARY TO DRIVE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 15, 2016
I FILLED THE WIPER FLUID AND IN 24 HOURS WITHOUT TOUCHING THE IGNITION OR TURNING ON THE WIPERS OR FLUID TO SPRAY, OVERNIGHT IN 24 HOURS THE NECK (TOP) PORTION OF THE WIPER FLUID WAS EMPTY. THE CAR WAS NOT TOUCHED. I AM TRYING TO GET A SUPER ANALYSIS/EXPLANATION AND REPLACEMENT.
Steering, Service brakes, Nov 28, 2016, crash
VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING (POSSIBLE STALLING, LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE), RESULTING IN A SEVERE CRASH INVOLVING TWO PARKED CARS AND PROPERTY, INJURY TO DRIVER, AND TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED GOING DOWN HILL DUE TO HAVING NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP, THE VEHICLE RAN TWO STOP SIGNS. THE CRASH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING INTO TWO PARKED CARS, "JUMPING" THOSE VEHICLES AND RUNNING INTO A HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TWICE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FOR STALLING. OCCASION 1 (14K MILES): VEHICLE STALLED AT STOPLIGHT AND KEY LIGHT WAS FLASHING. ERROR CODES P1605 AND P219A AT THE TIME. OCCASION 2 (16K MILES): VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE STOPPED, ON THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKY AT THE STOPLIGHT AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, CODE P1605 (2ND REPAIR). *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Oct 31, 2016, crash
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND BRAKES FAILED , DURING AN EVASIVE MANEUVER ..ON OR 11. 2015 : WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED A TREE
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.
Engine, Aug 13, 2016
I HAVE BOUGHT RAV 4 AWD XLE 2015 IN JULY, 2015. IT STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITHIN 1 YEAR. I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER 3 -4 TIMES TO FIX IT. HE EVEN REPLACED TRANSAXLE AND SOME BOLTS AND PUT SOME ENGINE OIL IN IT BUT AGAIN I GOT ALL THESE ENGINE LIGHTS ON MY CAR DISPLAY BOARD. EVERYTIME, NO. OF LIGHTS ARE INCREASING N THE DISPLAY BOARD. SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SUDDENLY CAR BECAME SLUGGISH ON THE HIGHWAY, NOT PICKING UP THE SPEED. SO SCARED TO DRIVE A DEFECTIVE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. SPECIALLY WHEN PROBLEM IS IN YOUR CAR ENGINE.(ENGINE LIGHT ON, TRACK OFF ON, A/T OIL TEMP ON, AWD ON ,) WHAT ELSE LEFT IN THE CAR. REALLY FUSTERATED AND DANGEROUS. EVERYTIME NEW LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 12, 2016
POOR FUEL ECONOMY GETTING 17MPG