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.
Steering, Feb 28, 2022
Power steering suddenly failed (and dash lights came on) when my wife and 6 year old son were driving down the road at highway speeds nearly causing accident. After turning car off and back on, it was restored. NHTSA Campaign ID: 15V144000 addresses this exact issue, but our VIN falls outside those included, even though its the same model year. Opened case with Toyota Corporate. Dealer says they have to reproduce issue to do anything, but being an ECU flaw, it nearly impossible to reproduce on demand.
Steering, Feb 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized while the power steering warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact mentioned that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144000 (Steering). The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Electrical system, Feb 8, 2022
Purchased our Rav4 (Certified Used Car) from a Toyota Dealership in January, 2018. On December 12, 2021, I went into our garage to start the car. Upon turning the ignition key, the car starter clicked and the car's starter did not turn. The instrument lights also started to blink on and off, so I turned the ignition key to the off position. I removed the battery and took it to our local mechanic who tested the battery and determined that the battery was dead and that it would not accept a charge. This battery was the second new battery that I had installed in the car, and the second one to fail. I took the dead battery back to Walmart where I purchase it, and Walmart replaced it for free under warranty. I installed the brand new battery to the car. Upon connecting both the positive and negative wires correctly to the positive and negative terminals of the new battery, the car's starter began to turn, but there was no key in the ignition when the starter began to turn. As soon as the car's starter began to turn without there being a key in the ignition, I disconnected the battery cables immediately as a precaution and I made an appointment with the service department at a Toyota Dealership nearby. I had the car towed to the Toyota Dealership. The Toyota Dealership told me there was a battery recall on the car to verify it's size. The Dealership diagnosed the car's electrical system and said that the battery was sized and installed correctly, but there was a short in the electrical system. The dealership said that they would need to remove the faulty car starter that was installed prior to me owning the car, and the dealership would need to restore the starting system to OEM specs. Total cost was $558.02 for the repair.
Steering, Dec 18, 2021
The pump failed
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 35,569.
Service brakes, Dec 8, 2021, crash
Road conditions were perfect - sunny, dry, nice weather. I was pulling into a parking spot and when I applied the brakes, they FROZE. I.e. the brake pedal DID NOT GO DOWN. (The mats were not an issue). Then the car suddenly accelerated and went over an embankment. I was able to stop the vehicle using the emergency brake.
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.
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2021, fire
The electrical system failed and the car has been towed by State Farm Insurance to Cop-art Savage Vendor in Elgin Il today. My safety was at risk by fast rapidly engulfing flames coming from under the car hood.The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center that we know of. Vehicle or components have been inspected by police, and might have been inspected by our Insurance after the vehicle was towed. There was a warning battery light just before smoke came out from under the hood, then the car stopped and then flames started to come out from under the hood engulfing the front part of the car.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2021, fire
My wife was driving her 2015 Toyota Rav4 on September 13, 2021 when the car stalled while on the interstate. She coasted to the side. It started back up so she continued to work which was off the next exit. As soon as she entered the parking lot, the Rav4 stalled again and she was able to coast in to a parking lot. As soon as she walked inside the building the Rav4 caught on fire. There were no warning lights are any indication of anything wrong with the vehicle up until this point. According to the dealer and the insurance company, the battery caught on fire. What exactly caused this I do not know. The Insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss per the Toyota Dealers recommendation.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floor. The contact stated that he had to top off the brake fluid constantly. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V198000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 25, 2021, fire
Slow down to make a right turn, the car completely shut off. Put on emergency lights pulled into nearest safest parking lot, braking systems failed, finally put car in park. Pulled keys out of ignition. Took a look around nothing was physically wrong, got back into vehicle started it, with no problem. Took it through the same parking lot, through the drive-thru. Started smoking at the second window, pulled back into the parking lot, shut off vehicle. Got out of vehicle to access smoke, fire started, got back int car then an explosion. Grabbed my daughter and my things the best I could. There was about two or three more explosions afterwards, the fire department came to take out the flames; this was after other employees from the same area tried to put out the fire with fire extinguishers but it wasn’t much help. It halfway burned into the ground, the Fireman had to use the jaws of life to get the hood off of the car to extinguish the fire.
Engine, Aug 20, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his wife was driving and making a right turn the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that his wife coasted to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel and then disappeared. While driving through the drive-thru at McDonalds his wife was notified by an employee of an abnormal burning odor. While pulling out of the drive-thru, the vehicle stalled. The driver restarted the vehicle and pulled into a parking space and the vehicle caught on fire underneath the hood. The contact stated that after his wife removed the child from the vehicle there were a series of explosions. The Fire Department was called out and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene and deemed a total loss. There was no injuries and no medical attention was needed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Engine, Aug 18, 2021, fire
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 45 mph when they noticed the vehicle's speed began to lower as if it wanted to stall. The contact was able to pull over and turn their vehicle off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however the vehicle failed to restart. They noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle to cool the vehicle down however in about 1-2 minutes they noticed flames near the engine of the vehicle. The fire department was called and put out the fire. A report was not filed. There were no injuries and no medical assistance needed. The vehicle was towed. The contact was waiting on the status of the vehicle from their insurance report. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Aug 3, 2021
The power steering has recently stopped working while driving. When the car is started, the power steering works fine, but within a few minutes, it will stop working and steering has to be done manually.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 28, 2021, fire
Was driving along when some warning lights came on, specifically the check engine light, traction control off light and the AWD light. 2 seconds later I heard a loud pop, saw smoke coming from the hood. I pulled over and looked in the engine compartment and saw flames. I suspect the coolant line popped and caught fire. My safety could have been at risk if the battery exploded or oil/gas components were to catch fire. The car is currently at a dealer to be inspected. A NHP accident report was filled out and can be available if needed.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 24, 2021, fire
Driver was driving on the highway when the screen turned off and on and the steering wheel seized momentarily. Approximately 5 minutes later, screen went blank again and could not accelerate. Driver pulled over to the side of the road. Strange noises were coming from under the hood and the car starting smoking and then caught on fire.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 15, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway after driving for approximately 30 minutes, the contact parked and exited the vehicle. The contact stated that approximately 10 minutes later there was a loud explosion heard. The contact looked out to see the vehicle on fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The cause of the failure was unknown. There were no injuries sustained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. The VIN was not provided.
Air bags, Jun 28, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH through an intersection, another vehicle had run a red light and hit the vehicle's passenger side. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's son was injured as a result of the accident but did not seek medical attention at the scene. The contact took his son to a local hospital after the accident where he was treated for a fractured right collar bone and fractured right sternum. A police report was not filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle away from the scene and took the vehicle to an independent body shop for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that they would investigate the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2021
A. Mileage indicator: Full thank gives any where from 325-365 miles. But indicator goes down precipitously. If it indicates 20 miles, it will go down to 0 or 8 miles after only a 5 miles drive. B: The only safety I feel is put at risk is where it can leave me when my anticipated mileage suddenly goes below what was indicated. C: Have reported to dealer a couple of times but always informed nothing defective could be detected D: Never received any warning signals. Just happens.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2021
ONGOING ISSUES WITH MY FUEL SYSTEM. CAR WILL DISPLAY ONE OF THESE MANY SYMPTOMS: -MISFIRE, HARD START, STALL OR SHUTOFF. OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDE CAR STUTTERING AND STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS LAST SYMPTOM IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT OFTEN COMES WITH NO WARNING. WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT, THE CAR IS DRIVING UP STRAIGHT UP A MEDIUM GRADE HILL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT DATES AND TIMES ALONG W 24TH ST. AUSTIN, TX NEAR 1106 W 24TH ST. THIS WILL HAPPEN IF I'M EITHER STOPPING AT A LIGHT OR WHILE IN MOTION. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT MPH I AM DRIVING, BUT IT WOULD BE AROUND 20 - 40 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURS. IVE TAKEN THE CARE TO BOTH ROUND ROCK TOYOTA AND CHRISTIAN AUTO BROTHERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. SO FAR, NEITHER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ON 5/22/20, CHRISTIAN AUTO BROTHERS REPLACED THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION UNIT R&R, THE FUEL EVAPORATIVE CANISTER R&R, THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM LEAK DETECTION PUMP, AND THE VAPOR CANISTER PURGE SOLENOID. THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. CURRENT CODES: P0441, P0455, P1604, P1605, P0171. WHILE NO DIAGNOSTIC PROOF HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, IT IS HYPOTHESIZED BY THE MECHANICS THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH EITHER THE FUEL PUMP OR THE FUEL LINE. AFTER READING ABOUT THE 2020 TOYOTA FUEL PUMP RECALL, I BELIEVE MY 2015 RAV4 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THEREFORE I AM SUBMITTING THIS INCIDENT INFO TO DOCUMENT THE CURRENT SITUATION. IF I LEARN MORE, I WILL TRY TO UPDATE.
Structure, Apr 15, 2021
THE ROOF'S COLOR IS PEELING OFF.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2021, fire
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND BATTERY SET ON FIRE. BATTERY WAS LAST REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2020 AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP.
Suspension, Electrical system, Apr 8, 2021
WHILE ON HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET AT TIMES THE RADIO AND PANEL LIGHTS FLICKER AND THE SOUND SYSTEM GOES OFF AND WILL NOT RETURN TILL I STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF THEN ONCE I START THE ENGINE THE SOUND SYSTEM WILL COME ON ONCE AGAIN. ALSO AT TIMES THE HIGH BEAMS WILL TAKE A WHILE TO COME ON. THE REAR DIIR WILL NOT OPEN IN AUTOMATIC MUST BE HAND FORCED. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS AS IT DOES NOT EXIST
Structure, Mar 20, 2021
THE PAINT IS PEELING MY 2015 BLUE RAV, I HAVE VISITED MARK JACOBSEN TOYOTA IN DURHAM NC. SPOKE TO THE BODY SHOP, THEY SAID THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THEY ARE SEEING ON THE WHITE CARS THAT ARE BEING REPAINTED PER THE LETTER ON YOUR WEBSITE HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2019/MC-10170749-9999.PDF THEY SAID AT THIS TIME TOYOTA IS NOT FIXING MY PEELING PAINT BECAUSE IT ISN'T WHITE. HE SUGGESTED I CALL THE NATIONAL HOTLINE, WHICH I DID AND FILE A CLAIM 21031900209 BUT THEY ALSO SAID THEY ARE ONLY FIXING WHITE PEELING PAINT. I THINK THEM FOR THEIR TIME AND REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR- THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK YET.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021, fire
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 15 MINUTES. I LOST POWER AT THE DASHBOARD, LOST POWER STEERING, AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I COASTED TO A SIDE STREET AND STOPPED THE CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE BATTERY CABLE CLOSEST TO THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, AND HAD MELTED ONE CORNER OF THE BATTERY. A PASSERBY HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO INSPECT AND MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT. EARLIER THAT DAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE SAME WAY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, BUT THE POWER CAME BACK IN A FEW SECONDS. IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THAT WAS A 1-HOUR DRIVE AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO TROUBLES.