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, Feb 25, 2020, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ENTRANCE RAMP WHEN THE BATTERY DIED BUT THEN I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK AND DROVE JUST A SHORT DISTANCE WHEN THE HOOD STARTED SMOKING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND RAISED THE HOOD, AND THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED.
Power train, Feb 18, 2020
HESITATES BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR LIKE GOING INTO NUETRAL FOR ABOUT 3 / 5 SECONDS BEFORE SHIFTING BACK TO FIRST. THE CAR CAN BE AT A STOP UPON STARTING IT HESITATES, OR WHEN IN MOTION AND GOING TO PASS IT HESITATES, ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND TURNING. WE HAVE RETURNED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY DROVE THE CAR AND STATED NOTHING WRONG. THE FOURTH TIME IN I DROVE THE CAR WITH A MECHANIC AND HE WITNESS THE HESITATION, THEN THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IN RESEARCHING ON LINE WE FOUND COMPLAINTS GOING BACK TO 2006 AND NOTHING BEING DONE. WHY IS TOYOTA GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. WE KNOW IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ALL TOYOTA'S AS WE HAD A 2008 AND IT WAS PERFECT. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND NUMEROUS TIMES AND SCARY WHEN PULLING OUT TO PASS, YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF. CAR WAS BOUGHT USED WITH 35000 MILES ON IT IN JUNE OF 2018 AND CERTIFIED NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
Engine, Jan 20, 2020
TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER. ON A TRIP FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO CYPRESS, CA ON THE I-5 FREEWAY CRUISING AT 70 MPH A SUDDEN TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AT LEAST 30 TIMES (THIS WITH ODOMETER IN 6,000 MILE RANGE). I HAD REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES. THEY SAID THEIR TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. AROUND 1/3/2020 I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND SAID I WOULD LEAVE IT THERE UNTIL THEY REPAIRED IT. I PURCHASED AN 8 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY IN OCT., 2014. AFTER. 4 DAYS DEALER CALLED FOR ME TO PICK IT UP. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, THEIR COMPUTER READ MY CAR COMPUTER AND FOUND THAT WHILE RIGHT FOOT WAS ON GAS AND LEFT FOOT EITHER NEAR OR ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT OCCURRED. SINCE MY LEFT FOOT WAS RESTING ON MAT WITHOUT ANY MOVEMENT WHY DIDN'T THE LOSS OF POWER HAPPEN CONSTANTLY! THEY SAID IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. I SAY IT IS A DANGER.. I HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS & STARTING WHEN SIGNAL TURNS GREEN. ON LINE I HAVE SEEN SAME COMPLAINTS. ONE MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT COULD BE A MASS AIR FLOW CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. ANOTHER SAID IT COULD BE AIR FUEL RATIO SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY FAILING WHICH COULD TEST OK. NOTICE WE ONLY HAVE AROUND 6,000 MILES ON CAR WE BOUGHT IN OCT. 2014 BECAUSE PROBLEM CANNOT BE PREDICTED.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2020
1ST OCCURRENCE 1/4/2016: DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE WITH SEVERAL LANES GOING SAME DIRECTION AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING INTERMITTENTLY 2ND OCCURRENCE 2/26/2019: HAD TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STOPPED WITH MOTOR STILL RUNNING, THEN OPENED DOOR TO CHECK IF I WAS PARKED BETWEEN THE PARKING LINES CORRECTLY AND THE HORN STARTED BLOWING 1ST OCCURRENCE: POOR CONNECTION TO HORN TO THEFT DETERRENT IN SECURITY ALARM 2ND OCCURRENCE: INTERMITTENT OPEN CIRCUIT IN PARKING ALARM HARNESS
Steering, Jan 3, 2020
A CRACKING NOISE IS NOTICE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, WHETHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AT A TOYOTA DEALER AND RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2020
TWO DOORS (FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS) NO LONG LOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR THE AUTOMATIC BUTTONS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE (THE LOCK ACTUATOR) WITH TOYOTAS, ESPECIALLY SUVS AROUND 2015 LIKE RAV4S AND HIGHLANDERS. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS, THE DOOR LOCK ITSELF GOT STUCK AND I HAD TO FIDDLE WITH IT SIMPLE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. SURPRISED THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR A SAFETY HAZARD. COST TO REPAIR EACH DOOR'S ACTUATOR (BY MECHANIC) IS OVER $500.
Suspension, Jan 2, 2020
WHILE IN MOTION THE SUSPENSION MAKES LOTS OF NOISE, IT ALSO FEELS VERY FIRM AND YOU CAN FEEL THE BUMPS ON THE ROAD. IT ALSO MAKES CREECKING SOUNDS ON UNEVEN ROADS. AND WHILE DRIVING IT MAKES THE CAR FEEL UNSTABLE WHEN ON ROUGH ROADS BY LOSING SOME CONTROL.
Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2019
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO STOP, WE SAW THAT OUR SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT THE SHADE WAS CLOSED ON THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND US (VEHICLES, BRIDGES, ETC) TO CAUSE DEBRIS TO HIT THE SUNROOF TO CAUSE THE INCIDENT. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY SCARY THING THAT I HAVE FOUND OUT IS NOT UNCOMMON.
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2019
WE WERE SIMPLY PULLING OUT OF OUR SUBDIVISION AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS AROUND 6PM AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 28 DEGREES F.
Structure, Nov 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED FROM AN IMPROPER WELDING OF THE HOOD STRIKER PLATE, WHICH CAUSED THE STRIKER PLATE TO FALL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (866-584-3934, LOCATED AT 10825 COLONEL GLENN RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1910282935. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.
Steering, Oct 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Oct 16, 2019
WHEN FIRST DRIVING VEHICLE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, BRAKES SQUEAK FOR THE FIRST ~5 MINUTES OF USE. WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STARTING CAR FIRST THING AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT ONTO CITY STREET, CAR'S TRANSMISSION AND RPM'S SKYROCKET OUT OF NOWHERE TO 4,000 - 5,000WHEN PULLING ONTO STREET WITH 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT. WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY - USUALLY IN SPORT MODE - CAR'S RPM'S GO UP LIKE THEY SHOULD BUT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY AND SEEMS TO GET STUCK AT 3,000 - 4,000 RPMS. CAR ONLY HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT AND TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE SLIPPING ALREADY.
Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2019
AIR CONDITIONING SMELLS LIKE MOLD OR MILDEW WHEN TURNING IT ON ALL THE TIME.
Engine, Sep 28, 2019
PINK COOLANT KEPT DISAPPEARING. HAVE TO REFILL ONCE EVERY 6 MONTHS. FILL TO FULL AND 6 MONTHS LATER COOLANT WILL BE AT LOW LEVEL. CAR ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. IT HAD HAPPENED SINCE DAY 1.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2019, fire
I DROVE FOR A FEW SECONDS, LESS THAN A BLOCK OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ONTO A LOCAL STREET, WHEN MY 2015 RAV4 SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO WALK FAR AWAY. I SAW FLAMES UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND CALLED 911.
Exterior lighting, Aug 19, 2019
HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY LOW. CANNOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROAD IF THE STREET LIGHTS ARE NOT THERE. THERE IS NOT USE OF HEAD LIGHTS AS IT CANNOT BRING ANY VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT TIME WHICH MAKES NIGHT DRIVES NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE SHOWN THE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS GOOD AND HE CANNOT INCREASE THE INTENSITY OF LIGHT. HIGH BEAMS ARE WORKING FINE BUT CANNOT DRIVE IN THE CITY WHILE TURNING THEM ON. NOT SURE HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
Service brakes, Jun 26, 2019
BRAKES STARTED SQUEAKING. SERVICE PERSON INSPECTED AND SAID PADS AND ROTORS ARE FINE; UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. I RESEARCHED INTERNET AND FOUND THERE ARE MANY OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NHSTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM FAILING BRAKES.
Service brakes, Jun 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KINGS TOYOTA (4700 FIELDS ERTEL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513) 683-5440) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE DEALER UPDATED THE ECM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,372.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2019, crash
THE POWER STICK SHIFT MOVES TO EASILY OUT OF GEAR. IT REQUIRES ONLY A LIGHT DEPRESSING OF THE BREAK TO DISENGAGE IT. ON MAY 17 2019, I HAD BEEN PARKED WITH THE CAR ON. I HAD DROPPED SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR AND WENT TO PICK IT UP. MY FOOT WAS LIGHTLY TOUCHING THE BREAK AS I BENT DOWN. THE BREAK WAS DEPRESSED JUST ENOUGH TO ALLOW MY SHOULDER OR BACK TO HIT THE STICK SHIFT AND PUSH IT INTO REVERSE. UNBENOUNCED TO ME, AS I WAS STILL BENDING OVER TO PICK SOMETHING UP, THE CAR WAS PUSHED INTO REVERSE AND MOVED BACKWARDS INTO TWO CARS BEHIND ME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A REALLY TRAGIC SITUATION HAD SOMEONE BEEN BEHIND ME IN THE PARKING LOT. OR WORSE, IF I HAD A CHILD IN THE CAR AND I HAD GOTTEN OUT TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE TRUNK AND THE CHILD JUMPED INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT. I AM NOT VERY TALL, AND SO A CHILD COULD EASILY DEPRESS THE BRAKE JUST ENOUGH TO RELEASE THE STICK SHIFT AND COULD HAVE RUN ME OVER. THERE SHOULD BE A SECONDARY RELEASE BUTTON ON ALL STICK SHIFTS OR THE BRAKE PEDDLE SHOULD NEED TO BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY. THIS INCIDENT DAMAGED THREE CARS. AND WHILE NOT MY FAULT AS IT WAS A DEFECT OR SAFTEY ISSUE WITH THE CAR, MY INSURANCE HAS NOW BEEN DINGED FOR IT. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO TOYOTA BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO CARE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 25, 2019
WHINNING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. HAPPENS IN ALL DRIVE MODES INCLUDING NEUTRAL
Steering, May 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V144000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,720.
Electrical system, May 19, 2019
GAS GUAGE AND ODOMETER WENT TO ZERO WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO PULL OVER. IT FELT LIKE THE BLUETOOTH RADIO BUTTON GOT HOT. I TURNED OFF CAR AND WAITED, THEN ALL THE GAUGES CAME BACK ON. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM? I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER
Air bags, Structure, May 16, 2019, crash
FRONT END COLLISION- DIRECT HIT-2015 TOYOTO RAVE 4 -AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.CAR A HIT CAR B, CAR A GOING 50, HIT CAR B GOING 15 MPH. CAR B TOTALED
Service brakes, May 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TWO INCHES ABOVE THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM COLEMAN TOYOTA (10400 AUTO PARK AVE, BETHESDA, MD 20817), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Structure, Mar 22, 2019
I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN OPENED THE HOOD, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE STRIKER FOR THE HOOD LATCH HAD BROKEN FREE OF THE FACTORY WELDS THAT HOLD IT IN PLACE, RENDERING THE LATCH INOPERABLE. WHILE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE OR BLOWS TO THE FRONT END OR HOOD. THERE ARE NO MARKS OR SIGNS OF DAMAGE AT ALL. THE STRIKER HAS SIMPLY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD. IT APPEARS THAT THE FACTORY WELDS JUST FAILED. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN OR HOW IT HAPPENED.