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.
Suspension, Mar 21, 2019
THE CAR SLIDE TO THE RIGHT. EVEN AFTER ALIGHTMENT, IT CANNOT KEEP ALIGNMENT. THE CAR WAS ALIGNMENT MANY TIMES, BUT IT JUST KEEP NORMAL OPERATION ABOUT 3-4 DAY. THEN IT PULLING TO RIGHT SIDE AGAINTHE CAR ALSO MAKE LOUDSY NOISE WHEN MARKING LETF, RIGHT TURN, INCREASING OR DECREASING SPEED AND. THE CAR PULLING MAKE IT IS HARD TO DRIVE AND STAY NORMALLY IN THE LANE ESPECIALLY ON FREEWAY. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER, AND AFTER DO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME, THE LOW ARM CONTROL HAS PROBLEM, IT MAKE CAR CANNOT KEEP ALIGNMENT, AND SUGGEST ME TO REPLACE BOTH LOW ARM CONTROL.
Steering, Mar 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 14, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL POSTED SPEED THE SUNROOF IN OUR 2015 EXPLODED FOR REASONS UNKNOWN CAUSING A HUGE HOLE IN THE SUNROOF AND THE REST OF THE SUNROOF GLASS TO CRACK AS WELL. NOTHING APPEARED TO HIT THE SUNROOF AND THERE WAS VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE GLASS SEEMED TO EXPLODE OUTWARDS AS IF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR SOME TYPE OF PRESSURE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2019
MYSELF, MY DAUGHTER AND MY DAUGHTER'S FATHER WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 89 TOWARDS BURLINGTON, VT. WE HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION OR A GUN SHOT. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED, NOT FROM ANY DEBRIS OR ROCK'JUST EXPLODED. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. LUCKILY WE ONLY GOT MINOR CUTS FROM THE GLASS. THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THANKFULLY I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR DESPITE THE EXPLOSION AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE IN ANOTHER CAR. NOW I AM FINDING OUT HOW OFTEN THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENS AND WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. SUNROOFS NEED TO BE RECALLED. IT IS HORRIFYING THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. IN ALL HONESTY, THIS PROBABLY WON'T CHANGE UNTIL SOMEONE DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 19, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FORWARD, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE OF A PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL DEPRESSED. THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO REACH THE GEAR SHIFT AND PLACE IT IN THE PARK POSITION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2018
I NOTICE WARM AIR COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS EVEN WHEN I DONT HAVE THE AIR ON. IT CONCERNS ME THAT IT MAY BE EXHAUST. I ALSO HAVE A 2014 COROLLA THAT DOES THE SAME THING. YOU CANT STAND THE WARM AIR ON SEMI WARM DAYS. YOU CAN FEEL THE WARM HAIR COME THROUGH VENTS WITHOUT THE FAN ON. ITS ON GOING.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Oct 7, 2018, fire
CAR STALLED SO I PULLED OVER. THERE WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN MINUTES IT TURNED INTO A BIG FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED.
Electrical system, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2018
FOUR INCIDENTS OF DAMAGE TO WIRING BY RODENTS. MECHANIC BELIEVES THE RODENT TO BE A RAT. ONE RAT HAS BEEN CAUGHT IN A LIVE TRAP. YET TWO MORE INCIDENTS OF EATEN WIRING.THE RAT EATS THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING AND BITES THROUGH THE WIRING. THE RAT DRAGS TISSUES INTO THE H/A VENTS. EVEN TRIED TO EAT A PACKAGE OF FOIL WRAPPED HAND WIPES. THE RAT HAS LEFT SCAT UNDER THE SEATS. THE RAT WAS OBSERVED PLAYING UNDER MY CAR WHILE PARKED DOWNTOWN. HE MANAGED TO GET BACK IN THE CAR AND RODE 'HOME.'
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2018
WE PURCHASED A TOYOTA RAV4 WITH A 100% O.K. FROM TOYOTA DEALER FOUR WEEKS AND 200 MILES AFTER PARKING IN THE GARAGE THE NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT START SEVERAL TRY'S LATER IT BARLEY STARTED, I AM A RETIRED MECHANIC, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NORMAL BRIGHT WITH HORN HONKING, THE DEALER TOLD MY WIFE THE BATTERY HAD 0 CRANKING AMPS THEY INSTALLED A NEW 80 MONTH TOYOTA BATTERY,. MY PROBLEM IS SAFETY ISSUES GOING TO THE INTERNET AND SEARCHING TOYOTA PROBLEMS BATTERY'S, ELECTRICAL SHORTS, ELECTRICAL FIRES, STOPPING UNEXPECTEDLY LOSS OF STEERING, ELECTRIC WIRE BURN SMELL, I COULD GO ON MY POINT IS EVERYTHING IS TIED TOGETHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH WIRING SHORTS ! I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE AN ALARMIST BUT IT MIGHT SOUND THAT WAY, SOMETHING IS CAUSING ALL THE ISSUES WITH EARLY BATTERY FAILURE, AS A MECHANIC 50 YEARS I HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND ALMOST ALWAYS IT IS A ELECTRICAL SHORT SOME WARE IN THE SYSTEM, AND IN SOME VEHICLES YOU NO LONGER HAVE THROTTLE CABLES OR LINKAGE YOU HAVE ELECTRIC ASSIST MEANING A MOTOR OR SOME KIND OF PRESSURE SENSITIVE DEVICE THAT CAN SHORT AND INADVERTENTLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP OR CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ADVANCE FULL THROTTLE WITH NO WAY TO STOP! I'M HOPING SOME ONE WILL READ THIS THAT CAN HELP PUT OUR MINDS TO REST OR PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE, I AM AFRAID FOR MY WIFE AND ALL LOVED ONES DRIVING THESE VEHICLES.
Steering, Suspension, Aug 7, 2018
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A STRANGE NOISE WHEN TURNING AND THE SUSPENSION SEEMS TO BE OFF.
Suspension, Jul 28, 2018
MY CAR 2015 RAV4 TOYOTA AND MY CAR RUNNING ONLY 40,000 KM AND MY CAR REAR SHOCKS TO NEED TO CHANGE.
Air bags, Jun 12, 2018, crash
I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT. IT WAS MY TURN TO GO, I PROCEEDED TO GO STRAIGHT WHEN ANOTHER CAR RAN THE STOP LIGHT AND I WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN A DRIVER RAN A LIGHT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IF THE HIS WAS BAD ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THE AIR BAGS KNOW WHEN IT IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2018
WIRING HARNESS HAS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED, CAUSE DO TO RODENTS CHEWING ALL WIRING BECAUSE OF ALL THE INGREDIENTS THEY USE IN THE SOY BASED WIRING INSULATION.
Seat belts, Mar 23, 2018
BACK RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAS A SMALL TEAR.
Air bags, Feb 24, 2018, crash
HEAD ON COLLISION AT 48MPH AFTER BEING SIDESWIPED. NEITHER FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY.
Seat belts, Feb 23, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING HEAD ON TOWARDS HIM. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH AND MOVED OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY; HOWEVER, THE OTHER VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. THE OTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE CONTACT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AMBULANCE WAS CALLED AND FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A TEN YEAR OLD OCCUPANT WAS AIR LIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND LATER DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (NORTH HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA, 4606 LANKERSHIM BLVD, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91602) FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2018. THE CRASH OCCURRED THE DAY BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Service brakes, Feb 15, 2018
BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP CAR ON HIGHWAY PETAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TOW CAR TO DEALERSHIP .CHECKED OK TO DEALERSHIP" THEY SAID"
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 8, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EXPRESS TOWING'S FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Seat belts, Dec 28, 2017
RIGHT SIDE REAR SEAT AND MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAIL TO LOCK PROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL. ONE IS CURRENTLY USELESS. LEFT SIDE REAR OK. I NOTED THIS PURCHASING THIS CAR USED INSPECTING. IS THIS COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY OR FEDERAL MANDATE?
Structure, Dec 26, 2017
AFTER BEING PARKED IN CARPORT OVERNIGHT ON A WINTER NIGHT IN DEC 2017, I DROVE ONLY A COUPLE OF MILES DOWN THE I-15 FREEWAY IN UTAH BETWEEN SPANISH FORK AND SPRINGVILLE NO MORE THAN 60 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD 'EXPLODING SOUND' ON THE TOP OF MY CAR OUTSIDE AND THEN 'TINKLING' NOISES FROM THE FRONT OF THE ROOF AREA TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. IT HAPPENED AT 0900 ON A COLD SUNDAY MORNING AND THE TRAFFIC WAS EXTREMELY LIGHT. THE NEAREST VEHICLES TO ME WERE AT LEAST 10 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD AND BEHIND ME AND THERE WERE NO VEHICLES ON EITHER SIDE OF ME. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE ROAD HAZARD AND NO ICE FALLING FROM ANYWHERE SINCE WE HAD HAD NO WINTER WEATHER OF ANY KIND SO FAR THAT SEASON. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND EXAMINE THE DAMAGE, THERE WAS A GIANT HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY MOON/SUN ROOF. IT HAD MYSTERIOUSLY EXPLODED WITH JAGGED EDGES JETTING UPWARDS WITH SHARDS OF SHATTERED GLASS LITTERING THE TOP OF MY CAR AND INSIDE ON THE MOON/SUN ROOF SLIDER INSIDE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 19, 2017
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A ONE LANE COUNTRY ROAD - NO CAR WAS IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME. OCCURRED AT 11:00 AM AND OUTSIDE TEMPS WERE 43 DEGREES.
Air bags, Structure, Dec 10, 2017, crash
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A 'RED' LIGHT AND HIT IT ON THE RIGHT FENDER. FENDER CAME OFF. OTHER VEHICLE HAD FRONT SMASHED IN AND AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE TOYOTA. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEATBELT, BUT LACK OF AIRBAG CAUSED DRIVERS ARM AND CHEST TO HIT STEERING WHEEL AND LEGS TO HIT OTHER COMPONENTS.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE KEY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH FREEHOLD TOYOTA (4268 U.S. 9 S, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
Seat belts, Nov 17, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - THE 3 SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK DO NOT LOCK WHILE IN MOTION. MY 6YR. SON IS CONSTANTLY SLIDING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IT OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING, APPLYING THE BRAKES, ABRUPTLY SWAYING TO RIGHT OR LEFT TO AVOID COLLISION, ETC.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2017, fire
THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE AS I WAITED FOR A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT.