2022 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 145 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2022 reports, 14 involved a crash. 12 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerJul 21, 2022
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Rav4, Rav4 Hybrid, and Rav4 Prime vehicles. The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA08.
Campaign 22V519000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
145 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2024
The power lift gate sometimes closes all by itself when you're leaning inside. When that happens, I need to push-up on it to make it stop but then it'll start to close again all by itself. It doesn't make any difference whether you're leaning inside or you're just standing there; It sometimes starts Closing. This usually happens when it opens only half way and I have to go back and push it up manually.
Air bags, Dec 27, 2023, crash
I was in a collision which was a tbone situation on the drivers side and the drivers side or front airbags did not deploy.
Vehicle speed control, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 20, 2023, crash
Problemas con el sistema de precolosion falla del sensor el carro es inseguro e tenido 2 incidentes donde el sistema no responde ni se activa antes del impacto problemas con el motor, estabilidad del carro, conteo de velocidad, frenos, llantas, cruze de carriles, puntos ciegos
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 18, 2023
Lurching transmission when under mild acceleration at low speeds. Infotainment system does not work correctly and causes all infotainment controls to become unresponsive.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2023
I bought a NEW rav-4 toyota last year, 2022 model. I have about 10,500 miles on it and suddenly my moon roof (back sun roof) shattered. There was nothing around to throw rocks up on top of my car so its nearly impossible for it to be from an "outdoor influence". I decided that I would open up a claim with Toyota, they have not even tried to advocate for my side; in fact no one asked for my side of the story until I said no one had asked me. It is not under warranty because its the moon roof and it is from "ware and tare" but no where does it say glass is not covered, and then they said that it would be covered only if proven from a manufacture/car fault or malfunction. My moon roof has no point of impact, hence the thought it was caused by pressure. Then I looked it up, this has happened to 100s of people on their rav4 2021, some of which got it covered by Toyota. I have been talking to a case manager (after weeks of trying to reach one) and he basically said that even if I send them these reports of it previously happening he won't bother looking at them; and that the specialist team are bias to Toyota so they will also say its outside causes. I have been pushed around, looked down on, and not advocated for. They also won't do ANY repair on my car until Toyota says okay, or I file an insurance claim, so they have had my car for 2 weeks doing nothing on it. Not only that they upsold me on the moon roof, encouraged me to do it, my $500 upgrade is now costing me $5000 dollars to fix. This is a dangerous reoccurring problem, what if my shade wasn't closed and the glass hit myself or passengers, of if cars behind me ran over glass chunks and caused flat tires or window chips etc. In addition the way the situation has been handled makes me and my Toyota loyal family not want to buy a Toyota again!!
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 5, 2023
Apple Carplay does not function posing a safety hazard. When connected, volume is unable to be lowered via the steering wheel controls or the factory installed radio. As such, in an emergency, the volume could not be lowered to communicate with emergency services. Dealer updated radio to latest software on 8/3/23 but the problem persists. Apple is aware of the problem but does not have a solution.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 4, 2023
This RAV4 is having acceleration issues. While driving it randomly has issues at the time of acceleration. It has happened from a stop to a go, and gaining speed. This issue has put me into an incredibly vulnerable situation as I was very close to being hit by a semi while trying to merge onto the high way twice. When I pressed down on the accelerator, the engine hesitated to start gaining speed slowing down the speed needed to safely merge on to the highway. I have taken it in and all I am told is that there are no codes found and the issue can't be duplicated.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 25, 2023
While driving at highway speed, check engine light came on along with warning message in multifunction indicator stating "Hybrid System Malfunction. Diminished Power. Contact Dealer", and car immediately decelerated from 60 mph to about 35 mph. When releasing accelerator, car shuddered. Once stopped, car accelerated very poorly, and barely was ablate ascend hills in neighborhood (5-10 mph going up hills). hybrid car appeared to be operating on gas engine only, and electrical system for traction motors appeared to be short circuiting.
Engine, Jul 4, 2023
The Engine Coolant Bypass Valve is a known issue across the 2019-Present RAV4 generation. We have taken our RAV4 to the dealership numerous time for the “Maintenance Required Soon” message that comes up when the car starts. The dealer always says that is is just a reminder for us to get our vehicle serviced at 20,000. The service interval message is supposed to only come on at every 5,000, not every 3,000. We took it by our local auto parts store, and the man that works there has a 2019 RAV4 that has the same problem. They had to take theirs to the dealer and have the Coolant Bypass Valve replaced. If not addressed soon, it could cause the engine to overheat. The man at the auto parts store said it doesn’t hurt to drive it but it is best not to prolong it. There needs to be an investigation of a recall started on this, as it can be a very confusing situation. It makes people think the car is just reminding you of your service maintenance interval. But this is not what this message means. When you take it to the dealer, they are clueless and they will give you the runaround. [XXX] of Pell City, Alabama. 2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE purchased from Serra Toyota of Birmingham INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Service brakes, Jun 21, 2023
While on eastbound I-80, my tire pressure sensor light came on. Approximately 5-8 minutes later, my right REAR tire came off my car. I was in the slow lane; however, when I went to slow down even more, my brakes failed. I had no brakes on I-80 with only 3 tires. I placed my car in neutral and coasted 1/2 in the slow lane & 1/2 in the bike lane until my car would stop.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 20, 2023, crash
I was at stop position. i pressed the hold button and then took my foot off the break. when traffic started moving i pressed the hold button again with my foot still on floor the car started jumping and pressing the the two other car on my front. the two other cars got totaled.
Structure, Jun 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while rolling down the driver's side window, the window made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who removed plastic debris and tightened unknown screws on the driver's side door; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it was a common failure in similar vehicles. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2023
There seems to be an issue on these body styles on Toyota Rav4 where there is an opening in lower bumper and rocks and road debris come in and put a hole in the AC Condenser. Toyota is aware of these issues but will not address and the customer is out $1500 repairs. I consider this a safety issue because every time this happens Freon is released into the atmosphere and the government is very concerned with this as is evident by the license and safety mechanisms in place for technicians handling the freon and repairs.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 29, 2023
When I started my car there was an overwhelming smell of gas. I immediately turned it off and looked under the hood at which time I realized a hose was melted. When the engine is on, gas sprays from the melted hose. I have had regular maintenance which was just 1 month ago. No warning lights were on. I purchased this vehicle new in September 2022. I am extremely concerned that this happened in a new vehicle which has had regular maintenance. Luckily it did not catch fire. I have contacted the dealership who sent a tow truck; however, the vehicle needs to have the engine on to put it in neutral and release the parking brake. The tow truck operator was therefore unable to tow it until the hose is replaced but dealership maintenance is unavailable today due to it being a holiday.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2023
I was driving on I-91 in stop-and-go traffic when, all of a sudden, my RAV4 stalled. A warning chime sounded and the battery light, check engine light, and power steering light all illuminated. In the 4.2 inch screen in the gauge cluster, the following message displayed: "Steering Power Low"..."Shift to P". A second message displayed and said: "Engine Stopped"..."Shift to P". I attempted to restart the vehicle up to 8 times and it finally restarted. I quickly drove the car to the shoulder and out of the way of traffic. There were three of us in the car (myself and my two kids) and we almost got hit two times because visibility was poor due to rainy conditions and mist from passing cars. Throughout all this, I had the Auto Start/Stop feature disabled, so the car should not have shut off on its own. We had to get the car towed because we were worried that the problem would reoccur. We hope the problem could be rectified by our local Toyota dealer, because we do not want to drive it again in fear of the problem reoccurring while on the roadway. We are reporting this to bring awareness to this issue, and to make sure nobody else will have to face this situation and potentially be put in harm's way. (The attached photo is a general picture from somebody else, but my car had the same EXACT warning lights and messages. We could not take a picture because we were focusing on trying to get the car to turn on and move it to the shoulder by any means possible).
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 22, 2023
I purchased the car last July. Up to December, the car performed fine. Starting in December when I used the car heater repeatedly due to subzero temperatures, I noticed a burning smell coming from the vents. I was afraid that the engine or car would catch fire. I called the Tansky Toyota dealership and was told to bring the car in. They checked the car and I was told the smell was identified as engine coating which is burning off and it may take up to 4-6 month for the smell to go away. When I asked about the effects of the burning smell on my health, the assigned service adviser told me that “if Toyota put it there, it is fine’. In February, the smell in the enclosed car cabin got so bad that I felt nauseous, my eyes were burning, and I had metallic after taste in my mouth. When I took my car to the Tansky dealership, I was told that what I am smelling is a new car smell. Just to prove it, the assigned service advisor asked random dealership employees to sit in my car and to confirm that the car has a so called “new car smell”. When I asked if they could do something about the smell I was told to take the car to an independent car shop. The dealership was dismissive of my concerns. I had new cars before and none of them produced the so called “new car smell” when I used the heater. I contacted Toyota and requested an independent inspection. The inspection was scheduled at the same dealership and when I received the report, it basically said that the inspector could not duplicate the problem so my concern was dismissed. Unfortunately, during independent inspection, my car was not tested in subzero temperature to replicate the problem. My main concern is the effect of the burning chemicals on my health and possibly ability to operate the car safely. No one was able to tell me what kind of chemicals are in the engine coating. At the time of purchase, I was not told that the car has engine coating which will gradually burn off via heater vent into the cabin.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2023
Toyota (and Toyota of Boardman) is purposely overstating fuel capacity on their vehicles. So this is unsafe as drivers don’t the actual amount of gas before the run out and could lead to unexpected stops. This makes it impossible to determine the actual amount of gasoline used, which would also then make it impossible to know the total amount of air pollutants their cars omit. This could easily mean that Toyota is over stating their EPA estimated miles per gallon, the document attach shows that Toyota is aware that their gas tanks have known engineering defects however, they will only address the issue if a user owns a 2019 through 2021 model (RAV4 Hybrid). Also, they said they will only address the problem if the person cannot put more than 9.8 gallons that would mean that they will only address this issue if over 32% of the gas tank is unusable. If I would of known the truth I would have reconsidered buying my 2022 Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid.
Tires, Mar 31, 2023
Tire size:225 65/17 While driving the side of a brand new tire blew out. We had three passengers in the vehicle that could have been in danger if we were going at a greater speed. We took the new tire in and was told by the auto shop that it could not be repaired. We had to purchase a new one and I have the invoice. I try to resolve this with Firestone but according to them, the tire was not under warranty. The new tire only had 5000 miles and it is a tread of at least 60,000 miles.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 22, 2023
At 2:05 pm on March 21, 2023 my car suddenly lurched forward and to the left as I was pulling into a parallel parking place. The vehicle was operating in electric mode on "ECO" with the the gearshift in "D" at the time, but I heard the starter motor kick in and the engine rev up simultaneous with the sudden lurching. The lurching was so fast that it threw my head against the head rest. The vehicle jumped an 8 inch concrete curb leaving a skid mark on the right side and traveled 10-12 feet across a side walk and into dirt landscaping. Upon slamming on the brake, the car came to rest and the engine died. There were no prior incidents. The odometer read 4648 at time of incident. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer or police. No injury to the driver or pedestrians occurred.The incident has not recurred since yesterday's incident. After the incident, the tire pressure indicator light appeared on the dashboard. The weather at time of the incident was 72 degrees and cloudy. The vehicle had just completed a short 1 mile drive at low speed. There were no electrical transformers nearby but a ReSound GN hearing aid recharge battery case was sitting on the passenger seat at the time of the incident.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2023
No incident occurred. Received Customer Notification . Not sure if this should be a recall and how big of a problem it could cause
Air bags, Feb 14, 2023, crash
The contact owned a 2022 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that when he was making a left turn at a light, he was involved in a front-end collision. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy, and the contact stated that he required medical attention for a fractured sternum. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,800.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2023
Audio system is dead
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2023
The moonroof glass shattered unexpectedly with no impact or previous damage while driving on the Highway. The vehicle is only 3 months old has not been involved in any accidents or incidents. If the interior moonroof shade was not closed the glass would have dropped all over the interior potentially harming myself and any other passengers in the vehicle.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2023
I just want it in writing that my windshield just randomly cracked. It was parked and nothing hit it and it just cracked.
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2022, crash
On 11-9 the vehicle had an unintended acceleration that resulted in a collision. The vehicle was brand new. On 11-8 the vehicle had another unintended acceleration with a different driver where no collision was involved. Toyota is ignoring the problem.