2023 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 157 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 19 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, display functionOct 30, 2025
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.
Campaign 25V744000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelSep 11, 2025
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB05 and 25LA05.
Campaign 25V595000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, valveJul 11, 2023
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota RAV4 vehicles equipped with 17" black alloy accessory wheels. During installation of the alloy wheels, the tire valve stem may have been improperly installed or damaged. In addition, the load carrying capacity label may state the incorrect weight. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
A damaged or improperly installed valve stem may allow air to leak and/or the tires to be underinflated, increasing the risk of tire failure and a crash.
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheel valve stems and replace the load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 18, 2023. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 23R1.
Campaign 23V485000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 31, 2026
Front forward camera unavailable, World wide shortage of part. No known date of supply.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 31, 2026
While making a left turn in my 2026 Toyota RAV4, the vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking / Pre-Collision System suddenly activated without cause. The system sounded an audible warning beep and forced the vehicle to brake and come to a hard stop mid-turn. There was nothing in front of me that should have triggered the system. This put my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk. The forced stop occurred suddenly and unexpectedly while turning, which nearly caused an accident, as vehicles behind me had no warning that I would suddenly brake mid-turn. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages prior to the incident — the false activation occurred suddenly with no prior symptoms. I have dashcam footage of the incident attached below.
Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 7, 2026
Back up camera stopped working screen is black when put into reverse. Approximately 2 weeks after camera stopped working warnings appeared on dash headlight system malfunction pre collision system malfunction rear cross traffic alert malfunction blind spot monitor malfunction LTA malfunction. There is no current recalls on this particular car but others of same make and model have recalls with same issues
Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 7, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 46 MPH in heavy rain, a warning message indicating that the pre-collision sensor was blocked and needed to be cleared, was displayed temporarily, and the contact continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost motive power shortly after, and the message "Steering power is low; please contact dealer" was displayed. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart.The following day, the contact's husband successfully restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle immediately stalled again, displaying a "Pre-collision malfunction; please call dealer" message. A local dealer was contacted, and the contact spoke with a receptionist regarding the battery, but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,829.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 4, 2026
Vehicle was traveling straight approximately 70–80 mph in very light drizzle. No warning lights or messages before the event. Vehicle suddenly entered an uncontrolled spin multiple times. During the spin, I heard a grinding noise. After stopping, brake/parking brake system warnings appeared on the dash, video after the event recorded.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 30, 2026
The front camera is known to overheat in weather that exceeds 70°F. Which disables the AEB, Cruise Control, Lane Keep, Automatic Headlights, and Automatic Wipers.
Lane departure, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 29, 2026
System states Pre System Collision Malfunction- Parking Brake Malfunction- secondary collision Malfunction warnings. AWD system malfunctions
Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 2, 2026
Few days back got a message "voltage abnormality steering power low" a few times. Today, got a message saying the sensors indicated on the form are malfunctioning. Car is 2.5 yrs old with 23.5k miles on it.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 10, 2025, crash
While entering my garage (video available)The 2023 Hybrid Rav 4 accelerated on its own when I was braking to put it into reverse to back up to realign to park in my space. I was hitting the brake and the brake lights were on the dashboard while the car keep accelerating hitting the garage wall.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Back over prevention, Nov 22, 2025
Vehicle shows multiple safety systems malfunction and display warning messages. The vehicle displays repeated alerts including LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) Malfunction, Pre-Collision System Malfunction, RSA (Road Sign Assist) Malfunction, and Headlight System Malfunction. These warnings occur while the vehicle is in motion or parking and cause the safety features to shut off unexpectedly.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 7, 2025
While driving or idling, the pre-collusion, RSA malfunction, Headlight system malfunction, and LTA system malfunction will go off as well as my navigation on my screen. Its been going on and off for 7 months now. It works, then it doesn't. I don't want to take it in because I know they're famous for making me pay high dollar fees for anything and everything. Toyota is horrible for their services and just want the money. I never had any issues with my car until I got a nail in my tire that was an easy fix (that they also wanted to keep my car overnight for a patch).
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 22, 2025
I purchased a new 2023 Toyota RAV4 in March 2023, which is covered by Toyota’s 36-month/36,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty. In August 2025, while the vehicle was still within warranty, a malfunction warning appeared for the pre-collision system and Road Sign Assist. The Toyota dealership diagnosed an internal failure of the forward recognition camera (DTC C1A95:00 — image processing module malfunction) and recommended replacement and calibration at a cost of approximately $2,300. Toyota denied warranty coverage despite the failure being internal to the part and occurring within the warranty period. I am seeking reimbursement for repair costs that should be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 30, 2025
On 2 occasions while driving on a flat straight Interstate Highway using the adaptive cruise control, with no vehicle in front of me, the vehicle has suddenly tried to stop. Pressing the Cancel button for the adaptive cruise control would not shut the system Off. When the accelerator was depressed to attempt to get the car moving forward, it continued to try to stop the vehicle even harder. Pressing the brake pedal also did not disengage the adaptive cruise control. I had to allow the vehicle to creep off the highway, then Shutdown the vehicle and then Restart to resume driving.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 30, 2024
While at stop light notices my 2023 Toyota Rav 4 LE engine was steaming. Pulled into a parking lot when Power steering fluid low warning light came on and said that the engine will stop. After I put in some power steering fluid the dash warning lights lit up, with the following warning lights: Pre-collision brake system failure, Collision brake system failure, Secondary collision system failure and check engine light came on. Had vehicle towed to dealership, they did an test and confirmed several error codes and they are waiting on Toyota engineers to provide information on cause and remedy. While at dealership was told by service adviser that there was sat least one other individual with the same issue. The dealership unfortunately don’t know the cause of the problem
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 13, 2024
Pre collision malfunction, RSA malfunction, LTA malfunction, Headlight malfunction. These warnings keep coming up showing the vehicle is not safe. Parts were ordered in February but are on back order. Might get by June. Vehicle has also rebooted the screens, tried to lane change, and failed to start once. To me this is a programming problem. This has been an on going problem for months now. The dealership claims that it is a wonky camera causing the problem.
Vehicle speed control, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 30, 2024, crash
I was pulling into a handicaped parking space and the car just jumped over the curb and hit the handicaped sign plowed into the landscapping. it went from 5miles an hour to 20miles an hour in 5 seconds by itself . computer took over . no air bags were deployed .
Suspension, Power train, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 21, 2024
Car loses traction over minor imperfections in the road. When braking and dropping speeds to 20-30 MPH, car will lose traction over imperfection in the road, causing the ABS to engage. The car shutters and grinds/vibrates until traction is regained. With an AWD system, a minor 6-inch drop in the road due to a pot hole or dip should not cause traction to be lost. The car consistently loses traction when braking and 1 tire runs over imperfection in the road (pot hole, dip, uneven pavement, etc.). If car drives over speed bump (which keeps tires aligned), car does not lose traction. Issue is only present if 1 tire different than the other 3 which shows instability of the vehicle. Issue has been verified by manufacturer and has shown up in the car log. Dealer said that the car recorded a loss of traction 4 times in the last month. Issue has been escalated to Toyota corporate and they do not see the sensitivity of the traction control as an issue. Issue has been persistent since the purchase of the car in early 2023. All components on the car are OEM and have only been looked at by Toyota dealers. Multiple online forums have shown that other owners face the same issues. Video proof of the issue can be provided.
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 21, 2023
I paid for option on my vehicle but it was not installed in the factory. The software shows to be installed on my car. I alerted the sales person numerous times. I told the car had to be moving faster than 40 miles per hour to activate the pre- collision system and it still doesn’t work. This safety issue of the vehicle.