Every 2013 Toyota RAV4 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Electrical System · NHTSA 23V734000
Jan 11, 2023Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V734000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 16V096000
Feb 19, 2016Seat Belts:Rear/Other
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
- Risk
- A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Full recall details for 16V096000 →Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA 15V577000
Sep 18, 2015Visibility/Wiper
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
- Risk
- Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
Full recall details for 15V577000 →Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 15V143000
Mar 13, 2015Hybrid Propulsion System
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Full recall details for 15V143000 →Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 15V011000
Jan 16, 2015Trailer Hitches
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V011000 →
2013 Toyota RAV4 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 262 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota RAV4, reporting 22 crashes, 29 fires, 15 injuries, 1 deaths. Toyota has issued at least 398 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System76
- Unknown Or Other41
- Power Train30
- Engine29
- Structure28
- Service Brakes21
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (361)
- Electrical System (148)
- Structure (131)
- Power Train (30)
- Engine (28)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (21)
Read Toyota RAV4 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 262 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota RAV4. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“Car started cutting on and off then battery caught fire while driving. The battery is still in the vehicle. Car was inspected by Victory Toyota of Brook Park. There were no warning lamps or messages before the incident occurred.”
2013 TOYOTA RAV4Mar 11, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11647656
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ELECTRIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DECELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED.”
2013 TOYOTA RAV4 EVSep 20, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11130308
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a second vehicle that had abruptly stopped. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe front-end damage but the air bags did not deploy.”
2013 TOYOTA RAV4Jan 8, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11634828
“TOYOTA OF LAKE CITY (SEATTLE, WA) REFUSED TO DO, OR EVEN HELP WITH, THE NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-577 FOR MY TOYOTA VEHICLE.”
2013 TOYOTA RAV4 EVDec 28, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10938002
Injury reportedFire
“The contact's husband owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the husband was driving at approximately 35 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood.”
2013 TOYOTA RAV4Nov 21, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11626625
Check your RAV4 by VIN
Not every 2013 Toyota RAV4 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Toyota dealer.
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