What Toyota RAV4 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Toyota RAV4 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 31 |
| 2025 | 103 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 42 |
| 2024 | 205 | 31 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 111 |
| 2023 | 229 | 24 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 126 |
| 2022 | 171 | 19 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 182 |
| 2021 | 508 | 60 | 8 | 54 | 0 | 229 |
| 2020 | 648 | 17 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 304 |
| 2019 | 901 | 28 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 303 |
| 2018 | 346 | 33 | 32 | 19 | 0 | 183 |
| 2017 | 321 | 34 | 24 | 30 | 2 | 206 |
| 2016 | 257 | 37 | 12 | 27 | 0 | 257 |
| 2015 | 305 | 37 | 41 | 30 | 1 | 313 |
| 2014 | 207 | 20 | 25 | 22 | 0 | 373 |
| 2013 | 262 | 22 | 29 | 15 | 1 | 398 |
| 2012 | 266 | 39 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 332 |
| 2011 | 287 | 44 | 8 | 20 | 0 | 283 |
| 2010 | 400 | 57 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 313 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Toyota RAV4 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The steering "micro" sticking in steps for last 4 years. Talked to the Cedar Park Toyota dealership, they informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. But I found recall # 15V-144. I never received a recall notice. Always observes sticking a low speeds. Concerned about steering lock up. What should I do to fix it?
* The suspension camber is extremely off from the factory * The tires are wearing abnormally, causing the steel mesh to become exposed while the tire still appears healthy from the outside * Yes, the problem has been reproduced, and is widespread * Yes, it's been inspected by the dealership, and Toyota corporate is doing everything they can to deny fixing it. * There were no warnings, and despite almost a dozen visits to dealerships for service, no one brought it up until I was outside the warranty coverage time.
While driving in heavy traffic, the engine shuddered then dashboard warnings: "Hybrid System Malfunction Output Power Reduced, Drive-Start Control Malfunction, AWD System Malfunction." I pulled over, parked, then the transmission wouldn't shift to drive or reverse.
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2-3 MPH in a parking garage, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a cement pillar. The vehicle had lunged forward previously. There was smoke or steam coming from the vehicle after the crash. The vehicle was driven in hybrid mode out of the parking garage and was eventually towed to the local dealer. The contact was sore, and medical attention was provided by a doctor. The Toyota manufacturer brand engagement center was contacted by phone and opened a case. The insurance company was contacted, and the adjuster was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 21…
I am reporting a potentially recurring safety-related failure of the electric engine coolant/water pump on my 2019 Toyota RAV4 equipped with the 2.5L A25A-FKS engine. My vehicle recently developed DTC P26CB/P26CB71, indicating an electric engine coolant pump performance/speed problem. The failure caused loss of proper coolant circulation and resulted in my vehicle overheating while I was driving on the highway. An unexpected cooling-system failure at highway speed creates a safety hazard and can result in severe engine overheating, potentially catastrophic engine damage, and an unexpected need to stop near traffic. Approximately two months before this failure, my vehicle received a separat…
1. System Failure & Availability: Vehicle's automated driver-assist (Lane Tracing/Keeping Assist) and steering modules failed. The vehicle is intact and available for inspection under a strict spoliation hold at an independent facility. 2. Safety Risk & Injuries: On a curve at ~50 mph, the automated steering suffered a violent uncommanded intervention, overrode human control, and jerked the wheel out of the driver's hands, causing a head-on collision with a tree. Injuries required immediate ambulance transport. Diagnoses include a concussion, a severe large left leg hematoma with extreme swelling, open wounds, and deep tissue trauma causing foot numbness. This required a secondary ER return…
Windshield has diagonal lines throughout in pattern similiar to, \\\\\\\\\\. This causes vision impairment and eye strain when attempting to drive. When researching online it appears it is a defect in the manufacturing process of 2026 RAV4s with the acoustic lamination.
I got in my car last night (it was dark so hence the first picture being dark) , shut the driver door, and my trunk window blew out/shattered. My car was clear of clutter, only a pair of shoes, an umbrella and a doll present in car, so no cabin pressure relief vents could have been blocked.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
OBSOLETE NOTICE August 20, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0051-26.
This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries.
A head unit software update (version 8612G42397) is now available for 2026 model year RAV4 Hybrid, and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid vehicles via OTA or USB. Vehicle operators can perform this update directly by accepting the on-screen notification advising the software update is available, or by locating the software update from the Settings menu and initiating the available update This is a phased rollout, which means that as time progresses, more vehicles will receive the update notification and ability to update the head unit via OTA. This timing will vary by location and may not display for every
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TC03 Certain 2022 â 2025 Model Year RAV4 Incorrect Mass Air Flow Sensor Reading
In wet conditions, water contacting the radiator in the subject vehicles after idling for an extended period can create steam that can cause an incorrect engine sensor reading. This can lead to a warning light, a rough-running engine, or a potential engine stall while idling or operating at low speeds.
Although the flow shut-off valve is covered by Toyotaâs New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 36 months or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customersâ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to Flow Shut-off Valve Coolant Leak.
State of Health (SOH): An estimate of battery health that is updated as the vehicle learns from operating and charging conditions over time. Distance Since Last Update: Indicates the distance accumulated since the last SOH calculation. A default mileage value of 40,727 at SOH 100% may be displayed until sufficient vehicle learning is completed. Once SOH value updates from 100%, the Distance Since Last Update value will re-set to 0 miles. Both SOH and Distance Since Last Update values will continue to update as the vehicle continues to learn.
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TC03 Certain 2022 â 2025 Model Year RAV4 Incorrect Mass Air Flow Sensor Reading
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMISSION NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL 26TC03 Certain 2022 â 2025 Model Year RAV4 Incorrect Mass Air Flow Sensor Reading
In wet conditions, water contacting the radiator in the subject vehicles after idling for an extended period can create steam that can cause an incorrect engine sensor reading. This can lead to a warning light, a rough-running engine, or a potential engine stall while idling or operating at low speeds.
2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats. During Pre-Delivery Service (PDS), follow the appropriate Installation Procedure to attach the driver side, and if applicable, the passenger side and rear seatfloor mats to the vehicle carpet using the floor mat retainers.
During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direction of rotation.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 i
The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.
On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.Dur
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2026, owners most often name: electrical system, unknown or other, engine. 5,451 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
