2014 Toyota RAV4

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/28/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  2014 Toyota RAV4 perfectly good headlight bulb stops working on low beam selection, severely limiting visibility for night-time driving. Looks like everyone on the internet is having the same problem.

• 12/21/2018· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BODY REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4,700. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE ACCELERATION MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS

• 12/19/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE RADIO/INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES ARE FAILING (OURS FAILED LAST WEEK), WITH NUMEROUS EXAMPLES POSTED BY OWNERS ONLINE. A DEALERSHIP EVENTUALLY DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE RADIO UNIT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT QUOTED COST OF $1160 TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS COURTEOUS BUT UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE RADIO SYSTEM APPEARS TO ENTER A BOOT LOOP WHERE A LOADING TYPE SCREEN APPEARS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS FOLLOWED BY THE SCREEN TURNING OFF FOR A TIME BEFORE RESTARTING THE LOOP. WHILE I WOULDN'T CONSIDER THE RADIO/INFOTAINMENT TO BE A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT, THIS CONSTANT ON/OFF OF THE RADIO SCREEN IS A DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER. AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY, THE CHANGE IN BRIGHTNESS FROM SCREEN OFF TO SCREEN ON LIGHTS UP THE ENTIRE CABIN. FURTHERMORE, THE BOOT LOOP CANNOT BE STOPPED- NO BUTTONS WORK AND THE SEQUENCE REPEATS ITSELF FOREVER AS LONG AS THE KEY IS ON.

• 12/11/2023· ENGINEFire

  The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving up a slight grade, the vehicle stalled on the roadway. The contact stated that he saw smoke issuing from under the hood. The contact stated that he exited the vehicle and observed that flames were issuing from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the fire department was called, however by the time the fire truck arrived the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the fire department extinguished the flames with water. The police department was also on scene and wrote a report. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the VIN was not available.

• 12/11/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  VEHICLE WAS PARKED, JUST TURNED THE CAR FROM ENGINE ON TO OFF WITH JUST THE BATTERY ON RUNNING THE RADIO WHILE I WAS PREPARING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE ENTIRE RADIO SYSTEM COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. I LOOKED AT MY INFOTAINMENT SCREEN AND IT WAS CERTAINLY HAVING A ISSUE BECAUSE EVER SINCE THAT DAY OVER ONE YEAR AGO I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LISTEN TO RADIO, USE GPS, USE BLUETOOTH, ETC. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNDER A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO 1) LOSS OF PHONE/BLUETOOTH (USE OF MOBILE PHONES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IS REQUIRED IN MANY STATES TO GO THROUGH BLUETOOTH) AND I CANNOT COMPLY WITH THESE LAWS IF MY SYSTEM HAS MALFUNCTIONED, 2) I PAID FOR A VEHICLE WITH A GPS NAVIGATION FOR A REASON AND NOW I LOST THAT EXPENSIVE CAPABILITY AS WELL, 3) RADIO'S ARE USED TO KEEP THE DRIVER ALERT AND FOCUSED AND THIS WAS LOST 4) THE LOOPING SCREEN IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT, CANNOT BE DARKENED AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH IT. I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY COVER OVER MY SCREEN SO NOW IT'S LIKE I'M DRIVING A FLINTSTONES VEHICLE WITH NOTHING TECHNOLOGY WISE IN THIS $25,000 VEHICLE I PAID FOR. "TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE CONTACT US - I CONTACTED TOYOTA VIA PHONE CALL EARLIER TODAY WITH LIMITED RESULTS, BUT LATER EMAILED TOYOTA AND PROVIDED A LINK TO THIS PAGE. THE CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE SUGGESTED THAT ANYONE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR RADIO/NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOULD CALL AND EMAIL THEIR COMPLAINTS. TOYOTA IS NOT CURRENTLY OFFERING ANY REMEDY OR ASSISTANCE TO PREMATURELY FAILING RADIO SYSTEMS THAT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT ALL CALLS AND EMAILS ARE MONITORED AND WHEN THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, TOYOTA WILL RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM AND MAY OFFER ASSISTANCE OR REIMBURSEMENT." HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/TOYOTA/RAV4/2014/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/

• 12/09/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Manufacture failed to provide remedy for recall 23TB13 (NHSTA recall 23V734) in a timely manner. The recall was issued on November 1, 2023; however, a remedy has not been provided as of December 9, 2024.

• 12/09/2020· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN CAR IS IN MOVEMENT AT SPEED OF 20 OR30 MPG CHANGING CAUSE A SHIVERS INTO A JERKING FEELING

• 12/07/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE NAVIGATION/INFORMATION SYSTEM SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE SCREEN TURNED A BLUE COLOR AND THE SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. SCREEN KEEPS ATTEMPTING TO RELOAD BUT IT FAILS. RADIO OR NAVIGATION INOPERABLE BUT THE REAR VIEW CAMERA DOES WORK. OCCURRED AT 60,000 MILES.

• 12/05/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Shortly after I purchased the vehicle, the Entune application began sending “movement alerts” and frequently showed that it was in a different location. The dealership said that an update was required, but that did not fix the problem. About a year later, it began to drain batteries repeatedly (4 in one year). The Toyota dealership could not find a problem. After the last battery replacement, I noticed that the Entune app shows that I have over 960,000,000 miles on the vehicle (when the odometer isn’t even at 85,000) and the battery voltage was 14.6 volts! My car was broken into and the front window was broken, but the app failed to inform me of that! About a month ago, I left home and all of the lights on the dash started flashing. The engine temperature was rising (according to the temperature gauge), and then the gauges stopped functioning. The tachometer showed 0 RPMs and I was unable to see the odometer, temperature, or even my speed. After disconnecting and reconnecting the battery cables, it appeared to solve the problem. I am afraid of what may happen next and would trade it in if I could afford to.

• 12/02/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN PARK MY STEREO STOPPED WORKING. NO RADIO, NO SATELLITE, NO NOTHING OTHER THAN BACK UP CAMERA. WHEN I START THE CAR I GET A BLUE PICTURE OF THE STEREO AND A STATUS BAR LOADING LIKE ON COMPUTERS WHEN A PROGRAM IS LOADING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND HE EXPLAINED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST 2,500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND HE EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO MEANS TO FIX IT. I WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY 1 YEAR AND 6 MONTHS WITH 45000 MILES AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THESE RADIOS THAT CAUSE THIS ENDLESS LOOP TO OCCUR. MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MODEL OF CAR AS WELL.

• 11/30/2015· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. BEFORE STARTING WORK, MY WIFE WAS ATTEMPTING TO SLOWLY PARK OUR 2014 RAV4 AT LESS THAN 2 MPH IN AN EMPTY PARKING SPACE IN THE PUBLIC PARKING LOT WHERE SHE WORKS WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN REACHING A FINAL SPEED OF 21 MPH IN THE SPAN OF APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 SECONDS. DURING THESE 2 TO 3 SECONDS THE VEHICLE TRAVELED A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 27 FEET FROM THE EMPTY PARKING SPACE, RUNNING OVER THE PARKING SPACE CONCRETE CURBS AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON THE RAV4 RIGHT AND THEN RAN INTO A TREE, WHICH WAS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE APPLIED THE SERVICE BRAKE TO TRY TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT THIS EFFORT DID NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. AFTER HITTING THE TREE MY WIFE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND PUSHED A BUTTON TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING THE TREE AT 21 MPH. WE NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF THE PROBLEMS REGARDING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, SERVICE BRAKE AND THE NON-DEPLOYED AIR BAGS. TOYOTA OPENED A CASE AND SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE RAV4. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THEY FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY TYPE OF MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. WE ARE NOT DRIVING THE 2014 RAV4 DUE TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. VEHICLE SAFETY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,577 MILES.

• 11/29/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKES HAVE MADE A HARD SCRATCHING SOUND IF VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN DAILY SINCE ITS PURCHASE. AT 30000 MILE SERVICE, MECHANIC HAS NOTED THAT REAR ROTORS ARE NOT MAKING FULL CONTACT.

• 11/25/2015· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  WHILE MAKING A TURN UNDER 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AFTER. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ONLY A QUICK REACTION ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED THE CAR FROM HITTING SOMETHING. 2 OF THE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING UP A SLIGHT HILL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED SINCE TOYOTA CAN'T FIND AN ISSUE, A UN-EXPERIENCED DRIVER MAY NOT REACT FAST ENOUGH TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT.

• 11/24/2019· POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

  THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/13/2019 @ 8:30AM. I HAD STARTED MY 2014 TOYOTA RAV4, PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THE CARPORT APPRX. 25FT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND FULLY ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE I ALWAYS DO THIS IF I NEED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING FOR ANY REASON. IN THIS CASE I WAS HEATING THE INTERIOR AS IT WAS CHILLI. I WENT BACK INSIDE MY HOME TO GET THE ANIMAL CRATE THAT CONTAINED MY CAT WHO NEEDED TO GO TO THE VET. AS I WAS LOADING THE CRATE INTO THE FRONT SEAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. I WAS BETWEEN THE OPEN DOOR AND THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND AFTER FREAKING OUT A SECOND LOOKED TO SEE IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAD DISENGAGED. IT HAD NOT.AT THAT POINT I WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE AND THE CAR DRUG ME TOWARD THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND I WENT UNDERNEATH THE OPEN DOOR HOLDING ONTO THE ARMREST. WHEN I HAD TO RELEASE MY TRIP I WAS LAID OUT ON MY BACK WITH MY ARMS AND HANDS RAISED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH FIRST MY LEFT ELBOW THEN WRIST THEN HAND WRENCHING MY LEFT SHOULDER AS IT DID SO. THIS ACCIDENT SHOULD NEVER HAVE OCCURRED. THE SAFETY MEASURES FAILED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2017 AND HAD NO TROUBLE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AS DESCRIBED MANY MANY TIMES. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND NOW NEEDS TO GO TO ANY LENGTHS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE.

• 11/21/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

• 11/21/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

  MY NAME IS [XXX]. THE TOYOTA SERVICE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA. IT STATES IN FEBRUARY 2017 BRAKES IS GOOD WITH 8MM ON THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. NEXT SERVICE IS IN JUNE 2017, WITH 5,174 MILES LATER BRAKES ARE AT 3.5MM AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE DRIVER SIDE IS AT 3.5 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS 6.0 MM. THE ISSUES STARTED WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED ON 12/4/2015. [XXX]STATED IT WAS ON MY DRIVING AND NOT THE BRAKES. IT CONTINUES FROM THE FIRST BRAKE SERVICE TILL TODAY. IF YOU WANT ANY MORE OF THE SERVICE HISTORY I DO HAVE IT IF YOU NEED IT. 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

• 11/19/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  NAVIGATION AND ENTERTAINMENT PANEL WENT OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. SON WAS DRIVING IN AN UNFAMILIAR AREA AND WAS USING NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO GET HOME WHEN SYSTEM WENT OUT.

• 11/16/2021· AIR BAGSCrash

  My 2014 Toyota RAV4 had an accident (front end collision) No air bags deploy

• 11/15/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Vehicles transmission torque converter has issues and makes entire vehicle shake while driving. It causes issues when going up and down hills and shifting gears to maintain appropriate speeds. Vehicle shakes aggressively when at high speeds making highway travel impossible and unsafe. Toyota dealerships quote $3000 in repairs to replace defective part.

• 11/13/2025· ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact’s son stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and became inoperable, and lost power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

• 11/13/2025· ENGINE

  1) Vehicle had a recall for something concerning the transmission. Service was done and just after the warranty expired on that issue the transmission went out while driving and I had to put a new one in the vehicle, Toyota did help with $1500 of the cost but it cost me out of pocket over $4000. 2) For the last 2 years the car has been burning oil excessively, I have to put a quart of oil in almost every week. Now the vehicle out of the blue will start shaking and all the warning lights come on and I have to be able to pull over. I no longer can drive on the highway in fear this could happen. I am now being told I need a new or rebuild engine. I seen online that others have had this problem and there was a Class Action Law suit several years ago. What are the chances a Toyota Rav4 would need a transmission and now a engine.

• 11/11/2020· POWER TRAIN

  PURCHASED A USED 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 ON 01-2018 FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE OF $12,000. IT HAD 36,198 MILES AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, NOTICED A SHUTTERING WHILE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. LOOKED INTO RECALLS AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THESE SYMPTOMS. CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOOK MY CAR'S INFORMATION. THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS 'ELIGIBLE' FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE DONE. HOWEVER, TOYOTA CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND SAID MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE IT WAS A 'TOTAL LOSS' VEHICLE. I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THIS AS I PURCHASED IT WITH A BLUE TITLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE VEHICLE HAD HAIL DAMAGE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY OPTED TO ISSUE A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM BUT DID NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO BADGE THE TITLE AS SALVAGE. I FILED COMPLAINT WITH TEXAS BOARD OF INSURANCE BUT THEY HAVE BEEN NO HELP. MY QUESTION TO NHTSA IS HOW CAN TOYOTA REFUSE TO PERFORM WORK ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS A BLUE TITLE? IT HAS NEVER BEEN DEEMED OR BADGED AS SALVAGE AND YET I AM LEFT TO CONTINUE DRIVING A POSSIBLY UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT I PAID FULL MARKET PRICE FOR.

• 11/10/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND PARKED THE SMART KEY SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES IN YELLOW FOR 15+ SECONDS WHEN BOTH ELECTRONIC KEYS ARE IN THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. SYSTEM WORKS NORMAL WITH ONLY ONE (EITHER) ELECTRONIC KEY. BOTH KEYS HAVE NEW DURACELL 3.0V CR2032 LITHIUM BATTERY INSTALLED AND ISSUE PERSISTS. USER CHECKED FOR PRESSED BUTTON(S) ON ELECTRONIC KEY. KEY IS NOT ENCLOSED IN CASE, PURSE, OR HOLDER. NO IR OR RF INTERFERENCE. ISSUE HAS ALSO BEEN OBSERVED WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING WITH TRANSMISSION IN (P)ARK AND SECOND ELECTRONIC KEY IS INTRODUCED INTO VEHICLE (PICK UP PASSENGER WITH SECOND KEY) AND THE SMART KEY SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES IN YELLOW FOR 15+ SECONDS. THE ISSUE HAPPENS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, AND AT ANY ELEVATION (PARKING GARAGE ABOVE OR UNDER GROUND) OR INSIDE A GARAGE. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AFTER 50,000 MILES (4 YEARS OF SERVICE). VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ONLY ONE OWNER.

• 11/09/2021· POWER TRAIN

  My husband made sure he took the car into the dealership before his current deployment & records showed nothing was wrong. About 2 months ago I noticed the vehicle would jump from 2 to 3 RPM. He changed the spark plugs and battery. The drive improved but soon started revving again. In September, I called the dealership & described the issue & noted that there was no check engine light or any light indicating anything was wrong. The maintenance personnel said to drop it off for further diagnosis. On October 15, I took the vehicle in for a diagnostic it came back with another clean report and was advised to bring it back in if the problem persist. The next morning, I noticed the vehicle was still behaving the same way. I called the dealership and told them I will bring the vehicle back in. I was insistent on finding out what the problem was & showed them a video of what I was describing the vehicle was doing. The dealership said they would keep it overnight to try & figure out what was wrong. The following evening October 21, I got a call stating that my transmission fluid was black with metal shavings and it was supposed to be red. The transmission fluid could no longer be changed at this point but instead the entire transmission needed to be replaced for $8,947.95! Keep in mind that the average cost of changing the transmission fluid is $250. If my vehicle was properly maintained when took it to Toyota dealerships since 2014 for ALL the recommended maintenance, we would not be having this issue. We TRUSTED the dealerships to tell us what maintenance was needed. The transmission fluid should have been replaced at 60,000 miles & it was not. Now we have to replace the entire transmission. Toyota needs to take ownership of their mistake; not properly maintaining our vehicle. It is no fault of our own that it was never indicated to us that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. His family with no vehicle, exactly what he was trying to avoid before he deployed.

• 11/07/2024· STRUCTURE

  The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the paint on the hood, the front driver-side door, and the rear passenger-side door was peeling. No warning light was illuminated. The VIN was included in an unknown manufacturer's customer program related to the paint issue. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it was diagnosed that certain areas of the vehicle needed to be repainted. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure still occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

• 11/05/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  At least three time this happened while driving upon stopping at a stop sign or traffic light I was proceeding while making a turn after getting the clearance to do so. However the engine shut down and I was perplexed as to what was happening. I discovered the car had shut down and I had to restart the car. Additionally this occurred at a stop sign, while trying to make a sharp turn the car once again shut off and I was in the middle of intresection and other cars were behind me, and other coming towards me and I realized this SUV had stopped running again, putting me in direct harms way.

• 11/05/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

• 11/03/2025· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  Headlight Brightness - it's been degrading for the last 10 yrs to the point that I don't feel safe driving in the dark anymore. I've already had the lenses buffed out, but that only helped about 20%. The brightness looks like I have a dead battery (it's brand new). Not sure if this is a bulb or lens issue but it's not safe.

• 11/02/2015· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURECrash

  CAR 1 CUT IN FRONT OF CAR 2, CAR 3 (OURS) STOPPED 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY, WHEN STARTED TO DRIVE PAST THE CRASH SUDDENLY CAR 4 SLAMMED INTO CAR 3 (OURS) AND PUSHED MY WIFE'S CAR INTO CAR 2 AND CAR 2 INTO CAR 1 AGAIN. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, SEAT BELT LOCKED AND EMS HAD TO GET MY WIFE OUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I95 HEADING SOUTH JUST PASSING EXIT 60 HYPOLUXO DR AT ABOUT 45MPH WHEN SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP. SHE WAS GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN SHE WAS HIT BY CAR 4....UPDATED 11/05/15 *BF *JS

• 10/31/2022· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  As I drive the multimedia system reboots on its own. Also as I was exiting the freeway coming off a curvy ramp, the car shut down as I was driving and the steering wheel locked for a second and then it came back to life. As this happened the dashboard lit up as if it was in accessory mode. Luckily there was not a lot of traffic on the ramp. Also about 5 months ago i had it repaired at the dealer because of a torque converter extended recall

• 10/28/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CAR RANDOMLY STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK EV SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON WITH A TURTLE IN A CIRCLE AS WELL. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO PUSH TO SIDE OF ROAD.

• 10/27/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS EATEN BY A RODENT. THE RODENT MADE A NEST IN THE ENGINE AREA AFTER EATING THE WIRES. THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE IS COSTING US $1510 PLUS A RENTAL CAR.

• 10/26/2017· ENGINE

  RAV4 W/15,500MI... ENGINE PAUSE. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE DEFINITELY SLOWS DOWN AND YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO STOP BUT WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR IT RESUMES SPEED. IT IS FRIGHTENING AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL RESUME SPEED. IT PAUSES FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE 3 OR 4 SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES,TRYING TO GET ON A HIGHWAY..AROUND TOWN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.

• 10/24/2020· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECrash

  AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AFTER A CRASH THAT LEFT THE CAR CONSIDERED A 'TOTAL LOSS'. THE CAR HIT A POLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. CAUSING DRIVER TO INJURE FINGER AND MISS TIME FROM WORK.

• 10/23/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The entire computer screen is stuck on the downloading picture. Then it will restart itself and do it all over again. Nothing works. No radio or anything. I’ve been looking online and seeing there is a lot of people with the same issues a but no solutions. How has Toyota not fixed this issue yet.

• 10/22/2015· STEERING

  ON 10/19/2015 THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM WARNING PANEL ACTIVATED, LOCKING MY STEERING COLUMN AND PREVENTING THE START OF THE RAV4. TOWING COMPANY ARRIVED, EXPERIENCED/WITNESSED SAME EVENT. RAV4 TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 10/20 DEALERSHIP STATED "NO REPAIRS PERFORMED VEHICLE OPERATING AS DESIGNED." 10/20/2015 THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE STATED "THERE WAS NO ELECTRONIC FOOTPRINT IN THE MEMORY CARD, INDICATING THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE." NO ACTION BY DEALERSHIP. REPORTED TO GENERAL MANAGER AND TOYOTA CO. TOYOTA CASE #1510220162. TOYOTA STATED THEY WILL NOT BE MAKING ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN IS NOT PART OF RECALL NUMBER 15V144000 DATED 3/13/2015. DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATION STATED THE VEHICLE MUST PRESENT THE ISSUE AT THE SHOP OR ON THE ROAD (AT THIS POINT THERE WILL BE A CRASH) BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE ANY ACTION.

• 10/20/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEFire

  RAV4 2014 CAUGHT A FIRE WHEN WAS DRIVEN. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SUDDENLY STUCK WHEN WAS DRIVEN ON THE LOCAL ROAD AT SPEED LESS THAN 40 MILES, SO PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER ON THE ROAD. SUDDENLY THE SMOKES CAME OUT UNDER THE HOOD, AND TURN TO FLAME. THE CAR BURNED ALL FRONT WINDSHIELD, ENGINE, BATTERY, AND HOOD. FIRE TRUCK COMES UP AND POLICEMAN HELP TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IT WAS NO ACCIDENT, NO HIGH SPEED ON LOCAL ROAD, AND NO RAINNING DAY.

• 10/20/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  MY 2014 RAV4 HAS A FUEL LINE LEAK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS IT IS DUE TO A MOUSE AND WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK IT APPEARS THAT THE LINE HAS BEEN SCRAPED RATHER THAN CHEWED. BUT IF IT WAS DAMAGED BY A MOUSE THIS IS ALSO AN ISSUE. THE FUEL LINE SHOULD NOT BE EDIBLE BY RODENTS. WAY TOO MANY AUTOMOBILE PARTS ARE BEING MADE FROM "EDIBLE" COMPONENTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN WARNED I SHOULD NOT DRIVE MY CAR - THAT IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. FROM INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AND FROM A LOCAL REPAIR PLACE I HAVE FOUND THAT A LOT OF WIRING AND OTHER PARTS ARE RODENT EDIBLE AND CAUSING A LOT OF DEFECTS.

• 10/15/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact advised that while she driving at approximately 45 MPH she observed three unknown warning lights on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the vehicle steering wheel was hard to turn and she observed that white smoke was issuing from the dashboard vents. The contact stopped turned the vehicle off and waited for the smoke to clear. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the 12V battery had shifted and that one of the terminals on the battery had become loose and touched the metal battery clamp causing a short circuit. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later drove the vehicle to a dealer but was advised that the battery clamp was not available to complete the recall. The failure was approximately 258,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

• 10/13/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  RADIO IN MY 2014 RAV4 WON'T TURN ON OR OFF. THE SCREEN LOOKS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO REBOOT BUT GETS TO A CERTAIN POINT THEN STOPS AND STARTS AGAIN. IT CREATES SAFETY ISSUES AS IT DIVERT DRIVER EYES WHAT HAPPEN AND HAVE TO USE CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING TO CHECK ROAD CONDITIONS. IT PREVENTS DRIVERS FROM UP TO DATE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND CAR CONDITION. EVERYTHING USED TO DISPLAY IN RADIO SCREEN.

• 10/12/2022· POWER TRAIN

  The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at 10-15 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started shuddering, jerking, hesitated and responded in a surging manner. The contact stated that the failure stopped while driving above 25 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that she would need to pay a repair fee as Toyota Technical Service Bulletin Number: POL17-06 had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

• 10/10/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. THE LOCK ACTUATORS ON ALL THE DOORS AND REAR HATCH CONSTANTLY BREAK, THE RADIO COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING AND A NEW AFTER MARKET RADIO HAD TO BE INSTALLED SINCE TOYOTA WON'T RECALL THE RADIOS, THE AC BLOWER MOTOR KEEPS SHORTING OUT, AND THE USB PORTS SHORT OUT AND STOP WORKING.

• 10/10/2019· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE SHUDDERS AT BETWEEN 20-40 MPH WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS, UP AND DOWN, LOSES POWER BRIEFLY, BELIEVE IT IS A TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE

• 10/09/2019· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  AFTER STOP UPON TURNING RIGHT TO BLEND WITH TRAFFIC ENGINE LOOSES ALL POWER , RPM DROPS FROM 1500 TO 400 , THEN WILL CATCH IN ABOUT 4 TO 5 SECOND AND ACCELERATE , HAS HAPPENS 12 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS CAR HAS 11000 MILES ON IT

• 10/08/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving at 35 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving downhill, however, the vehicle was coasted to the local fire department, which was on the same street. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that a fire report was filed. The contact stated that there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was due to the unrepaired recall repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

• 10/07/2024· POWER TRAIN

  Transmission fluid was serviced at Bill page Toyota, Falls Church, VA 22042 (102,468 miles on 11/2/2023) Transmission failed to operate at 104,771 miles. Car failed to go reverse, noise from transmission gear. Car was inspected at Toyota Ourishman, Fairfax, VA and concluded transmission problem failed.

• 10/05/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE RADIO SCREEN ONLY DISPLAYS THE TOYOTA SIGN. IT WILL CHANGE STATIONS WITH THE PRE SET ON THE STEERING WHEEL BUT YOU CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE CUZ THE SCREEN DOES NOT DISPLAY ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE TOYOTA SIGN.

• 10/05/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE SLOW MOVING IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT. WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN AND ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER CAR HAD COLLIDED WITH OTHER (PARKED) CARS, AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKES. IT COLLIDED IN QUICK SUCCESSION WITH FOUR CARS UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED (CAR WAS TURNED OFF). LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED, THERE WERE DOZENS OF PEDESTRIANS RETURNING TO THEIR VEHICLES AFTER A CLASSIC CONCERT. I ASKED FOR AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CAR MAKER. INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED ON 6 JULY (CDR/EDR RECORD RECOVERED FROM SRS MODULE). IN SEPTEMBER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA SAYING NO MECHANICAL DEFECT WAS FOUND. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT IS NOT A MECHANICAL DEFECT BUT A SOFTWARE DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE ACCELERATION. I'VE OWNED TOYOTAS FOR OVER 15 YEARS - WHICH I HAD ALWAYS CONSIDERED A VERY RELIABLE COMPANY - HAVE BEEN A DRIVER FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A SINGLE ACCIDENT. THE EXPERIENCE WAS SO TERRIFYING IN SPITE OF TOYOTA REASSURANCE I FELT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND TRANSFERRED THE LEASE TO A DEALER (BEARING SOME MONETARY LOSS, UNFORTUNATELY). I FILE THIS COMPLAINT SO THAT FUTURE OWNERS CAN BE MADE AWARE, AND IN ORDER TO ASSIST ACCURACY OF STATISTICS AND STUDIES ON SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENTS.

• 10/04/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the instrument cluster and the radio blinked off and on. In addition, the contact noticed that some wires were burnt. The vehicle was started and taken to Auto Zone. The contact stated that the battery and the alternator were both tested and operated as designed. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact stated while driving the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was turned off and the contact attempted to restart however, the vehicle failed to start up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that battery cables were loose, and the positive battery terminal was incorrectly installed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to incorrect installation of the new battery which the previous owner had installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

• 10/02/2025· STRUCTURE

  The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that during a rainstorm, rainwater leaked into the cabin of the vehicle from the A, B, C, and D pillars and the ceiling control center. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced several times due to the failure, but the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the rear passenger side carpet was previously replaced due to excessive water entering the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the leaks were near the curtain air bag housing and might cause the air bags to malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.