What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2014 Toyota RAV4

Typical pattern

9% of complaints about the 2014 Toyota RAV4 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2014 vehicle — around the middle of the 195 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.2 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (69 complaints), typically at 7.7 yr or about 60,000 miles.

Complaints
278
Median age at failure
6.2 yr
Median mileage
45,000 n=148
Crash / fire / tow
31.7% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
69 reports · 60,000 mi
7.7 yr
31.9%
Other
45 reports · 45,000 mi
5.8 yr
11.1%
Engine
30 reports · 48,000 mi
7.7 yr
53.3%
Steering
21 reports · 102,000 mi
9.1 yr
19%
Power train
20 reports · 58,661 mi
6.2 yr
15%
Structure
18 reports · 30,000 mi
5.3 yr
38.9%
Service brakes
15 reports · 6,235 mi
2.5 yr
40%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V734000 2023-11-01
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery

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.

A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

15V144000 2015-03-13
Steering:electric power assist system

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

15V011000 2015-01-16
Trailer hitches

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.

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.

14V828000 2014-12-30
Equipment

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.

Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 2,000 mi 8 mo in service
WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND PUT INTO REVERSE THE BACKUP CAMERA IS DIM AND UNVIEWABLE FOR 15 SEC. BACKING UP DURING THIS PERIOD IS OBVIOUSLY HAZARDOUS AND IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BECOMES VISIBLE. THIS IS RELATED TO THE WHOLE DISPLAY CONSOLE AS THE RADIO, NAV SYSTEM, AND BU CAMERA ALL COME ON AFTER 15 SEC. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON MY WIFE'S 2007 PRIUS ALTHOUGH OCCASIONALLY IT DOES NOT SWITCH TO THE BU CAMERA AT ALL. *TR
Electrical system 6,000 mi 11 mo in service crash / fire / tow
AFTER GETTING T-BONED AT AN INTERSECTION, MY TOYOTA RAV4 IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE RIGHT WHEEL AND RIGHT TO MID SECTION OF THE HOOD. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR IT WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. *TR
Electrical system 4,500 mi 1.0 yr in service
NAVIGATION SCREEN IS DANGEROUSLY UNREADABLE IN SUNLIGHT; THE GLARE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH.
Steering 142 mi 8 mo in service
NEW CAR DUNLOP TIRES HAVE SEVERE ROAD HAZARD. EVERY SMALL ROAD CONDITION MAGNIFIES INTO GREAT STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

Other RAV4 model years

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