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

2015 Toyota RAV4

Typical pattern

9.5% of complaints about the 2015 Toyota RAV4 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2015 vehicle — around the middle of the 195 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (85 complaints), typically at 7.8 yr or about 46,945 miles.

Complaints
400
Median age at failure
6.0 yr
Median mileage
34,000 n=235
Crash / fire / tow
31.2% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
85 reports · 46,945 mi
7.8 yr
32.9%
Other
60 reports · 30,100 mi
5.8 yr
28.3%
Steering
45 reports · 34,000 mi
5.3 yr
13.3%
Engine
37 reports · 50,000 mi
6.9 yr
51.4%
Structure
31 reports · 30,000 mi
4.8 yr
25.8%
Service brakes
30 reports · 24,000 mi
2.7 yr
50%
Power train
25 reports · 41,500 mi
7.1 yr
12%
Speed control
21 reports · 20,000 mi
3.3 yr
52.4%
Air bags
16 reports · 24,000 mi
3.3 yr
93.8%

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

Structure 812 mi 7 mo in service
FROM THE DRIVERS POSITION THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SEEN. I MISSED THREE CORNERS AT NIGHT BECAUSE I CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS AND I WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A LETHALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW AND DEMAND THAT THE 2015 RAV4 BE REMOVED FROM THE ROADS UNTIL TOYOTA REDESIGNS THE FRONT HOOD, LIGHTS AND DASH AREAS SO THE DRIVER CAN SEE WHERE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS. PS. I'M 5'7" TALL AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE FRONT OF ANY VEHICLE I'M DRIVING. *TR
Structure 955 mi 7 mo in service
SIGHT LINES - AGAIN. NO ONE UNDER APROX. 5'9" CAN SAFELY OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. I (AT 5'7") CAN NOT SEE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE OR DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE BECAUSE OF THE POOR DRIVER POSITION. THE REAL DANGER HAPPENS AT NIGHT AT UNLIGHTED INTERSECTIONS. TURNS ARE MISSED BECAUSE THE DRIVER CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS ARE. I KNOW THIS DOESN'T SOUND DANGEROUS, BUT MARK MY WORDS, THERE ARE GOING MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THIS VEHICLE'S POOR DESIGN. *TR
Structure 5 mi 2 mo in service
LOUD BUFFETING WIND NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN ANY REAR WINDOW IS PARTIALLY LOWERED OR OPEN. WILL DIMINISH OR GO AWAY IF EITHER FRONT WINDOW IS OPEN PARTIALLY OR ALL THE WAY. VIBRATING DRONING NOISE IS SO LOUD YOU CAN HEAR NOTHING ELSE. NOISE INCREASES WITH SPEED STARTING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND UP. DESIGN FLAW OR IS A REPAIR AVAILABLE? DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NATURE OF THE VEHICLE? HOPE NOT.
Electrical system 75 mi 2 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75.

Other RAV4 model years

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