Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV with NHTSA between 2014 and 2018.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
535.7%
Median failure at 19,050 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
321.4%
Median failure at 23,133 miles
Other & Unspecified
214.3%
Median failure at 22,500 miles
Electrical System
214.3%
Median failure at 15,433 miles
Engine & Cooling
214.3%
Median failure at 10,636 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
430.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
430.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
538.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2014peak 4Dec 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
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-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Olympia, WA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SOMETIMES WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS IT DOES NOT RESPOND AND I HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11163026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,500 milesCastro Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN
STARTING AROUND 24,500 MILES, TOYOTA RAV4 EV 2014 STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE WITH ACCELERATION. THIS NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AS AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVE MOTOR MADE BY TESLA, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT AT THAT TIME THE NOISE IS "NOT LOUD ENOUGH" TO GET ANYTHING DONE BY TOYOTA/TESLA. SINCE THEN, ANOTHER 2000 MILES HAVE PASSED AND THE NOISE IS ONLY LOUDER. THE DEALER HAS AGAIN DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE DRIVE MOTOR, SUBMITTED RECORDING OF NOISE TO TOYOTA/TESLA BUT STATES THAT TOYOTA/TESLA NOT READY TO REPLACE DRIVE MOTOR. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH A VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVER NOTICED MY OVERALL RANGE IS BEING AFFECTED AND DOWN BY 10%. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE I AM DRIVING AROUND, POSSIBLY ENDING IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10888225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesCamarillo, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A 45 MPH 2 WAY LANE, THE CAR SUDDENLY DISPLAYED WARNING "CHECK EV SYSTEM" ADVISED ME TO PULL OVER AND INFORM DEALERSHIP ASAP. I KEPT DRIVING (ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOME) WITHIN MINUTE SYSTEM SEEMED TO RESTORE ITSELF. ONLY STILL DISPLAYS "CHECK EV SYSTEM" THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN LAST 6 WEEKS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO HANDLE MY CASE BECAUSE OF "AFTER MARKET MODIFICATIONS" WHICH ARE NOT LIMITED TO : TRAILER HITCH, VOLT/AMP METER TO MONITOR CHARGING (VERY IMPORTANT TO CALCULATE HOW LONG YOU HAVE TO WAIT TO CHARGE AN EV) BOTH THESE THINGS HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SHOWN PROBLEMS. THIS IS AFTER MY CAR WENT BACK FOR THE "SAFETY RECALL" FOR EXACT THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS IMPLEMENTED A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO BASICALLY IGNORE THE LOSS OF SIGNAL FROM THE SPEED MEASUREMENT UNIT. IT IS OBVIOUS BY THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CARS THAT HAVE THIS SITUATION AFTER THE "RECALL FIX" THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE SERIOUSLY WRONG. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD BE A SERIOUS DANGER. FOR MORE INCIDENTS LOOK AT THE FORUM: HTTP://WWW.MYRAV4EV.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=7&T=1770
NHTSA complaint #10823316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,217 milesCamarillo, CA
POWER TRAIN
WAS DRIVING IN CITY AT ABOUT 30 MPH , CAR STOPPED HAVING PROPULSION, STOPPED WITH A SHUDDER AND WARNINGS LIGHTS POP UP. "CHECK EV SYSTEM" WAS ABLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER BY POWERING OFF/ON FOR 3 CYCLES TO MAKE IT OVER TO THE CURB. CALLED TOW TO TRANSPORT TO THE DEALER. SEND ME AWAY AFTER RESETTING THE ERROR MESSAGE IN THE COMPUTER. WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. NOW TOYOTA IS BLAMING MY ADD ONS LIKE CHARGE INDICATOR (SHOWING VOLTS/AMPS OF THE J1772 INPUT) AND THE FACT I FITTED A TRAILER HITCH (FOR A BIKE RACK). WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10812047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,217 milesCamarillo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WAS DRIVING IN CITY AT ABOUT 30 MPH , CAR STOPPED HAVING PROPULSION, STOPPED WITH A SHUDDER AND WARNINGS LIGHTS POP UP. "CHECK EV SYSTEM" WAS ABLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER BY POWERING OFF/ON FOR 3 CYCLES TO MAKE IT OVER TO THE CURB. CALLED TOW TO TRANSPORT TO THE DEALER. SEND ME AWAY AFTER RESETTING THE ERROR MESSAGE IN THE COMPUTER. WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. NOW TOYOTA IS BLAMING MY ADD ONS LIKE CHARGE INDICATOR (SHOWING VOLTS/AMPS OF THE J1772 INPUT) AND THE FACT I FITTED A TRAILER HITCH (FOR A BIKE RACK). WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10812047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,217 milesCamarillo, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WAS DRIVING IN CITY AT ABOUT 30 MPH , CAR STOPPED HAVING PROPULSION, STOPPED WITH A SHUDDER AND WARNINGS LIGHTS POP UP. "CHECK EV SYSTEM" WAS ABLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER BY POWERING OFF/ON FOR 3 CYCLES TO MAKE IT OVER TO THE CURB. CALLED TOW TO TRANSPORT TO THE DEALER. SEND ME AWAY AFTER RESETTING THE ERROR MESSAGE IN THE COMPUTER. WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. NOW TOYOTA IS BLAMING MY ADD ONS LIKE CHARGE INDICATOR (SHOWING VOLTS/AMPS OF THE J1772 INPUT) AND THE FACT I FITTED A TRAILER HITCH (FOR A BIKE RACK). WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10812047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,916 milesMountain View, CA
POWER TRAIN
LOST DRIVING POWER ON HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. CAR SWITCHED AUTOMATICALLY TO NEUTRAL. DISPLAYED "CHECK EV SYSTEM. TAKE TO DEALER" WARNING. WAS ABLE TO TURN POWER ON AND OFF AND REGAIN MOTOR, BUT STILL DISPLAYED MESSAGE. DROVE HOME. TOOK TO DEALER NEXT MORNING.
NHTSA complaint #10733217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesMilpitas, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS APPROXIMATELY AT 70 MPH ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY INTERSTATE 880 JUST NEAR THE JUNCTION ON I580, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAME TO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT SHIFT TO DRIVE, WITH A MESSAGE ON THE DASH BOARD CHECK EV SOON TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER.IT WAS PRETTY SCARY AND FINALLY I MANAGED TO STEER IT TO THE LEFT SHOULDER WHICH WAS VERY NARROW AND HALF OF MY VEHICLE WAS STILL ON THE FAST LANE, EASY CHANCE OF A CRASH. CALLED CHP THEY HAD TO STOP THE TRAFFIC AND PUSH ME TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, FINALLY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE SHOWED UP AND TOWED IT TO OAKLAND TOYOTA DEALER. ITS JUST A YEAR OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10706363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,050 milesSAN Diego, CA
POWER TRAIN
WHILST DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HOV LANE OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, AND ON A LANE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A STOPPING LANE, IT WAS GROSSLY UNSAFE AS CARS WHIZZED BY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA CARLSBAD, HAS INFORMED ME THAT A NEW DRIVE MOTOR WILL BE INSTALLED. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ISSUE WITH THE PROPULSION SYSTEM FAILING IS COMMON IN THE TOYOTA RAV4 EV (IT USES A TESLA MOTOR). THERE ARE SO MANY DRIVE MOTORS BEING REPLACED RIGHT NOW, I HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST TWO WEEKS FOR A NEW ONE. OTHERS HAVE RECENTLY WAITING UP TO A MONTH.
NHTSA complaint #10682828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,050 milesSAN Diego, CA
ENGINE
WHILST DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HOV LANE OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, AND ON A LANE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A STOPPING LANE, IT WAS GROSSLY UNSAFE AS CARS WHIZZED BY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA CARLSBAD, HAS INFORMED ME THAT A NEW DRIVE MOTOR WILL BE INSTALLED. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ISSUE WITH THE PROPULSION SYSTEM FAILING IS COMMON IN THE TOYOTA RAV4 EV (IT USES A TESLA MOTOR). THERE ARE SO MANY DRIVE MOTORS BEING REPLACED RIGHT NOW, I HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST TWO WEEKS FOR A NEW ONE. OTHERS HAVE RECENTLY WAITING UP TO A MONTH.
NHTSA complaint #10682828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,050 milesSAN Diego, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILST DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HOV LANE OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, AND ON A LANE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A STOPPING LANE, IT WAS GROSSLY UNSAFE AS CARS WHIZZED BY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA CARLSBAD, HAS INFORMED ME THAT A NEW DRIVE MOTOR WILL BE INSTALLED. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ISSUE WITH THE PROPULSION SYSTEM FAILING IS COMMON IN THE TOYOTA RAV4 EV (IT USES A TESLA MOTOR). THERE ARE SO MANY DRIVE MOTORS BEING REPLACED RIGHT NOW, I HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST TWO WEEKS FOR A NEW ONE. OTHERS HAVE RECENTLY WAITING UP TO A MONTH.
NHTSA complaint #10682828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,319 milesTorrance, CA
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH IN THE HOV LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO NOT HAVING POWER AND ALL OF THE CARS ON THE FREEWAY. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, POWERED OFF THE CAR AND THEN POWERED IT BACK ON AGAIN HOPING IT WOULD WORK AND IT DID. POWER CAME BACK TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY I DIDN'T CREATE AN ACCIDENT AND NOBODY WAS HURT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DEC 16 2014 AND I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK YESTERDAY JANUARY 31ST 2015. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE UNIT ASSEMBLY WHICH THEY SAID THEY WERE WAITING TO RECEIVE THE PART FROM TESLA.
NHTSA complaint #10680348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,223 milesSAN Jose CA, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE BACKING TO MY DRIVEWAY, CAR LOST POWER AND STOPPED. AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON, POWER RESTORED. THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD: "CHECK EV SYSTEM HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY" WHICH LATER (AFTER FEW OFF/ON CYCLES) DISAPPEARED.
NHTSA complaint #10667603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,650 milesRedwood City, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE CHARGING THE CAR AT A SCHNEIDER PUBLIC CHARGING STATION, EXTREME HEAT AND ELECTRICAL ARCING RESULTED IN HEAT/BURNING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGE TO THE CHARGING STATION. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, WHILE CHARGING AT THE SAME PUBLIC SCHNEIDER CHARGING STATION, ON MANY OCCASIONS, I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL AND HEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10607873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.