2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid problems

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

A few weeks after purchasing a brand new Toyota Rav 4 we had three incidents of "ghost braking". The first was sometime between XXX and XXX. While traveling about about 35 MPH the car suddenly braked hard and the warning light came on.. No cars of objects were in the road on any side, Then on XXX, we were traveling onXXX in the far left lane heading south in [XXX]. We were traveling at 70 MPH with no cars in front of us and a semi slightly to the right and behind and a car in our lane behind us. The car suddenly braked hard and the warning light went on. Fortunately, my husband was able to steer into the shoulder to avoid a collision by the car behind us. We narrowly escaped. We called the dealership and, although they expressed concern, nothing was done. I called Toyota directly and was put in touch with an advocate. We took the car in twice and then the car was returned to us without resolution.Then on XXX, we were traveling east on [XXX] near [XXX] and the car again braked hard and the warning light came on. Again there was no car in front of us and the car behind us was far enough back to be able to brake. The car is now at the dealership awaiting a repair of answer. It is under investigation by Toyota's team of engineers. THe problem has not been reproduced to my knowledge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11756758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

A few weeks after purchasing a brand new Toyota Rav 4 we had three incidents of "ghost braking". The first was sometime between XXX and XXX. While traveling about about 35 MPH the car suddenly braked hard and the warning light came on.. No cars of objects were in the road on any side, Then on XXX, we were traveling onXXX in the far left lane heading south in [XXX]. We were traveling at 70 MPH with no cars in front of us and a semi slightly to the right and behind and a car in our lane behind us. The car suddenly braked hard and the warning light went on. Fortunately, my husband was able to steer into the shoulder to avoid a collision by the car behind us. We narrowly escaped. We called the dealership and, although they expressed concern, nothing was done. I called Toyota directly and was put in touch with an advocate. We took the car in twice and then the car was returned to us without resolution.Then on XXX, we were traveling east on [XXX] near [XXX] and the car again braked hard and the warning light came on. Again there was no car in front of us and the car behind us was far enough back to be able to brake. The car is now at the dealership awaiting a repair of answer. It is under investigation by Toyota's team of engineers. THe problem has not been reproduced to my knowledge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11756758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

On XXX, my wife, who is [XXX] pregnant, was driving our brand new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid (approximately 20 miles on the odometer) at 45 mph on a highway when the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of propulsion. What failed: The hybrid powertrain system shut down while the vehicle was in motion. The instrument cluster displayed "Hybrid System Malfunction Do Not Tow This Vehicle" along with check engine light / a multitude of other warnings. The vehicle lost all propulsion and would not restart. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and is currently at a Toyota dealership. Safety risk: The vehicle lost motive power in active traffic on a 45 mph roadway. My wife was forced to coast to the shoulder with traffic approaching from behind. Sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a substantial risk of a rear-end collision and serious injury to my pregnant wife and our unborn child. Reproduction/confirmation: The vehicle was flatbed towed by Toyota Roadside Assistance to an authorized Toyota dealership, where it is being diagnosed. Other inspections: A case has been opened with the Toyota Brand Engagement Center. Police and insurance have not inspected the vehicle. Prior warnings: There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure; the warnings appeared simultaneously with the loss of propulsion. I am aware of at least two other publicly reported incidents of 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles displaying hybrid system malfunction warnings or losing power at under 2,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11755954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

On XXX, my wife, who is [XXX] pregnant, was driving our brand new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid (approximately 20 miles on the odometer) at 45 mph on a highway when the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of propulsion. What failed: The hybrid powertrain system shut down while the vehicle was in motion. The instrument cluster displayed "Hybrid System Malfunction Do Not Tow This Vehicle" along with check engine light / a multitude of other warnings. The vehicle lost all propulsion and would not restart. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and is currently at a Toyota dealership. Safety risk: The vehicle lost motive power in active traffic on a 45 mph roadway. My wife was forced to coast to the shoulder with traffic approaching from behind. Sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a substantial risk of a rear-end collision and serious injury to my pregnant wife and our unborn child. Reproduction/confirmation: The vehicle was flatbed towed by Toyota Roadside Assistance to an authorized Toyota dealership, where it is being diagnosed. Other inspections: A case has been opened with the Toyota Brand Engagement Center. Police and insurance have not inspected the vehicle. Prior warnings: There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure; the warnings appeared simultaneously with the loss of propulsion. I am aware of at least two other publicly reported incidents of 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles displaying hybrid system malfunction warnings or losing power at under 2,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11755954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

On XXX, my wife, who is [XXX] pregnant, was driving our brand new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid (approximately 20 miles on the odometer) at 45 mph on a highway when the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of propulsion. What failed: The hybrid powertrain system shut down while the vehicle was in motion. The instrument cluster displayed "Hybrid System Malfunction Do Not Tow This Vehicle" along with check engine light / a multitude of other warnings. The vehicle lost all propulsion and would not restart. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and is currently at a Toyota dealership. Safety risk: The vehicle lost motive power in active traffic on a 45 mph roadway. My wife was forced to coast to the shoulder with traffic approaching from behind. Sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed created a substantial risk of a rear-end collision and serious injury to my pregnant wife and our unborn child. Reproduction/confirmation: The vehicle was flatbed towed by Toyota Roadside Assistance to an authorized Toyota dealership, where it is being diagnosed. Other inspections: A case has been opened with the Toyota Brand Engagement Center. Police and insurance have not inspected the vehicle. Prior warnings: There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure; the warnings appeared simultaneously with the loss of propulsion. I am aware of at least two other publicly reported incidents of 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles displaying hybrid system malfunction warnings or losing power at under 2,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11755954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Purchased brand new vehicle. At the time of incident vehicle had 168 miles. I was driving approximately 20 miles per hour on a parkway entrance ramp with no vehicle in front of me and no vehicles approaching from behind. I accelerated gradually to merge onto the parkway. The engine kicked and the dashboard lit up with several warning indicator lights including the check engine light (see attached images). The dashboard also had the following messages displayed “ system malfunction visit your dealer, drive start control malfunction visit your dealer, AWD malfunction 2WD Mode engaged visit your dealer, check engine visit your dealer, hybrid system malfunction visit your dealer, hybrid system malfunction output power reduced, visit your dealer”. I was able to drive the vehicle home about 1 mile. Called pickup truck and had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer kept vehicle for 6 days. In that time dealer was in communication with Toyota headquarters. On the 6th day, a mechanic from the service department called and said the vehicle was ready for pick up. When I asked why this occurred, the only thing they could attribute the incident to was the brand new battery was slightly low.

NHTSA complaint #11754250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Purchased brand new vehicle. At the time of incident vehicle had 168 miles. I was driving approximately 20 miles per hour on a parkway entrance ramp with no vehicle in front of me and no vehicles approaching from behind. I accelerated gradually to merge onto the parkway. The engine kicked and the dashboard lit up with several warning indicator lights including the check engine light (see attached images). The dashboard also had the following messages displayed “ system malfunction visit your dealer, drive start control malfunction visit your dealer, AWD malfunction 2WD Mode engaged visit your dealer, check engine visit your dealer, hybrid system malfunction visit your dealer, hybrid system malfunction output power reduced, visit your dealer”. I was able to drive the vehicle home about 1 mile. Called pickup truck and had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer kept vehicle for 6 days. In that time dealer was in communication with Toyota headquarters. On the 6th day, a mechanic from the service department called and said the vehicle was ready for pick up. When I asked why this occurred, the only thing they could attribute the incident to was the brand new battery was slightly low.

NHTSA complaint #11754250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Purchased brand new vehicle. At the time of incident vehicle had 168 miles. I was driving approximately 20 miles per hour on a parkway entrance ramp with no vehicle in front of me and no vehicles approaching from behind. I accelerated gradually to merge onto the parkway. The engine kicked and the dashboard lit up with several warning indicator lights including the check engine light (see attached images). The dashboard also had the following messages displayed “ system malfunction visit your dealer, drive start control malfunction visit your dealer, AWD malfunction 2WD Mode engaged visit your dealer, check engine visit your dealer, hybrid system malfunction visit your dealer, hybrid system malfunction output power reduced, visit your dealer”. I was able to drive the vehicle home about 1 mile. Called pickup truck and had vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer kept vehicle for 6 days. In that time dealer was in communication with Toyota headquarters. On the 6th day, a mechanic from the service department called and said the vehicle was ready for pick up. When I asked why this occurred, the only thing they could attribute the incident to was the brand new battery was slightly low.

NHTSA complaint #11754250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

On 7/7/2026, while driving on a local road at under 600 miles from purchase (590 on odometer), the dashboard displayed a warning that something was critically wrong and instructed the driver to pull over immediately. Once pulled over, the vehicle lost the ability to shift and became fully inoperable. Multiple alerts triggered simultaneously: Drive-Start Control System, AWD System, Check Engine, Integrated System Warning (TSS malfunction), and Hybrid System. The vehicle would not power on for 15-20 minutes, after which it powered on with some functionality restored (possibly an internal reboot), though alerts remained present. It came to rest partially obstructing a live traffic lane with no ability to move further off the road, creating a collision risk. Vehicle was flatbed towed to the dealership. Dealership held the vehicle one week (7/7-7/14). Technician confirmed alerts were genuine but could not reproduce the fault after ~38 miles of test driving. Only historical communication codes detected; no active diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present. Vehicle was returned with no repair and no identified cause. Unsure if dealer service center contacted Toyota engineering for help. This is the second distinct electrical/software anomaly in ~5 weeks. On 6/18/2026, the traction battery dropped to 0% overnight despite being securely plugged in at 63%; the rear liftgate was also found open unexpectedly. This resolved on its own; vehicle was not serviced. Vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA complaint #11751660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On 7/7/2026, while driving on a local road at under 600 miles from purchase (590 on odometer), the dashboard displayed a warning that something was critically wrong and instructed the driver to pull over immediately. Once pulled over, the vehicle lost the ability to shift and became fully inoperable. Multiple alerts triggered simultaneously: Drive-Start Control System, AWD System, Check Engine, Integrated System Warning (TSS malfunction), and Hybrid System. The vehicle would not power on for 15-20 minutes, after which it powered on with some functionality restored (possibly an internal reboot), though alerts remained present. It came to rest partially obstructing a live traffic lane with no ability to move further off the road, creating a collision risk. Vehicle was flatbed towed to the dealership. Dealership held the vehicle one week (7/7-7/14). Technician confirmed alerts were genuine but could not reproduce the fault after ~38 miles of test driving. Only historical communication codes detected; no active diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present. Vehicle was returned with no repair and no identified cause. Unsure if dealer service center contacted Toyota engineering for help. This is the second distinct electrical/software anomaly in ~5 weeks. On 6/18/2026, the traction battery dropped to 0% overnight despite being securely plugged in at 63%; the rear liftgate was also found open unexpectedly. This resolved on its own; vehicle was not serviced. Vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA complaint #11751660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

On 7/7/2026, while driving on a local road at under 600 miles from purchase (590 on odometer), the dashboard displayed a warning that something was critically wrong and instructed the driver to pull over immediately. Once pulled over, the vehicle lost the ability to shift and became fully inoperable. Multiple alerts triggered simultaneously: Drive-Start Control System, AWD System, Check Engine, Integrated System Warning (TSS malfunction), and Hybrid System. The vehicle would not power on for 15-20 minutes, after which it powered on with some functionality restored (possibly an internal reboot), though alerts remained present. It came to rest partially obstructing a live traffic lane with no ability to move further off the road, creating a collision risk. Vehicle was flatbed towed to the dealership. Dealership held the vehicle one week (7/7-7/14). Technician confirmed alerts were genuine but could not reproduce the fault after ~38 miles of test driving. Only historical communication codes detected; no active diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present. Vehicle was returned with no repair and no identified cause. Unsure if dealer service center contacted Toyota engineering for help. This is the second distinct electrical/software anomaly in ~5 weeks. On 6/18/2026, the traction battery dropped to 0% overnight despite being securely plugged in at 63%; the rear liftgate was also found open unexpectedly. This resolved on its own; vehicle was not serviced. Vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA complaint #11751660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

When my wife left for work the car displayed an SRS/airbag warning on the dash. It was running so she decided to go to work, but turned around after a few miles when she realized all of the driver assist systems were also disabled. When she got home I checked the battery voltage and it read 11.8 volts (I also read the DTCs, and pulled B1AC0). After charging overnight the error was gone. This vehicle is driven almost daily, was delivered to us 3 months ago, and doesn't sit with the ignition on draining the battery (my short way of saying there no behavioral or maintenance related reasons for this to occur). I have been monitoring the battery charge after drives now and putting it on the charger every night. It appears the car is chronically undercharging the battery--a known issue going back several years on RAV4 hybrids (layperson analysis here: [XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11749823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When my wife left for work the car displayed an SRS/airbag warning on the dash. It was running so she decided to go to work, but turned around after a few miles when she realized all of the driver assist systems were also disabled. When she got home I checked the battery voltage and it read 11.8 volts (I also read the DTCs, and pulled B1AC0). After charging overnight the error was gone. This vehicle is driven almost daily, was delivered to us 3 months ago, and doesn't sit with the ignition on draining the battery (my short way of saying there no behavioral or maintenance related reasons for this to occur). I have been monitoring the battery charge after drives now and putting it on the charger every night. It appears the car is chronically undercharging the battery--a known issue going back several years on RAV4 hybrids (layperson analysis here: [XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11749823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

When my wife left for work the car displayed an SRS/airbag warning on the dash. It was running so she decided to go to work, but turned around after a few miles when she realized all of the driver assist systems were also disabled. When she got home I checked the battery voltage and it read 11.8 volts (I also read the DTCs, and pulled B1AC0). After charging overnight the error was gone. This vehicle is driven almost daily, was delivered to us 3 months ago, and doesn't sit with the ignition on draining the battery (my short way of saying there no behavioral or maintenance related reasons for this to occur). I have been monitoring the battery charge after drives now and putting it on the charger every night. It appears the car is chronically undercharging the battery--a known issue going back several years on RAV4 hybrids (layperson analysis here: [XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11749823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I purchased this 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid about two weeks before this incident. It had approximately 170 miles at the time. While driving at approximately 50 mph, it suddenly decelerated as though braking (without me pressing the brake pedal) and would not accelerate when I pressed the accelerator. At the same time, these warnings appeared: “Hybrid Startup Malfunction,” “Hybrid System Malfunction,” “AWD Malfunction,” “System Malfunction,” and “Check Engine.” I stopped safely and powered the vehicle off and on. After the first restart, the display did not show the odometer reading or battery percentage, although the battery charge bar remained displayed. After a second power cycle, both reappeared. The vehicle then drove normally, but the Hybrid System, System Malfunction, and Check Engine warnings remained. The Hybrid Startup and AWD warnings had cleared. The vehicle had not been repaired or serviced since purchase. I have never boosted or jump-started its 12-volt battery. An authorized Toyota dealer performed initial checks, found no error codes, and could not duplicate the failure. The dealer said another customer’s 2026 RAV4 reportedly had a similar issue weeks earlier. They test-drove that vehicle about 150 miles without reproducing it and ultimately reset its warnings. This was sudden, uncommanded deceleration and loss of acceleration while moving. Loss of propulsion in traffic, especially at speed, creates a risk of a rear-end collision or inability to maneuver to safety. The vehicle is available for inspection, and dealer records are available. In the days before this event, once or twice daily during normal driving, the vehicle displayed a blue message stating “Accident detected, recording started,” despite no collision or driver input. The vehicle has never been in an accident. I do not know whether this is related, but it may be relevant to an electronic, sensor, or control-system fault.

NHTSA complaint #11745309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I purchased this 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid brand new, about two weeks before this incident. At the time of the incident the odometer read approximately 170 miles. While driving at about 50 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated as though braking (without me pressing the brake pedal) and would not accelerate when I pressed the accelerator. At the same time, these warnings appeared: "Hybrid Startup Malfunction," "Hybrid System Malfunction," "AWD Malfunction," "System Malfunction," and "Check Engine." I stopped safely and powered the vehicle off and on. After the first restart, the display did not show the odometer reading or battery percentage, although the battery charge bar remained displayed. After a second power cycle, both reappeared. The vehicle then drove normally, but the Hybrid System, System Malfunction, and Check Engine warnings remained; the Hybrid Startup and AWD warnings had cleared. The vehicle had not been repaired or serviced since purchase. I have never boosted or jump-started its 12-volt battery. An authorized Toyota dealer performed initial checks, found no error codes, and could not duplicate the failure. The dealer said another customer's 2026 RAV4 reportedly had a similar issue weeks earlier; they test-drove that vehicle about 150 miles without reproducing it and ultimately reset its warnings. This was a sudden, uncommanded deceleration and loss of acceleration while moving at highway speed. Loss of propulsion in traffic, especially at 50 mph, creates a risk of a rear-end collision or inability to maneuver to safety. The vehicle is available for inspection, and dealer records are available. In the days before this event, once or twice daily during normal driving, the vehicle displayed a blue message stating "Accident detected, recording started," despite no collision or driver input. The vehicle has never been in an accident. I do not know whether this is related, but it may be relevant to an electronic, sensor, or control-system fault.

NHTSA complaint #11745314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.