33 of the
298 complaints filed about the Toyota RAV4 Prime
are about the driver-assist systems —
11% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2021.
33
Complaints
11%
Share of all complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
On December 29, 2025, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on my 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime went completely blank upon startup. This failure immediately eliminated my ability to see the speedometer, fuel and battery levels, tire pressure warnings, and all critical brake and hybrid system malfunction indicators, rendering the vehicle completely unsafe and illegal to operate on public roads. I immediately brought the car to Wondries Toyota in [XXX] , where it has remained ever since. The dealership confirmed the failure is related to Toyota Safety Recall 25V595 (Toyota internal code 25TA08). The service department advised me that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, but they are unable to repair it because the required replacement combination meter is on national backorder with no estimated time of arrival. As of late March 2026, my vehicle has been sitting out of service at the dealership for approximately 90 days. Because Toyota has failed to provide a timely remedy for this severe safety defect, my vehicle has been abandoned on the dealer lot for a quarter of a year. Furthermore, this prolonged, unmaintained inactivity introduces secondary safety and vehicle integrity hazards. The plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery has been sitting idle and degrading for three months, and the fuel in the system is destabilizing. I am filing this complaint because Toyota's failure to supply replacement parts for a massive safety recall within a reasonable timeframe has permanently compromised the safety, use, and value of my vehicle, and I am currently proceeding with a Lemon Law repurchase that vastly exceeds the 30-day out-of-service threshold in [XXX] . Lastly, we got this RAV4 Prime new and have had all the services done at the authorized dealership since day one. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11727395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On December 29, 2025, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on my 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime went completely blank upon startup. This failure immediately eliminated my ability to see the speedometer, fuel and battery levels, tire pressure warnings, and all critical brake and hybrid system malfunction indicators, rendering the vehicle completely unsafe and illegal to operate on public roads. I immediately brought the car to Wondries Toyota in [XXX] , where it has remained ever since. The dealership confirmed the failure is related to Toyota Safety Recall 25V595 (Toyota internal code 25TA08). The service department advised me that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, but they are unable to repair it because the required replacement combination meter is on national backorder with no estimated time of arrival. As of late March 2026, my vehicle has been sitting out of service at the dealership for approximately 90 days. Because Toyota has failed to provide a timely remedy for this severe safety defect, my vehicle has been abandoned on the dealer lot for a quarter of a year. Furthermore, this prolonged, unmaintained inactivity introduces secondary safety and vehicle integrity hazards. The plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery has been sitting idle and degrading for three months, and the fuel in the system is destabilizing. I am filing this complaint because Toyota's failure to supply replacement parts for a massive safety recall within a reasonable timeframe has permanently compromised the safety, use, and value of my vehicle, and I am currently proceeding with a Lemon Law repurchase that vastly exceeds the 30-day out-of-service threshold in [XXX] . Lastly, we got this RAV4 Prime new and have had all the services done at the authorized dealership since day one. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11727395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
13.2 inch console display went blank on 9/15/25; remedy not available for over 6 months now; they still do not have a definite schedule to give me; toyota says to wait for another letter that should have been sent out months ago. Not sure if litigation is appropriate for this case.
NHTSA complaint #11726853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
13.2 inch console display went blank on 9/15/25; remedy not available for over 6 months now; they still do not have a definite schedule to give me; toyota says to wait for another letter that should have been sent out months ago. Not sure if litigation is appropriate for this case.
NHTSA complaint #11726853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact stated that while driving out of a parking lot, the instrument cluster went blank. The contact used the cell phone for guidance while driving to the residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V744000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V595000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer weeks ago. The dealer informed the contact that parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the recall status. The failure mileage was 25,000.
NHTSA complaint #11719429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is an active recall on this car with no available remedy. Upon starting the car, the instrument panel/instrument cluster screen remains completely black and doesn't turn on. This means there is no way to see: (a) speedometer, (b) odometer, (c) tire pressure, (d) available fuel range, (e) available EV range, (f) check engine lights or other emergency alerts, (g) lane assist, (h) drive menu settings, (i) temperature outside, (j) what gear the car is in, (k) whether the car is in EV mode or HV mode, (l) average fuel economy, (m) whether the parking break is engaged, (n) whether all seatbelts are fastened, (o) whether any doors or trunk is open, (p) battery status, and (q) oil status. To be clear, Toyota is well aware of this issue and has sent out the recall notice. Upon taking my car to the dealership, they confirmed that this is the active recall issue and there is no available remedy. If the instrument panel has not yet gone blank, there is a software update that can be given; however, if the instrument panel HAS ALREADY gone blank, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS. The dealership would not release my car to me as it is not drivable. The recall has been active since SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 and there is no remedy available FIVE months later.
NHTSA complaint #11717841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The digital display (including speedometer, fuel gauge, warning systems, odometer, and speedometer) remains blank for extended periods of time, at least once greater than 30min, while driving. Manufacturer recall in effect for greater then 4 months with no fix identified.
NHTSA complaint #11710507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The digital display (including speedometer, fuel gauge, warning systems, odometer, and speedometer) remains blank for extended periods of time, at least once greater than 30min, while driving. Manufacturer recall in effect for greater then 4 months with no fix identified.
NHTSA complaint #11710507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During snowy but manageable conditions, the brake system on my 2021 RAV4 Prime SE failed to respond, and the vehicle did not decelerate when I pressed the brake pedal. A “Pre-Collision System Malfunction” warning appeared shortly before impact. I was unable to steer away despite attempting an evasive turn. The vehicle collided with the car in front of me, and the airbags did not deploy. I was driving at a reduced speed due to snow. The vehicle ahead (a BMW SUV) began slowing. When I applied the brakes, my RAV4 Prime did not slow down at all—there was no deceleration, no ABS pulsing, and no traction control intervention. The vehicle continued moving forward as if the brakes were not engaging. At the same time, I saw a dashboard warning indicating a Pre-Collision System (PCS) malfunction. I attempted to turn the wheel to avoid the collision, but the vehicle did not respond to steering input quickly enough to prevent impact. Despite the collision, no airbags deployed. The vehicle has been regularly maintained (oil changes every 5,000 miles, new tires last year, all service intervals followed), and there were no warning lights or issues beforehand. Safety Concerns: •Complete or partial brake failure •Electronic braking or stability control malfunction •Pre-Collision System malfunction •Airbag non-deployment in a front impact •Potential systemic issue affecting Toyota hybrid/Prime models This incident caused significant fear and distress for both me and my child who was in the vehicle, and raises serious concerns about whether similar failures could occur for other owners.
NHTSA complaint #11703035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazard (fishtailing risk): In rain with LTA ON, small but critical driver steering corrections near center are overridden by EPS/LTA, which apply centering torque into steering dual compliance creating a real steering wheel deadband canceling the driver’s turning of the wheel across the deadband; then the steered wheels snap abruptly to the steering wheel position. The significantly delayed response and snap overcorrection, caused cause fishtailing (causing a miss with a car, then a semi), just like the car suddenly had loose ball joints. Conditions: ~40–50 mph, intermittent heavy rain, wipers high, spray, occasional false lane detections. Dealer response: Acknowledged the general behaviour. Refused diagnostics; advised turning LTA OFF or lowering sensitivity. Reference: Technical appendix in Toyota.txt (mechanism, thresholds, dual‑compliance explanation, SAE 2019‑01‑1516). SAE Technical Paper 2019-01-1516 (Fu et al., "Control Strategy to Reduce Torque Oscillation of the Electric Power Steering System") Observer credentials: Retired 39-year integrated circuit design engineer; 23 US patents (~8 involving nonlinear feedback/deadband control).
NHTSA complaint #11700388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hazard (fishtailing risk): In rain with LTA ON, small but critical driver steering corrections near center are overridden by EPS/LTA, which apply centering torque into steering dual compliance creating a real steering wheel deadband canceling the driver’s turning of the wheel across the deadband; then the steered wheels snap abruptly to the steering wheel position. The significantly delayed response and snap overcorrection, caused cause fishtailing (causing a miss with a car, then a semi), just like the car suddenly had loose ball joints. Conditions: ~40–50 mph, intermittent heavy rain, wipers high, spray, occasional false lane detections. Dealer response: Acknowledged the general behaviour. Refused diagnostics; advised turning LTA OFF or lowering sensitivity. Reference: Technical appendix in Toyota.txt (mechanism, thresholds, dual‑compliance explanation, SAE 2019‑01‑1516). SAE Technical Paper 2019-01-1516 (Fu et al., "Control Strategy to Reduce Torque Oscillation of the Electric Power Steering System") Observer credentials: Retired 39-year integrated circuit design engineer; 23 US patents (~8 involving nonlinear feedback/deadband control).
NHTSA complaint #11700388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver was pulling into a friend's carport. After crossing a small curb her foot was taken off the gas and was moving to the brake. The car was going slightly uphill as slow as a car can go with no gas pedal depressed. The car then accelerated as if someone pressed the gas to the floor. In a matter of 8 feet it gained enough speed and momentum that when it hit our friend's parked car the 4 door SUV was pushed forward 4 feet. The gas pedal was never pushed by the driver. No failed component was ever identified by multiple inspections by the Toyota dealership, the insurance company, the body shop and the 3rd party company hired by Toyota to download the ACM data and the Vehicle Control History. We had filed a complaint with the Toyota Brand Engagement center hoping Toyota would make a proper investigation. A police report was made also. No one was injured but the homeowner was standing a few feet away. It could have been much worse. There were no warning messages, the emergency braking did not engage, and the airbags did not deploy. Earlier in the day the car's proximity sensors were beeping with no indication of what was setting them off. It took 3 cycles of park to drive to stop the beeps. The driver even walked around the car to try to identify what was setting it off. After the crash the passenger side rear window went down by itself and the rear liftgate went up. It took 7 weeks for Toyota Corp Legal to respond saying they found nothing wrong. To this day they have not shared the Vehicle Control History raw data with us. Their response made no mention of them looking into a failure of the ADAS system with regard to the Cruise Control or any other sensors that send signals to the throttle. I am attaching their response and various other inspects and reports. Also a ring video of the crash poorly converted to a gif. No option to attach a video is in the instructions.
NHTSA complaint #11676998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On the night of [XXX] at approximately [XXX] PM, I was driving from Tracy, California to Lancaster, California via the [XXX]. The freeway had no traffic at the time, and I set my cruise control to maintain a speed of 75 mph for a safer ride. While driving in the left lane near Santa Nella, my car suddenly deployed the ABS brakes. The steering wheel locked, and the car began to slip—its tires locked as if on a roller coaster going downhill. The driver’s side then rolled over and crashed. Fortunately, the road was empty, and I did not hit anyone during the accident. I thought I was going to die, but I am lucky to be alive. suddenly Abs brakes deployed steering wheel lock right side this reason I have very accident. I believe the car has manufacturer defects. First, the door handle on the driver’s side is positioned too close to the driver’s left arm. Second, the center console on the right side—intended for resting the driver’s arm or storing extra items—repeatedly hit my ribs during the accident. During the crash, the driver-side door handle struck my left arm multiple times. Orthopedic surgeons reviewed my X-ray and found that my forearm was fractured in three places. They recommended surgery. The center console also struck my right ribs repeatedly, causing swelling and pain. Fortunately, my ribs were not broken. My chest & ribs swelling and pain right side shoulder I have pain my head & neck pain My car was declared a total loss. I respectfully request that these issues be investigated, as I believe another driver could sustain similar injuries in a future accident involving this vehicle model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11666840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upon entering a light controlled intersection at a relatively slow speed (probably less than 20 mph} on wet pavement, an oncoming car suddenly made a left turn directly in front of me. I applied the applied the breaks hard and slid into the passenger side of the turning vehicle. The ABS system did not function. The air bag did not deploy. At the moment of the collision my speed was reduced and I do not know the threshold for airbags to deploy, but this was a direct front end collision. I was able to brace myself and was not injured. I am not claiming the airbag malfunctioned as the speed at the moment of impact was not high. However, I have complained to the Toyota dealer service department almost since the car was new, that the ABS does not function. They have repeatedly told me that it is fully operational based only on the fact that the system registers as "on." Being "on" does not mean it is functioning. Questions: What component failed? ABS and possibly airbag How was my safety at risk? Non functioning ABS resulting in a potentially preventable accident Has the problem been confirmed? Yes, byt the dealer though they claim the sliding of the car is due to old tires. However, the tires are withing the legal limist for tread depth and I have complained about the problem since the car and the tires were nearly new. Has the vehicle been inspected? yes, byt the Toyota dealer and an independent Toyota crash inspector Were there any warning lights etc? No
NHTSA complaint #11634802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I slowly turned right into a parking space, braked to stop but the car didn't stop and instead lurched, jumping forward over the parking curb and hitting a small wall. My foot was on the brake pedal the entire time. It happened at 9:00am on a clear day. I was alone in the car and uninjured. Damage to the car was extensive and estimated at nearly $40,000. As a result, car was totaled by the insurance company.
NHTSA complaint #11632869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY [XXX] ’S) SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT [XXX] - TOYOTA RAV4 2021: I was gliding into a parking space with my foot on the brake and as I went to straighten out the wheel to come to a full stop the car lurched forward full speed and smashed into the car parked in the row that was facing me. Good thing there was no one in that car, it had been backed in so I hit the rear end of it. The damage is so extensive it is beyond comprehension. My airbags did not deploy, which they should have. I saw that the ‘malfunction brake’ orange light was illuminated as I went crashing into the parked car and could not believe that the automatic anti-collision brake system failed - it was as if the car was possessed and the scariest thing ever. Towed to the dealer I bought it from. I have now read all of these other incidents that are the same as mine and this is no joke. We all could have been killed and there are people that most likely have been that have never been reported. I have been driving for over 40 years and have never experienced anything like it. Computers and software have glitches all the time, and if Toyota does not do something about this that means they do not care if their customers die. That makes them murderers. I loved my RAV4 more than anything, it is an eplugin hybrid and the best! I would/will never drive that car again, ever, and I am going to see to it that Toyota Corp, who is liable, reimburses me every penny I spent on that car, plus any legal fees and hourly wages for how much time I now have to spend on dealing with this whole thing, one of which is having to prove to my insurance company that this was NOT my fault so my rates do not go up! The dealer paid off my lease and never made me come pick up the car as I never had it fixed. Of course my insurance went up as they had to pay the damage to the other car! I now have filed a small claim with my local court to recoup the money for increase in insurance, deposit for Rav4 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
NHTSA complaint #11621836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The lane keeping assistance has the ability to detect if the driver is not holding the wheel and will disconencted lane keeping assitance after three beeps.... At that time the adaptative speed control is not disconnected and vehicle will even continue to accelerate neither braking is activated. these may result in an accidente if the driver falls sleep or has health issue...
NHTSA complaint #11596533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The lane keeping assistance has the ability to detect if the driver is not holding the wheel and will disconencted lane keeping assitance after three beeps.... At that time the adaptative speed control is not disconnected and vehicle will even continue to accelerate neither braking is activated. these may result in an accidente if the driver falls sleep or has health issue...
NHTSA complaint #11596533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime had traction control, braking issues and failure to warn in the event of a possible forward collision. On a few occasions the brakes seem to just slide and the car would keep moving. Last week I was in an accident and the emergency braking system, the forward collision warning system and all the air bags failed. The California Highway Patrol was surprised that even though the estimation collision speed was 60 mph the air bags did not deploy. I would have not had a chance to test out the air bags, emergency braking system or the forward collision warning prior to the accident.
NHTSA complaint #11590033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.