1,379 of the 12,220 complaints filed about the Toyota RAV4 are about the electrical system — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2018.
1,379
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
40
Crashes
165
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Toyota ABS Actuator Accumulator shows problems after a while. Most common on hybrid vehicles. Signs comes up such ABS Malfunction, Pre-Collision Malfunction, Low Braking Power, and lose traction control.
NHTSA complaint #11763678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
As soon as my vehicle hit 100K mileages and there's "AWD System malfunction" sign showed up on dash. Got it done replaced it cost roughly more than $500. After 2 days later another problem shows up on dash this time it was "engine maintenance required" show on dash again. Heard people had the same issue to whoever own 2019 RAV4 and they all had the same for those 2 issues. Toyota company should pay attention for these kind of problems or like some of of recall.
NHTSA complaint #11763036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On August 25, 2026 when I went to turn my vehicle on in the morning, and I started to drive the vehicle alert the LTA malfunction Visit your dealer on the dash. Call dealer and scheduled service for the next day August 26, 2026. In the morning I went to go start my vehicle to take it in and it wont start at this point on the dashboard was showing Not Ready to Drive and it would not start and I reached out again to the dealer and the had roadside assistance to tow the vehicle in to the dealer. When roadside assistance I gave him my keys and the vehicle started up but now vehicle dash alerted Drive-start Control Malfunction visit your dealer. Roadside did nothing but up the key in the ignition. Vehicle once towed to the dealer was running and no alerts showed on the dashboard and the dealer informed that the multi- point vehicle everything checked out. Jayleen informed that tech ran the computer and saw the alert but could not do no repair due to at the time of service there was no sign on the dash and if where to happen to bring the vehicle in to the dealer. Jayleen also mention that wire my have been chewed.I asked it they inspected for that, she informed No due to no alerts where I dashboard. Then she when on to say that it was my dash camera that was draining my battery. I mention to her that the vehicle was not coming in for battery issues. So I uninstalled my dash camera to see if that was the issues. My vehicel has been parked mostly. Now today September 7,2026 car did not start and show pre-Collision System Malfuntion.
NHTSA complaint #11762637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have a faulty coolant bypass valve on my 2021 Toyota RAV4. Every time I turn on the air conditioning the service engine required comes up on my notifications a known recall problem for Toyota RAV4’s of this year
NHTSA complaint #11762309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving 9/3 and my left blinker light came on solid. I was not using my blinker. Within a few seconds my check engine light came on and another light. Then within 2 minutes the front left engine/tire caught fire.
NHTSA complaint #11761822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Idling, received a warning of "engine stopped. steering power low". Trying to restart the car - it would start up then immediately shut down w/ the same error. Letting it sit for 15 minutes allowed it to reset and start again. It was raining at the time, wind shield wipers were on if that matters.
NHTSA complaint #11761876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving at highway speeds, the moonroof suddenly and spontaneously exploded without being struck by any visible road debris or external objects. After safely pulling over and shutting the vehicle off to assess the damage, the car now refuses to start or crank. The electrical system and interior/dashboard lights still power on normally, but the ignition will not engage to drive the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11761754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle experienced a sudden, severe loss of vehicle control while driving twice. Without any warning lights, dash indicators, or stored error codes, it began violently surging and decelerating uncontrollably around 20 mph with severe bucking. My [XXX] daughter was driving. Fortunately, this occurred on a quiet local residential road at 5 am; had this sudden failure occurred at highway speeds, it would have resulted in a catastrophic rear-end collision. The vehicle was purchased in May 2023, has 42k miles, and was used normally for school commuting. Incident 1 (XXX): Towed to Toyota. Techs could not diagnose it and opened a Tech Case. Per instructions, dealer replaced shifter assembly due to internal short (Part 33560-0R070). However, within 24 hours of return, the exact same dangerous failure reoccurred suddenly without warning in mild traffic. Experiencing an uncontrollable vehicle was terrifying. Fortunately no crash occurred, but it was towed back immediately. When I raised urgent safety concerns and sought a permanent resolution, Toyota stated it takes 60 days for review. During this period, if the dealer requests loaner return, I must return it immediately. They further stated that as soon as the dealer declares the vehicle "ready for pickup," I must retrieve it immediately or be charged daily storage fees. When I asked how the dealer could diagnose and repair the car entirely on their own—without Toyota Corporate engineering instructions while Toyota is supposedly still investigating the root cause—Toyota had no logical answer. When I asked who assumes legal and safety responsibility if another failure or accident occurs after pickup, Toyota Executive Offices explicitly stated "no one" assumes responsibility. No reasonable consumer would drive an unresolved, life-threatening defect under an explicit disclaimer of safety accountability. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11760840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Front forward camera unavailable, World wide shortage of part. No known date of supply.
NHTSA complaint #11760990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
had parking brake malfunction. The wheels locked up could not move my care either forward or backward this was the second time within 8 month period. the failure was due to the parking break actuator. First time was in January 2026 second time was August 28, 2026 the wheels locked both times and I need to tow the car for service. Each time It cost me arount $1750 to replace the actuator. My concern was that I could not move my car. Found out this is a recurring problem with Toyota. Not only is this a safety problem but an expensive repair. I also found out recently that the car cant be towed unless the rear times are lifted in the air. I am looking for a recall on these system.
NHTSA complaint #11760796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The system that failed is the 12-volt battery hold-down assembly and associated electrical infrastructure, exactly as described under NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign Number 23V-729 (Toyota Recalls 23TA13 / 23TB13). The vehicle is fully preserved in its post-fire state and is completely available for physical inspection upon request.Safety was severely compromised as the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent engine bay fire while actively traveling at highway speeds on Highway [XXX] in [XXX]. This forced an emergency evacuation on a high-speed corridor, directly endangering the lives of four occupants: an [XXX] driver, one adult passenger, and two minor children. A multi-fatality tragedy was avoided solely due to the driver navigating the failing vehicle into a parking lot, alongside the chance proximity of a local fire station a quarter-mile away.Prior to the sudden fire, there were zero warning lamps, dashboard messages, or mechanical symptoms of an issue. The problem has not been reproduced as the fire caused a complete loss, but the localized burn damage and melted main wiring harness at the battery housing confirm the recall's exact failure mechanism.The local franchised Toyota dealership has the vehicle at their service center, but deflected corporate liability, uncooperatively stating there was only a "50/50 chance" the fire was related to the federal recall. The local fire department responded to the scene, suppressed the blaze, and has officially issued an incident report. The vehicle has a flawless, continuous maintenance history from a certified NAPA AutoCare Center, which includes a professional installation of a standard replacement battery prior to this incident. The vehicle is currently awaiting an official inspection by insurance representatives. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11759089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2021 Toyota RAV4 (gas model) has experienced a sudden, unexpected engine stall/shutdown on a public road. The incident occurred while shifting into Drive after backing up in reverse. The engine immediately died without any prior dashboard warning lights or mechanical symptoms. The information screen displayed a message stating "Put Car in Park" or "Shift into Park." The vehicle safely restarted immediately after shifting back into Park and pressing the ignition button. This intermittent stall has happened three times under the exact same directional shifting conditions over the last 1.5 years, creating a high-risk scenario for a rear-end collision in active traffic. After previous incident (one year ago) when the engine stopped when shifting from reverse to drive, I took it to Toyota service. Dealership diagnostics could not previously replicate the issue due to its intermittent nature and the absence of a permanent check engine code. checked battery and performed health check.
NHTSA complaint #11757462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The repair shop I was able to pull into as I was experiencing the issue with my vehicle reported: "Battery is unstable and is arcing off of the positive terminal. Battery tray, battery hold down tie, and battery j hook hold down were missing upon arrival." The issue was fixed by a Brakes Plus location, given I was able to pull in there - it was around the corner from where I was driving. The issue has been fixed, and I have no issue with inspection of the vehilce. The car died while I was driving on a main street. The recall note states that the vehicle could have caught on fire, though no fire or crash happened. I made a simple right-hand turn and almost every light imaginable illuminated on the dashbard. I was able to turn the vehicle off and on again and get the car to the Brakes Plus location. This location had to order the parts from Kansas. I called the Toyota Dealership informing them what had happened, that the car was unable to be moved and got the response that I needed to take it to them for repair. I called at least two times since I received the notice for the fix in the mail and I was told that I would be contacted when they were ready to fix my car specifically. I was informed they would call, but they did not take down my contact information. I reached out to Toyota and they opened a claim where I uploaded documents - the original recall notice, the letter informing of the fix, the invoice from Brakes Plus, proof of purchase On Friday,XXX, I received a letter notifying me that my claim was not eligible for reimbursement. Since I tried to reach out and get an appointment scheduled inspection and the fix (if needed), and I never received a call to schedule after being told the dealership would reach out to me when they were ready, I believe they should have paid me back for the repair. I can provide the Toyota Brand Engagement Case number as requested. I am hesitant to upload documents here as these documents contain name, address, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11757059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor outside the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that there was smoke coming from the battery, and there was battery fluid leaking from the battery. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact stated that in May 2026, the vehicle was serviced for electrical issues with the Start/Stop feature, parking brake error message, and the AC display unit was replaced. The contact stated that other electrical issues occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 71,800.
NHTSA complaint #11756571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the Headlight System Malfunction, Pre-collision System Malfunction, Road Sign Assist (RSA), and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The contact stated that the remedy for Special Service Campaign: 26TC03, which addressed an incorrect MAF Sensor reading failure, had been performed two days prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was informed of the issues. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This vehicle has twice had the same issue where the sunroof drain lines become clogged or dislocated and the water fills the liner in the front driver and passenger seats resulting in flooding in the compartment and mold damage throughout the interior. the mole spore are transmitted throughout the interior. The water damaged the airbags and the electrical harness in the dash of the car resulting in the dashboard electrical system shutting off and restarting spontaneously while driving. The leaks were repairs and the interior replaces in october 2023 and the same incident has recurred in august 2026. The claims adjuster recommends that the entire wiring harness, airbags, and carpets, seats and liners be replaced for health and safety of passengers.
NHTSA complaint #11755337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Before o had taken my RAV4 into Toyota for the recall a AAA tech. had replaced the battery after jump starting it. There was nothing wrong with the sensors or anything else but after the battery was replaced all the electric sensors that are for lane change warnings and cruise control etc. stopped working. I took vehicle into Toyota of Santa Maria and was told that I needed to pay for the sensors that had failed. They told me that I was responsible and I do not believe I am when AAA had just replaced my battery and only after that did the sensors have an issue. I do not feel safe driving my car now because all the sensors aren’t working anymore.
NHTSA complaint #11754574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited : issues with vehicle detection but not limited to the Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSM) . Complaint includes problems with the vehicle's sensors and electronic control units (ECUs), which is leading to difficulties in detecting other vehicles on the road and posses ongoing safety concerns about the reliability of my vehicle's safety features, particularly when driving my car on freeways and surface streets. Sensor Malfunctions: I continue to have malfunctions with the sensors that are supposed to detect nearby vehicles. I have taken my vehicle into Wilsonville Toyota’s Service Center in [XXX] twice, once in XXX and again in XXX after having at least two near collisions due to the fact that my car did not detect an approaching vehicle. On one occasion my friend ([XXX]) was in my car with me when we almost hit another car when changing lanes on the freeway because my car DID NOT DETECT a vehicle in the lane I was attempting to change. I feel unsafe due to the inconsistent performance of my BSM System Malfunction. I have visited my Toyota dealer for diagnostics and potential software updates but have been told repeatedly that if they, Wilsonville Toyota Service Center (WTSS) cannot reproduce the issue then it does NOT exisit. However, after having and picking up my vehicle from the repair shop at WVTS on XXX I spoke with the acting Assistant Service Manager, Kevin, who stated to me me that if it happens again to return and he will go for a test drive with me to see if I could reproduce the situation so that he could see it and make documentation of it so that it will then be “a thing”. Well I did just that on XXX when my husband , [XXX] , and I returned to WVTS and took Kevin for a test drive where Kevin experienced my exact concerns with the BSM’s Malfunction on more than 4 times on our short test drive. Upon our return from the test drive Kevin immediately offered me a free loaner. BSM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B
NHTSA complaint #11754306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota Rav4. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 110,000 and at the time of a Carfax check, it was discovered that the mileage was 300,000.
NHTSA complaint #11754062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Display of RAV4 Hybrid is malfunctioning as it randomly turns on and off at frequent intervals, the screen turns on an off in a similar manner, the display controls are not operative even if displayed. This occurred right after the Dealer (355 Toyota of Rockville, [XXX] ) conducted a recall procedure on a wire harness. Immediately after these repairs, it was noticed that the display started to malfunction. It has never malfunctioned before. I went back to the Dealership and the manager said that the display problem was unrelated to the recall maintenance. So I am reporting it here. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11753863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.