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2014 Toyota RAV4 Problems & Owner Complaints

196 NHTSA owner complaints
20 crash 25 fire 22 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~15.1 complaints per year on the road — ranking 14 of 14 Toyota RAV4 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area on the 2014 Toyota RAV4, cited in 69 of 196 filed complaints (35%).

Engine is next (31 complaints, 16%), followed by Power Train (20), Steering (20), Structure (18).

Across all complaints, 20 report a crash, 25 report a fire, 22 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 12 crash, 12 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2014 Toyota RAV4, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 196.

Electrical System 69 3 crash 17 fire 2 injury

“The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at 45-50 MPH during night hours, a fellow motorist alerted the contact that her vehicle had caught fire from underneath the engine without warning. Upon opening the front, driver-side door, the fire entered the vehicle and the contact quickly shut the door. While in a panic, the contact re-opened the door and jumped out of the vehicle. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames and was consumed by the fire. Police arrived at the scene and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard a…”
NHTSA complaint #11637992, 2016 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ON AND OFF BUTTON TO THE BLUETOOTH THAT WAS STANDARD WITH THE VEHICLE SHOULD SHUT ON AND OFF BY USING THE POWER BUTTON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT TURN THE BLUETOOTH OFF WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT'S HEART ALSO BEGAN TO FUNCTION ABNORMALLY AND SHE BECAME EXTREMELY WEAK, NEARLY COLLAPSING AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE INABILITY TO TURN THE BLUETOOTH OFF AND ON IN ORDER TO PREVENT IT FROM INTERFERING WITH HER PACEMAKER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE…”
NHTSA complaint #10610930, 2014 · 1 injury(ies)

“After a minor front end collision, the RAV4 immediately began smoking and caught fire. With a minor accident where the other car only had their front bumper minorly damaged, the RAV4 should not have caught fire. Their must be a defect in either the battery or oil line for the car to have caught fire. The car is a total loss and I am asking for a full investigation as my 2 children were in the car when the fire started.”
NHTSA complaint #11419845, 2021 · crash · fire

Unknown Or Other 45 1 crash 4 fire

“i have just driven the car for about 15 minutes and pulled in a driveway to wait for someone. My car was in park but running, and white smoke started to come out from under the hood. I turned the car off and got out. I walked around to the front of the car and it immediately went up in flames. I called 911 and a police car just happened to be going by and called the fire department. They block off the street and put out the fire but the car was completely trashed.”
NHTSA complaint #11508849, 2023 · fire

“Our 2014 Rav4 LE with 37k miles caught on fire while parked in a shopping plaza parking lot. The fire department says I was lucky that I wasn't driving the car or I wasn't in the car with children, pets, or elderly parents or we could have died. If my car was parked next to others this fire could have spread and been absolutely catastrophic. We've had our car fully inspected once within the last 6 months, and a limited inspection during an oil change within the last 3 months. I believe the fire started with the battery, we think we were affected by this... https://www.consumerreports.org/car-s…”
NHTSA complaint #11459901, 2022 · fire

“On Sunday, Aug 29th, our RAV4 caught fire in our driveway. The vehicle was off/parked at the time and required the fire department to extinguish. The fire spread to our truck which was parked next to the RAV4. Both are a complete loss.”
NHTSA complaint #11431159, 2021 · fire

Engine 31 2 crash 14 fire

“After a minor front end collision, the RAV4 immediately began smoking and caught fire. With a minor accident where the other car only had their front bumper minorly damaged, the RAV4 should not have caught fire. Their must be a defect in either the battery or oil line for the car to have caught fire. The car is a total loss and I am asking for a full investigation as my 2 children were in the car when the fire started.”
NHTSA complaint #11419845, 2021 · crash · fire

“The contact owned a 2014 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 30-40 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stopped independently. No warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned she noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine, and smoke started coming inside the vehicle. There was a fuel odor. present. The contact exited the vehicle and stood on the side of the road, and called 911. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicl…”
NHTSA complaint #11684519, 2025 · fire

“The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving up a slight grade, the vehicle stalled on the roadway. The contact stated that he saw smoke issuing from under the hood. The contact stated that he exited the vehicle and observed that flames were issuing from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the fire department was called, however by the time the fire truck arrived the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the fire department extinguished the flames with water. The polic…”
NHTSA complaint #11559532, 2023 · fire

Power Train 20 1 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/13/2019 @ 8:30AM. I HAD STARTED MY 2014 TOYOTA RAV4, PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THE CARPORT APPRX. 25FT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND FULLY ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE I ALWAYS DO THIS IF I NEED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING FOR ANY REASON. IN THIS CASE I WAS HEATING THE INTERIOR AS IT WAS CHILLI. I WENT BACK INSIDE MY HOME TO GET THE ANIMAL CRATE THAT CONTAINED MY CAT WHO NEEDED TO GO TO THE VET. AS I WAS LOADING THE CRATE INTO THE FRONT SEAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. I WAS BETWEEN THE OPEN DOOR AND THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND AFTER FREAKING OUT A SECOND LOOKED T…”
NHTSA complaint #11281992, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, it was noticed that there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact arrived at the residence and the vehicle burst into flames causing the rear of another vehicle to melt. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was not towed or diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11543080, 2023 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BODY REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4,700. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE ACCELERATION MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11162919, 2018 · crash

Steering 20 3 fire

“My daughter was exiting the the freeway on off ramp and turning right. The car lost electrical power without any warnings on dash or notification. When she tried to turn the steering wheel she was unable to due to loss of power steering. She ended up crossing a median and was able to turn the wheel enough to pull into the suicide lane. She noticed the hood was smoking so she shut off the car and exited the vehicle. Soon the car engine area was in flames. Fire department put out the fire and police made and incident report. The car is unusable.”
NHTSA complaint #11545735, 2023 · fire

“Steering and brakes quit working while driving. Able to safely get off road. Took to Toyota Service Department. Per invoice "improperly installed battery caused everything to melt" battery installed by AAA in March 2020. Size 35 battery. Extensive damage.”
NHTSA complaint #11479937, 2022 · fire

“The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. During the failure, the instrument panel flashed approximately 4-5 times before going black. The contact stepped out to look under the hood and noticed a small fire. The police department was contacted and arrived and put out the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away and deemed a total loss. The contact was not injured. Medical attention was not needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the fai…”
NHTSA complaint #11424423, 2021 · fire

Structure 18 5 crash 9 injury

“ON BUSINESS AND VACATION, COMING FROM LA TO ATLANTA...I WAS DRIVING SPEED LIMIT IN FAR LEFT LANE, ON INTERSTATE, IN LAGRANGE ,GA, A TRUCK COMING ONTO THE INTERSTATE MERGING FROM FAR RIGHT LOSS CONTROL BECAUSE SHE WAS SPEEDING AND THE ROADS WERE SLICK FROM A LIGHT RAIN, SHE FISHTAILED FROM THE FAR RIGHT , CROSSING THE RIGHT LANE AND COMING HEAD ON IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC , HITTING MY RENTAL VEHICLE..RAV 4. HIT US HEAD ON...THE AIRBAGS POPPED OUT EVERYWHERE, BLOCKING ESCAPE EXITS, WE THOUGHT THE TRUCK WOULD CATCH AFIRE, BECAUSE OF SMOKE SMELL, WE TRIED TO GET OUT, ALL DOORS ON THE LEFT…”
NHTSA complaint #10640943, 2014 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“Request for Investigation – 2014 Toyota RAV4 Airbag Non-Deployment On [XXX], at approximately [XXX]., the vehicle was involved in a traffic collision in Lakeland, Florida. The vehicle sustained a significant impact to the driver’s-side front area. Despite the nature and location of the collision, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags did not deploy. Law enforcement responded to the scene and completed Police Report. Emergency medical services also responded, and the driver was transported from the scene by ambulance due to injuries sustained in the collision. The primary concern…”
NHTSA complaint #11754652, 2026 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AFTER A CRASH THAT LEFT THE CAR CONSIDERED A 'TOTAL LOSS'. THE CAR HIT A POLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. CAUSING DRIVER TO INJURE FINGER AND MISS TIME FROM WORK.”
NHTSA complaint #11366198, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

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Service Brakes 16 4 crash 1 fire 2 injury

“Driver [XXX] was driving down roadway and entire dashboard lite up. Attempted to apply brakes to stop vehicle, but the brakes wouldn't operate causing the vehicle to rear end another vehicle around 25 mph. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and is now with Copart PA-Pittsburgh North 2200 River Rd. Ellwood City, PA 16117. Phone number: 724-758-0480 INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
NHTSA complaint #11459853, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/13/2019 @ 8:30AM. I HAD STARTED MY 2014 TOYOTA RAV4, PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THE CARPORT APPRX. 25FT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND FULLY ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE I ALWAYS DO THIS IF I NEED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING FOR ANY REASON. IN THIS CASE I WAS HEATING THE INTERIOR AS IT WAS CHILLI. I WENT BACK INSIDE MY HOME TO GET THE ANIMAL CRATE THAT CONTAINED MY CAT WHO NEEDED TO GO TO THE VET. AS I WAS LOADING THE CRATE INTO THE FRONT SEAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING IN REVERSE. I WAS BETWEEN THE OPEN DOOR AND THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND AFTER FREAKING OUT A SECOND LOOKED T…”
NHTSA complaint #11281992, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“Steering and brakes quit working while driving. Able to safely get off road. Took to Toyota Service Department. Per invoice "improperly installed battery caused everything to melt" battery installed by AAA in March 2020. Size 35 battery. Extensive damage.”
NHTSA complaint #11479937, 2022 · fire

Air Bags 12 12 crash 12 injury

“ON BUSINESS AND VACATION, COMING FROM LA TO ATLANTA...I WAS DRIVING SPEED LIMIT IN FAR LEFT LANE, ON INTERSTATE, IN LAGRANGE ,GA, A TRUCK COMING ONTO THE INTERSTATE MERGING FROM FAR RIGHT LOSS CONTROL BECAUSE SHE WAS SPEEDING AND THE ROADS WERE SLICK FROM A LIGHT RAIN, SHE FISHTAILED FROM THE FAR RIGHT , CROSSING THE RIGHT LANE AND COMING HEAD ON IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC , HITTING MY RENTAL VEHICLE..RAV 4. HIT US HEAD ON...THE AIRBAGS POPPED OUT EVERYWHERE, BLOCKING ESCAPE EXITS, WE THOUGHT THE TRUCK WOULD CATCH AFIRE, BECAUSE OF SMOKE SMELL, WE TRIED TO GET OUT, ALL DOORS ON THE LEFT…”
NHTSA complaint #10640943, 2014 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“RAV 4 TRAVELING ON ROADWAY WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK ITS RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND FRONT DOOR IN T-BONE IMPACT. FORCE OF IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO MOVE RAV 4 TO THE LEFT 2.5 LANES. RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10614535, 2014 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“Request for Investigation – 2014 Toyota RAV4 Airbag Non-Deployment On [XXX], at approximately [XXX]., the vehicle was involved in a traffic collision in Lakeland, Florida. The vehicle sustained a significant impact to the driver’s-side front area. Despite the nature and location of the collision, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags did not deploy. Law enforcement responded to the scene and completed Police Report. Emergency medical services also responded, and the driver was transported from the scene by ambulance due to injuries sustained in the collision. The primary concern…”
NHTSA complaint #11754652, 2026 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Exterior Lighting 8 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND TURNED ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY, AND INSTANTANEOUS FOR A FEW SECONDS (LIKE IT WAS BLINKING) SUPER FAST. EVERYTHING WAS GOING ON AND OFF. AS I WAS PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER FROM THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY!!! I COULDN'T EVEN PUT MY HAZARDS ON. I WAS WAITING IN THE CAR FOR A TOW TRUCK AND MY HUSBAND, I WAS WITH MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AND FLAME AND WAS ON FIRE. WE JUMPED OUT AND YET WAS UP IN FLAMES!!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11066101, 2018 · fire

“2014 Toyota RAV4 perfectly good headlight bulb stops working on low beam selection, severely limiting visibility for night-time driving. Looks like everyone on the internet is having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11562386, 2023

“Audio System, Navigation. Cannot enter and use set up Menu for Radio, CD. The Panel continuously displays the screen of the software, hardware, Entune starting and restarting.”
NHTSA complaint #11459056, 2022

Fuel/Propulsion System 7 1 fire

“Making a turn onto a local toll road and entire car went dead without warning of any kind. I had to struggle with loss of power steering to complete turn without going off road. Car came to a stop. I tried to call my wife to advise her I was having car problems which is surprising as I haven't had issues previously and had an earlier version of the RAV4 that I drove for 210,000 miles. Anyway, another vehicle stopped alongside and inquired if I needed assistance. As I talked, I noticed a smokey smell from what I had initially assumed was steam. I stepped outside the vehicle and observed thr…”
NHTSA complaint #11419257, 2021 · fire

“UPDATE TO PRIOR COMPLAINT — Filed April 2, 2026. VIN: [XXX] . 2014 Toyota RAV4 AWD XLE. Team Toyota Langhorne, 746 E Lincoln Hwy, Langhorne PA 19047. Vehicle remains out of service — 53 days as of April 10, 2026. SECOND REPLACEMENT VEHICLE — April 4-5, 2026: Dealership presented 2014 RAV4 VIN [XXX] as replacement. Upon visual inspection: valve cover leaking; blue silicone sealant on valve cover applied unevenly indicating prior engine disassembly or concealed active oil leak; catalytic converter flanges rotted top to rear requiring full replacement; oil on bottom of motor. Photographs availab…”
NHTSA complaint #11730513, 2025

“I made my report more than 8 months ago and they did not give me an answer about the fuel pump toyota rav4 2013-2018 that all the vehicles are having a problem with a small arie escaping from that part at the top of the tank I was at the dealer and they can't do nothing because they say that this is normal and that who pays for that work and I told him that if that problem occurs, the entire vehicle has to do a recall for that problem”
NHTSA complaint #11572671, 2022

Vehicle Speed Control 7 4 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BODY REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4,700. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE ACCELERATION MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11162919, 2018 · crash

“UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. BEFORE STARTING WORK, MY WIFE WAS ATTEMPTING TO SLOWLY PARK OUR 2014 RAV4 AT LESS THAN 2 MPH IN AN EMPTY PARKING SPACE IN THE PUBLIC PARKING LOT WHERE SHE WORKS WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN REACHING A FINAL SPEED OF 21 MPH IN THE SPAN OF APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 SECONDS. DURING THESE 2 TO 3 SECONDS THE VEHICLE TRAVELED A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 27 FEET FROM THE EMPTY PARKING SPACE, RUNNING OVER THE PARKING SPACE CONCRETE CURBS AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON THE RAV4 RIGHT AND THEN RAN INTO A TREE, WHICH WAS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. MY WIF…”
NHTSA complaint #10807599, 2015 · crash

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE SLOW MOVING IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT. WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN AND ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER CAR HAD COLLIDED WITH OTHER (PARKED) CARS, AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKES. IT COLLIDED IN QUICK SUCCESSION WITH FOUR CARS UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED (CAR WAS TURNED OFF). LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED, THERE WERE DOZENS OF PEDESTRIANS RETURNING TO THEIR VEHICLES AFTER A CLASSIC CONCERT. I ASKED FOR AN INVESTIGATION BY THE CAR MAKER. INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED ON 6 JULY (CDR/EDR RECORD RECOVERED FROM SRS MODULE). IN SEPTEMBER I RECEIVED…”
NHTSA complaint #10779897, 2015 · crash

Visibility/Wiper 6

“2014 Toyota RAV4 perfectly good headlight bulb stops working on low beam selection, severely limiting visibility for night-time driving. Looks like everyone on the internet is having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11562386, 2023

“TOP OF WINDSHIELD IS COMPLETELY BLACK WHEN DRIVING IN THE DARK AT NIGHT. VISIBILITY IS SPECIFICALLY IMPAIRED WHEN TRAVELING DOWN A HILL IN THE DARK.”
NHTSA complaint #11132378, 2018

“WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING IN MY RAV 4, I HEARD AN INCREDIBLY LOUD BOOM THAT STARTLED ME. IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH SOMEONE HAD FIRED A GUN JUST OUTSIDE MY CAR. I THEN FELT SOME GLASS SHOWERING DOWN ON ME. I QUICKLY LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF SOMEONE HAD THROWN A ROCK THROUGH A WINDOW OR SHOT AT MY CAR, BUT ALL WINDOWS WERE INTACT. I THEN LOOKED UP AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED AND MOST OF THE GLASS WAS GONE. LOOKING IN FRONT OF MY CAR, THERE WEREN'T ANY TRUCKS FROM WHICH ROCKS MIGHT'VE FALLEN. AND LOOKING BEHIND ME, I HADN'T DRIVEN UNDER ANY BRIDGES FROM WHICH SOMETHING MIGHT'VE FALLE…”
NHTSA complaint #11114603, 2018

Equipment 3 1 injury

“THE SHADE POPPED OFF THE WINDOW AND SMACKED THE CONSUMERS CHILD IN THE FACE. IT SEEMS LIKE THE CORNERS WERE WAY TOO HEAVY FOR THIS PRODUCT TO BE CONSIDERED SAFE IN A CAR. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER HAD A SWOLLEN LIP AND HER LIP WAS BLEEDING. SHE LATER HAD BRUISING ON HER FACE AND HER LIP STAYED SWOLLEN FOR DAYS. *JB...*BF *CN”
NHTSA complaint #10944768, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the infotainment system started to reset independently. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and also stated that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11506385, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE NAVIGATION/INFORMATION SYSTEM SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE SCREEN TURNED A BLUE COLOR AND THE SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PREMIER TOYOTA, 47190 COOPER FOSTER PARK RD, AMHERST, OH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE INFORMATION/NAVIGATION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,194. *TT”
NHTSA complaint #11103034, 2018

Seats 3 2 crash 6 injury

“ON BUSINESS AND VACATION, COMING FROM LA TO ATLANTA...I WAS DRIVING SPEED LIMIT IN FAR LEFT LANE, ON INTERSTATE, IN LAGRANGE ,GA, A TRUCK COMING ONTO THE INTERSTATE MERGING FROM FAR RIGHT LOSS CONTROL BECAUSE SHE WAS SPEEDING AND THE ROADS WERE SLICK FROM A LIGHT RAIN, SHE FISHTAILED FROM THE FAR RIGHT , CROSSING THE RIGHT LANE AND COMING HEAD ON IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC , HITTING MY RENTAL VEHICLE..RAV 4. HIT US HEAD ON...THE AIRBAGS POPPED OUT EVERYWHERE, BLOCKING ESCAPE EXITS, WE THOUGHT THE TRUCK WOULD CATCH AFIRE, BECAUSE OF SMOKE SMELL, WE TRIED TO GET OUT, ALL DOORS ON THE LEFT…”
NHTSA complaint #10640943, 2014 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND WHO OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, A VEHICLE APPROACHING BEHIND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TO THE LEFT. THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED AND WAS DEFORMED DURING THE IMPACT. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD REST COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ASKED ABOUT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND CONFIRMED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJU…”
NHTSA complaint #11301354, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I have been experiencing a strange burning smell in my RAV4 for the past week but was unable to locate the source. No warning lights were active on the dash and the vehicle was functioning properly. Because I live in a colder climate I generally use the heated seat function daily, but would like to clarify that the use of my vehicle amounts to less than an hour a day with my combined morning and afternoon commute. Today I noted that there is a sizeable hole in my driver seat that is burned and melted from the heated seat function. I have not turned the heated seat function back on for fear of…”
NHTSA complaint #11450140, 2022

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND TURNED ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY, AND INSTANTANEOUS FOR A FEW SECONDS (LIKE IT WAS BLINKING) SUPER FAST. EVERYTHING WAS GOING ON AND OFF. AS I WAS PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER FROM THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY!!! I COULDN'T EVEN PUT MY HAZARDS ON. I WAS WAITING IN THE CAR FOR A TOW TRUCK AND MY HUSBAND, I WAS WITH MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AND FLAME AND WAS ON FIRE. WE JUMPED OUT AND YET WAS UP IN FLAMES!!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11066101, 2018 · fire

“AUDIO NOT WORKING REPEAT RELOADING . SOME HOW BACKUP CAMERA IS WORKING”
NHTSA complaint #11194319, 2019

Seat Belts 2 1 crash 1 injury

“CAR 1 CUT IN FRONT OF CAR 2, CAR 3 (OURS) STOPPED 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY, WHEN STARTED TO DRIVE PAST THE CRASH SUDDENLY CAR 4 SLAMMED INTO CAR 3 (OURS) AND PUSHED MY WIFE'S CAR INTO CAR 2 AND CAR 2 INTO CAR 1 AGAIN. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, SEAT BELT LOCKED AND EMS HAD TO GET MY WIFE OUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I95 HEADING SOUTH JUST PASSING EXIT 60 HYPOLUXO DR AT ABOUT 45MPH WHEN SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP. SHE WAS GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN SHE WAS HIT BY CAR 4....UPDATED 11/05/15 *BF *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10787567, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER COAD TOYOTA LOCATED AT 357 SIEMERS DR, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO 63701, (573) 335-2927, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11348617, 2020

Tires 2

“DUNLOP GRAND TREK TIRES ARE SEPERATING AT TREAD-DOT U2F5 3M5R3413”
NHTSA complaint #10983910, 2017

“NEW CAR DUNLOP TIRES HAVE SEVERE ROAD HAZARD. EVERY SMALL ROAD CONDITION MAGNIFIES INTO GREAT STEERING PROBLEM. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10587726, 2014

Visibility 2 1 injury

“I WAS DRIVING ON I-82 BETWEEN SELAH AND YAKIMA AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE WIND WAS BLOWING FAIRLY AGGRESSIVELY OUTSIDE THAT DAY AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ROUGHLY 70 - 75 DEGREES. WHILE DRIVING MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. NO ROCK HIT THE CAR AND I WAS NOT DRIVING UNDER AN UNDERPASS WHERE ANYONE COULD HAVE THROWN SOMETHING AT MY CAR. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A GUNSHOT. I SINCERELY THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT AT. GLASS FLEW EVERY WHERE. MY SUNROOF VISOR WAS OPEN SO THE SHARDS RAINED DOWN INTO MY CAR AND ALL OVER ME. I HAD GLASS DOWN MY NECK, IN MY HAIR, AND EVEN FOUND A PIECE ON MY E…”
NHTSA complaint #10861920, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED AND EXPLODED. GLASS PIECES SHATTERED BETWEEN THE HEAD LINER AND THE METAL ROOFING. THE SOFT COVER WAS CLOSED AND PREVENTED GLASS FROM ENTERING THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURING THE CONTACT. THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF BOERNE, 31205 FRONTAGE RD, BOERNE, TX 78006, (888) 311-6058) REPLACED THE PART AND CLEANED THE INTERIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11080943, 2018

Wheels 2

“I JUST GOT A LEASED A BRAND NEW RAV4-2014 ON JULY 1, 2014. I REPORTED TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: ON 7/6/14, I CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORTED. I WAS TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL FRIDAY, WHILE THEY ORDERED THE PART. HOWEVER, ANOTHER ISSUES I REPORTED: A( ON 7/1/14 WHILE DRIVING TOWARDS MY HOME THE LEFT FRONT HUBCAP, CAME OFF. IS DEFECTIVE. B) REAR HUBCAP, PASSENGER SIDE, WITH DAMAGE, ANYTIME IS GOING TO COME OFF WHILE DRIVING, MAY HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER CAR. C) REAR BACK BODY OF THE CAR, A PLASTIC PIECE IS PEELING BACK, MAY COME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER VEH…”
NHTSA complaint #10614831, 2014

“NEW CAR DUNLOP TIRES HAVE SEVERE ROAD HAZARD. EVERY SMALL ROAD CONDITION MAGNIFIES INTO GREAT STEERING PROBLEM. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10587726, 2014

Back Over Prevention 1

“WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND PUT INTO REVERSE THE BACKUP CAMERA IS DIM AND UNVIEWABLE FOR 15 SEC. BACKING UP DURING THIS PERIOD IS OBVIOUSLY HAZARDOUS AND IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT BECOMES VISIBLE. THIS IS RELATED TO THE WHOLE DISPLAY CONSOLE AS THE RADIO, NAV SYSTEM, AND BU CAMERA ALL COME ON AFTER 15 SEC. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON MY WIFE'S 2007 PRIUS ALTHOUGH OCCASIONALLY IT DOES NOT SWITCH TO THE BU CAMERA AT ALL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10587235, 2014

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ON AND OFF BUTTON TO THE BLUETOOTH THAT WAS STANDARD WITH THE VEHICLE SHOULD SHUT ON AND OFF BY USING THE POWER BUTTON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT TURN THE BLUETOOTH OFF WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT'S HEART ALSO BEGAN TO FUNCTION ABNORMALLY AND SHE BECAME EXTREMELY WEAK, NEARLY COLLAPSING AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE INABILITY TO TURN THE BLUETOOTH OFF AND ON IN ORDER TO PREVENT IT FROM INTERFERING WITH HER PACEMAKER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE…”
NHTSA complaint #10610930, 2014 · 1 injury(ies)

Suspension 1

“The engine make noise and it leaks under the car inside the car by your passenger side”
NHTSA complaint #11482714, 2022

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2014 Toyota RAV4 draws about 15.1 complaints per year on the road, ranking 14 of 14 among the Toyota RAV4 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

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