Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2023)

238 consumer complaints on file.

#11706225December 20, 2025
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
My wife was going at about 10 - 15 mph coming up about 2 car lengths to a small curve in a residential area when all of a sudden she heard a pop or snap and the Rav4 went to a super high speed by itself. The acceleration could not be stopped even though she had her feet on the brakes. She had both hands on the steering wheel to avoid hitting a house and ended up going through a wall in the yard. There were no warning sounds and no signals indicating a problem. it appeared that the display was blank. There was no pre-collision warning or braking except as my wife was pushing on the brakes. She also hit the right side into side wall. No air bags deployed even though Windshield and all door glass on sides shattered. My wife the driver was okay and not hurt, and the grandchild in the car seat behind my wife was fine also. Neither had injuries. There were checked by emt. The police looked but all would not try to get in except to remove my granddaughter. My wife was removed also because she could not get out the door was jammed against shed and rock, and handles broken off This happened after the recall work was done by toyota dealer on 12/04/2025. There were no problems prior to the recall. I've listed the recall below. 25TD01 Rear Traction Motor Cable Corrosion - Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Hybrid (AWD) Vehicles NHTSA Recall ID AWAITING# Recall Date Dealer Reference ID 25TD01 Description The subject vehicles are equipped with a rear motor unit and an HV Floor Under Wire that provide high voltage to operate the motor. Mud, water, or road salt could potentially enter the HV Floor Underwire connector housing and could cause corrosion over time. Excessive corrosion could cause AM Radio Static during certain driving cycles, or the vehicle may not start. Status Remedy Available Remedy Any authorized Toyota dealer will apply a wire harness protector seal to the HV Floor Under Wire Connector. Toyota corporate engagement is looking into this.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705782December 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle: 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid Component/System: Digital instrument cluster / dashboard display Description of the problem: The digital instrument cluster intermittently and unpredictably goes completely blank while the vehicle is being driven. When this occurs, all dashboard information is lost, including vehicle speed, fuel and battery level, warning indicators, cruise control status, and tire pressure information. The screen remains entirely black and provides no information to the driver. Safety risk: This failure makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. The driver cannot see speed or critical warning information, and multiple safety features become functionally disabled due to the lack of display feedback. The screen has gone black while driving, which significantly increases the risk of an accident and poses a serious safety hazard to the driver, passengers, and others on the road. Timeline and progression: The issue first occurred in October 2024. Initially, it happened infrequently (about once per month) but has progressively worsened and now occurs nearly every other drive. Restarting the vehicle does not reliably restore the display. Cold weather may be a contributing factor, but the failure also occurs under normal conditions. Reproduction and inspection: The problem has occurred repeatedly and with multiple drivers. The vehicle has been taken to a Toyota dealership twice for this issue. No repair was performed, and the concern was dismissed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Warnings or alerts: There are no warning lights, messages, or alerts prior to the failure. The display turns completely black without warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705974December 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Instrument panel is blank on start up. Unable to see speed, fuel state or any other information normally displayed. No associated warning messages. Car has been at dealers for over 30 days for repair. No remedy identified.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705335December 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Multimeter display (with speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights) does not come on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704346December 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable and intermittently turned on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure had recurred and that the instrument panel failed to operate. The dealer was contacted again and informed the contact that the vehicle was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V595000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704375December 10, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While entering my garage (video available)The 2023 Hybrid Rav 4 accelerated on its own when I was braking to put it into reverse to back up to realign to park in my space. I was hitting the brake and the brake lights were on the dashboard while the car keep accelerating hitting the garage wall.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702465December 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The digital instrument panel in front of the driver is blank and will not turn on. This happens intermittently at start up for up to an hour after starting the car. This causes the driver to not see alerts/warnings, current speed, tire pressure, gas gauge levels, etc. When contacting two Toyota dealerships and Toyota corporate, I was told that there is no remedy and that I essentially cannot do anything until they find a remedy. Toyota has left me with an undrivable car with no solution to the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701720November 26, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased my 2023 Toyota RAV4 new back on March 13,2023. 10 days later on March 23 it was raining as I pulled into BJ’s parking lot, I parked and began fumbling around getting my bag and keys together when my car started shaking and sputtering eventually shutting down with an error message engine stopped steering power low. After a call to the salesman I was able to get my car restarted after 15minutes and many failed attempts. Car was bought back to service the following week and I was told car was not properly programmed at delivery, it was now programmed correctly and this should not happen again. April 17,2023 my son pulling into Tractor supply , raining out, pulls into spot and car again shakes, sputters and shuts off, same message engine stopped steering power low. After many attempts car restarts approximately 20 minutes later. Car serviced codes ARE FOUND and cleared, road tested and told car was ok. May 31,2025 I was driving down Rt 80, pouring rain when traffic comes to a complete stop due to accident ahead. Car starts shaking, sputtering and shuts down. Same message code as always. I turned the car completely off as not to kill battery and started to goggle the RAV4. I attempted to restart the car numerous times. Called for a tow, prayed that I didn’t get killed once traffic started to move. Finally 1-1/2 hours later it started. Traffic began moving 15 minutes after I got it started. Took in for service, charged $199.61 only to be told there were no codes. Problem could not be duplicated and in the future to always disable the start/stop button while using the vehicle. October30, 2025 raining, I stopped at Panera drive thru. Placed an order waiting in line and car shuts down, same error code, couldn’t restart car for 20 minutes. Took to Toyota November 5th same response no codes and cannot replicate issue, car is ok. Please help rectify this before someone gets killed!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700928November 22, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Vehicle shows multiple safety systems malfunction and display warning messages. The vehicle displays repeated alerts including LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) Malfunction, Pre-Collision System Malfunction, RSA (Road Sign Assist) Malfunction, and Headlight System Malfunction. These warnings occur while the vehicle is in motion or parking and cause the safety features to shut off unexpectedly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699895November 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:BLINDSPOT:SENSORS
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side blind spot warning system located on the exterior side mirror failed to function as intended. The light flashed on the side mirror; however, the beeping sound was inaudible. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred the same month the vehicle was purchased. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699395November 14, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We discovered severe mold contamination and water intrusion in our 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. My wife, our [XXX] child, and I have been experiencing dizziness and nausea for months whenever we were inside the vehicle, but we did not know the cause until the dealer (DLL) showed us extensive mold throughout the cabin and standing water trapped inside the vehicle. The dealer confirmed that this was not normal wear and tear. The mold has spread into the floors, interior panels, and even the steering components. This is a serious health hazard. After doing research, we found many other RAV4 Hybrid owners reporting similar water leaks and mold growth issues. This raises the concern of a potential design or sealing defect in this model. This vehicle is unsafe to drive, especially with a young child. We are requesting a full safety investigation into the water intrusion, sealing integrity, and air quality risks associated with this model. Symptoms: • Dizziness • Nausea • Headache • Strong mold smell • Corrosion of interior components This is a serious safety and health issue, and we are asking NHTSA to investigate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11698668November 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Display screen goes blank it has happened numerous times and dealer refuses to repair. Without the display I am unable to see the speed Or any other dashboard guages.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698048November 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving or idling, the pre-collusion, RSA malfunction, Headlight system malfunction, and LTA system malfunction will go off as well as my navigation on my screen. Its been going on and off for 7 months now. It works, then it doesn't. I don't want to take it in because I know they're famous for making me pay high dollar fees for anything and everything. Toyota is horrible for their services and just want the money. I never had any issues with my car until I got a nail in my tire that was an easy fix (that they also wanted to keep my car overnight for a patch).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696044October 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Faulty instrument panel keeps going on and off. It will reset itself and then do it again like it’s trying to fix itself. But then we’ll go on and off again it’s been doing it for about six months now we’ve been putting off by telling someone because we thought it might straighten up and when we keep looking up recalls, it says there’s no recall on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695950October 27, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle: 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Issue: Persistent brake noise, safety hazard, manufacturer negligence I leased a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid from Clermont Toyota (Florida). Well before reaching 5,000 miles, the brakes began squealing and grinding, posing a potential safety hazard. Multiple service visits failed to correct the issue. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and its distributor, Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC, have long been aware of this defect, as documented in Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0001-22 and numerous NHTSA consumer reports describing similar brake failures and noises in 2019–2023 RAV4 models. Despite repeated notice, Toyota refused to repair or replace the defective vehicle and denied my Lemon Law claim through an arbitration panel connected to manufacturer counsel. This unresolved brake defect creates danger to the driver, passengers, and others on the road. Toyota’s continued sale and lease of vehicles with known braking issues constitute a serious public safety concern. I request that NHTSA investigate Toyota’s knowledge of these defects, evaluate the adequacy of its response, and consider a recall to protect consumers nationwide. Contact: [XXX] – [XXX] – [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694907October 22, 2025
AIR BAGS
I was in a very bad accident on [XXX]. I was side swiped from the front passenger side of the car. I was not at fault of the accident. My car then hit a fire hydrant and a pole. The airbags did not deploy and my head hit the steering wheel I own a 2023 RAV4 XLe premium. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11693810October 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When driving, I occasionally hear a sloshing sound. After inspecting the vehicle, I realized it was coming from the rear passenger door of the RAV4. After putting down large bowls to catch the water, I pulled up on the rubber weather strip at the bottom of the rear passenger door and water gushed out. I collected over 13 cups of water out of the door. This is not an isolated incident, as it has happened before. At first I thought it was debris/a fluke that caused this water to accumulate, but after reading forums, there are multiple people out there running into the same issue. It's only ever been the rear passenger door too; none of the other doors are holding water.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692451October 9, 2025
TIRES
The passenger rear tire experienced a catastrophic tread separation failure on the highway at speed limit speed. Since this was on the freeway, loss of control could have been experienced and caused a severe incident injury to drivers in the vicinity of the incident. The problem just happened and will be inspected by an authorized dealer. There were no warnings until the tire of the incident. These tires have been rotated according to schedule and have less than 21,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691713October 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle rolled backwards while the gear shifter was in drive(D). A dealer or independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle responded properly because the gear shifter was not in park(P). The approximate failure mileage was 24,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689227September 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the infotainment system was displaying a blank screen, and the contact heard an abnormal sound. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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