Diagsheet

Fourth generation (XA40)

2015 Toyota RAV4

  • 302owner complaints
  • 4recalls
  • 37involved a crash
  • 38,700median miles at failure

Newest report Aug 19, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

miles

2015 Toyota RAV4
Photo: MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

When each problem shows up

Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: vehicle fire, 40 complaints.

0k25k50k75k100k125k150kyou
Airbag warning light or recall15 reports
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails18 reports
Vehicle fire40 reports
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy18 reports

middle half of reports, median tick. Darker bars have 75 or more reports.

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        How this compares

        2015 Toyota RAV4302
        Median 2015 model here (27 vehicles)606
        Median 2015 SUV here (15)606

        302 complaints is 2.0 times fewer than the median 2015 model on this site and 2.0 times fewer than the median 2015 SUV. Among the 12 RAV4 model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.

        Complaints filed by year

        3715
        2216
        2617
        1418
        2219
        2320
        3121
        3522
        3423
        3024
        2125
        726

        37 complaints came in 2015. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.

        NHTSA investigations

        PE21-005opened Feb 25, 2021
        Electrical · model years 2013 to 2018

        Battery hold down bracket thermal events. Closed aug 12, 2024, led to recall 23V-734.

        NHTSA summary
        The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 involved the originally supplied 12V battery. The reported fires took place in vehicles known to contain aftermarket batteries or whose age exceeded the expected life of the original equipment battery. ODI identified battery dimensioning as it relates to the battery retention system (hold down bracket, radiator support bolt, J-hook, and battery tray) as the main factor set in the contact between the battery hold down bracket contacting the positive terminal of the 12V battery. The subject vehicles carried over the same battery tray and retention system from the prior generation (MY2006 – MY2012) of RAV4 vehicles. However, the subject vehicles were equipped with a dimensionally smaller battery (Group 35) than the prior generation (Group 24F). The smaller- length measurement in the Group 35 battery size in a battery tray originally designed to fit a Group 24F battery contributed to increased potential for battery movement which was exacerbated by the diversity in aftermarket battery con

        Recalls that include the 2015 Toyota RAV4

        Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

        23V-734Nov 1, 2023
        Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery

        Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
        Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
        15V-144Mar 13, 2015
        Steering:Electric Power Assist System

        Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
        Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
        15V-011Jan 16, 2015
        Trailer Hitches

        Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
        Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
        14V-828Dec 30, 2014
        Equipment

        Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.

        Risk and remedy
        Risk: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
        Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.

        Other model years