Fourth generation (XA40)
2015 Toyota RAV4
The most reported problem on the 2015 Toyota RAV4 is fire, with 40 complaints, usually around 60,000 miles.
- 303owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 37involved a crash
- 40,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your RAV4 doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2015 model year.
Is the 2015 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
The 2015 Toyota RAV4 has 303 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 314 for 2015 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 RAV4 model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Fire has 40 complaints and stalling has 33, out of 303 in all. A quarter of the 18 owners who gave a mileage for fire saw it by about 40,000 miles, and half by about 60,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 80 of the 303 complaints (26%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 37 reports mention a crash, 41 mention a fire and 30 people were hurt. The reports record 1 death. The most crash reports, 13 of 37, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Dead battery has a recall on the same system (23V-734). Stalling and brake wear have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2015 at 37 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 21. So far in 2026, 8 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
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.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
303 complaints is about the median for a 2015 model on this site and about the median for a 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.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Toyota RAV4
Toyota filed 313 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Toyota RAV4. 45 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 5 bulletins · 31 complaints
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
REVISION NOTICE September 26, 2019 Rev1: ? The Warranty Information, Parts Information, and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded.
3 more on this problem
Some 2009 ? 2018 model year RAV4 and 2017 ? 2018 model year iM vehicles may exhibit a grind/groan noise from the front brake pads. An updated pad kit is now available as a service part. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
Some 2012 - 2016 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a squeak noise which is heard coming from the front brakes with light to moderate braking. To address this squeak noise condition, use the following Repair Procedure.
Some 2013 - 2015 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a grinding noise condition which is heard coming from the rear wheels while driving the vehicle at low speed and applying the brakes.
Battery dies or the car will not start 2 bulletins · 26 complaints
CONSUMER ADVISORY 21TG01 12-VOLT BATTERY SIZE/INSTALLATION CONDITION DISCLOSURE FORM
While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life. Batteries can become discharged due to an extended storage period, temperature, parasitic drain, or while demonstrating vehicle features and ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 14 bulletins · 19 complaints
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle.
TT: Some customers may experience poor outgoing Bluetooth sound quality, this can occur for various reasons. Current multimedia systems are designed with the ability to adjust Bluetooth sound quality to compensate for echo or excessive background noise.
12 more on this problem
TT: Some customers may experience a call failure when attempting to call a conference call number that has been saved in their phonebook (ex: ?8005550122,,,1.,2;;;2#?).
TT: Some customers may experience greyed out buttons or inactive screens (lockouts) while driving. This is to promote safe driving practices and reduce the amount of distractions while driving.
TT: Some customers may experience Bluetooth disconnections or loss of SMS text message functionality on the navigation/audio system with Android phones running OS 4.4 or later.
TT: Some customers may experience Bluetooth connection issues after updating the Android Operating System to 5.x.x (Lollipop) or later.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty pairing the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth failure to connect when first turning on the vehicle.
TT: SOME 2014 AND 2015MY RAV4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A B15E6 DTC IN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THIS DTC PERTAINS TO A SYSTEM THAT IS NOT EQUIPPED TO US MARKET VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE IGNORED.
TT: SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT BLUETOOTH DISCONNECTIONS IF THEY TURN OFF BLUETOOTH AUDIO IN THE BLUETOOTH CONNECTION MENU ON AN ANDROID PHONE
TT: Customers may experience connectivity issues when the following conditions are met: The customer's iPhone is operating on iOS9 firmware. The customer's iPhone is connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.
TT: Some customers may encounter various Bluetooth connectivity concerns after upgrading to iOS 8.0 and later. Conditions typically experienced include inability to pair the iPhone to the system, poor sound quality during phone calls placed through the ...
TT: Customers complain of various Bluetooth connectivity concerns after upgrading to iOS 8.0 and later. Conditions typically experienced include inability to pair the iPhone to the system, poor sound quality during phone calls placed through the ...
Plus 2 older ones not listed here.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 15 complaints
Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 8 bulletins · 8 complaints
Some 2013 ? 2015 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a brief shudder intermittently while driving under light loads between approximately 25 and 50 mph.
Warranty Enhancement Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
6 more on this problem
Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
Dealer Letter: December 13, 2017. Description of the covered transmissions has been corrected. In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
Dealer Email: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related to U760E Torque Converter Shudder.
Dealer Letter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
Region Email: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related to U760E Torque Converter Shudder.
Region Letter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
Seat belt or seat problems 2 bulletins · 6 complaints
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Paint peels or body rusts 13 bulletins · 6 complaints
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover.
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere.
11 more on this problem
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds.
DL: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors.
Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually under wrinkles in the Rapgard?.
Region Letter: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors.
Dealer Email: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors.
Dealer Package: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors.
Some 2008 ? 2019 model year Toyota vehicles painted with either 070 Blizzard Pearl or 040 Super White may exhibit peeling paint on one or more metal body panels.
Region Email: Toyota has received reports of paint peeling on certain vehicles with the original factory-applied Blizzard Pearl or Super White paint colors.
Some 2013 ? 2017 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit corrosion around the rear hatch hinges. The corrosion may be present in varying degrees, ranging from paint blisters to red surface rust with perforation.
REVISION NOTICE March 07, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2017 model year Toyota vehicles. On some vehicles, when Rapgard? is removed the paint may have a stained appearance.
Plus 1 older ones not listed here.
Complaints filed by year
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
Battery hold down bracket thermal events. Closed aug 12, 2024, led to recall 23V-734.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2015 Toyota RAV4
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2015 Toyota RAV4, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Toyota RAV4?
Fire, with 40 of the 303 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 60,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Toyota RAV4 problems start?
Of the 168 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 14,000 miles and half by about 40,000.
How many 2015 Toyota RAV4 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
80 of them (26%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.