2015 Toyota RAV4 · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 26owner reports
- 68,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
86 of the 303 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 26 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Dead battery on other RAV4 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (25 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the electrical system covers the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2015 Toyota RAV4, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the RAV4
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Battery hold down bracket thermal events. Closed aug 12, 2024, led to recall 23V-734.
Power window master switch fire. Closed feb 12, 2013, led to recall 12V-491.
Power window master switch fire. Closed jun 14, 2012.
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration. Closed mar 1, 2011, led to recall 11V-112.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 55,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 that deal with this problem. 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.
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 ...
What owners wrote
“When we bought the SUV, it had a small top battery installed. The battery slid over and caused my alternator to go out completely. I must have caught fire, as there were burnt wires to the alternator. We replaced the alternator, and it was over $295 dollars and then had to get a new battery, and that was over $150 dollars. I installed it myself because I am a mechanic.”
Filed Dec 9, 2025
“My vehicle's electrical components short-circuited, steering became difficult to control and the vehicle caught on fire under the hood near the battery compartment.”
Filed Dec 21, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Vehicle fire 40 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 33 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports