2015 Toyota RAV4 · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 33owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 25, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
142 of the 302 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 33 of those describe stalling. Only fire is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 33 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (13 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.
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.
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the RAV4
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
NHTSA summary
Battery hold down bracket thermal events. Closed aug 12, 2024, led to recall 23V-734.
NHTSA summary
Power window master switch fire. Closed feb 12, 2013, led to recall 12V-491.
NHTSA summary
Power window master switch fire. Closed jun 14, 2012.
NHTSA summary
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration. Closed mar 1, 2011, led to recall 11V-112.
NHTSA summary
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 9,000 and 87,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The oil filter housing is made of plastic and can crack when removing and installing and if not alert after an oil change, the engine can blow if oil drains out under pressure.”
Filed Jan 8, 2026
“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
“I drove all day for work without issues and when I made a right into my neighborhood, I lost power and power steering. I pulled over and parked my car. I noticed smoke coming from it and popped the hood. The wired connecting to the battery caught fire. It seems the battery could have shifted and grounded itself.”
Filed Aug 10, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 33 reports involved a crash. 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.
Other problems on this car
- Vehicle fire 40 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 25 reports