Vehicle fire

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (15 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the this problem covers the 2015 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 40,000 and 87,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“On Friday February 27, 2026 as the vehicle was being driven it caught fire. Fire department and sheriffs office was called to the scene. Vehicle fire was put out but the whole front end burned.”

Filed Mar 2, 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

“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

“Front collision in 55 miles per hour freeway after slamming on the brakes and hitting car in front with minimum damage to them, RAV4 started immediately to smell like something but burning and black smoke started on front left, after few moments car was on flames. The car burnt in it's totality.”

Filed Oct 20, 2023

Other problems on this car

• Engine stalls or loses power while driving 33 reports
• Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports
• Battery dies or the car will not start 25 reports