NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota RAV4. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
THE RAV4 WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A DEALER. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FELT EXCESSIVE, AS IF THERE WAS TOO MUCH AIR IN THE SYSTEM. WITH A MODERATE BRAKE APPLICATION, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE PEDAL WAS ALMOST TO THE END OF ITS STROKE. I MEASURED THE PEDAL TRAVEL STATICALLY IN MY GARAGE = WITH 25 POUNDS EFFORT, THE TRAVEL WAS 2.5 INCHES. BUT WITH 100 POUNDS EFFORT, THE PEDAL WAS ABOUT 1/2" FROM THE FLOOR, MEANING THAT IN THE ADVENT OF A FAILED BRAKE CIRCUIT, THERE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH PEDAL TRAVEL TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE PEDAL EFFORT V. TRAVEL FELT LINEAR, AND NOT ASYMPTOTIC AS ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM A BRAKE PEDAL. I TOOK THE RAV4 TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. THEY REPORTED THAT THEY FOUND NO ISSUES AND NO SERVICE WAS DONE. AFTER THE VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE BRAKE PEDAL FEEL WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. THE PEDAL TRAVEL AT 25 POUNDS EFFORT WAS NOW 1.5", WHICH FELT NORMAL. ALSO, THE PEDAL FEEL WAS NOW ASYMPTOTIC AND PLENTY OF TRAVEL WAS LEFT AVAILABLE TO ALLOW FOR A SAFE STOP WITH A FAILED CIRCUIT. SINCE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CHANGED ON THE VEHICLE DURING ITS VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT LEAVES OPEN THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF THE RAV4 BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE BRAND NEW STATE IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE. ON A SEPARATE ISSUE, WHILE MEASURING THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IN MY GARAGE I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD DEPLETE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BRAKE APPLICATION IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS MODULATED SLIGHTLY (FOR EXAMPLE, PULSED UP AND DOWN SLIGHTLY WITHOUT FULLY RETRACTING IT). I CONSIDER THIS UNSAFE AS WELL BECAUSE IF AN UNUSUAL EVENT OCCURRED, SUCH AS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, THEN THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD QUICKLY DEPLETE LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT BRAKE ASSIST AND UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, UNLESS HE/SHE HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO FULLY RETRACT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLY IT FIRMLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A BEAR. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT DEFLATE AFTER DEPLOYMENT, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO IMMEDIATELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 42 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A LARGE ANIMAL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BODY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS LATER INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER THIRTY DAYS LATER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE DURING A TURN. IT FOR A MOMENT WILL LOOSE POWER AND THEN HAVE A BURST OF ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STARTED AND TURNED BUT IT MAY ALSO HAVE HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN LATELY AND MAKES TURNING DANGEROUS IF THERE IS A VEHICLE APPROACHING ACROSS THE CURVE OF THEE TERM. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 RAV4. I ASKED THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF THEN COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD NO. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. *TR
BRAKES SCRAPE LOUDLY WHILE BACKING AND ON TURNS. TOOK INTO DEALER,REAR PADS GLAZED ,ROTORS UNEVEN DEALER SANDED AND DEGLAZED REAR PADS,APPLY FINISH CUT/MACHINE TO REAR ROTORS NOW AT0.455IN NEW ROTORS0.472 NOT A GOOD SIGN AT 5343 MILES. *TR
APPROACHING STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION , TOWARDS ONCOMING INTERSECTION , WITH CROSS TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STILL LUNGED AND VIBRATED FURTHER, ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE BY TURNING THE IGNITION OFF! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED READING WAS INACCURATE WHEN COMPARED TO THE SPEED DISPLAYED ON THE GPS SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INDICATING A HIGHER SPEED THEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY TRAVELING BUT THE SPEED WAS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127.
THE NAVIGATION SCREEN IS TOTALLY UNUSEABLE IN DAYLIGHT. SCREEN IS FLAT AND EXPOSED TO SUN. DRIVER HAS TO LEAN WAY OVER AND HOLD RIGHT HAND OVER THE SCREEN TO GET ANY VISIBILITY AT ALL. EVEN THEN IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO SEE, NOT TO MENTION THE DANGER OF LEANING OVER, USING THE RIGHT HAND TO SCREEN, AND STARING AT THE SCREEN RATHER THAN THE ROAD. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE DESIGN. TOYOTA WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. $1500 MISTAKE FOR ANYONE WHO PURCHASED THIS ADD-ON. *TR
THE TOYOTA WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH NORTH BOUND AND A MERCEDES MADE A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF THE TOYOTA. THE TOYOTA T-BONE THE MERCEDES AT 35 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS ON THE TOYOTA DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN THE TOYOTA SUFFERED SEVERAL INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, HANDS, LEG AND FEET AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. THE TOYOTA WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE CARRIER. *TR
ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WIRING IS EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS. THIS IS A CRUCIAL PART AND IN CLIMATES WHERE SALT IS USED, LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FAILED STABILITY CONTROL OR ENGINE PROBLEMS COULD RESULT. SEE PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AT HTTP://WWW.YOBYOT.COM/CARS/WHY-TOYOTA-IS-LOSING-ITS-REPUTATION-FOR-QUALITY-AND-RELIABILITY/2013/11/10/ . *TR
2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DASHBOARD SPEEDOMETER DESIGN FLAW. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD SPEEDOMETER WAS SET BACK INTO A TUNNEL THAT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS, THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO TURN ON THE NIGHT DRIVING LIGHT IN ORDER TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER.
THE 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS NO DASH LIGHTS AROUND THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE DAYTIME. THE SPEEDOMETER SITS BACK IN THE DASH AND YOU CAN NOT SEE YOUR SPEED AT A GLANCE. THEREFORE YOU CAN FIND YOURSELF GOING FASTER THAN THE SAFE SPEED LIMIT. AT NIGHT IT LIGHTS UP AND IS FINE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
I LEASED 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, AROUND 2900 MILES THE WARNING AND INDICATING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS "SOME ONE HIT ABS SENSOR AND CUT HARNESS ..." SINCE THE SENSORS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, IT WILL COST ME $600 IN REPAIRS. THE FAILED SENSORS ARE USED FOR VEHICLE SAFETY AND TRACTION CONTROL . I THINK THAT THE CABLE HARNESS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO BE BETTER PROTECTED FROM ROAD HAZARDS AND THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR TOYOTA DESIGN FLAWS. PLEAD FIND ATTACHED SOME SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. THANK YOU,
VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. NO POWER AND THEN A SURGE CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK. HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE ECM IS DEFECTIVE AND TOYOTA WAS FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS AFTER CLASS ACTION SUIT SEE RAV4ECMSETTLEMENT.COM, ALTHOUGH THIS RESULTED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY RATHER THAN A RECALL. MY CAR IS 4 MONTHS PASSED THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY ALTHOUGH IT HAS LOW MILEAGE. THE FAULTY ECM CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR SITUATION FOR THOUSANDS OF OWNERS. TOYOTA DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
THERE IS HUGE SUN REFLECTION ON NAVIGATION SYSTEM & YOU HAVE VERY POOR VISION ON NAVIGATION. TIME TO TIME YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR HEAD POSITION TO FIND RIGHT ANGLE TO READ NAVIGATION DISPLAY. THIS WILL DANGER THE LIFE OF DRIVER TREMENDOUSLY. *TR
AT ANY SPEED IN ANY WEATHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE...THIS NEEDS ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IS A PAID FOR UPGRADE AND DUE TO PEOPLE WORKING TO SEE THE SYSTEM ACCIDENTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. *TR
TELL ME WHO TO TALK TO ABOUT HOW YOU DECIDE SAFETY FEATURES FOR THE NEWLY IMPROVED ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS IN CARS. OR FORWARD THIS TO THEM. FIRST OF "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR". HAVE YOU DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY LATELY? DID YOU NOT NOTICE HOW EACH AND EVERY CAR GETS IN FRONT OF A SEMI W ONLY 3' DISTANCE? THAT MIRROR THING NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED BECAUSE NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION. I DON'T SEE ANY CARS IN MY BLIND SPOT. THEN THERE IS THAT NEW THING ABOUT PUTTING THE DIALING PAD ON MY NEW PANEL? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND MY DIALING ON MY PHONE. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. NOW, SOME CARS HAVE AUTO ANSWER WITH A BUTTON, OTHERS DON'T. MINE HAS THE ANSWER WHICH SHOULD BE PAINTED GREEN BUT IT'S NOT, BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE THE "CALL BUTTON" VOICE ACTIVATED. ONLY UPGRADED VEHICLES DO. SO, I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND FORGET WHAT EXIT OR WHAT CITY I'M SUPPOSED TO GET OFF ON. IT'S RUSH HOUR AND THE TRAFFIC IS MOVING SLOWLY. I HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE CURB AND CALL?. THEN I HAVE TO MERGE ONTO THAT CRAZY TRAFFIC. REALLY? WHO ACTUALLY DOES IT. AND YOU ASK WHY THERE ARE SO MANY ACCIDENTS? THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY FEATURE ON ALL CARS FROM NOW ON FOR AN ACTUAL HANDS OFF EXPERIENCE. BLUETOOTH IS THE BEST NEW INVENTION FOR DRIVING, BUT WE NEED TO UTILIZE IT TO IT'S BEST. NEXT: MY CAR HAS A METALLIC DECORATING RIM ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS ALMOST BLINDED BY THE SUN THE OTHER DAY. I HAD THAT AND THE WINDOW OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SHINING ON MY FACE. I COULD BARELY FIND A SAFE SPOT FOR ME TO SEE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE CERTAIN THINGS MANDATORY STANDARD FEATURES (NO METAL RIMS ON DASHBOARD.). YOU WANT SAFETY? LEND ME EACH NEW CAR AND I BET YOU I WILL FIND STUFF WRONG WITH IT WITHIN THE MONTH. THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT. *TR
I HAVE BRAND NEW 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT ANY KIND OF INDICATION OR WARNING. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABOUT TO HIT MY VEHICLE. SOME HOW, HE COULD MANAGE TO DIVERT THE VEHICLE. AFTER THAT ENGINE STARTS, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE ANY FURTHER. I HAD STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD, BLOCKING THE TRAFFIC. FINALLY I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE FROM THAT PLACE TO SERVICE CENTER. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED IN THE CITY LIMITS. IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM SURE, I MIGHT NOT BE LIVING ANYMORE. I CHECKED WITH TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID IT IS AN AXLE FAILURE. I AM SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT, HOW COME A BRAND NEW CAR (4 MONTHS OLD) COULD HAVE MECHANICAL FAILURE WITHOUT ANYKIND OF WARNING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD SUDDENLY STOPS. I COULD NOT EVEN PULL OUT THE CAR FROM THE ROAD. *TR
2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE DISPLAY PANEL BACK LIGHT ONLY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. EVEN IF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON DURING THE DAY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ONLY MARGINALLY ILLUMINATED AND THE BRIGHTNESS CONTROL THUMBWHEEL HAD VERY LITTLE EFFECT.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WAS PULLING INTO PARK AT WORK WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE (FORTUNATELY) AND THE RAV4 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *TR
THIS VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY BRAKE, IT MAKES A SOUND EVERY TIME YOU SQUEEZE THE RELEASE THE BRAKE. MOREOVER THE BRAKES DOES NOT GRIP AS TIGHT AS EXPECTED FROM A BRAND NEW CAR. *TR
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, UNDER ANY CONDITION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SCREEN, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOK, RATHER THAN GLANCE, AT THE SCREEN TO DETERMINE DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS, ROAD HAZARDS, WARNINGS, ETC. THE GLARE IS ALMOST BLINDING AT TIMES. *TR
ON LOCAL ROAD, ACCELERATING FROM STOP. VEHICLE SUDDENLY "SHUT-OFF" GOING INTO NEUTRAL AND UNABLE TO PUT BACK INTO DRIVE. STEERING WENT "LIMP". VEHICLE DRIFTED RIGHT, POWER STEERING WAS EFFECTED, STEERING DIFFICULT. VEHICLE COASTED INTO PARKING LOT TO THE RIGHT, FORTUNATELY NO VEHICLES HAPPENED TO BE PASSING ON THE RIGHT AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT, THEREFORE NO ACCIDENTS. BUT THERE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN ONE. ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING VEHICLE RESULTED IN "TAKE EV TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP" MESSAGE AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ON DASH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ORIGINATING DEALERSHIP WHICH IT CONTINUES TO BE DIAGNOSED AND UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 9/3/2013 < 6 DAYS PRIOR. *TR
THE CENTER CONSOLE SLIDES BACK AND FORTH. WHILE DRIVING, IF YOU HAVE YOUR ARM ON IT, IT WILL SLIDE. THE LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN A PASSENGER IS USING THE CENTER CONSOLE AS AN ARM REST AS WELL, IF YOU ARE REVERSING, AND/OR YOU ARE ADJUSTING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY WITH YOUR ARM ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. *TR
WHEN VIEWING MY 2013 RAV4 FROM THE REAR, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR SEEMS TILTED TO THE LEFT, IN OTHER WORDS THE RAV4 SITS HIGHER ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAN THE LEFT. I MEASURED FROM THE TOP OF EACH WHEEL WELL TO THE GROUND AND FOUNDS AN ALMOST 1" DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE LEFT ON BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE RAV4. THE MEASUREMENT WAS REPEATED ON 3 DIFFERENT LEVEL SURFACES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE RAV4 WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY AGREED. THEY WROTE ON THE SERVICE INVOICE THAT THIS CONDITION IS "AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME. ALSO COMPARED TO OTHER LIKE VEHICLES AND FOUND SAME." THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO STATED THAT THEY FOUND DIFFERENCES FROM 0" TO 3/4" ON OTHER RAV4'S AND THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS CONDITION MIGHT AFFECT THE HANDLING OF THIS VEHICLE OR RESULT IN UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. *TR
THE INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE) OF THE CAR DO NOT LIGHT UP IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING UNDER UNDERPASSES OR IN THE SHADOW OF TREES, ETC., SINCE ONE UNEXPECTEDLY CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR TACHOMETER UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. *TR
I HAVE BROUGHT MY 2013 RAV 4 BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A DAMP AND MUSTY SMELL COMING THRU THE AIR VENTS. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AND SPRAYED SOME AIR FRESHENER BUT THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE REP HAD EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE IS A DRAIN AND THIS DRAIN ALLOWS WATER TO BUILD UP AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSES THE ODOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES CEASED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO THREE TRUCKS AND A TREE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 379.*TT CONSUMER STATED SHE STARTED REVERSING AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATION, SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE IT DID NOT STOP AS A RESULT THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT 3 PARKED TRUCKS. UPDATED 8/15/18*JB
I LEASED A RAV4EV. WENT TO PICK IT UP ON THURSDAY (8/8/13) AND IT WOULDN'T START-- CHECK EV SYSTEM, ETC. DEALER GAVE ME A LOANER, IT SPENT THE DAY IN THE SERVICE DEPT, AND THEY WOUND UP UPDATING THE SOFTWARE & IT APPARENTLY WAS OK. BROUGHT THE CAR HOME ON FRIDAY. ON SUNDAY, 8/11/13, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY-- ENGINE STOPPED, POWER STEERING STOPPED, AND I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO NEGOTIATE ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND GET OFF OF THE ROAD. CHECK EV SYSTEM MESSAGE ON SCREEN, BATTERY IS STILL HALF FULL. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, 120 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PROPULSION SYSTEM AND THE GATEWAY ECU WERE FAULTY. I DECIDED NOT TO KEEP THAT CAR AND LEASED ANOTHER RAV4 EV. VERY SCARY! *TR
I GOT MY NEW TOYOTA RAV4 2013 EARLY IN 2013. ON THE SECOND DAY I OWNED IT I NOTICED THAT THE THREE TALL AND BROAD REAR SEAT HEAD RESTS OBSCURED AT LEAST ONE-THIRD OF MY VIEW OUT THE REAR WINDOW. I TOOK THEM OUT AND HAVE KEPT THEM OUT SO I CAN HAVE CLEAR VISION TO THE REAR. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THE TALL AND BROAD HEAD REST ON THE PASSENGER SEAT ALSO OBSCURED MY VIEW OUT TO THE RIGHT. I SIDE-SWIPED ANOTHER CAR EARLY IN AUGUST, AFTERWARD TELLING THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER THAT I DID NOT SEE THE CAR AT ALL, HAD NO IDEA OF WHERE IT HAD COME FROM. IT WASN'T UNTIL SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THAT I REALIZED THAT I HAD NOT SEEN THE OTHER CAR BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT HEAD REST OBSCURED MY 'OVER THE SHOULDER VIEW' TO THE RIGHT. I REALIZE THAT THESE HEAD RESTS ARE PRESUMED TO PREVENT NECK WHIPLASH INJURIES. AS IT HAPPENS I AM A PHYSICIAN AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DANGER OF WHIPLASH INJURY. BUT HEAD RESTS SUCH AS THESE, AT LEAST IN THE TOYOTA RAV 4 2013, ARE VERY DANGEROUS AS THEY OBSCURE THE DRIVER'S VISION BOTH TO THE REAR AND TO THE RIGHT. *TR
THE CENTER CONSOLE SLIDES BACK AND FORTH. WHILE DRIVING, IF YOU HAVE YOUR ARM ON IT, IT WILL SLIDE. THE LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. *TR
THE INSTALLED NAVIGATION SCREEN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN THE DRIVER'S NORMAL DRIVING POSITION AND IN ALMOST ANY DAYTIME LIGHTING CONDITION. GLARE FROM THE SCREEN AND DASHBOARD BORDERS ON UNSAFE. THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY USE THAT ITEM AND THE 12 OR SO FUNCTIONS LOCATED THERE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION. BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL DISTRACTION THIS WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SOME WILL BE FATAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800. UPDATED 6/8/2015 *JS
THE INSTALLED NAVIGATION SCREEN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN THE DRIVER'S NORMAL DRIVING POSITION AND IN ALMOST ANY DAYTIME LIGHTING CONDITION. GLARE FROM THE SCREEN AND DASHBOARD BORDERS ON UNSAFE. THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY USE THAT ITEM AND THE 12 OR SO FUNCTIONS LOCATED THERE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION. NOTIFIED THE SERVICE MANAGER 2 TIMES AND BOTH TIMES WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL DISTRACTION THIS WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SOME WILL BE FATAL. *TR
SINCE BRAND NEW AT TIMES WHEN STOPPED THEN ACCELERATE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IT WILL HESITATE WHEN I AM HALF WAY TURNED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER THEN IT WILL CATCH CAUSING A BURST IN ACCELERATION. AT TIMES I HAVE LOST POWER WHEN I NEED IT MOST. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERS ATTENTION TO IT AND WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IN A TEST DRIVE SO NOTHING IS WRONG. IT DOES NOT DO IT OFTEN 6 OR 7 TIMES A WEEK BUT IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL SHE HIT A CEMENT POST IN FRONT OF THE PARKING AREA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN WOULD SHINE ON THE DASHBOARD, IT WOULD PRODUCE A BLINDING GLARE THAT CAUSED THE INFORMATION PANEL AND THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM TO BECOME UNREADABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 320.
BOUGHT A 2013 RAV4. 2490 MILEAGE HAS TWO MESSES OF PURCHASED. WHICH BROUGHT THE CONTINENTAL MODEL CROSS CONTACT TIRES 225/65/17 LX 102 H. THE RIM HAS A OPENING ON THE SIDES . CONTACT TO CONTINENTAL.CLAIM #[XXX]. NADIE IN PUERTO RICO FOR THE WARRANTY. APONTE SR JOSE DE PUERTO RICO 787 752 2886 COST OF RUBBER IS 185.00. NO WARRANTY WORK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AT ANY SPEED IN ANY WEATHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE...THIS NEEDS ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE AS IS A PAID FOR UPGRADE AND DUE TO PEOPLE WORKING TO SEE THE SYSTEM ACCIDENTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. *TR
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A JERK WAS FELT AND A NOISE WAS HEARD AS THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS. (THIS VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC.) THIS SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN LATER THE SAME DAY. HOWEVER, AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND THE "TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED ON THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 15 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT. *TR
I HAVE A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED. IN ANY SIGNIFICANT AMBIENT LIGHT LEVEL, THE NAVIGATION SCREEN IS NOT VISIBLE. THE GLARE ON THE SCREEN IS HORRIFIC. NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND CONFIRMED THAT I DID, INDEED, HAVE A PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ME TO MEET WITH A FACTORY REP. I MET WITH THE REP, AND HE AGREED THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER HE HAD NO IMMEDIATE SOLUTION. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA "HOTLINE" AND THEY REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, TRYING TO POSITION MY HEAD SO THAT I CAN TRY TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF THE SCREEN. (WHICH IS STILL NOT POSSIBLE) I FEEL LIKE I HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN OPTION THAT IS UNUSABLE. PLEASE HELP! TOYOTA DOES NOT SEEM TO BE LISTENING TO ME. *TR
I PURCHASED THE 2013 RAV4 IN APRIL, 2013. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, I BEGAN TO SMELL AN ODOR COMING FROM THE AC WHEN I START THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE BOX THAT HOLDS THE AC CONDENSATION IS TOO SMALL DUE TO MANUFACTURING CHANGES. ON MY SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THIS COMPLAINT, THEY SPRAYED AC FRESHENER IN THE PART UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THIS HELPED WITH THE ODOR BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHAT I AM BREATHING IS MOLD AND THAT THIS WILL ONLY GET WORSE AS LONG AS I KEEP THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HARM MY HEALTH OVER TIME. THE DEALERSHIP REP STATED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON THESE CARS FROM TIME TO TIME. I LIKE MY CAR (MY 5TH TOYOTA) BUT I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
NAVIGATION SCREEN DIFFICULT TO SEE IN MOST LIGHTING CONDITIONS. MUST TAKE MORE THAN BRIEF GLANCE AT NAV SCREEN TO DETERMINE FREEWAY MARKINGS, INTERSECTIONS, STREET NAMES OR SEARCH FOR RADIO STATION. HAS POSSIBILITY FOR BECOMING GREAT DISTRACTION. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH,MY NEW 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY WHEN I ACCELERATED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD ASAP AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE IS LESS THAN 600 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COME WITH VOICE ACTIVATED BLUETOOTH. TO MAKE A CALL YOU NEED TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL STEPS, ONE INCLUDES LOOKING AT A SCREEN WHICH IS HARD TO SEE, IF THERE IS A GLARE ON IT. YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME LOOKING AT SCREEN TO FIND NUMBER, ALL THE WHILE WITH YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD. *TR
BOUGHT NEW RAV4 TOYOTA 2013 LAST MONTH WITH NAVIGATION. SCREEN BARELY VISIBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TOYOTA FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WHO DOES NOT KNOW TO REPAIR. DEALER SAY IT IS INDEED A PROBLEM AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I ALSO HAVE A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WHICH HAS A PERFECTLY CLEAR SCREEN TOYOTA TELEPHONED ME BUT NOT ENCOURAGING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING THE DAY, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE NAVIGATION SCREEN DUE TO AN INTENSE GLARE, EVEN ON CLOUDY DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 6/4/13 *CN UPDATED 06/13/2013 *JS
2 SEPARATE EPISODES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A BRAND NEW CAR DEALER UNABLE TO VERIFY DEFECT. *TR
PURCHASED NEW 2013 RAV4 ON 23 MAR 13. THE ENTUNE NAVIGATION DISPLAY (BOTH DAY AND NIGHT MODE) IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT (IN DAY MODE) OR AT NIGHT TIME (IN NIGHT MODE). THIS IS A SERIOUS DISTRACTION WHEN USING THE NAVIGATION AND RESULTS IN THE DRIVER HAVING TO AVERT EYES TO FOCUS ON THE DISPLAY LONGER THAN NECESSARY FOR DETAILS. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. A NORMAL DISPLAY WOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES. I HAVE EXAMINED ANOTHER BRAND NEW RAV4 WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED MY ENTUNE SYSTEM; THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE PREVAIL UPON TOYOTA TO FIX THIS WITH EITHER A HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR
I BOUGHT A NEW 2013 RAV 4 WITH TOYOTA NAVIGATION. ON ANY SUNNY DAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE MAP DUE TO THE GLARE. I PLAN ON COMPLAINING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026