The 2015 Toyota RAV4 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,968,751 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 399 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
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. …
STEERING15V1440002015-03-13110,085 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
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.
TRAILER HITCHES15V0110002015-01-161,140 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
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.
EQUIPMENT14V8280002014-12-303,958 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
83
2crashes26fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
60
6crashes11fires3injuries
STEERING
45
5crashes1fires6injuries
ENGINE
37
1crashes18fires
SERVICE BRAKES
30
12crashes2fires9injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
26
6crashes2fires2injuries
POWER TRAIN
23
3crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
20
11crashes7injuries
AIR BAGS
15
13crashes1fires13injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
12
Total complaints399
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2015 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the radio was inoperable. The contact stated that the gauges failed to properly operate. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the rearview camera image was reversed before becoming…”
“The contact owns a 2015 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the radio was inoperable. The contact stated that the gauges failed to properly operate. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the rearview camera image was reversed before becoming…”
“The contact owns a 2015 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the radio was inoperable. The contact stated that the gauges failed to properly operate. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the rearview camera image was reversed before becoming…”
“Car’s sunroof exploded while driving, was going about 55 on the highway and I heard a loud pop followed by the sound of breaking glass which I found to be my whole sunroof exploding from the inside out. This is dangerous because of the possibility of glass landing on people or in the car leading…”
“Purchased less than 2 months ago from performance mitsubishi in delray beach fl. Lift gate was not opening and closing properly. Yesterday the hinges broke and lift gate won't shut. It appears there is a class action lawsuit for this issue. I am now responsible for fixing this because the…”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE21005 Opened 2021-02-25 · closed 2024-08-12
Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.