2015 Toyota Rav4

Family: RAV4 · filed with NHTSA as RAV4

Summary

In its first three years the 2015 Rav4 drew 86 complaints — 0.8× the median of its generation (2013–2018). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Electrical System, holds 32% of the 269 that name a component.
4 recalls filed for this model year.
1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

In the news

Toyota recalls 1.85 million RAV4s over battery clamp shorts OCT 16, 2026

At a glance

Owner complaints: 305
Recalls: 4
Investigations: 1
NCAP overall: 4–5 of 5 stars
Combined MPG: 24–26
Annual fuel cost: $2,400–$2,600
Median mileage at complaint: 35,000 mi (n = 170)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 37 / 41 / 30 / 1

What owners report

Electrical System

85 complaints · 32% of complaints that name a component · median 46,945 mi (n = 41)

Owner report 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 d…

Owner report The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or being driven, water was leaking into the vehicle from the roof, causing water damage to the electrical wiring to the air bags. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that there was …

Steering

47 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 34,000 mi (n = 27)

Owner report The steering "micro" sticking in steps for last 4 years. Talked to the Cedar Park Toyota dealership, they informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. But I found recall # 15V-144. I never received a recall notice. Always observes sticking a low speeds. Concerned about steering lock up. What should I do to fix it?

Owner report November 20,2025 I was driving my 2015 Toyota Rav-4….Turning into my driveway and Suddenly a light on the dashboard came on…An emblem with the Steering 🛞 Wheel and Exclamation ❗️ point came on…I was glad that I was at a safe place and called Toyota dealership service department…I was told that it was something to do w…

Engine

37 complaints · 14% of complaints that name a component · median 50,000 mi (n = 18)

Owner report 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.

Owner report The torque converter shudder is defective and causes jolting while driving between 30 and 40 mph

12% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2013–2018)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 107.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2013	262	99
2014	207	46	not compared
2015	305	86
2016	257	107
2017	321	111
2018	348	122

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

23V734000 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Filed 2023-11-01 · 1,853,568 vehicles

Defect: 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: 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. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.

15V144000 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Filed 2015-03-13 · 110,085 vehicles

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 time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

Risk: 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.

15V011000 · TRAILER HITCHES | EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2015-01-16 · 1,140 vehicles

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 electrical current and the trailer lights.

Risk: 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.

14V828000 · EQUIPMENT

Filed 2014-12-30 · 3,958 vehicles

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 attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.

Risk: 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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
PE21005	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY	2021-02-25	2024-08-12	23V734

PE21005: Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
RAV4	2.5L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	23	30	26	$2400
RAV4 AWD	2.5L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	22	28	25	$2500
RAV4 LE/XLE	2.5L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	23	30	26	$2400
RAV4 Limited AWD	2.5L 4cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	22	28	24	$2600

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD Later Release	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD Later Release	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD Early Release	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD Early Release	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 313 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2026-01-07	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2025-06-18	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	21TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported battery fires in 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles with gasoline engines (excluding hybrid models), Toyota discovered that many non-Toyota retailers and others …
2025-06-18	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Campaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER ADVISORY 21TG01 12-VOLT BATTERY SIZE AND INSTALLATION INSPECTION CERTAIN 2013 – 2018 RAV4
2025-06-13	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant…
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood…
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and in…
2024-12-06	STRUCTURE:BODY	The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicl…
2024-12-05	STRUCTURE:BODY	Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure …
2024-12-03	STRUCTURE:BODY	Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the …
2024-07-29	STRUCTURE:BODY	Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this RAV4, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota RAV4 model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.