2015 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2015 Toyota RAV4

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2015 Toyota RAV4 recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2015 Toyota RAV4. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• ElectricalFire risk

  A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 23V734000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Trailer Hitches

  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.

  Details 15V011000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Steering

  An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

  Details 15V144000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Equipment

  Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.

  Details 14V828000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

2015 Toyota RAV4 safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Battery: The smaller battery may not fit securely with the RAV4’s battery mounting parts, and, in some cases, can move around when the vehicle is driven, causing…
• Doors and locks: Warranty Enhancement Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up.
• Warranty extension: Dealer Daily Message: Warranty Enhancement Program ZH1 Dealer Letter and/or Technical Instructions now available on TIS.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2015 Toyota RAV4 safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

304 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Other Toyota RAV4 years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024