Owners have reported 21 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 Toyota RAV4. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints36
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the instrument panel failing to display critical information and the vehicle unexpectedly shutting down, often during rainy conditions. Symptoms include the car shaking, sputtering, and displaying error messages such as "engine stopped" and "steering power low." These issues often occur within the first 5,000 to 21,000 miles of use. Safety implications are significant, with reports of loss of control and one crash resulting in injuries. Additionally, multiple owners describe persistent problems with the infotainment system shutting off unexpectedly, affecting navigation and rearview camera functionality. These reports suggest potential safety risks and operational inconsistencies that prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints32
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 report several issues, with frequent mentions of water intrusion leading to mold growth and health symptoms such as dizziness and nausea. Multiple complaints describe sunroof and moonroof glass shattering unexpectedly, often with no external cause, posing a potential safety risk. There are also reports of unintended acceleration incidents, including one crash, which result in loss of control and injuries. These problems are typically noted within the vehicle's warranty period, suggesting early occurrence. Buyers should be aware of these reported issues, especially considering the safety implications of glass shattering and unintended acceleration.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports
Owner complaints23
STEERING
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 frequently report issues with the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly, often accompanied by a dashboard message indicating "Engine Stopped. Steering Power Low." These incidents are commonly associated with wet weather conditions and can result in the car being unable to restart for a period of time. Complaints often describe this issue occurring at various mileages, including vehicles with as few as 2,000 miles. Safety concerns are noted, with reports of the vehicle shutting off in traffic and one incident involving a crash and fire. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, as they indicate potential safety risks and operational challenges.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints8
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 report several power train issues, primarily involving unintended acceleration and braking failures. Complaints frequently mention vehicles accelerating unexpectedly, even when the brake pedal is engaged, leading to crashes in some cases. Another common issue involves the vehicle not accelerating properly, with high RPMs and a lack of power, particularly at speeds below 40 mph. These problems are noted both in hybrid and non-hybrid models, with incidents occurring at various mileage levels, including as early as the first full day of ownership. Safety implications are significant, with reports of three crashes and one injury, highlighting potential risks of loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 report issues with the fuel system, particularly concerning the fuel tank not filling to its stated capacity. Multiple complaints describe the tank triggering the automatic shut-off at gas stations prematurely, often around the 3/4 mark, and requiring repeated attempts to fill completely. This issue is noted by owners of both standard and hybrid models, with reports of reduced driving range from the expected 540-594 miles to around 413-430 miles. In one serious incident, a strong fuel odor, attributed to a leaking fuel line, was linked to a crash, although no warning indicators were triggered. These reports typically emerge within the first 6,000 miles of use, suggesting potential early-life issues with the fuel system components.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 frequently report issues related to unintended acceleration, particularly when parking or maneuvering at low speeds. Several complaints describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating without driver input, often resulting in crashes, as seen in four of the five reports. Additionally, one owner notes problems with the adaptive cruise control failing to disengage, causing the vehicle to attempt to stop unexpectedly on the highway. These incidents often occur during normal driving conditions and have been noted without any prior warning messages or alerts. The safety implications are significant, with multiple reports of crashes and the potential for harm to bystanders or other vehicles.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking system, particularly in situations involving bumps or uneven surfaces. Common symptoms include a momentary loss of braking, often accompanied by a grinding noise and activation of the ABS or VSC warning lights. These incidents typically occur at slow speeds and have been linked to both crashes and near misses, with some owners noting the vehicle surges forward unexpectedly. Complaints indicate that these problems can occur regardless of road conditions, even in dry weather, and can lead to loss of vehicle control. Some owners have experienced these issues from the time of purchase, suggesting they may occur early in the vehicle's lifespan.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 report recurring issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance systems. Complaints frequently mention malfunctions in multiple safety features, including Lane Tracing Assist, Pre-Collision System, and Road Sign Assist, with warnings appearing both in motion and while parked, leading to unexpected deactivation of these systems. Some owners describe discrepancies between installed features and functionality, particularly noting the Pre-Collision System's failure to activate as expected at speeds over 40 mph. Additionally, the lane keeping assistance is reported to disconnect without affecting adaptive speed control, potentially posing a risk if the driver becomes incapacitated. These issues do not specify mileage ranges, but the described symptoms highlight potential safety implications, such as loss of control or increased accident risk, which prospective buyers should consider.
Owner complaints3
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. In three incidents, airbags failed to deploy despite significant impacts, including a side swipe leading to a collision with a fire hydrant and pole, a head-on collision with a Toyota Corolla, and an unintended acceleration event resulting in a crash with another vehicle. These incidents involve two reported injuries, with one owner noting that their head hit the steering wheel due to non-deployment. The complaints do not specify mileage or time patterns, but they highlight a critical safety concern regarding airbag functionality during crashes. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported issues when considering this vehicle model.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints2
ENGINE
Owners report engine stalling issues with the 2023 Toyota RAV4, particularly during driving. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly, with one owner noting a dashboard message indicating "Engine Stopped Steering Power Low" and another describing a stall when braking suddenly. In both cases, attempts to restart the vehicle initially fail, although the vehicle eventually restarts after shifting to park. These issues have been noted at varying mileages, with one report at approximately 38,000 miles. Safety implications include the risk of stalling while driving, which could potentially lead to loss of vehicle control.
