Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Toyota RAV4 problems

Owners filed 305 complaints about the 2015 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA between Dec 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (85).

Complaints
305
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
37
Reported by owners
Fires
41
Reported by owners
Injuries
30
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system85
  2. Steering47
  3. Engine37
  4. Structure31
  5. Service brakes30
  6. Power train25
  7. Vehicle speed control21
  8. Air bags15
  9. Fuel/propulsion system12
  10. Seat belts6
  11. Exterior lighting6
  12. Visibility/wiper5
  13. Suspension5
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20141
201537
201622
201726
201814
201922
202023
202131
202235
202334
202430
202521
20269

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

85 reports2 crashes26 fires1 related recall
“While driving my 2015 Toyota RAV4 XLE 2WD (2.5L, about 207,000 miles), the electric power steering assist failed instantly with no warning, making the steering wheel feel locked. At the same moment, the infotainment screen went black and rebooted. It has happened at freeway speeds and at low neighborhood speeds, including on 9/14 and 9/15/2026, and also more than once last year (2025). No warning light or messages appeared beforehand. An OBD2 scan at AutoZone on 9/15/2026 found no active or pending trouble codes, and battery tests at AutoZone and Walmart Auto Care passed. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. The failed component is UNKNOWN. My best assessment is the EPS control unit, because the symptoms match NHTSA recall 15V144000. I only learned of this recall on 9/19/2026. A sudden loss of steering at any speed puts me and other drivers at serious risk of a crash. The vehicle is available for inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11765496

Steering

47 reports5 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026SteeringODI 11768390

Engine

37 reports1 crash18 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineFire reportedODI 11721498

Structure

31 reports6 crashes2 fires
“In July 2026, the rear power liftgate on my Toyota RAV4 suddenly stopped operating properly and would not close. I was unable to push the hatch down normally and then noticed that one of the hinges appeared bent and the liftgate was misaligned. Because I needed to close the vehicle, I tried to lower the hatch very slowly, moving it down only a small amount at a time so I would not put additional pressure on the damaged hinge. While I was doing this, the hatch suddenly sprang back upward and struck me in the shoulder. It took approximately 15 minutes of carefully working with the hatch before I was finally able to get it closed. One hinge was replaced for $400, but after the liftgate was opened only about three times, the hinge became bent again and the hatch was once again visibly misaligned. I have since received an estimate of approximately $3,000 because I was told that multiple components may need to be replaced. At this point I am not opening the liftgate for fear that the broken parts will become worse. The problem has not been successfully repaired and no one has been able to explain why the replacement hinge failed almost immediately. I am concerned…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2026StructureODI 11758067

Service brakes

30 reports12 crashes2 fires
“The battery is off . It does not work. The car does not start. It looks like the battery is not properly installed. I just left my car at the Toyota dealership in June 12 for maintenance services, for brake fluid and flush etc including the replacement of a battery mounting hardware however it does not look right. The car started to go off and today it does not start at all. Please advice Sincerely, [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11669832

Power train

25 reports3 crashes
“Transmission shudder between approximately 25-40 mph. Toyota had a recall on some of the 2013-2015 RAV4 for this problem by the vin number. Car shakes and it has stopped running once at a red light”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2024Power trainODI 11578167
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.