Problems · by component

2023 Toyota RAV4 electrical system problems

44 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2023 Toyota RAV4 cite electrical system, 27% of all 164 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
44
27% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“A 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE, purchased October 17, 2023, has experienced serious, recurring safety-related electronic failures for more than two years. The rearview backup camera intermittently displays a completely black image, even while other camera display functions remain operational. The multimedia/navigation screen also malfunctions or goes black while driving, causing navigation directions to disappear unexpectedly. These failures create dangerous conditions. Loss of the backup camera compromises a critical safety feature when reversing, particularly around pedestrians and children. Unexpected display failures while driving can cause dangerous distractions and increase the risk of a collision, serious injury, or death. Toyota's authorized dealership technicians have PERSONALLY WITNESSED these malfunctions. Despite repeated service attempts on April 16, 2025; September 24, 2025; September 1, 2026; and October 2, 2026, the vehicle has NEVER been permanently repaired. The dealership repeatedly returns the vehicle with the same problems unresolved or recurring. Only after escalation did Toyota suddenly claim to have identified a possible repair. However,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11773989
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The vehicle was previously taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V595000 (Electrical System); however, the dealer repeatedly delayed the repair due to parts availability issues. The dealer kept the vehicle for the duration due to the instrument panel failing. Once the parts had arrived and the repairs started, the dealer declined to complete the recall repair because the vehicle had accumulated too many miles. The failure mileage was 126,293.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Electrical systemODI 11772735
“While in stop and go traffic during heavy rain, vehicle stalled and would not restart. After several attempts, it did restart but ran very rough. A couple days before, a red warning light came on for the steering system, also during a rain event.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11771772
“The vehicle experienced a sudden, severe loss of vehicle control while driving twice. Without any warning lights, dash indicators, or stored error codes, it began violently surging and decelerating uncontrollably around 20 mph with severe bucking. My [XXX] daughter was driving. Fortunately, this occurred on a quiet local residential road at 5 am; had this sudden failure occurred at highway speeds, it would have resulted in a catastrophic rear-end collision. The vehicle was purchased in May 2023, has 42k miles, and was used normally for school commuting. Incident 1 (XXX): Towed to Toyota. Techs could not diagnose it and opened a Tech Case. Per instructions, dealer replaced shifter assembly due to internal short (Part 33560-0R070). However, within 24 hours of return, the exact same dangerous failure reoccurred suddenly without warning in mild traffic. Experiencing an uncontrollable vehicle was terrifying. Fortunately no crash occurred, but it was towed back immediately. When I raised urgent safety concerns and sought a permanent resolution, Toyota stated it takes 60 days for review. During this period, if the dealer requests loaner return, I must return it…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11760840
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 46 MPH in heavy rain, a warning message indicating that the pre-collision sensor was blocked and needed to be cleared, was displayed temporarily, and the contact continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost motive power shortly after, and the message "Steering power is low; please contact dealer" was displayed. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart.The following day, the contact's husband successfully restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle immediately stalled again, displaying a "Pre-collision malfunction; please call dealer" message. A local dealer was contacted, and the contact spoke with a receptionist regarding the battery, but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,829.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11748756
“Vehicle was traveling straight approximately 70–80 mph in very light drizzle. No warning lights or messages before the event. Vehicle suddenly entered an uncontrolled spin multiple times. During the spin, I heard a grinding noise. After stopping, brake/parking brake system warnings appeared on the dash, video after the event recorded.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11748288

Showing 6 of 44 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Electrical systemReported Sep 11, 2025NHTSA 25V595000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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

Other 2023 RAV4 problem areas