2014 Toyota RAV4 EV

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

SOMETIMES WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS IT DOES NOT RESPOND AND I HAVE TO LIFT MY FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11163026

Incident

Dec 12, 2018

STARTING AROUND 24,500 MILES, TOYOTA RAV4 EV 2014 STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE WITH ACCELERATION. THIS NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AS AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVE MOTOR MADE BY TESLA, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT AT THAT TIME THE NOISE IS "NOT LOUD ENOUGH" TO GET ANYTHING DONE BY TOYOTA/TESLA. SINCE THEN, ANOTHER 2000 MILES HAVE PASSED AND THE NOISE IS ONLY LOUDER. THE DEALER HAS AGAIN DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE DRIVE MOTOR, SUBMITTED RECORDING OF NOISE TO TOYOTA/TESLA BUT STATES THAT TOYOTA/TESLA NOT READY TO REPLACE DRIVE MOTOR. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH A VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVER NOTICED MY OVERALL RANGE IS BEING AFFECTED AND DOWN BY 10%. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE I AM DRIVING AROUND, POSSIBLY ENDING IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ID

10888225

Incident

Jul 21, 2016

Mileage

26,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A 45 MPH 2 WAY LANE, THE CAR SUDDENLY DISPLAYED WARNING "CHECK EV SYSTEM" ADVISED ME TO PULL OVER AND INFORM DEALERSHIP ASAP. I KEPT DRIVING (ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOME) WITHIN MINUTE SYSTEM SEEMED TO RESTORE ITSELF. ONLY STILL DISPLAYS "CHECK EV SYSTEM" THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN LAST 6 WEEKS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO HANDLE MY CASE BECAUSE OF "AFTER MARKET MODIFICATIONS" WHICH ARE NOT LIMITED TO : TRAILER HITCH, VOLT/AMP METER TO MONITOR CHARGING (VERY IMPORTANT TO CALCULATE HOW LONG YOU HAVE TO WAIT TO CHARGE AN EV) BOTH THESE THINGS HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SHOWN PROBLEMS. THIS IS AFTER MY CAR WENT BACK FOR THE "SAFETY RECALL" FOR EXACT THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS IMPLEMENTED A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO BASICALLY IGNORE THE LOSS OF SIGNAL FROM THE SPEED MEASUREMENT UNIT. IT IS OBVIOUS BY THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CARS THAT HAVE THIS SITUATION AFTER THE "RECALL FIX" THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE SERIOUSLY WRONG. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD BE A SERIOUS DANGER. FOR MORE INCIDENTS LOOK AT THE FORUM: HTTP://WWW.MYRAV4EV.COM/FORUM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=7&T=1770

NHTSA ID

10823316

Incident

Jan 22, 2016

Mileage

28,000 mi

WAS DRIVING IN CITY AT ABOUT 30 MPH , CAR STOPPED HAVING PROPULSION, STOPPED WITH A SHUDDER AND WARNINGS LIGHTS POP UP. "CHECK EV SYSTEM" WAS ABLE TO RESET THE COMPUTER BY POWERING OFF/ON FOR 3 CYCLES TO MAKE IT OVER TO THE CURB. CALLED TOW TO TRANSPORT TO THE DEALER. SEND ME AWAY AFTER RESETTING THE ERROR MESSAGE IN THE COMPUTER. WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. NOW TOYOTA IS BLAMING MY ADD ONS LIKE CHARGE INDICATOR (SHOWING VOLTS/AMPS OF THE J1772 INPUT) AND THE FACT I FITTED A TRAILER HITCH (FOR A BIKE RACK). WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROPULSION SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

10812047

Incident

Nov 30, 2015

Mileage

27,217 mi

LOST DRIVING POWER ON HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. CAR SWITCHED AUTOMATICALLY TO NEUTRAL. DISPLAYED "CHECK EV SYSTEM. TAKE TO DEALER" WARNING. WAS ABLE TO TURN POWER ON AND OFF AND REGAIN MOTOR, BUT STILL DISPLAYED MESSAGE. DROVE HOME. TOOK TO DEALER NEXT MORNING.

NHTSA ID

10733217

Incident

Jul 9, 2015

Mileage

4,916 mi

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS APPROXIMATELY AT 70 MPH ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY INTERSTATE 880 JUST NEAR THE JUNCTION ON I580, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CAME TO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT SHIFT TO DRIVE, WITH A MESSAGE ON THE DASH BOARD CHECK EV SOON TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER.IT WAS PRETTY SCARY AND FINALLY I MANAGED TO STEER IT TO THE LEFT SHOULDER WHICH WAS VERY NARROW AND HALF OF MY VEHICLE WAS STILL ON THE FAST LANE, EASY CHANCE OF A CRASH. CALLED CHP THEY HAD TO STOP THE TRAFFIC AND PUSH ME TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, FINALLY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE SHOWED UP AND TOWED IT TO OAKLAND TOYOTA DEALER. ITS JUST A YEAR OLD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10706363

Incident

Apr 16, 2015

Mileage

17,000 mi

WHILST DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HOV LANE OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, AND ON A LANE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A STOPPING LANE, IT WAS GROSSLY UNSAFE AS CARS WHIZZED BY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA CARLSBAD, HAS INFORMED ME THAT A NEW DRIVE MOTOR WILL BE INSTALLED. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ISSUE WITH THE PROPULSION SYSTEM FAILING IS COMMON IN THE TOYOTA RAV4 EV (IT USES A TESLA MOTOR). THERE ARE SO MANY DRIVE MOTORS BEING REPLACED RIGHT NOW, I HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST TWO WEEKS FOR A NEW ONE. OTHERS HAVE RECENTLY WAITING UP TO A MONTH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10682828

Incident

Feb 6, 2015

Mileage

19,050 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH IN THE HOV LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO NOT HAVING POWER AND ALL OF THE CARS ON THE FREEWAY. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, POWERED OFF THE CAR AND THEN POWERED IT BACK ON AGAIN HOPING IT WOULD WORK AND IT DID. POWER CAME BACK TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY I DIDN'T CREATE AN ACCIDENT AND NOBODY WAS HURT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DEC 16 2014 AND I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK YESTERDAY JANUARY 31ST 2015. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVE UNIT ASSEMBLY WHICH THEY SAID THEY WERE WAITING TO RECEIVE THE PART FROM TESLA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680348

Incident

Dec 16, 2014

Mileage

1,319 mi

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 Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

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, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

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 vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

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 initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

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 in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

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 presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.