RoadVitals

2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
+12 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 2, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, most frequently naming the driver assistance, body & structure and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 35 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance1335.1%
  • Body & structure513.5%
  • Electrical410.8%
  • Brakes38.1%
  • Other / unspecified38.1%
  • Airbags38.1%
  • Visibility12.7%
  • Engine12.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V571000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Sep 2, 2026
135 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, 2025 Tundra Hybrid, Tundra, 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, 4Runner i-Force Max Hybrid, and 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 26TA18.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 26TA18View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 36
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while making a right turn, the turn signal failed to automatically turn off once the steering wheel had returned to center. The contact had to manually turn off the turn signal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Sloane Toyota of Malvern (593 Lancaster Ave, Malvern, PA 19355), who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the issue and filed a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,900.

NHTSA ID
11776267
Incident
Sep 6, 2026
Mileage
33,900 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 4, 2026
1 injury reported

This RAV4 has a feature that allows you to open the Liftgate by passing you foot under the rear bumper. My wife opens the liftgate using this feature. On two occasions while she is loading my Walker into the back of the car the liftgate suddenly senses her feet (or something) under the back of the car and closes the liftgate, knocking her to the ground and seriously hurting her from the fall. I believe this under bumper trigger should only be available to open the liftgate and not for closing. I have disabled this feature.

NHTSA ID
11775798
Incident
Nov 4, 2026
Electrical
Filed Nov 2, 2026

Every time I go through the car wash, the electrical charging port door comes open. I believe this is a design defect in that water could enter the charging port electrical connection causing a electrical short and/or a fire. This seems to happen because the automated wash brushes push against the port door which allows the door to then swing open subjecting it to the elements.

NHTSA ID
11775250
Incident
Nov 2, 2026
Filed Nov 1, 2026

Sunglass holder randomly pops open. This is dangerous as sometimes when the holder pops open, the sunglasses will fall out and is a distraction while driving. The dealer was told of the problem but didn't fix it because they said they couldn't reproduce it. No system msgs or warnings.

NHTSA ID
11774972
Incident
Oct 29, 2026
Filed Oct 31, 2026

Several times I have had my overhead sunglasses holder fall open and the sunglasses fall out and hit me in the head or face. It is extremely dangerous because it happens fast and almost caused me an accident. Toyota is replacing them with an identical product which is giving the same issue.

NHTSA ID
11774832
Incident
Aug 22, 2026
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Oct 29, 2026

I have owned my RAV4 Hybrid for 3 months and have never felt safe to drive it. There seems to be some brake and stability control issues. On October 25, 2026, as I was driving on a wet road and turning a corner, the car slid and lost control, causing the side to slide against a cement wall on the freeway. This cause wheel damage to the vehicle. This is the not first time this car has felt unsteady while driving. I owned a previous 2024 RAV4 with no issues. I am suffer from anxiety and now PTSD and do not want to drive this car. I have an appointment with the dealership on October 30, 2026 for a check up.

NHTSA ID
11774544
Incident
Oct 25, 2026
Filed Oct 28, 2026

National glass shortage The back glass shattered for no reason while parked at home. It can completely separate from the bottom of the glass. Broken into many tiny pieces.

NHTSA ID
11774146
Incident
Oct 20, 2026
Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 20, 2026

I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2019 Nuna RAVA convertible car seat. The harness adjustment mechanism is malfunctioning, and the adjustment button does not operate properly, preventing me from reliably adjusting the harness to secure my child. I contacted Nuna customer service and provided video documentation of the malfunction. Nuna informed me that this model has been discontinued and that replacement parts are no longer available. Nuna also acknowledged that I never received the original remedy kit associated with the RAVA harness recall. Their leadership team reviewed my concerns and recommended completing the recall cleaning procedure before determining whether the malfunction persists. I am concerned that the harness adjustment mechanism may not function reliably, potentially compromising my child's safety in the event of a collision. I am submitting this complaint to formally document the malfunction and request that NHTSA evaluate whether this issue is adequately addressed by the existing recall remedy.

NHTSA ID
11772464
Incident
Oct 1, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0071-26

ENGINE

Some 2025 – 2026 model year Crown, Crown Signia, RAV4 Hybrid, and Sienna Hybrid vehicles with an A25A engine may experience a MIL ON with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P145011 (Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit Short to Ground). This condition is more prevalent when the ambient temperature is 15°F or lower. To correct this condition, an improvement was made to the Fuel Tank Vent Valve.

T-SB-0021-25 Rev1

ENGINE

Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Global Techstream+ (GTS+) ECU flash reprogramming procedures and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard+ (CUW+). To ensure the correct ECU software is installed, ECUs will require a Security Signature before the ECU will initialize the flash reprogramming sequence. This bulletin also details the process for acquiring a Security Signature from TIS during the GTS+ ECU flash reprogramming process.

T-SB-0057-26

A Data Communication Module (DCM) telematics software update, version 867WC42017 is available for 2026 model year RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid vehicles equipped with telematics software version 867WC42014, 867WC42015, or 867WC42016. This software update includes the following items: •Enhanced diagnostic accuracy •Enhanced in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity and reliability •Stability for Wi-Fi hotspot (if equipped) •DCM communication enhancements •Bug fixes •Removes high-frequency (20 kHz) noise occurring for about 2 seconds approximately 20 seconds after Ready ON

T-TT-0810-26

Please do not disassemble or make any repairs. Request: - Save Health Check, then Clear DTC - Test drive to see if the DTC is easy to duplicate or not - Create a TAS case and contact TAS for special instructions If it is a weekend or holiday, continue with diagnosis and repair. Please save all parts and/or details and contact TAS on the next available work day.

T-SB-0050-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A head unit software update (version 8612G42397) is now available for 2026 model year RAV4 Hybrid, and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid vehicles via OTA or USB. Vehicle operators can perform this update directly by accepting the on-screen notification advising the software update is available, or by locating the software update from the Settings menu and initiating the available update This is a phased rollout, which means that as time progresses, more vehicles will receive the update notification and ability to update the head unit via OTA. This timing will vary by location and may not display for every vehicle in one location at the same day and time.

T-SB-0003-26 Rev1

2026 model year Toyota vehicles are equipped with driver side floor mat retainers to secure the floor mat in the correct position. In addition, some models may also utilize retainers for passenger side and rear seat floor mats. During Pre-Delivery Service (PDS), follow the appropriate Installation Procedure to attach the driver side, and if applicable, the passenger side and rear seatfloor mats to the vehicle carpet using the floor mat retainers.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026Viewing361053.7
2025520—
2024120—
2023910—
2022521—
2021221146.0
2020135145.1
2019223157.6
2018150142.2
2017141147.7
2016100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.