2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid

The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was restarted. The failure recurred while turning to the right on another occasion. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the failure recurred. The failure became constant. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and dispatched a tow truck to transport the vehicle for an inspection. The dealer reached out to the contact and stated that a system was reprogrammed, and a recall repair was performed. However, days later, the failure reoccurred, and the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving on the highway, the vehicle shut off and was towed to a dealer, and the contact was informed that an oil change was needed. The contact stated that the vehicle turned off again on another occasion before crashing into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and a diagnostic test was pending. The contact sustained whiplash and back pain. Medical attention was required. The failure mileage was 6,000.

NHTSA ID

11776329

Incident

Nov 3, 2026

Mileage

6,000 mi

On November 5, 2026, my 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid XSE, with approximately 1,484 miles, experienced a sudden reduction in acceleration capability while merging onto a highway at approximately 30–40 mph. When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle felt as though engine braking was occurring, and multiple warning indicators appeared on the dashboard, including the check-engine light and a “System Malfunction — Visit Your Dealer” message. Several driver-assistance system warnings were also displayed. The vehicle was able to maintain speed, but acceleration was noticeably reduced. I deliberately maintained a steady speed and avoided further acceleration out of concern for potentially damaging the vehicle. This created a significant safety risk because the vehicle could not accelerate normally while merging into highway traffic, potentially exposing me and surrounding motorists to a collision. On October 8, 2026, the vehicle underwent a Toyota recall-related ECU software update. Less than one month later, the vehicle experienced this loss of acceleration capability. I am concerned that the malfunction may be related to the condition addressed by the recall, although the underlying cause has not yet been determined. The vehicle was driven directly to a Toyota dealership and dropped off on November 5, 2026, at approximately 5:30 PM. The vehicle remains at the dealership awaiting diagnosis and is available for inspection. As of November 6, the dealership has not provided diagnostic findings or confirmed the cause of the malfunction. The specific failed component is currently UNKNOWN. I am submitting this complaint because unexpected loss of acceleration during highway merging presents a serious safety hazard, particularly in a nearly new vehicle that recently received a recall-related software update.

NHTSA ID

11776144

Incident

Nov 5, 2026

I am writing to report a safety concern involving the rear seatbelts in the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) updated moderate overlap front crash test (conducted at 40 mph with 40% overlap), the rear lap belt on the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid slid upward from the pelvis onto the lower abdomen of the rear dummy during the crash. This is known as submarining. IIHS rated the rear restraints and dummy kinematics as Poor for this reason, resulting in an overall Marginal rating for the vehicle in that test. In the same test, the non-plug-in hybrid version of the 2026 RAV4 kept the lap belt properly positioned on the pelvis and received an Acceptable rating. The only significant difference noted between the two vehicles is the additional battery weight in the plug-in hybrid, which appears to alter the motion of the rear of the cabin and the performance of the belt system. Submarining can increase the risk of serious abdominal injury by allowing crash forces to act on soft tissue and organs rather than the stronger pelvic bones. As an owner of a 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, I am concerned that this design or calibration issue may pose a higher injury risk to rear-seat passengers, including children, in a real-world frontal crash.

NHTSA ID

11774348

Incident

Oct 28, 2026

While driving in heavy traffic, the engine shuddered then dashboard warnings: "Hybrid System Malfunction Output Power Reduced, Drive-Start Control Malfunction, AWD System Malfunction." I pulled over, parked, then the transmission wouldn't shift to drive or reverse.

NHTSA ID

11767909

Incident

Sep 29, 2026

The sunglasses holder above and between the driver and passenger suddenly opened while on the interstate, causing the sunglasses to fall out, creating a sudden distraction. The sunglasses could have also fallen by and interfered with the pedal assembly. The sunglasses holder continues to pop open while driving even when there is nothing inside of it.

NHTSA ID

11766754

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

If I could select everything under the adaptive driver assistance details, I would. Upon startup, every warning light lit up on the car and messages popped that all of the safety systems were disabled on the car with a message to visit the dealer stating there was a "system malfunction." I turned the car off and turned it back on and all warnings remained and passenger airbags and other safety features remained disabled on the car.

NHTSA ID

11766752

Incident

Sep 19, 2026

The front windshield on my new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid XSE, which is equipped with a head-up display (HUD) and uses HUD-specific laminated glass, appears to have an optical clarity/distortion issue. The original factory-installed windshield is still on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. From the first day I drove the vehicle, I noticed persistent optical artifacts when looking through the windshield. The issue is most noticeable around high-contrast objects, such as white lane markings against dark pavement, white vehicles with dark trim, signs, and other sharply defined edges. Instead of appearing clean and sharp, these edges can look slightly fuzzy, gritty, pixelated, or surrounded by fine irregular lines. I am concerned that reduced optical clarity in the driver's forward field of view could interfere with clearly distinguishing road markings, signs, vehicles, pedestrians, or other roadway objects, especially under high-contrast or nighttime conditions. No crash or injury has occurred. I reported the issue to the selling Toyota dealer. Dealer personnel stated they could not clearly reproduce what I was seeing, but the dealership nevertheless agreed in writing to replace the windshield at no cost. I have temporarily deferred replacement, so the original windshield remains available for evaluation. I have since found multiple reports from other 2026 Toyota RAV4 owners describing similar windshield waviness, distortion, fuzzy or diagonal line patterns, and reduced clarity. Several reports appear to involve HUD-equipped vehicles, and some owners report similar issues even after OEM windshield replacement. I am requesting that NHTSA review this complaint with similar reports to determine whether there may be a recurring optical-quality issue involving HUD-equipped 2026 RAV4 windshields that could affect driver visibility.

NHTSA ID

11761281

Incident

Aug 29, 2026

On two separate occasions, the hatch has opened all by itself. One time was in public, and another time while sitting in my driveway overnight with the vehicle locked. This is a safety hazard as opening by itself could cause things to fall out of the back while driving, or theft/weather damage when just sitting in my driveway. I did not receive any notifications via the app, which alerts me if a door or hatch is opened. My last notification indicated that the car was locked. When I went outside this morning, the hatch was wide open and would not close using the fob or any buttons designated to close the hatch. I had to force it closed for it to work again. Based on my research, this is an issue that is experienced by others as well, but Toyota has been unable to reproduce it. I will be logging this with the Toyota dealership where I bought the vehicle and where I service the vehicle (Toyota of [XXX]), but they are closed today. I will report this to them tomorrow morning (Monday XXX). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11760707

Incident

Aug 30, 2026

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.

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

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.

State of Health (SOH): An estimate of battery health that is updated as the vehicle learns from operating and charging conditions over time. Distance Since Last Update: Indicates the distance accumulated since the last SOH calculation. A default mileage value of 40,727 at SOH 100% may be displayed until sufficient vehicle learning is completed. Once SOH value updates from 100%, the Distance Since Last Update value will re-set to 0 miles. Both SOH and Distance Since Last Update values will continue to update as the vehicle continues to learn.

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.

During the manufacturing process, tires are mounted on the vehicle as matched sets to help reduce conditions such as pulling or drifting. If the wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery, it is important that the tires remain on the vehicle in the same location and in the same direction of rotation.