2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime Owner Complaints

I was beginning to slowly back out of a parking space in a super market parking lot. I had not put my foot on the accelerator because my car begins to slowly inch backwards once it is put into reverse. As the car began to inch backwards, I saw a car approaching down the parking lot driveway behind me. I immediately stepped on my brake, but instead of stopping, my car began to race backwards, accelerating at a fast speed. The car never responded when I put my foot on the brake, so I was unable to stop the car. This caused me to crash into the car driving past me, and that finally stopped the car. Because I was almost perpendicular to the car I hit, and the driver was unable to get out of his car, I then put my car into drive to move it out of the way. My car accelerated out of control, again, this time forward. Again, it did not respond when I put my foot on the brake. My out of control car was quickly heading toward a large metal fire gate. In complete desperation, I stomped very hard on the brake, pressing it to the floor as I was about to hit the gate, and the car finally stopped. In both incidents, my brakes completely failed to stop the car accelerator which was acting on its own. The problem has not been reproduced by Toyota, which says there is nothing wrong with the car. However the data report they gave us is suspect because the data shows no reverse movement of the car and labels the accident a rollover, which it was not. In addition, the inspector told my husband there were more tests he could do, but Toyota had not authorized him to do them. There is a police report, and a witness who observed the whole thing. She said that because of the way the car was moving, it looked like a hit and run accident with the driver trying to make a speedy getaway. There were no warning lights or messages displayed.

NHTSA ID

11738412

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

Incident Detail: In April 2026, my 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered a critical failure where the charging cable became physically locked in the vehicle’s high-voltage (HV) charging port. I transported the vehicle to Ken Garff Cheyenne (authorized Toyota dealer), where management allowed non-certified, non-technical staff to perform unauthorized physical interventions on the HV port. No manufacturer-certified technician was provided for a safe diagnostic. ​Safety Hazard and Immediate Consequence: Following these unauthorized interventions, my wife (an educated automotive technician) determined the vehicle was in a hazardous state, risking thermal runaway or electrical fire. This hazard was so severe that the owner of the property where I was staying in Cheyenne—a [XXX] dependent senior—was too frightened to allow the vehicle to remain on the premises. Due to this immediate safety risk and the dealership's refusal to coordinate a safe tow, I had to have the vehicle towed to a neutral facility to protect the life and property of a vulnerable widow. ​Legal and Technical Context: I am a permanent resident of San Diego, California, and this vehicle is covered under the California Song-Beverly Act. The vehicle is also subject to Federal Recall 23V478 (DC-DC Converter Fire Risk). The dealership’s unauthorized tampering with the HV system, combined with ambient temperatures in Cheyenne often falling below the 41°F safety threshold for this system, created an unmitigated fire risk that the manufacturer has failed to address. ​Request: I am seeking a federal investigation into the dealer’s failure to follow High-Voltage safety protocols. I demand that Toyota Motor North America provide a Field Technical Specialist (FTS) to perform a safe diagnostic at the neutral facility where the car is now located, as the dealership’s actions rendered the vehicle a public safety hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11731867

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

The mechanized power liftgate— the rear door, the primary way to access the back of vehicle—fails to open & close as intended. A continuous beeping noise sounds due to the liftgate’s failure to fully open and close. We reported this issue to the dealer multiple times during 2025. The dealer refused to acknowledge or fix the problem.

NHTSA ID

11709301

Incident

Jan 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, there was a loud bang like a gunshot heard, and the sunroof shattered. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the contact inspected the vehicle, but the contact was unable to determine the cause of the shattering of the sunroof glass. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,500.

NHTSA ID

11703899

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

Mileage

49,500 mi

The 12v battery keeps dying. The dealer has checked it multiple times and finally replaced it with a new one which has now died twice. The weather has not been freezing, car is garage, i don't leave anything on that would drain battery and I drive it several times a week. I have over 23,000 miles. It dies at worst time when I really need to go somewhere.

NHTSA ID

11659664

Incident

Mar 14, 2025

The idling on this car has had a slight knocking sound but it goes off when engine is warm and i have never got a check engine light. i noticed recently when driving the car had a slight jerk but still no check engine light. until traveling on day it came on and i scanned the codes and replaced all applicable parts - the electrical system is pointing to a bypass hose which was changed as well as a camshaft sensor which still didi not solve the issue. i check online it found many others had this problem. My camshaft was ticking when the car was under warranty around 40k miles but now the car is not. Code p136001 'A' Camshaft Actuator bank 1:General Electrical Failure Code p136415 'C' Camshaft Actuator bank 1: Circuit short to battery or open P268111 Engine coolant bypass valve: circuit short to Ground

NHTSA ID

11655677

Incident

Apr 14, 2025

I was slowly pulling (front end forward) into a parking space at a local retail store. Parking spots are perpendicular to building. There is a space about the width of a sidewalk that runs along the front of the building. As I was coming to a complete stop, the car suddenly accelerated on its own, crashed into the building and then stopped. The airbag did not deploy. The car is available for inspection. Both Toyota and Farmers Insurance have said they will pull data from the event logs. The unintended acceleration malfunction put me and others at severe risk. The storefront has a concrete and glass front which was damaged from the impact. If an employee or shopper had been in the area of the crash, they could have been severely injured. I suffered a contusion of the sternum and stiff neck and shoulders. The vehicle's event data has not yet been pulled and evaluated. There were no advance warning signals.

NHTSA ID

11606154

Incident

Jul 30, 2024

Driving at highway speed on US101 N with no other vehicles in sight (5:50 AM), moonroof exploded outward with the sound of a gunshot. Moonroof glass and interior cover were closed. Inside temperature was 72 ºF, exterior temperature was 63 ºF and clear, and the sun had not yet crested the mountains (not a large temperature differential). No warning lamps or other problems prior to event. Remaining glass is domed outward.

NHTSA ID

11596844

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

On Friday 4/26/24 at about 8 PM, I pulled vehicle into garage and suddenly was aware that vehicle was crashing into shelving against the garage wall in front of its usual stopping place. I recall application of brakes and believe that I put into reverse in order to stop progression/acceleration. After it stopped, I was able to get out of the vehicle and describe the incident to my husband who came out from the house, having heard the crash. The hood and front parts of the car were damaged and it is currently in the collision shop. The shelving unit was destroyed. I am concerned that an unintended acceleration took place and do not know the mechanism.

NHTSA ID

11586064

Incident

Apr 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11579753

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11575861

Incident

Mar 6, 2024

Vehicle does not stop if one tire is going over a man hole cover, divit in the road, bump etc. It also skids forward when this happens and almost like jumps (as if anti-lock brakes where let loose and then pressed again) even if I am braking. This has been happening since the day I bought the car brand new off the lot. The traction control light also goes off. If I am going down a hill while this happens the car can jump forward multiple feet. This is a safety concern even if it is part of the hybrid system. Ive read that braking control is still available when this happens with a hybrid however, I lose braking power for a a second or two. Aka don't try to stop in Boston if there is any type of not-flat area of the road.. like a small bump or the car might JUMP forward and not stop while braking.

NHTSA ID

11568304

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

Remote Start Option, has been disabled by Dealer, reportedly in January of 2023. Car was purchased 3/10/23 from dealer and feature was working via a Remote Subscription App which was not Renewed on 9/23. As this App requires Internet Service and Cell Phone Coverage to Function, it was not reliable as Service is not available in rural areas. Also, the Owner Manuals do not describe that a Cell Phone App is required to Remote Start a car that is covered in Ice. During winter operation this feature may be required to warm the car to allow the doors and Electric Locks to operate during Ice Storms. Dealer requested to reinstate original Remote option and advised that a separate Remote costing $800.00 would be necessary. Dealer could not replicate the function as they have Wi-Fi, other than to confirm that the "App annual fee" is not current. No warning lights, or messages indicate that the Remote Start Function in not functioning. The car also dose not contain a Mechanical Lock operated by a key. Thus, during inclement weather, the car is less reliable if the doors freeze shut, as the car can not be started Remotely to thaw the Ice.

NHTSA ID

11567083

Incident

Jan 9, 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11563548

Incident

Jan 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4 Prime. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11559943

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

Car was t-boned a intersection and passenger side airbags didn't deploy

NHTSA ID

11554621

Incident

Nov 5, 2023

I was driving on a highway going around 45 mph. The sun/moon roof exploded. I wasn't under anything that could have fallen, no cars were around and I did not see anything in the air. It was sunny, 67 degrees with a breeze. This happened on Sunday so no confirmation or inspection has occurred. No warning lamps or messages appeared either before or after it exploded. I do know that Rav4 Prime's will display messages when things break including windows as I was rear-ended and the car was telling me the windows were broken. I called state patrol and they said they didn't need to come out, insurance was emailed but again, Sunday. I took photos and a video of the broken sunroof.

NHTSA ID

11547608

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and exiting the highway, the vehicle would not slow down. The contact desperately pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not slow down or come to a complete stop. The contact lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road into a pile of dirt where the vehicle come to a complete stop. The contact was unsure If any warning light illuminated, but the air bags did deploy. The contact injured his leg and sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.

NHTSA ID

11516305

Incident

Apr 8, 2023

Mileage

8,000 mi

This happened to me today but I have also recently heard about another report of the same (facebook rav4 prime web page) I started the car, it had sufficient battery so was in ‘EV’ mode. I placed it in reverse with my foot on the brake pedal. I waited a couple seconds for one reason or another and with my foot still firmly on the brake pedal it started moving in reverse. I pushed the brake pedal extraordinarily hard and the car stopped after a few feet. No incident precipitated from this but I’m keenly aware of the potential. At the moment I can’t reproduce it.

NHTSA ID

11500714

Incident

Jan 8, 2023

Day 2 of a road trip. the Moonroof exploded spontaneously. There were three dogs underneath, luckily they were not hurt. Driver felt the pressure in the car go up before the loud pop. there is a round hole in the middle and cracks going to the end.

NHTSA ID

11484488

Incident

Sep 14, 2022

The Toyota pre-collision braking system is too slow to release control of the throttle back to the driver. Multiple times it has made the car behave in an unexpected fashion in traffic. The most common scenario is when the driver is stopped and turning left onto a busy street. When a car passes in front of you and you try to accelerate after it passes, the pre-collision braking still thinks there's a car in front of you. Instead of acceleration your car just gently rolls into the street. The driver can't do anything in the moment to override it. The car behaves almost as if the engine has died and you're just slowly rolling into oncoming cross-traffic. I have owned the car for ~2 months, and both I and my wife have experienced multiple such incidents. Any of them could have caused an accident if the oncoming traffic weren't paying attention and braked. It's easily replicated but requires that the car passing in front of you be relatively close (~10 feet).

NHTSA ID

11463453

Incident

May 5, 2022