RoadVitals

2013 Toyota RAV4 Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints 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.
21
Latest Dec 25, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 256 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Toyota RAV4 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistance
Filed Dec 25, 2024

MY brakes failed me and then bumped the car in front of me the warning system didn't alert me about hitting the car in front of me. and now that person is sueing me for alot of money. now the date is approximate day the dealerhip told me the brakes were fine how is that when they didn't stop the car and keep me from hitting the car in front of me they needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ID
11632330
Incident
Nov 22, 2024
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 12, 2018

TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SUDDENLY GIVE OFF A "JERKING" SOUND. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE TEND TO JIGGLE OR SHAKE THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAS BECOME FRIGHTENING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS EVENT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, LOCAL ROAD, CITY STREETS, IN FACT, ANYWHERE. IT JUST HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, HENCE I AM VERY CONCERNED NOW. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 2018. BEFORE THAT, IT WAS INFREQUENT, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL OVER THE YEARS, BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING TOO OFTEN.

NHTSA ID
11101297
Incident
Jun 10, 2018
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND HORSESHOE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT QUICKLY CUT OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ID
11054241
Incident
Nov 12, 2017
Mileage
72,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 16, 2017
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKES CEASED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO THREE TRUCKS AND A TREE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 379.*TT CONSUMER STATED SHE STARTED REVERSING AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATION, SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE IT DID NOT STOP AS A RESULT THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT 3 PARKED TRUCKS. UPDATED 8/15/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11046612
Incident
Aug 13, 2013
Mileage
379 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 6, 2016
Crash reported

POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION WITH THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). CAR FAILS TO BRAKE PROPERLY AND SLIDES WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED THE BRAKE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP, SLID INTO THE BACK OF AN 18-WHEELER.

NHTSA ID
10872683
Incident
Jun 5, 2016
Mileage
30,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 31, 2016

I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE RAV4 CLASS ACTION WAS EVEN FILED. I OWN A RAV 4 2003 AND I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE 103,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON A REGULAR BASE .RECENTLY 3/25, 2016 IT STARTED TO RUN ROUGH, AND WAS DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ADJUST THE ECM WHICH THEY DID AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT ANOTHER 100 MILES. WELL, I ASKED THEM WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND THEY SAID THEN WE REPLACE THE ECM FOR $ 1100 DOLLARS IF THAT DOES NOT FIX IT THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $6,000 DOLLARS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. AT THE TIME I DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWNED THIS MODEL HAD THIS PROBLEM. SO I TOOK IT HOME AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT. I AM A HOME DIALYSIS NURSE AND TRAVEL QUITE FREQUENTLY TO PATIENT'S HOMES WHO DEPEND UPON ME WHEN THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR DIALYSIS TREATMENTS. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS WORKING LATE AND COMING HOME ON A MAIN HIGHWAY PM 03/31/2016 AND IT HESITATES TO SHIFT WHEN MERGING AND SHAKES. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BUT LUCKY IT FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER AND TOLD THEM AND THEY WENT ON TO SAY WELL WE THEN HAVE TO REPLACE THE ECM ETC. I TOLD THEM ABOUT MY SEARCH REGARDING THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND THEY PUT THE MANAGER ON THE LINE. I TOLD HIM ABOUT BY RESEARCH ETC. HE SAID HE WOULD THEN FIND PARTS FROM A DISCARDED RAV 4. NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR, WHICH WILL AFFECT THE LIVES OF MY PATIENT'S, AND HOW RELIABLE WILL IT BE IF THEY ARE GOING TO THE JUNK YARD FOR PARTS TO REPAIR IT. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA ID
10852840
Incident
Mar 31, 2016
Mileage
103 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 16, 2015

ON AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SINCE OWNING THIS TOYOTA RAV4 I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS ENGINE CONTROL PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN THE ECONOMY MODE OF THE CAR WHICH IS THE DEFAULT MODE YOU START THE CAR UP IN. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET FAST SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THE ENGINE STALLS. YOU CAN HAVE THE ACCELERATOR PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE ENGINE GIVES YOU NO POWER. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION ON THE ROAD AS MY CAR IS ACTUALLY STALLING WHEN IT SHOULD BE ACCELERATING. I HAVE TESTED AND DONE THE SAME THING IN THE 'SPORT MODE' OF THE VEHICLE AND IT DOES NOT CREATE THE SAME STALL SITUATION. THUS MY CONCLUSION IS THE PROBLEM RESTS IN THE 'ECONOMY MODE'. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY. I AM GOING BACK TOMORROW TO AS THEM TO TAKE BACK THIS CAR, AS IT IS DANGEROUS AND IS NOT PREDICTABLE OR DEPENDABLE IN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10791578
Incident
Nov 16, 2015
Mileage
23,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 12, 2015

THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT INTENT ALMOST CRASHING INTO A WALL. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR W/OUT INJURY OR ACCIDENT . I WAS ENTERING MY GARAGE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED ( UNDER 5 MPH).

NHTSA ID
10789954
Incident
Sep 9, 2015
Mileage
28,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 18, 2015

CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM RPMS JUMP FROM 2200 TO 4000 OR HIGHER 5000 CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON.

NHTSA ID
10749522
Incident
Aug 15, 2015
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 20, 2015

WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE DURING A TURN. IT FOR A MOMENT WILL LOOSE POWER AND THEN HAVE A BURST OF ACCELERATION. IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN STARTED AND TURNED BUT IT MAY ALSO HAVE HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN LATELY AND MAKES TURNING DANGEROUS IF THERE IS A VEHICLE APPROACHING ACROSS THE CURVE OF THEE TERM. I KNOW OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 RAV4. I ASKED THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF THEN COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD NO. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10706705
Incident
Dec 16, 2013
Mileage
50 mi
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance
Filed Mar 26, 2015
Crash reported

THE THROTTLE STUCK ON THE CAR. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND IT WENT OVER A 10 FOOT FALL AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. IT WAS A VERY SCARY RIDE. I TRIED EVERY WAY TO STOP THE CAR BUT COULD NOT . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE UNINTENDED EVENT. I AM STILL VERY SORE THREE WEEKS LATER AND HAVE SOME SPINAL SPRAIN AND WRIST SPRAIN, CERVICAL SPRAIN AND BOTH KNEES BRUISED BOTH KNEES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS AFTER I CONSULTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY....UPDATED 06-16-15 *BF *TR UPDATED 10/2/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10701827
Incident
Mar 4, 2015
Mileage
17,745 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 11, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT REMAINED STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED INCREASED AND CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID
10693644
Incident
May 27, 2014
Mileage
15,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Feb 8, 2015

ON RARE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING, I WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER. IT'S AS IF SOMEONE HAS SUDDENLY TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER IS TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN PUSH DOWN AGAIN TO REGAIN SPEED. IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME ON FLAT ROADS, HILLS, SNOW OR RAIN COVERED, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON FOR THIS. THE TOYOTA DEALER SAYS HE CAN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM UNLESS I CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM FOR HIM SO HE CAN SEE FOR HIMSELF WHAT IS HAPPENING & THEN SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT I CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM! IT'S TOTALLY RANDOM. THIS PUTS ME LITERALLY ON PINS & NEEDLES WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM PASSING A CAR AND SUDDENLY I LOSE POWER? I HAVE 20000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND LOSS OF POWER HAS OCCURED MAYBE 20 TIMES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS. *JS

NHTSA ID
10682011
Incident
May 5, 2014
Mileage
5,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 15, 2015

WHEN MAKING A LEGAL U-TURN ON A BUSY ROAD I RAPIDLY BRAKED THE CAR (FROM 45MPH TO 2-3MPH) TO A PARTIAL STOP ROLLING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS TO A HARD LEFT. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR EXPECTING TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE U-TURN AND INSTEAD THE CAR HESITATED AND SLOWED FEELING LIKE THERE WAS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER TO THE WHEELS. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH NO IMMEDIATE EFFECT IN ACCELERATION. APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS PASSED AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHED IN THE LANE I WAS DRIFTING INTO WHEN SUDDENLY ALL ACCELERATION RESUMED NORMALLY. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST ONCE. ECO MODE WAS TURNED ON AND MY RAV4 IS AN AWD MODEL. I CONSIDER IT TO BE A REPORTABLE INCIDENT SINCE THE HESITATION WAS NOT EXPECTED AND INCREASED THE PROBABILITY OF COLLISION WITH TRAFFIC IN THE DRIVING LANE I WAS TURNING INTO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10672812
Incident
Jan 8, 2015
Mileage
7,490 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 15, 2014
Crash reported

I WAS PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO AN EXIT DRIVEWAY. ABOUT 12 FEET DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WAS A CEMENT BRICK WALL PARALLELING THE DRIVEWAY. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR ROCKETED INTO THE CEMENT BRICK WALL. FORTUNATELY,, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS NOT INJURED BADLY NOR WAS ANYONE ELSE. $ 13,000 TO FIX MY CAR AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL HAPPEN TOME AGAIN. I WILL BE LIKE DRIVING A TIME BOMB. I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO TOYOTA AND HAVE THEM CHECK MY SYSTEMS AND CERTIFY, THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622640
Incident
Aug 12, 2014
Mileage
2,450 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 19, 2014

CAR STARTED ACTIN G UP ON MAY 4TH. DIDN'T WANT START RIGHT AWAY IT STATED AFTER 4 5 TIRES AFTER 3 DAYS OF THAT I TOOK THE CAR TO LOCAL DEALER THEY TOLD ME BATTERY WAS LOW AND THEY CHARGED IT. I BROUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IT HAS ONLY 14 MILE AND I BROUGHT IN MARCH 31 2014. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN YESTERDAY ( 05/18/2014). *JS

NHTSA ID
10592352
Incident
May 14, 2014
Mileage
963 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 27, 2014

I LEASED 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, AROUND 2900 MILES THE WARNING AND INDICATING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS "SOME ONE HIT ABS SENSOR AND CUT HARNESS ..." SINCE THE SENSORS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, IT WILL COST ME $600 IN REPAIRS. THE FAILED SENSORS ARE USED FOR VEHICLE SAFETY AND TRACTION CONTROL . I THINK THAT THE CABLE HARNESS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO BE BETTER PROTECTED FROM ROAD HAZARDS AND THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR TOYOTA DESIGN FLAWS. PLEAD FIND ATTACHED SOME SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. THANK YOU,

NHTSA ID
10578701
Incident
Oct 25, 2013
Mileage
3,025 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 12, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED READING WAS INACCURATE WHEN COMPARED TO THE SPEED DISPLAYED ON THE GPS SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INDICATING A HIGHER SPEED THEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY TRAVELING BUT THE SPEED WAS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127.

NHTSA ID
10555875
Incident
Dec 4, 2013
Mileage
127 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 5, 2013

APPROACHING STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION , TOWARDS ONCOMING INTERSECTION , WITH CROSS TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STILL LUNGED AND VIBRATED FURTHER, ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE BY TURNING THE IGNITION OFF! *TR

NHTSA ID
10555005
Incident
Dec 4, 2013
Mileage
7,400 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2013

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WAS PULLING INTO PARK AT WORK WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE (FORTUNATELY) AND THE RAV4 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10546071
Incident
Sep 27, 2013
Mileage
1,825 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 10, 2013

2 SEPARATE EPISODES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A BRAND NEW CAR DEALER UNABLE TO VERIFY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505885
Incident
Apr 5, 2013
Mileage
120 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .