RoadVitals

2014 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
31
Latest Nov 13, 2025
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.
16%
of 196 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.
16
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 the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Toyota RAV4 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 31 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 31, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Nov 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact’s son stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and became inoperable, and lost power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11699219
Incident
Nov 13, 2025
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 13, 2025

1) Vehicle had a recall for something concerning the transmission. Service was done and just after the warranty expired on that issue the transmission went out while driving and I had to put a new one in the vehicle, Toyota did help with $1500 of the cost but it cost me out of pocket over $4000. 2) For the last 2 years the car has been burning oil excessively, I have to put a quart of oil in almost every week. Now the vehicle out of the blue will start shaking and all the warning lights come on and I have to be able to pull over. I no longer can drive on the highway in fear this could happen. I am now being told I need a new or rebuild engine. I seen online that others have had this problem and there was a Class Action Law suit several years ago. What are the chances a Toyota Rav4 would need a transmission and now a engine.

NHTSA ID
11699167
Incident
Dec 31, 1969
Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2025
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2014 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 30-40 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stopped independently. No warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned she noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine, and smoke started coming inside the vehicle. There was a fuel odor. present. The contact exited the vehicle and stood on the side of the road, and called 911. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned days prior to the battery warning light illuminating, and the battery was determined to be functioning as normal; therefore, the vehicle was resumed to be driven as normal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown

NHTSA ID
11684519
Incident
Aug 29, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 5, 2024
Fire reported

Car on fire

NHTSA ID
11612949
Incident
Aug 18, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 4, 2024

This car was purchased in March 2024 at Peak Motors in Hickory, NC and on [XXX] 2024, while driving the Check engine light, power steering, oil lamp, A&T temp oil, battery, tire and seatbelt light came on, the RPM went to 0 and we could no accelerate so we coasted down a hill and pull off to restart the car. After restarting it, all the lights disappeared and proceeded home and it happened 2 more times on the way home. The next day our mechanic and tested the battery and alternator, the alternator was good, but battery was weak so we got a new battery. A couple weeks later, the same thing happened and took it back in the mechanic but they could not get any codes nor could get it to reproduce what was happening so nothing could be done. They cleaned the mass air filter, but the same thing happened a few weeks later. The car has been in the shop for a total of 5 times and kept at the shop for 3 weeks. On [XXX] 2024, the car engine died again while in a drive thru and immediately took it to the mechanic 10 minutes away and they were able to get the code P1604 Startability Malfunction but the code is too generic they couldn't pinpoint specifically exactly what is the problem. Because of this being a HUGH safety issue, I contacted the dealer and they said they inspected it but could not provide proof when I asked for paperwork. I contacted Toyota in Asheville, NC where it serviced and they haven' returned my call. I contacted Mike Johnson Toyota in Hickory, NC where it was bought and they had no service records regarding this vehicle. It has passed inspection in Buncombe, NC but nobody can figure out what's going on. I am scared to drive the car because it happens at random times and it puts us at risk of being hit since we suddenly loss power but also puts others at risk as could hit us harming themselves and damaging their car. We drove the car for only a month before all of this began to happen and we just want to feel safe driving and riding in this car again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

NHTSA ID
11592352
Incident
Apr 11, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 5, 2024

2014 Toyota Rav 4 EV with 30,898 miles, the vehicle has full power but no start. towed vehicle to Toyota Dealership for dianostic it was checked with a scan tool and found code U0293, this set the code for lost communication with the EV control system. A special cable was bought to communicate with the vehicle root cause of problem is Traction Motor bad need replaced and service plug at top of battery has blown fuse need replaced. Solution is engine replacement.

NHTSA ID
11570102
Incident
Dec 1, 2023
Engine
Filed Dec 11, 2023
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving up a slight grade, the vehicle stalled on the roadway. The contact stated that he saw smoke issuing from under the hood. The contact stated that he exited the vehicle and observed that flames were issuing from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the fire department was called, however by the time the fire truck arrived the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. The contact stated that the fire department extinguished the flames with water. The police department was also on scene and wrote a report. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11559532
Incident
May 11, 2023
Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2023

At least three time this happened while driving upon stopping at a stop sign or traffic light I was proceeding while making a turn after getting the clearance to do so. However the engine shut down and I was perplexed as to what was happening. I discovered the car had shut down and I had to restart the car. Additionally this occurred at a stop sign, while trying to make a sharp turn the car once again shut off and I was in the middle of intresection and other cars were behind me, and other coming towards me and I realized this SUV had stopped running again, putting me in direct harms way.

NHTSA ID
11553645
Incident
Oct 2, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 4, 2023
Fire reported

Parked my vehicle 2014 Rav4 at work, went to my office and security called that my Toyota rav4 burst into flames. All caught on video. Sprinklers went off and fire department called. Fire started under the hood. Entire Engine compartment burned. Vehicle totaled.

NHTSA ID
11536539
Incident
Jul 26, 2023
EngineFuel systemSuspension
Filed Sep 3, 2022

The engine make noise and it leaks under the car inside the car by your passenger side

NHTSA ID
11482714
Incident
May 3, 2022
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 31, 2021
Fire reported

On Sunday, Aug 29th, our RAV4 caught fire in our driveway. The vehicle was off/parked at the time and required the fire department to extinguish. The fire spread to our truck which was parked next to the RAV4. Both are a complete loss.

NHTSA ID
11431159
Incident
Aug 29, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 19, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After multiple attempts, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. Soon after the vehicle was restarted there was smoke coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled again. The contact stated that the battery had caught on fire. The battery was destroyed. The fire department was not notified of the fire. There was no injury sustained. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic for repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11425497
Incident
Jul 16, 2021
Mileage
135,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 12, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while making a right turn at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. During the failure, the instrument panel flashed approximately 4-5 times before going black. The contact stepped out to look under the hood and noticed a small fire. The police department was contacted and arrived and put out the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away and deemed a total loss. The contact was not injured. Medical attention was not needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ID
11424423
Incident
Jul 1, 2021
Mileage
102,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 6, 2021
Crash reportedFire reported

After a minor front end collision, the RAV4 immediately began smoking and caught fire. With a minor accident where the other car only had their front bumper minorly damaged, the RAV4 should not have caught fire. Their must be a defect in either the battery or oil line for the car to have caught fire. The car is a total loss and I am asking for a full investigation as my 2 children were in the car when the fire started.

NHTSA ID
11419845
Incident
Jun 4, 2021
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 1, 2021
Fire reported

Making a turn onto a local toll road and entire car went dead without warning of any kind. I had to struggle with loss of power steering to complete turn without going off road. Car came to a stop. I tried to call my wife to advise her I was having car problems which is surprising as I haven't had issues previously and had an earlier version of the RAV4 that I drove for 210,000 miles. Anyway, another vehicle stopped alongside and inquired if I needed assistance. As I talked, I noticed a smokey smell from what I had initially assumed was steam. I stepped outside the vehicle and observed through the drivers side front wheel well to see fire at the bottom of the engine compartment. Since I was driving to trails to ride my mountain bike, I had a water bottle and squeezed it onto the flames which partially extinguished and then relit. I hit the hood release but decided it was better to leave the hood down. I went to the rear lift gate to open it to retrieve my expensive carbon fiber mountain bike but it was locked. I tried to open the back driver side door also without success and tried hitting the unlock button on the drivers door but there was no power. About this time the smoke coming from the hood increased and I decided to heed the advise being given to step away from the car. Had I remembered sooner, I probably could have reached around the driver's seat to recover my wallet from the back pocket of the seat. As the fire increased, I stepped increasingly further back from the vehicle. About 5 minutes into the fire a state trooper arrived and expended his only extinguisher in an unsuccessful attempt to put out the fire. It was probably another 12-15 minutes before the fire department arrived to extinguish the fire but by that time, the car and its contents were a total loss.

NHTSA ID
11419257
Incident
May 31, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed May 22, 2021

I was driving down the road. I slowed up for a light and it turned green and started to go and my car turned off. Electrical still worked but engine was off.

NHTSA ID
11418136
Incident
May 22, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 7, 2021
Fire reported

ON MARCH 20, MY 2014 TOYOTA RAV4 CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN MOVED FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. THE CAR FIRE CAUGHT THE RAFTERS IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE AND THEN CAUGHT THE REST OF MY HOME ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID
11406924
Incident
Mar 20, 2021
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2021
Fire reported

WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK ON A WELL GRADED AND FULLY MAINTAINED DIRT ROAD, ALL THE LIGHTS IN MY DASH STARTED FLICKERING, AND THEN MY CARS ENGINE SHUT DOWN. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING / COASTING IN NEUTRAL. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. IT WAS A LITTLE SMOKE, THEN MORE, AND THEN SUBSIDED TO BEING BARLEY NOTICEABLE AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. AFTER IT SUBSIDED, I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO TRY TO START IT, HOPING IT WAS AN OVERHEATED ENGINE AND I MIGHT GET THE CAR TO TURN OVER. IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, I NOTICED A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD, SAW A LIQUID DRIPPING BENEATH THE THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS SIDE) PART OF THE CAR. I ALSO SAW A SMALL FLAME. I CALLED 911 TO REPORT THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WITHIN 10-15 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE PARK RANGER, SHERIFF, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP SHORTLY AFTER THAT. A CHARRED CAR FRAME IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT'S LEFT.

NHTSA ID
11404722
Incident
Mar 24, 2021
Mileage
88,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2021
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE COMING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V011000 (TRAILER HITCHES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. THE CONTACT CASE HAS BEEN CLOSED OUT WITH CASE MGMT AND WILL BE NOTIFIED BY THE TOYOTA CLAIMS DEPT IN REGARDS TO THE STATUS case and as of today my case 4/29/21.

NHTSA ID
11394683
Incident
Jan 22, 2021
Mileage
51,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2021

THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS HIGH, OVER 188,000 MILES BUT I THINK THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO MAKE NOTE OF IT. THE PLASTIC COUPLER AT THE UPPER END OF THE RADIATOR HOSE STARTED LEAKING COOLING FLUID AND I FOUND THAT IT HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE END OF THE PLASTIC COUPLER INSIDE OF THE RUBBER HOSE WAS BROKEN AND WHEN REMOVED I FOUND THAT IT WAS BRITTLE TO THE TOUCH. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE PART IN QUESTION. I THINK IF TOYOTA COULD MAKE THIS PARTICULAR PART OUT OF METAL IT WOULD NOT COST MUCH AND COULD SAVE THE CONSUMER FROM A SERIOUS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11387812
Incident
Dec 15, 2020
Mileage
188,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2020

I BOUGHT THIS RAV4 IN FEBRUARY 2017, AFTER DRIVING FEW I REALIZED MY CAR IS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. I HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT BY THE TIME I WENT FOR MY ISSUE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I CALLED TOYOTA COMPANY AND EXPLAINED MY OIL BURNING ISSUE, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME LATER. I RECEIVED A CALL FEW DAYS LATER AND THEY OFFERED ME $1000.00 TOWARDS PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS, WHICH WASN'T ENOUGH. BECAUSE TOYOTA DEALERS TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE WHOLE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP OIL BURNING PROBLEM, WHICH WOULD COST ALMOST $5000.00. SO I DIDN'T ACCEPT $1000.00 OFFER FROM TOYOTA MOTORS, EVER SINCE I AM PUTTING ONE QUARTER OIL EVERY 500 MILES. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ME OUT. THANKS

NHTSA ID
11331641
Incident
Oct 15, 2017
Mileage
48,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 9, 2019

AFTER STOP UPON TURNING RIGHT TO BLEND WITH TRAFFIC ENGINE LOOSES ALL POWER , RPM DROPS FROM 1500 TO 400 , THEN WILL CATCH IN ABOUT 4 TO 5 SECOND AND ACCELERATE , HAS HAPPENS 12 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS CAR HAS 11000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ID
11267320
Incident
Jul 20, 2019
Mileage
10,459 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 28, 2018
Fire reported

WHILE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 295 IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA, WE HAD JUST GOT ON TO THE BUCKMAN BRIDGE WHEN THE CAR SLOWED, UNCOMMANDED TO 20MPH. I LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE ALTERNATOR AND THE AUTO LSD OR TRACK LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL. SINCE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL I TOLD MY DAUGHTER TO KEEP DRIVING TO GET OFF THE BRIDGE, I FELT AS THOUGH THE BRIDGE WAS A BAD PLACE TO PULL OVER. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE WE STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND AT THIS POINT WE DECIDED TO PULL OVER. WHEN WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THREE OF US THEN EVACUATED THE VEHICLE AND STARTED WALKING AGAINST TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE. AS WE WERE WALKING AWAY THE SMOKE INTENSIFIED AND THEN ERUPTED INTO FLAMES THAT EMANATED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. I BELIEVE IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.

NHTSA ID
11114328
Incident
Jul 28, 2018
Mileage
29,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2018

VEHICLE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. 1 QUART PER 500 MILES CONSUMED WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE, IN TOWN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11075521
Incident
Feb 28, 2014
Mileage
98,500 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 26, 2017

RAV4 W/15,500MI... ENGINE PAUSE. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING. THE ENGINE DEFINITELY SLOWS DOWN AND YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO STOP BUT WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR IT RESUMES SPEED. IT IS FRIGHTENING AS THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL RESUME SPEED. IT PAUSES FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE 3 OR 4 SECONDS. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES,TRYING TO GET ON A HIGHWAY..AROUND TOWN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
11040020
Incident
Sep 13, 2017
Mileage
8,000 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .