2013 Toyota RAV4 Ev recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
What could happen: Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separ…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 RAV4 EV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V577000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-331-4331.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Consequence: Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
What could happen: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 RAV4 EV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V096000 (manufacturer code G0F).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-331-4331.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Consequence: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Hybrid / EV system
What's wrong, in plain English: High-voltage battery or drive system. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.
What could happen: A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 RAV4 EV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Toyota dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V143000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-331-4331.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (3), Electrical system (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Seat belts (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
09/20/2018 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ELECTRIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DECELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO ANDREW TOYOTA (1620 W SILVER SPRING DRIVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 5320…
12/28/2016 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
TOYOTA OF LAKE CITY (SEATTLE, WA) REFUSED TO DO, OR EVEN HELP WITH, THE NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-577 FOR MY TOYOTA VEHICLE. BOTH THE SERVICE ADVISER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN'T AND WON'T DO THE WORK FOR THIS NATIONAL SAFETY RECALL THEY DID NOT CALL TOYOTA CORPORATE, THEY DID NOT LIFT A FINGER TO HELP GET THIS RECALL DONE FOR MY VEHICLE.
07/07/2015 · Fuel system
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH, MY CAR LOST DRIVE WHILE I WAS CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR JUST POPPED INTO NETURAL WITH WARNING MESSAGES COMING ON THE DASH. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THE RECALL ADDRESSED YET AFTER 3 MONTHS, THERE IS STILL NO KNOWN FIXES FOR IT. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP TOYOTA INTO PUSHING A FIX FOR IT ASAP AS THE CAR ISN'T REA…
05/19/2015 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT RETRIEVAL SPRING (WEAK). I HAVE BOTH MODELS 2013 AND 2014. NEITHER MODEL HAS A STRONG RETRIEVAL SPRING, LEAVES THE MEDAL BUCKLE LOOSE AND HANGING IN DOOR JAM, IT GETS SLAMMED IN THE DOOR. WILL DEFORM AT SOME FURTHER POINT AND NOT ENGAGE. DOOR LOCKS. NOT SURE IF MANDATORY BY REGULATION, DOOR LOCKS DON'T AUTO LOCK AFTER CAR STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD…
03/05/2014 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN THE HOV LANE OF THE 405 FWY, AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED STATING THAT THE CAR WAS IN "NEUTRAL". I TRIED TO SHIFT IT INTO "DRIVE" BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. SINCE THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE CENTER DIVIDER TO PULL OVER, I COASTED AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE RIGHT THROUGH 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPED ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I…