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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,417 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Toyota RAV4 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2014 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #13

Aug 152022

RAV4

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering and brakes quit working while driving. Able to safely get off road. Took to Toyota Service Department. Per invoice "improperly installed battery caused everything to melt" battery installed by AAA in March 2020. Size 35 battery. Extensive damage.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #12

Sep 082021

RAV4 4-cyl

  • miles
Driver [XXX] was driving down roadway and entire dashboard lite up. Attempted to apply brakes to stop vehicle, but the brakes wouldn't operate causing the vehicle to rear end another vehicle around 25 mph. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and is now with Copart PA-Pittsburgh North 2200 River Rd. Ellwood City, PA 16117. Phone number: 724-758-0480 INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Summerville, PA, USA

problem #11

Nov 132019

RAV4

  • 74,815 miles
The incident occurred on 11/13/2019 @ 8:30am. I had started my 2014 Toyota Rav4, pulled out from under the carport apprx. 25ft and put the vehicle in park and fully engaged the parking brake I always do this if I need to leave the vehicle running for any reason. In this case I was heating the interior as it was chilli. I went back inside my home to get the animal crate that contained my cat who needed to go to the vet. As I was loading the crate into the front seat the vehicle began moving in reverse. I was between the open door and the vehicle itself and after freaking out a second looked to see if the parking brake had disengaged. It had not.at that point I was along for the ride and the car drug me toward the laundry room and I went underneath the open door holding onto the armrest. When I had to release my trip I was laid out on my back with my arms and hands raised. The right front tire came into contact with first my left elbow then wrist then hand wrenching my left shoulder as it did so. This accident should never have occurred. The safety measures failed. I bought the car in October 2017 and had no trouble doing the exact same thing as described many many times. Toyota has been notified and now needs to go to any lengths necessary to make sure this does not happen to anyone else.

- Ludowici, GA, USA

problem #10

Mar 042019

RAV4

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Left rear tail light - water is accumulating inside the tail light lense - potential for electrical shortage and inability to warn vehicles behind Rav4 that car is turning or braking

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

problem #9

Nov 302014

RAV4

  • 700 miles
Brakes have made a hard scratching sound if vehicle has not been driven daily since its purchase. At 30000 mile service, mechanic has noted that rear rotors are not making full contact.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #8

May 232017

RAV4

  • 10,000 miles
The brakes always made harsh sounds at low speeds. And the breaks wore out by 30000. The dealership also advised me that my rotors had to be replaced.

- Garfield, NJ, USA

problem #7

Dec 042015

RAV4

  • 34,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My name is [xxx]. the Toyota service history of my vehicle from Toyota. It states in February 2017 brakes is good with 8mm on the front brake pads. Next service is in June 2017, with 5,174 miles later brakes are at 3.5mm and needs to be replaced. I was not told that the driver side is at 3.5 and the passenger side was 6.0 mm. The issues started when they were replaced on 12/4/2015. [xxx]stated it was on my driving and not the brakes. It continues from the first brake service till today. If you want any more of the service history I do have it if you need it. 'information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 082016

RAV4

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. While driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, there was a loud clicking noise coming from the brake pedal. In addition, when the vehicle struck a pothole or when making a turn, the clicking noise would get louder. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (dallas Toyota located on delton dr dallas, tx 75229) who stated that the vehicle was not covered by the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 242015

RAV4

  • 2,577 miles
Unintended acceleration. Before starting work, my wife was attempting to slowly park our 2014 Rav4 at less than 2 mph in an empty parking space in the public parking lot where she works when the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own reaching a final speed of 21 mph in the span of approximately 2 to 3 seconds. During these 2 to 3 seconds the vehicle traveled a distance of approximately 27 feet from the empty parking space, running over the parking space concrete curbs and hit a parked vehicle on the Rav4 right and then ran into a tree, which was the only thing that stopped the vehicle. My wife applied the service brake to try to stop the vehicle but this effort did not prevent the vehicle from accelerating. After hitting the tree my wife shifted the vehicle into park and pushed a button to turn the engine off. The air bags did not deploy after hitting the tree at 21 mph. We notified Toyota of the problems regarding sudden acceleration, service brake and the non-deployed air bags. Toyota opened a case and sent an inspector to inspect the Rav4. We received a letter from Toyota stating they found no evidence of any type of manufacturing or design defect. We do not feel safe in this vehicle. We are not driving the 2014 Rav4 due to this serious safety defect of sudden unintended acceleration. Vehicle safety failure mileage was 2,577 miles.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #4

Jun 182015

RAV4

  • 6,235 miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration while slow moving in a crowded parking lot. Wheels continued to spin and accelerate even after car had collided with other (parked) cars, and continued to accelerate with no response from the brakes. It collided in quick succession with four cars until it finally stopped (car was turned off). Luckily no one was injured, there were dozens of pedestrians returning to their vehicles after a classic concert. I asked for an investigation by the car maker. Investigation was conducted on 6 July (cdr/edr record recovered from SRS module). In September I received a letter from Toyota saying no mechanical defect was found. However, I believe it is not a mechanical defect but a software defect that caused the acceleration. I've owned Toyota for over 15 years - which I had always considered a very reliable company - have been a driver for over 30 years and never had a single accident. The experience was so terrifying in spite of Toyota reassurance I felt the car was unsafe and transferred the lease to a dealer (bearing some monetary loss, unfortunately). I file this complaint so that future owners can be made aware, and in order to assist accuracy of statistics and studies on sudden unintended acceleration events.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #3

Sep 202014

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 3,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Noise when braking, and pads not releasing from rotors completely.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 162015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 2,300 miles
At approximately 8:20 am on Friday, January 16th, 2015, I was pulling into an empty parking spot in front of my apartment complex after dropping my 6 year-old at school. This was a routine as I do this every morning. However, as I was slowing the car down preparing to park (5-10 mph), the car suddenly accelerated (approximately 25-30 mph) and ran over the sidewalk, bushes and into the side of my apartment complex. Despite my attempts to brake, the car would not stop. In the process I ran through the side of my apartment complex wall and front gate, nearly going right through my front door and living room where my 6 month old and wife were playing. I had to place the car in park and turn the car off. That stopped the car. I then turned the car back on and reversed. Luckily no one was injured, but there was substantial damage done to the side of my apartment complex and my vehicle. Should be noted, that despite the impact, no airbags were deployed. At the moment, my insurance company has me at fault. I have filed with Toyota corporate and they are having a specialist investigate the vehicle. I do not feel safe in this car. And hope that this is investigated further. Had I not turned off my car, I would have surely gone through my front door and into my living room, potentially hurting my 6 month old and wife.

- Ladera Ranch, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 012014

RAV4

  • 300 miles
While driving my brand new Toyota 2014 Rav4, they were the following: 1. the car was vibrating slightly and the car was stuck in first gear. 2. the ?check engine" light came on along with the AWD drive and traction control lights. 3. the steering wheel was becoming firm along with the brake pedal. Remember, this was all while the car was still running. 4. I managed to pull over and turn off the car. 5. I tried to restart the vehicle, but the car would not start and would only use the battery. 6. I tried to start the car for the third time, but stopped when I could smell burning rubber. I was very nervous when this happened. Moreover, I have lost confidence, trust, and a sense of safety in this vehicle. Basically, I no longer feel safe and secure in this car. My experience yesterday 09/01/2014 was terrifying, I was afraid that somebody was going to hit me from behind. When the vehicle started to shut down I was scared for my friends life and mine. I had no choice but to stop the car as much as I could to the side safely and put on my hazard lights on, and call for help. There was no shoulder I had to stop on a busy road, where cars drive over the speed limit. When I was buying the vehicle they were my best buddy offering you water, pizza, after the deal shaking hands 20 times, when you go back its like we are very busy. Toyota care will take care of it, don't really want to know you! at the moment it is at the dealership being checked! lets see what happens.

- Hudson, NH, USA

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