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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,122 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.

2015 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #17

Oct 272022

RAV4

  • miles

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

While leaving the bank parking lot my 2015 Rav 4 started to accelerate while my foot was on the brakes. I barely missed hitting an incoming car. This was not first time something like this happened. There were other incidents prior to this but I dismissed them as maybe me hitting the wrong pedal.

- Brewster, NY, USA

problem #16

May 272022

RAV4

  • miles
My vehicle has a problem with torque converter shudder that has gotten worse over time. At first it was shuddering and now vehicle bulks and momentarily slows down at the speed of 20mph thus creating an unsafe situation. Toyota has a Torque Converter Shudder Warranty Enhancement Program (ZH1) for vehicles of my age and mileage, but my specific VIN number does not fall under this warranty enhancement. I spoke to Toyota Brand Engagement Center senior adviser Drew and explained to him that it is a safety issue due to my vehicle unexpectedly slowing down in traffic. But he refused to do anything to mitigate this safety concern.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #15

Sep 082021

RAV4

  • 35,569 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 35,569.

- Norton, MA, USA

problem #14

Jun 112020

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles

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

Sua incident - coasting before entering garage as usual with my right foot on floor and not engaged with accelerator or brake. Upon entering the garage car began to accelerate, naturally shocking/baffling me, as I had already started braking and continued to do that to no avail as car proceeded to hit back wall of the garage where acceleration stopped, car came to rest. I never drive with two feet and am absolutely certain my foot was on the brake and brake was not responding. Also car did not accelerate with the same sound as it normally would if I pressed the gas peddle. It accelerated more like it was on cruise control...very smooth and steady. Actually I'm grateful the wall wasn't far away so it didn't accelerate further. The incident happened June 11,2020 at around 10 am. Do not know reason for sua, but will note that we had the garage door sensors repositioned on June 10. I'm noting that because where they are is about when I felt acceleration starting.

- Englewood, FL, USA

problem #13

Jun 072020

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 31,300 miles
While slowly pulling into owners garage, vehicle suddenly accelerated with high whining sound. Vehicle crashed into garage wall at high rate of speed. Front end completely destroyed, doors do not open, radiator leaking and garage cabinet destroyed. Insurance company notified. Air bag did not deploy. Vehicle has 31,300 miles.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #12

Oct 182018

RAV4

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. When the contact started the vehicle and attempted to drive forward, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the front passenger tire of a parked and unoccupied vehicle. Afterwards, the engine rpms increased and the vehicle continued to rev even though the contact was depressing the brake pedal with both feet. The contact stated that the vehicle proceeded to move backwards while the brake pedal was still depressed. The passenger was able to reach the gear shift and place it in the park position to stop the vehicle. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Henagar, AL, USA

problem #11

Jan 072018

RAV4

  • 24,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. While driving less than 5 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a building. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and two passengers sustained minor injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to express towing's facility. A police report was filed. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

problem #10

Jul 192016

RAV4

  • 10,000 miles
I was pulling in a parking space at the back of the building in which I worked. I turned right into my space going about idle speed. I took my foot off the brake to move into the space when it took off and went into the building. I missed the sensor by a quarter of an inch and the air bags did not deplore. I had the black box read by Toyota and then they never called me back to explain the "book" of papers that gave all sorts of information which I really don't understand. After about two or three months it happened again when my husband was driving and came to a four way stop on a city street. When it let up off the brake the car took off and since he had about a half mile of street he let it go. It took him at 40 mph for the whole way. He had trouble when he hit the brake to make it stop. He had to pump them several times. This car had done this 7 or 8 times to us. We talked to the dealership and because it was leased they couldn't help. So we have kept the car and I drive it with my hand on the gear shift and when pulling into parking spaces I keep my foot on the break and sometimes put it into neutral. I feel this car is very defective. Toyota has read the black box twice and never got back to us to explain if they know why this does this the crash caused 8000 to the car and 16000 to the buildng

- Uhrichsville, OH, USA

problem #9

Feb 122017

RAV4

  • 6,000 miles
As I was pulling into my parking lot, I pressed the brake to stop the vehicle. When I moved my gearshift into the park position, my car jumped the curb and drove into my exterior wall. After the collision, the car then started driving backwards at an accelerating speed. After jumping back into the parking lot, I crashed into a car parked behind me, which made the car finally stop. The airbags did not deploy during either collision. By the end, the vehicle had been totaled.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #8

Jul 022016

RAV4

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. While merging into the right lane, the vehicle independently veered left and accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The driver drove off the road and the vehicle rolled twice down a short incline. Both the driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver and front passenger sustained bruises and scratches to their elbows. The rear passenger suffered a concussion, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #7

Apr 122016

RAV4

  • 14,000 miles

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

While pulling up to a gas pump the car suddenly accelerated. It went from zero to 40 miles per hour. I was in the passenger seat and my husband was driving. He pumped the brakes but car made a loud revving noise and would not stop. My husband was able to avoid hitting a truck, but the car went over a concrete mediano and only came to a stop when the emergency brake was pulled. The car was filled with airbag smoke even though the airbags did not deploy. A witness said that he could tell it was a mechanical issue because of the loud revving noise the car was making. Toyota has not been able to tell us what happened. They did not find a problem with brakes or accelerator. The car hit the median so hard that the frame has been bent. Even though we have been loyal Toyota customer for over 20 years, my hope is that they total the car so that I don't ever have to drive it again. Our Toyota case # IS1604122141. I know that other people have had similar experiences-there is no doubt in my mind that there is a serious problem with that car.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #6

Jan 042016

RAV4

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. While the contact's foot was deperessing the brake pedal and the vehicle was in drive, it accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, but the contact was not given an explanation for the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred only once. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Alderson, WV, USA

problem #5

Aug 282015

RAV4

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. While driving 20 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

- Kettle Falls, WA, USA

problem #4

Dec 172015

RAV4

  • miles
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. While entering an on-ramp, the contact's vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side fender and panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 262015

RAV4

  • miles
The car significantly accelerates when backing out of the garage. When stopped for a red light it is eager to go if the brakes are not depressed very firmly and between 20 and 40 miles per hour it shifts into a higher gear with unintended acceleration. It has also done this when once going up a hill at 39 miles per hour. It feels dangerous to me when I am approaching a stop sign and it chooses to accelerates unless I am braking long before the sign. The can was examined by the deaqlership 2 times and "nothing was found". I then contacted someone in Toyota's Colorado administrative office. This person took a computer apparatus attached it to my car, we test drove it around and they determined it does automatically shift into 5th gear during these acceleration times. The car feels unsafe and will sooner or later be the cause of an accident.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #2

Sep 222015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 1,200 miles
Tla* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 2 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the engine revved. The vehicle unintentionally accelerated and came to a stop after the gear was shifted into park. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,200. Updated 11/04/15; 03/19/18 jb/15/18

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #1

Mar 122015

RAV4

  • 1,000 miles
Driving on slight grade at approx. 55 mph. Attempted to pass car in front of me. Checked left lane, semi about 50-75 yards back. Pressed down gas pedal and nothing. It was like the car went into neutral. Meanwhile semi is approaching. Pumped pedal a few times nothing semi has to slow down because I am slowing down instead of accelerating. Finally pedal catches and car accelerates. This has happened about 5 times since I got this car new in January, Toyota dealer service person says this is normal as everything is done by computer now, not hardwire. Computers are exceptionally fast so I don't buy it. He did admit that another Rav4 driver had complained about the same thing I did. He advised me to hold the pedal down and the acceleration will kick it. Tried it. Did not do anything. Very worried. Plus semi driver must think I'm an idiot.

- Mililani, HI, USA

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