30 complaints reported

2013 Toyota RAV4 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
30
Crashes
1
Fires
10
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2025

There is a large amount of peeling paint on the roof and front side panels of the car that started on 1/9/25. Toyota says they had a recall but that it expired. I brought the car to the dealer where it was original purchased (by the previous owner) and they completed a paint inspection and found "excessive paint peeling" but they are not willing to do anything. I called Toyota customer care but they have denied and closed my case (case #250109001939). There is at least a 2 foot section on the roof where the paint just peeled off and blew away. Without the paint the car will rust and become unsafe.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2025
Nov 2024

My vehicle is a Rav 4, pearl white and the vin number is [XXX] . I called a phone number (1-877-855-8377) provided by Toyota de Puerto Rico so I could work on the paint recall on my 2013 SUV. I was not aware of this recall, but a co-worker told me about the recall when I noticed that my SUV was peeling off the paint on the hood. The gentleman who answered my call told me that they had sent me a recall letter, which is not true because I never get a letter. Now my RAV4 is losing its paint and I need Toyota to answer me for their negligence in relation to their defect in that type of paint. I will be grateful if you give me some help and what I should do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2023
Oct 2024

The paint (Blizzard Pearl) on the roof of my car came off in very large sheets while I was driving. I contacted my local dealership to have my car repainted (per the warranty with Toyota) only to find out that the warranty on the paint for my particular vehicle had expired in 2023. I would like to see this warranty on the paint extended so I called Toyota directly and they advised I issue a compliant here so you can force them to extend this warranty.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2024
Sep 2024

On 4/4/18 I purchased a preowned 2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited from Grappone Toyota. It had approximately 80000 miles on it. I was told it was gone over completely and everything was good with it. For quite some time now I have been feeling a vibration/shudder when pressing the gas. I initially thought it was just getting old & that it was normal. During the winters I have tried dry gas thinking that could be helpful. I had also tried higher octane gas. It's been getting considerably worse so when I made an appointment at Grappone for my oil change, I asked them to diagnose it. They came back saying I need a new $4000 Torque Converter. Once I got home I began doing research. I found T-SB-0023-15. Then an extension on it to 8 years or 150000 miles. It's a problem big enough to put a TSB out. I tried contacting Toyota & they said my car is beyond the warranty (it has 135000 miles on it, but over 8 years old). My gripe is I was never told of this TSB. If I would've known, I would've jumped on it as soon as I started feeling the vibration. I feel like Grappone sold this car to me deceitfully as I was never told about it. Toyota confirmed the TSB was sent to the previous owner as I didn't buy until 04/18. I have the estimate for repair from Grappone. I feel betrayed & duped.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2024
Sep 2024 Fire

While driving the car, it stalled on the expressway and then started to smoke and seconds later started on fire.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2023
Jun 2024

It is taking too much time for Toyota to offer a remedy on this recall. I am disappointed. This is affecting me because I have not been able to work with my car for to this unresolved recall. I don't know what to do please help

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2024
Feb 2024 Fire

Had to make a quick right hand turn, when I did, my vehicle lost power and I thought I had been hit. No power steering or power brakes. Got out, inspected my car, no damages or anything, vehicle restarted and so I continued on my way. Getting back on the road had to make another right, and vehicle sputtered and dash blinked, but seemed to recover. Started to look for a safe place to get off the road, when the dash was blinking and I lost power steering again. Turned into a place of business. As I stopped, smoke was showing from the drivers side, I tried to get out, but my door handle didn't unlock,. I realized I had to manually flip the lock to get out. Dialed 911 from cell phone and went into the business to tell them to keep people away. I could see flames coming down from the engine compartment to the ground. Luckily fire department arrived and extinguished fire. Initially Toyota dealership quoted $12,550 to fix, my insurance company declared it a total loss.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2023
Dec 2023

I parked my car at Omaha airport. I came to know that “[XXX]" stole the car and kept it near her Apt at [XXX]”. Her phone number is [XXX]. Please arrest her immediately. She took the car without my consent and without my authorization. She is not even registered as a driver/owner of the car. Please arrest her. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2023
Nov 2023 Fire Injury

My battery was not secure and caused a fire under hood

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2022
Jan 2023 Fire

The car stalled on the expressway. Then started smoking and was on fire seconds later.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2023
Dec 2022

Since we purchased the car new in 2013 the trunk doesn’t always open when the button is pushed. I never saw a recall so I figured “my luck” until today. I saw another person unable to open the trunk. Is there a fix?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2022
Nov 2022 Fire

Engine started smoking and a few minutes later the vehicle completely engulfed in flames.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2022
Mar 2022

Please see letter attached. Thank you!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2021

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF EXPLODED

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2021
Jan 2021 Fire

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO EXTINGUISH. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2021
Jul 2020 Fire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT, IGNITION TURNED OFF. LEFT CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MINUTES, RETURNED TO PARKING LOT TO FIND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. MOST OF DAMAGE DONE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE DESTROYED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2020
Oct 2019 Fire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED ON, THEN OFF. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND ON TO A PARKING LOT. THINKING THAT A BATTERY CABLE POSSIBLY HAD COME LOOSE, I RAISED THE HOOD. THE AREA AT OR NEAR THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED 9-1-1, BUT BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHER RAV4 DRIVERS MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2019
Oct 2019 Fire

THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE PARKING LOT. NOBODY WAS INSIDE THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED.FIREFIGHTERS PUT OUT THE FLAMES LATER. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS INJURED OR HURT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2019
Aug 2019

SPEEDOMETER IS NOT ACCURATE. WHEN USING AN EXTERNAL GPS UNIT IN OTHER VEHICLES, THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER IS ACCURATE. WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THIS 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4, THE SPEEDOMETER SAYS 60 MPH BUT THE GPS SAYS 57 MPH. THE FASTER YOU DRIVE , THE LARGER THE DISCREPANCY.THIS IS A LIMITED WITH 18 'WHEELS, MAYBE IT WAS SET FROM THE FACTORY FOR 17' WHEELS?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2018
Aug 2018

THE RAV4 2013 IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET. THE CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP WHEN PRESSING GAS AND JERKS SUDDENLY. PER DEALER, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD A LOT OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2018
Jun 2018

THIS REPAIR IS FOR THE PISTONS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE OF THE 2013 TOYOTA RAV 4

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2018
Mar 2018

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE CARPOOLING TO WORK. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC IN A CLEAR STRAIGHT AWAY (NO OVERPASSES) WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND I PANICKED. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OUT OF FEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO COACH ME TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY SO WE COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF HAD LOOKED LIKE IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHICH STATED THEY DO NOT COVER ANY GLASS DAMAGE AND REFERRED ME TO SAFELITE WHICH THEN REFERRED ME TO SUNROOF EXPRESS FOR REPAIR. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UPSETTING AS NOTHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE AND WE FEEL THAT WE WERE NOT AT FAULT. WE DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE BREAKAGE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2018
Jan 2018

WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN OKLAHOMA HER SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED INTO SMALL PIECES OF GLASS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING HITTING IT PRIOR TO IT EXPLODING. IT JUST HAPPENED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2018
Dec 2016

THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A LOUD THUD OF SOMETHING HITTING THE ROOF OF OUR CAR, BUT WE WERE DRIVING IN AN OPEN PARK AREA WITH NOTHING OVERHEAD AND NO OTHER CARS WITHIN CLOSE DISTANCE. WE OPENED THE SUNROOF COVER AND SAW THAT IT HAD COMPLETELY CRACKED. BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME, MUCH OF THE GLASS WAS MISSING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2016
Mar 2016

TRIED TO PLACE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OUT OF GARAGE AFTER STARTUP. THERE WAS UNUSUAL NOISE, GRINDING, FROM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PUT LEVER BACK INTO PARK AND TRIED AGAIN TO PLACE TRANSMISSJON INTO REVERSE. AND HEARD SAME NOISE. SHUT OFF ENGINE AND MADE RESTART. ALL NORMAL. THIS SAME TYPE OF EVENT HAPPENED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAS NOT, AS YET, OCCURED AGAIN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2016

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Quick Summary

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 has 30 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.