2013 Toyota RAV4 EV recalls and problems

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV has 3 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Toyota RAV4 EV recalls

Recall 16V-096: Seat Belts

Reported Feb 19, 2016 · 1,123,752 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

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.

Recall 15V-577: Visibility/Wiper

Reported Sep 18, 2015 · 423,456 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

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 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.

Recall 15V-143: Hybrid Propulsion System

Reported Mar 13, 2015 · 2,497 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

2013 Toyota RAV4 EV problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Fuel/Propulsion System	3
Power Train	1
Seat Belts	1
Unknown or Other	1
Visibility/Wiper	1
Electrical System	1
Vehicle Speed Control	1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 28,564 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Visibility/Wiper · reported Dec 28, 2016

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System · at 34,500 miles · reported Jul 7, 2015

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 really safe. 3 months wait to make a software patch is pathetic.

Seat Belts · at 15,000 miles · reported May 19, 2015

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. Backup screen, just as you start to back up and, on the roll. The screen blocks out the top 1/3. It connects and tells you, your blue tooth items are connected or not. That message should be delayed until after being in reverse. The top 1/3…

Power Train · at 5,490 miles · reported Mar 5, 2014

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 restarted the car and it ran fine after that. There was a message indicating an EV system error and indicated I should immediately take the car to an authorized dealer, which I did. The dealer replaced the motor and the problem has not…

Other Toyota RAV4 EV years

201420132012

Compare all Toyota RAV4 EV years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV: 16V-096 (seat belts), 15V-577 (visibility/wiper), 15V-143 (hybrid propulsion system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV?

Owners report fuel/propulsion system problems most often (3 reports), followed by power train (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 28,564 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.