2013 Toyota RAV4 electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V734000Nov 1, 20231,853,568 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

  Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.

  Risk: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 24, 2026GAFireElectrical System

   The system that failed is the 12-volt battery hold-down assembly and associated electrical infrastructure, exactly as described under NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign Number 23V-729 (Toyota Recalls 23TA13 / 23TB13). The vehicle is fully preserved in its post-fire state and is completely available for physical inspection upon request.Safety was severely compromised as the vehicle experienced a sudden, violent engine bay fire while actively traveling at highway speeds on Highway…

   NHTSA complaint #11759089 · source
2. Filed Jun 8, 2026311,581 miFLElectrical System

   Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that a mileage discrepancy was discovered after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 105,836; however, Carfax reported the mileage as 311,581.

   NHTSA complaint #11742666 · source
3. Filed Jan 26, 2026251,351 miCAElectrical System

   Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Toyota Rav4. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 89,704. At the time of the vehicle registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 251,351.

   NHTSA complaint #11713356 · source
4. Filed Jun 18, 2025CAElectrical System

   The dealer, Toyota of Chula Vista insists that i pay for the recall of the battery they had my car all day yesterday first they lied battery not available then they quoted me $337

   NHTSA complaint #11667758 · source
5. Filed Apr 15, 2025FLElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2013 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

   NHTSA complaint #11654712 · source
6. Filed Mar 11, 2025OHFireElectrical System

   Car started cutting on and off then battery caught fire while driving. The battery is still in the vehicle. Car was inspected by Victory Toyota of Brook Park. There were no warning lamps or messages before the incident occurred.

   NHTSA complaint #11647656 · source
7. Filed Feb 24, 2025KYElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact was not pleased with paying for the repair of…

   NHTSA complaint #11644531 · source
8. Filed Feb 5, 2025MAElectrical System

   This recall has been an open, unresolved issue for more than 1 year. Finally Toyota has offered me a repair for this issue, but they are charging me an extra $250 to replace the car battery, which is perfectly functional. Without replacing the battery they would not complete the recall. So unfair as this was their issue to begin with!

   NHTSA complaint #11640862 · source
9. Filed Jan 17, 2025NYElectrical System

   The recall (no. 23v-734) repair performed by Toyota was not free of charge. They had to replace my relatively new battery with a different size that would fit the new battery tray. They charged me $300 for parts and labor, and they did not return my original battery to me! I need to be fully reimbursed.

   NHTSA complaint #11636506 · source
10. Filed Nov 21, 2024130,000 miGAFire1 injuredElectrical System

    The contact's husband owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the husband was driving at approximately 35 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact's husband managed to pull into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle where it was noticed that the battery compartment caught on fire. The contact's husband managed to extinguish the fire by hand. The contact's husband had sustained slight burns however, no medical attention was sought. No police report…

    NHTSA complaint #11626625 · source
11. Filed Nov 14, 2024CAElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2013 Toyota RAV4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

    NHTSA complaint #11625354 · source
12. Filed Nov 14, 2024GUFireElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav 4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned on there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery…

    NHTSA complaint #11625345 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology