2014 Toyota RAV4 recalls and problems

The 2014 Toyota RAV4 has 4 safety recalls and 198 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
198
Crashes / fires
20 / 25
Injuries / deaths
22 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2014 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2014 Toyota RAV4 recalls

Recall 23V-734: Electrical System

Reported Nov 1, 2023 · 1,853,568 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 15V-144: Steering

Reported Mar 13, 2015 · 110,085 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall 15V-011: Trailer Hitches, Exterior Lighting

Reported Jan 16, 2015 · 1,140 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.

Risk: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.

Recall 14V-828: Equipment

Reported Dec 30, 2014 · 3,958 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.

Risk: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.

2014 Toyota RAV4 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System69
Unknown or Other45
Engine31
Steering21
Power Train21
Structure18
Service Brakes15
Air Bags12
Exterior Lighting8
Vehicle Speed Control7
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Visibility/Wiper6

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 13
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 2
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 2
  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings › External/Pedestrian Alert — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 48,000 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 2014 Toyota RAV4 complaints

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

Power Train · reported Nov 9, 2026
My vehicle, 2014 Toyota rav4 xle AWD, is experiencing symptoms relating to the Toyota Warranty Enhancement Program ZH1 and is causing unsafe driving conditions. Toyota Corp has refused to honor this enhancement warranty simply because it is outside of the time frame of 8 years, however it is still under the mileage cutoff of 150k. This transmission shudder causes sudden hesitation and a loss of smooth power under acceleration, creating an unsafe driving conditions especially when trying to merge onto the highway. First started approximately 10 months after purchasing vehicle.
Steering · at 160,198 miles · reported Aug 14, 2026
We purchased a used 2014 RAV4 (VIN [XXX]) a few months ago. During a trip to the store my wife all of a sudden found it extremely hard to steer and almost went into a ditch! (thank God she didn't). It was a blessing that she didn't hit anything or anybody when this happened. It was close to home at the time so I came there to help. I was barely able to get the vehicle home because it was so hard to steer. I saw the power steering warning light on the dash and upon further review figured out that the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) which assists with ease of…
Air Bags · reported Aug 4, 2026
Request for Investigation – 2014 Toyota RAV4 Airbag Non-Deployment On [XXX], at approximately [XXX]., the vehicle was involved in a traffic collision in Lakeland, Florida. The vehicle sustained a significant impact to the driver’s-side front area. Despite the nature and location of the collision, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags did not deploy. Law enforcement responded to the scene and completed Police Report. Emergency medical services also responded, and the driver was transported from the scene by ambulance due to injuries sustained in the collision. The primary concern…
Steering · at 140,000 miles · reported Aug 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The failure lasted for several seconds before the power steering feature returned, and the vehicle returned to normal operation and the warning lights were no longer illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact received an estimate for a diagnostic test. Upon further investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V373000 (Steering); and associated the failure with the…
Unknown or Other · reported May 4, 2026
My vehicle's factory applied paint which is Blizzard Pear 070 is failing and peeling on entire vehicle in multiple areas including roof, hood, interior doors, side panels, and rear door. This started as chipping back in 2019 and then peeling around late 2019 and has progressively gotten worse with even being garaged. This is a know issue acknowledge by Toyota customer support program that has since expired. The paint is delaminating down to the primer with bare metal exposed. Yes it is available for inspection and actually had my local Toyota dealer who I purchased from take pictures last…

Other Toyota RAV4 years

Compare all Toyota RAV4 years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Toyota RAV4: 23V-734 (electrical system), 15V-144 (steering), 15V-011 (trailer hitches, exterior lighting), 14V-828 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Toyota RAV4?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (69 reports), followed by unknown or other (45). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 48,000 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.