The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota RAV4 · 2014

2014 Toyota RAV4. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index20100 = average car
Complaints58NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold267,698U.S. model year
Per 100K sold22complaints
Year rank#1 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD23 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD22 / 28 / 25Regular$2,500
ElectricAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD78 / 74 / 76Electricity$1,000

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 12,000 and 78,000 miles. Median 45,000, from 115 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical53,50020,300–90,80032
Engine46,30012,000–102,00019
Transmission & drivetrain32,00016,900–88,50018
Steering88,4007,400–129,70014
Body structure30,00010,000–71,7009

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical21%
Engine14%
Transmission & drivetrain14%
Body structure12%
Brakes12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
207202516022

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 23V734000 Nov 2023 Electrical System / 12V/24V/48V Battery

    Defect. 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 f

  • 15V144000 Mar 2015 Steering / Electric Power Assist System

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 15V011000 Jan 2015 Trailer Hitches

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 14V828000 Dec 2014 Equipment

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedBattery hold down bracket thermal events20212024

Manufacturer communications 373

Toyota filed 373 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • The breather plug should be replaced during any differential/transfer case repairs to prevent…
  • The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
  • The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Toyota Rav4 EV SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20115392132,237Speed control
201256104171,877Speed control
201344117218,249Electrical
20142058267,698Electrical
201533100315,412Steering
201637131352,154Brakes
201733140407,594Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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