What's Wrong with the 4th Generation (2013–2018) RAV4?

RAV4 owners have made 366 complaints about the 2013–2018 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 74th out of 81 Toyota generations in overall reliability, with real interior and body concerns.

Compare With Other RAV4 Generations

Common 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 Problems

Some of the worst issues 4th generation RAV4 owners have to deal with.

  3. Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires

    Somewhere in the mid-2000's there was an industry-wide push by automakers to replace plastic and glass-based wiring insulation with a more eco-friendly soy-based coating. It's biodegradable, commendable, and a complete disaster for owners. …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

4th Generation (2013–2018) RAV4 Key Numbers

  1. 6 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 366 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 74th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 81 eligible generations.

Recent 4th Generation (2013–2018) RAV4 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. Toyota has blamed a musty A/C smell on microbes [i.e., mold] growing o the evaporator surface and now a lawsuit wants them to do something about it.

    The plaintiffs claim the vehicles have defective heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that cause smells and health problems from mold that collects on the evaporators. Numerous complaints have allegedly been filed with the government, Toyota and Lexus dealerships nationwide since at least 1999.

    This isn't the first time Toyota has been sued for musty A/C units.

    keep reading article "Air Conditioner Lawsuit Complains About Mold Smell From Toyota HVAC"

  5. When Toyota switched away from using plastic or glass-based inulation in favor of soy, it invited in some very unwelcome Toyota loyalisits.

    According to the plaintiff, she learned the hard way about the soy wiring when her Avalon wouldn't start and a look under the hood showed wires chewed, so she had the car towed to a dealer. Toyota told her rodents had caused the damage and it would be no problem to repair the problems as long as she could cough up $6,000 to cover the bill.

    The soy-based wiring is allegedly attracting in rodents, who love to chew it up and use it for nesting material. The lawsuit, Heidi Browder vs. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al. follows a similar lawsuit filed against Honda earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Toyota’s Use of Soy-Based Wiring is Attracting Rodent Damage"

  6. Some brand new Toyota and Lexus vehicles have left the factory with busted brake actuators.

    Toyota says it's possible a component inside the actuator could have been damaged during manufacturing and could cause a loss of vehicle stability control. I sure wish they could have stopped this before leaving the factory. I mean, these cars are brand new! When will owners catch a brake? (sorry folks, bad puns are part of the deal)

    Toyota says your local dealer will need to check the serial number of your brake actuator to see if it needs replacement. For a full list of affected vehicles, visit our site.

    keep reading article "Faulty Brake Actuators Can Cause a Loss of Stability Control"

  7. Toyota says the power steering circuit board in 110,000 vehicles might have been damaged on arrival, prompting a recall.

    The circuit board was probably messed up during assembly and can cause a sudden loss of power steering. If you're traveling at slow speeds and your power steering suddenly goes away, pulling over to the side of the road is going to feel like you're steering through a vat of caramel. That sounds delicious, by the way.…

    keep reading article "Power Steering Circuit Recall"

  8. If your car or truck has an optional accessory like running boards, chances are Southeast Toyota distributors put them on ... and I use that term loosely.

    The distributor recently admitted that many accessories probably weren't attached with the proper torque and can fall off. Whoops! Since dropping a running board at 70mph on the highway is a serious safety concern, Toyota is recalling 3,942 vehicles to address the problem. That includes some:…

    keep reading article "Optional Accessories Keep Falling Off"