2015 Toyota RAV4 problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 304 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota RAV4, filed between 2014-12-30 and 2026-09-19. The most common problem areas are the electrical system (85, 28%), steering (46, 15%) and engine (37, 12%). Owners reported 37 crashes, 41 fires, 30 injuries and 1 death in these complaints. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2015 Toyota RAV4 complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 85 | 28% | 2 | 26 | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 60 | 20% | 6 | 11 | 3 |
| Steering | 46 | 15% | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Engine | 37 | 12% | 1 | 18 | 0 |
| Structure | 31 | 10% | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 30 | 10% | 12 | 2 | 9 |
| Power train | 25 | 8% | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 7% | 11 | 0 | 7 |
| Air bags | 15 | 5% | 13 | 1 | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 6 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Electrical system: 85 complaints
- 85 complaints of 304 (28%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 15 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 crashes, 26 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2015 Toyota RAV4; the recall, campaign 23V734000, says: “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.”
Steering: 46 complaints
- 46 complaints of 304 (15%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 8 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 5 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2015 Toyota RAV4; the recall, campaign 15V144000, says: “A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process.”
Engine: 37 complaints
- 37 complaints of 304 (12%) name the engine.
- 15 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 18 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 covers this system.
Structure: 31 complaints
- 31 complaints of 304 (10%) name the structure — the body and frame structure.
- 4 of them also name the air bags; owners reported 6 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 covers this system.
Service brakes: 30 complaints
- 30 complaints of 304 (10%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 6 of them also name the steering; owners reported 12 crashes, 2 fires and 9 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 covers this system.
Power train: 25 complaints
- 25 complaints of 304 (8%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 3 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 3 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Toyota RAV4 covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 8 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names RAV4, model year 2015. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2015 Toyota RAV4 recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota RAV4?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2015 Toyota RAV4's most common problem areas are the electrical system (85 of 304 complaints), steering (46 of 304 complaints) and engine (37 of 304 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have?
NHTSA has 304 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Toyota RAV4, including 37 reported crashes and 41 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Toyota RAV4's problems?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 Toyota RAV4; 2 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.