*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injury
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to shift from drive(D) to park(P) in a parking spot with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and struck a tree. The contact stated that the passenger simultaneously opened the passengerâs side door but still had the seat belt buckled. While attempting to exit the vehicle, the vehicle crashed into a tree, where it came to a stop. The passenger sustained head and shoulder injuries. Medical attention was required. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…
Aug 1, 2026 · 75,000 milesUnknown or otherCrash
On XXX; I drove to [XXX] from [XXX], with a friend for a luncheon. I pulled into the restaurant parking lot to park my car. It was a sunny day and the parking lot was paved. I made a right turn into a parking space, I was applying the brakes and coasting into the space. I was about 1/3 of the way into the space when I felt the loss of brake tension. Then the car revs loudly; suddenly and unexpectedly the car accelerates forward as I was still pressing down on the brakes. I pushed the brakes as hard as I could until the car stopped, but not until it had jumped a small curb, onto the dirt and bushes in front of the parking space. I stopped the car before it hit a fence behind the bushes. The…
Jul 29, 2026Unknown or other
After starting the RAV4, the Apple CarPlay quits unexpectedly both while stopped and while driving. Once it quits, the only way to reactivate Apple CarPlay is to stop the car, shut the engine off, then restart. This is extremely dangerous especially while using the map for guidance and it suddenly quits. The issue was reported several times to the local Toyota dealer, but they could not replicate the problem, even after leaving the car at the dealer overnight. The issue is not infrequent, and occurs almost every time the car is driven.
Jun 19, 2026Unknown or other
Glass moonroof /sunroof on top of 2025 Rav4 sudden shattered under normal driving conditions on freeway. The noise sounded like a gunshot and could have caused distraction / an accident. No evidence of impact from outside. No overpass that a rock could have come from. The dealer has not confirmed the issue, but it looks like there may be lawsuits underway for other model years. Car is currently with dealer. No warnings or messages ... it just suddenly happened while driving
Mar 8, 2026Electrical system
After purchasing a new vehicle, I have become aware of a persistent and widely reported problem with the Toyota/Lexus battery maintenance/charging logic for the 12V batteries in their HEV and PHEV vehicles. This results in chronic under-charging of the 12v battery due to low charging voltage even during normal use and produces a failed 12v battery within 6-24 months. The problems are so widely known and investigated by owners that there is now a complete white paper on the subject: [XXX] Toyota/Lexus needs to respond to this and provide a software patch that addresses the well-documented issue so that new owners like me are not confronted with a choice between (a) driving the vehicle and…
Feb 1, 2026Exterior lighting
The headlights on my RAV4 do not shine far enough in front of the vehicle and have a straight line cut off at top of beam. While driving in rural areas of the California foothills this issue is dangerous. As you go up and down and wind around rural roads you cannot see far enough ahead to see what might be lurking in the dark. We've had this car Since August 2nd 2025, 3500 miles to date and don't believe it is safe to drive at night on winding roads. The lack of visibility in front of you gives you the desire to slow way down below safe speed limits because you can't see out infront of you. LIving in the foothills for many years with deer, other animals or fallen rocks, it has become very…
Aug 2, 2025Visibility/wiper
The multifunction display does not automatically dim at night as indicated in the manual and in the settings. The display stays at the level manually set. This means that it can be so bright at night that the driver is blinded to the road ahead which could lead to an accident. It is very difficult and unsafe to try to dim it manually while driving.
Jun 21, 2025Power train
With the car stopped & the transmission in the Drive or Reverse position with foot off the brake pedal: 1. Pushing the Power button once to turn the car off results in the transmission automatically shifting from Drive or Reverse to Neutral without automatically setting the Parking Brake. 2. If the car's front-end is on a slope pointed up-slope the car will freely roll backwards. If the car's front-end is pointed down slope the car will freely roll forward. The above sequence is very dangerous when on a steep slope. This problem was first experienced in a Home Depot parking lot that was uneven. Parked with the nose up-slope in a small depression. The Power button was pushed while the…
Aug 15, 2025
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.