What 254 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota RAV4 Phev

Car started cutting on and off then battery caught fire while driving. The battery is still in the vehicle. Car was inspected by Victory Toyota of Brook Park. There were no warning lamps or messages before the incident occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11647656

The contact owned a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a second vehicle that had abruptly stopped. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe front-end damage but the air bags did not deploy. The contact indicated that the front driver's side door had to be removed in order to be removed from the vehicle. The contact sustained multiple cervical fractures, a fractured sternum, and injuries to the rib and chest areas. An occupant of the second vehicle also sustained a minor undisclosed injury. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined however the black box was pending review. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,200.

NHTSA ODI 11634828

The contact's husband owns a  2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the husband was driving at approximately 35 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact's husband managed to pull into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle where it was noticed that the battery compartment caught on fire. The contact's husband managed to extinguish the fire by hand. The contact's husband had sustained slight burns however, no medical attention was sought. No police report was filed. The vehicle was left at a Home Depot parking lot which was the initial destination. The local dealer was contacted and advised that the vehicle would have to be towed out of pocket for diagnoses to decide if it was recall-related however if it was determined to be recall-related the parts were not available. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could not be towed since it failed to shift into neutral. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11626625

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav 4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned on there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery located in the engine compartment had caught on fire. The fire was extinguished by the contact. A fire report was not filed, and a police report was not filed. The 12-volt battery had been replaced by the contact. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11625345

I was traveling south on [XXX] when the vehicle stalled. I started the engine and proceeded. I noticed my Rav4 smoking from the engine so I turned off into a Extra Space Storage parking at 1415 Bergen Boulevard, Fort Lee N.J. 07024 were it stalled again. I then exited the vehicle and opened the hood and observed a burst flames coming from the engine/battery area. I ran to a Wendy's and asked for a fire extinguisher, but the fire escalated rapidly, burning the entire interior and exterior of the vehicle. It was towed to Sanos Towing Company 344 Bergen Blvd. Palisades Park. N.J. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11622497

I had a 2013 Rav4, while i was driving the car the car started a fire under the hood and burn completely up. Im trying to file a complaint or talk to someone discussing this matter. Toyota says I need to file a bad faith complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11592405

While driving the car, it stalled on the expressway and then started to smoke and seconds later started on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11564455

Had to make a quick right hand turn, when I did, my vehicle lost power and I thought I had been hit. No power steering or power brakes. Got out, inspected my car, no damages or anything, vehicle restarted and so I continued on my way. Getting back on the road had to make another right, and vehicle sputtered and dash blinked, but seemed to recover. Started to look for a safe place to get off the road, when the dash was blinking and I lost power steering again. Turned into a place of business. As I stopped, smoke was showing from the drivers side, I tried to get out, but my door handle didn't unlock,. I realized I had to manually flip the lock to get out. Dialed 911 from cell phone and went into the business to tell them to keep people away. I could see flames coming down from the engine compartment to the ground. Luckily fire department arrived and extinguished fire. Initially Toyota dealership quoted $12,550 to fix, my insurance company declared it a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11563198

Pulled into driveway, turned off car. Entered house within a couple of minutes front end of car burst into flames. Fire Dept. was called to put out fire. Car was towed to Newburgh NY for insurance adjustor inspection. I was on my way to store and stopped at in-laws. Had I not made this stop, I would have been on thruway. If car had been a few feet closer to garage, it would have set the garage, with car inside, on fire, and house. Car in garage could have exploded (gas tank). The recall was received days prior to incident, and indicated remedy would be ready in June 2024. Police and Fire Dept were called, insurance reps, I believe have inspected the car. It was towed and I did not meet with insurance rep. There were no warning lights or problems, passed inspection in August 2023. Police Incident Rep #[XXX], 12/20/23, 12:05 p.m. Yonkers PD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11562628

My battery was not secure and caused a fire under hood

NHTSA ODI 11554855

The car stalled on the expressway. Then started smoking and was on fire seconds later.

NHTSA ODI 11553069

After driving vehicle, noticed smoke coming from under hood. Upon further inspection battery was on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11523052

I was driving back home with my kids on 12/31/22 as usual, car suddenly turned off. The engine then caught fire within 2 min of turning off, the whole car was on fire within 8 min.

NHTSA ODI 11499684

The battery caught on fire while driving causing a loss of power. I could pull over and a driver passing by jumped out and extinguished the fire.

NHTSA ODI 11495582

Engine started smoking and a few minutes later the vehicle completely engulfed in flames.

NHTSA ODI 11495435

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated when she attempted to start the vehicle, it hesitated to start, once the vehicle started the contact noticed smoking was coming from under the hood. The contact was able to shut down the vehicle. The contact stated that more smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle turning into flames causing the vehicle to burn. The fire department was contacted, and they were able to extinguish the fire. No police report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11494908

I turned the key and started the RAV4 parked in my driveway. It immediately made unusual noices (gurgling, spitting, etc.). Within a minute, there was a loud "BOOM" under the hood and fire began coming out from underneath the car. I got out of the car and got a safe distance from it. My neighbors came running over as they heard subsequent explosions and saw black smoke billowing from my direction. Within a matter of a few minutes, the entire car was engulfed in flames. The fire department came and extinguished it. There is nothing left! BTW, I am 91 years old. This could have had a very different and sad outcome!

NHTSA ODI 11462559

The battery on my 2013 Toyota Rav4 burst into flames while the engine was going and I was at a traffic stop/intersection. The electrical system failed, car died in place, luckily while at a stop and smoke from the engine compartment filled the car. I had just pulled off the highway and had come to an intersection in a residential neighborhood of a densely populated city center. Residents came from the street to help put the engine compartment fire out. Driver and passenger (a dog) were able to get out safely, police and fire department came to the scene and asked people to move away from the vehicle in case of explosion. Fire was extinguished. Car was towed to local Toyota dealership, Car insurance agent has done preliminary inspection as well as dealership service manager. Both state that the battery did catch on fire. Battery installed was correct size as per service technician's initial report. At this time, total damage to the car is unclear, as a full inspection of the vehicle and electrical system has not been done. two or three times sporadically over the two days prior, the lights on the dashboard flickered on momentarily as though there was some kind of electrical short circuit happening somewhere. At present the vehicle remains at the dealership awaiting full Toyota inspection, since as a result of this office's investigation of numerous battery fires, Toyota has issued a Consumer safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11451539

The contact owned a 2013 Toyota RAV-4. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an unknown speed, she detected a burning odor inside the vehicle as smoke was coming through the vents. As well as flames from under the hood. The contact's daughter pulled and stopped upon exiting the vehicle the front was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was not filed nor a police department was not filed as they were on the scene. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was notified and a case was opened. The contact stated researched failure online and found an investigation by NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 11449223

On Jan 3, 2022 while my daughter and granddaughter were using my 2013 Rav4, traffic was stopped on Rt 11, and they stopped and the car behind them stopped. But the drunk driver in a Dodge pickup did not stop, pushing the car behind my car into on coming traffic and then slamming into the back of my Rav4, pushing it into the bumper of a dump truck. The pickup truck stopped in the back seat of the Rav4. The Rav4 stopped when it hit the bumper, just short of going through the windshield. It is unknown how fast the drunk driver was traveling, but my Rav4 was totaled. However, no airbags deployed. Fortunately, my daughter and granddaughter, although completely shaken, walked away from the collision.

NHTSA ODI 11447896

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO EXTINGUISH. CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI 11414723

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THEY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT GOT OUT THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11406921

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE WHEN SHE SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ITSELF. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND THE CORNER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ONCE MORE. THE CONTACT LOOKED UP AND SAW GRAY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE SAW GRAY SMOKE BILLOWING AND WITHIN SECONDS OF EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE RESCUE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT TOTALED, BUT COULDN'T DIAGNOSE WHAT THE FAILURE WAS SINCE THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR FRAMES WERE ONLY LEFT. THE CONTACT INFORMED CHARLES MAUND TOYOTA (8400 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78758) OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CLAIM, HOWEVER THEY LATER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED SINCE THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT A DEFECT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE J HOOK WAS MISSING AND THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS WELDED TO THE BATTERY HOLD DOWN BRACKET AS THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SAW A NEWS ARTICLE THAT NHTSA WAS PROBING ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE FOR 2013-2018 TOYOTA RAV4, AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,187. *BF*LN

NHTSA ODI 11403048

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT, IGNITION TURNED OFF. LEFT CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MINUTES, RETURNED TO PARKING LOT TO FIND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. MOST OF DAMAGE DONE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI 11378273

DROVE THE CAR 8 BLOCKS ON CITY STREET TO THE FILLING STATION, WHILE TURNING INTO THE FILLING STATION FROM ACCESS ROAD THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THE DASH WENT COMPLETELY BLACK JUST SHORT OF FUEL PUMP. STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED, DROVE 50 FT. TO FUEL PUMP. SHUT CAR OFF TO FILL WITH GAS. WENT INTO STATION TO PRE-PAY FOR FUEL. RETURNED TO THE CAR, FILLED WITH FUEL AND TRIED TO START. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY BLACK, NO ELECTRONICS AT ALL, CALLED MY WIFE TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT REMOVED FROM THE GAS STATION, THEN WENT IN TO STATION TO TELL ATTENDANT THE SITUATION. WHILE EXITING THE STORE I NOTICED SPARKS AND GLOWING EMBERS DROPPING TO THE GROUND FROM INSIDE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA. I TURNED BACK AND ASKED THE STATION ATTENDANT FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, RETURNED TO CAR, WITH 5 LB EXTINGUISHER, HOOD WOULD NOT RELEASE SO SPRAYED EXTINGUISHER UP UNDER WHEEL, AROUND HOOD CRACKS, AND BY THIS TIME THE HEAD LIGHT HAD A HOLE WHERE THE FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT, SO SPRAYED FIRE REPELLENT INTO THE HOLE. AFTER ABOUT 10 SEC EXTINGUISHER WAS EMPTY. TOLD GAS STATION ATTENDANT TO CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT AS THE VEHICLE WAS GOING UP IN FLAMES. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 11362502