What 69 owners told NHTSA about the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Prime

COMPONENT: Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) / accelerator pedal. Vehicle is available for inspection at Autocentro Toyota, San Juan, PR, where it has been retained since 2/28/2026. INCIDENT: On 2/28/2026 at 7:45 AM, while entering a private driveway at under 5 MPH to park, my 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE (VIN [XXX] , 3,164 miles) suddenly and involuntarily accelerated without driver input. I categorically affirm I did NOT press the accelerator. The vehicle struck a metal gate, causing frontal damage. Airbags did not deploy. OEM floor mat was properly secured; no aftermarket parts installed. SAFETY RISK: Sudden unintended acceleration at low-speed parking maneuver. Had a pedestrian, child, or another vehicle been in the path, this would have caused serious injury or death. The defect is unpredictable and the driver cannot anticipate or override it. INSPECTION: Vehicle inspected 3/20/2026 by Engineering Analysis Associates (EAA), a firm contracted and paid by Toyota — NOT independent. EAA downloaded electronic data and concluded the accelerator was pressed 1 second before impact. I dispute this finding: I did not press the pedal. No independent inspection has been allowed. Full EAA report was never provided to me. On 4/23/2026, Toyota Motor North America (Ms. Delve L., Legal Claims Administrator) declined assistance based solely on EAA's data. WARNING SIGNS: UNKNOWN. No warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms appeared before the incident. The vehicle had functioned normally since purchase on 4/25/2025. ADDITIONAL: Vehicle retained by dealer 73+ days without repair or substitute vehicle. Consumer complaint filed with Puerto Rico DACO (Case XXX). Similar unintended acceleration incidents reported in 2024 RAV4 Hybrid and Prime models in NHTSA database. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11737474

2025 Toyota RAV4 XLE 4 door utility 2.5L 4 Cyl Gas A AWD unexpected sudden acceleration My safety as well as other vehicles and occupants as could have been at risk. National Transportation Safety Boaed has confirmed 57 cpmplaints of same issue. Vehicle determined total loss by insurance inspector, Va State Police. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms proir to the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11736858

We were on a funeral procession when suddenly the car accelerated at a very high speed and hit the end of guard rail head on. My wife on the passenger side and two people at the back were all taken to the emergency room. I got pinned on the steering column and taken out via the roof. I had severe abrasions on both legs, wife has 3 broken ribs,the 2 passengers suffered whiplash and complains of chest pains. Car was purchased 11/3/2025 and I took it for a recall fix about a month ago at Burien Toyota dealership where we bought it. Incident # 2026-55959 Seattle police. At present our car insurance is investigating and our claim # is 082 0356939 Allstate.

NHTSA ODI 11721892

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], in Greenwich CT, while I was very slowly driving into a parking space, the engine suddenly and unexpectedly surged,. The vehicle overcame the brakes and raced forward and collided with a stone wall, about 3 ft away. This was a new (since May 2025) vehicle with only approx 3,500 miles on it. I had not had any previous problems with it and there were no warning lights on the instrument panel. At the time, I was proceeding at a very low rate of speed, 1 - 3 mph. I drive only with my right foot which was on the brake, not on the gas. The vehicle accelerated with NO action on my part and collided with a stone wall approx 3 ft away and bounced back several feet. Fortunately I was close to the wall so the vehicle did not have a long distance to accelerate and I was wearing my seat belt which probably protected me from injury. No other vehicle was involved. I was the sole occupant of the vehicle. I was wearing my seat-belt, the OEM rubber mats were securely in place. The airbags did not deploy and I was not injured. I had the car towed to the Toyota dealership by AAA because I was afraid it might accelerate into traffic at a red light or stop sign if I drove it before the problem was repaired. I have reported this incident to Toyota Motor Corporation USA, through their Brand Engagement Center (as instructed by the dealership) and they are sending out an engineer to the dealership to inspect the vehicle. I do not know which part malfunctioned or failed. The vehicle is at a Toyota dealership and presumably could be inspected (unless they replace some parts). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11711231

Formal Complaint to Toyota Motor Corporation (Manufacturing) Regarding: Serious Manufacturing Defect and Failure of New Vehicle Safety Customer: [XXX] Customer Contact: Phone – [XXX] | Email – [XXX] Vehicle Purchased: (New/Recently Purchased Toyota Model) Date of Purchase: [XXX] Selling Dealership: Round Rock Toyota Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (Last 4 Digits): [XXX] ________________________________________ I. Overview of Complaint: Critical Safety Defect I am filing this formal complaint directly with Toyota Motor Corporation regarding a vehicle that, due to an apparent critical manufacturing defect, failed dangerously and repeatedly within days of purchase. This failure represents a lapse in Toyota's quality control and a serious threat to consumer safety. The vehicle, purchased new or recently, on [XXX], exhibited critical operational defects less than three days after leaving the dealership. This vehicle is demonstrably defective and unsafe, having compromised my life during a near-fatal failure on a major interstate. As the manufacturer, Toyota is ultimately responsible for the quality and safety of the product delivered to consumers. II. Factual Timeline of Critical Defects and Safety Incidents The vehicle exhibited multiple critical failures less than 77 miles and three days after purchase, severely compromising my safety and confidence in the quality of the Toyota product: •Immediate Operational Failures: The vehicle began experiencing multiple mechanical failures shortly after purchase. •Near-Fatal Highway Stall: The most severe incident involved the vehicle suddenly failing and stalling while traveling on a major interstate. This catastrophic failure is indicative of a serious underlying manufacturing or component defect and severely endangered my life and the lives of others. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11703279

2025 RAV4 - While driving the car, changing from reverse to drive the steering wheel got stuck and would not go back to straight position. This causes an accident and hit another car. There was not indicator that there is a problem. Inspection was done by the dealership and asap and they identified and confirmed of faulty steering wheel angle. This car was bought end of June and accident happened first week of October. The car is since with the dealership with no resolution yet. Dealership have us call Toyota, but we were not provided with any help. One and half month in, we continue to pay insurance but we do not have the car.

NHTSA ODI 11699841

I rented the Toyota RAV4 from Fox Rent a Car (855 571-8414) at the Denver International Airport for a trip to Boulder, CO. On November 9 evening, I drove to the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Head (GPS: 40.05, -105.425) for a time-lapse photography. Date/Time: 2025-11-09 6:29 PM Location Description: Uneven dirt parking area commonly used by sightseers. Visibility was completely dark at the time of arrival. After arriving at the hilltop, as I parked the vehicle, while applying very light pressure to the accelerator pedal with my right foot, I felt a gradual drop of several inches on the passenger side of the vehicle. Instinctively, I moved my right foot to the brake pedal and applied pressure. However, I immediately sensed that the vehicle was not decelerating; instead, it was accelerating forward. I pressed the brake pedal more firmly, and the vehicle accelerated further until it came to a complete stop after colliding with a rock on the driver's side approximately 15 feet from the point of initial acceleration. Once the situation stabilized, I exited the vehicle and observed a red, non-oily liquid of normal viscosity leaking from underneath the vehicle on the front driver's side, which I later identified as coolant. Upon opening the hood, I confirmed that approximately half of the coolant had been depleted. I Googled AI Mode: Question: For a Toyota RAV4 HEV, is it possible for the vehicle to accelerate when the brakes are applied forcefully and abruptly? Answer (Source): [XXX] Potential Perceptions and Known Issues While the car will not accelerate due to the brakes being applied correctly, drivers have occasionally reported sensations that might be might be misinterpreted as acceleration, such as a slight "lurch" when the braking system transitions between regenerative and friction braking, ** especially at very low speeds or over rough surfaces. ** INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11699075

On 9/5, a car darted out in front of me while I was traveling straight at 45 miles per hour. I hit the brakes but t-boned him. The car then spins around and hits me again on the passenger quarter panel. No emergency brake, precollision no warning light came on. The airbag didnt deploy. I hit my chest on the steering while and my head on the window. The seat belt didnt lock me down. I purchased the brand new Rav4 a week prior.

NHTSA ODI 11685893