2014 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2014 Toyota RAV4 ranks among the best RAV4 years, with a complaint index of 5 and 197 complaints, ranking 20th worst out of 21 model years. Electrical System issues account for 37% of complaints, and the model has 4 recalls with no do-not-drive orders.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 RAV4 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 197
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 25
- Injuries
- 22
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
Top 2014 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System73 (37%)
- Other48 (24%)
- Engine38 (19%)
- Steering21 (11%)
- Structure & Body21 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (10%)
- Brakes18 (9%)
- Airbags12 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)
- Fuel System7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the RAV4 catching fire immediately after being struck in a collision, suggesting a battery or fuel line defect rather than normal crash damage.
- Some drivers describe airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed side or front-end collisions, leaving occupants to strike the steering wheel or dashboard.
- Several complaints describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, with the brakes failing to slow or stop the vehicle even when fully applied.
- Owners report the vehicle lurching or moving forward unexpectedly while stopped in traffic, resulting in low-speed collisions with vehicles ahead.
- A few complaints mention the vehicle losing control or veering off the road during turns at very low speeds without a clear mechanical diagnosis.
2014 Toyota RAV4 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V734000Nov 1, 2023Electrical System1,853,568 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. 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.
Risk: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 27, 2024, to 2013-2014 RAV4 owners. Additional owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, phase 2 will begin on May 14, 2025, and phase 3 in late July 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
- NHTSA 15V144000Mar 13, 2015Steering110,085 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 15V011000Jan 16, 2015Structure & Body1,140 vehicles
Trailer hitches
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
Risk: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
2014 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 RAV4 rates Best among RAV4 model years, with a complaint index of 5, the second-lowest of 21 model years covered.
- What problems does the 2014 Toyota RAV4 have?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, making up 37% of the 197 complaints, followed by Engine issues at 19%. Electrical complaints include reports of fires, with a median failure mileage of 57,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2014 RAV4, covering the electrical system (12-volt battery fit), steering (electric power steering ECU), structure/body (trailer light module software), and loose accessory bolts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 RAV4 compare to other RAV4 years?
- The 2014 RAV4 has a complaint index of 5, far below years like 2021 (100), 2019 (95), and 2007 (85), which all carry Avoid verdicts. Only 2013, with an index of 10, ranks close to it among Best-rated years.