2014 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#16 most-complained of 16 RAV4 years
The 2014 Toyota RAV4 has a complaint index of 0, the best among all 16 RAV4 model years with data, and ranks 16th (least complained-about). It carries 197 complaints, 4 recalls, and no reported deaths, making it a Best-rated year relative to other RAV4 years.
- Complaints
- 197
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 20 / 25
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2014 Toyota RAV4 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report fires starting in the engine compartment or underneath the vehicle, sometimes while driving at low speed with no warning lights.
- After side or front-end collisions, some vehicles reportedly caught fire almost immediately, even in low-speed or minor-damage crashes.
- Some owners describe the driver's side airbag not deflating after deployment, making it harder to exit the vehicle following a crash.
- A few owners report sudden unintended acceleration at very low speeds while parking, resulting in crashes into nearby objects or vehicles.
- One owner reported the front driver seat collapsing and deforming after being rear-ended and pushed into other vehicles.
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 has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of any RAV4 model year, and is rated Best relative to other RAV4 years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2014 RAV4?
- Electrical System complaints lead with 73 complaints, 37% of the total, including 17 reported fires, at a median mileage of 57,000.
- Does the 2014 RAV4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 RAV4, covering the electrical system (battery tray fit), electric power steering, a trailer light module, and loose accessory bolts.
- How does the 2014 RAV4 compare to other years?
- The 2014 RAV4 ranks 16th out of 16 model years by complaint index, tying it with 2012 and 2013 as among the best years, while 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 are rated Avoid.