2015 Toyota RAV4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Toyota RAV4 has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 304 complaints, 4 recalls, 41 fires, and 30 injuries, with Electrical System issues topping the list at 30% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 RAV4 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 304
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 37
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 41
- Injuries
- 30
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 30 / 1
Top 2015 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System90 (30%)
- Other62 (20%)
- Engine56 (18%)
- Steering46 (15%)
- Brakes33 (11%)
- Structure & Body31 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (8%)
- Airbags15 (5%)
- Fuel System13 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (3%)
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 steering wheel suddenly seizing while driving at highway speed, leading to loss of control and crashes.
- Some describe the brake pedal being depressed but the vehicle failing to stop, resulting in collisions at low speeds.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in several crash incidents despite significant impact.
- One owner reported the engine catching fire while the car was being driven at low speed, destroying much of the vehicle.
- A driver reported the vehicle rolling over after veering left on its own while merging, with airbags again failing to deploy.
- An owner reported their foot became trapped between the accelerator and brake pedal while accelerating up a ramp.
2015 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.
2015 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.
2015 compared with other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 RAV4 carries a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 21 model years of the RAV4.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 RAV4?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, making up 30% of all complaints (90 of 304), including 26 reported fires, at a median mileage of 49,972.5 miles.
- Does the 2015 RAV4 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2015 RAV4, covering the electrical system, steering, structure and body, and another component, none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2015 RAV4 compare to other RAV4 years?
- The 2015 RAV4's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than 2012-2014 and 2016-2018, which range from 5 to 55, but better than years like 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 90 to 100.
- Are there brake or steering problems reported in the 2015 RAV4?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 46 steering complaints and 33 brake complaints for the 2015 RAV4, with steering tied to 5 crashes and brakes tied to 12 crashes.