2014 Toyota RAV4 Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 170,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. 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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

1) Vehicle had a recall for something concerning the transmission. Service was done and just after the warranty expired on that issue the transmission went out while driving and I had to put a new one in the vehicle, Toyota did help with $1500 of the cost but it cost me out of pocket over $4000. 2) For the last 2 years the car has been…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact’s son stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and became inoperable, and lost power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 200,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 88,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

We purchased a used 2014 RAV4 (VIN [XXX]) a few months ago. During a trip to the store my wife all of a sudden found it extremely hard to steer and almost went into a ditch! (thank God she didn't). It was a blessing that she didn't hit anything or anybody when this happened. It was close to home at the time so I came there to help. I was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 160,198 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The failure lasted for several seconds before the power steering feature returned, and the vehicle returned to normal operation and the warning…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 140,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 59,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

Transmission fluid was serviced at Bill page Toyota, Falls Church, VA 22042 (102,468 miles on 11/2/2023) Transmission failed to operate at 104,771 miles. Car failed to go reverse, noise from transmission gear. Car was inspected at Toyota Ourishman, Fairfax, VA and concluded transmission problem failed.Owner complaint, filed 2024

This matter is not related to a accident. This matter is related to a bad transmission on our Rava4. This started at a little over 100.000 miles. Toyota did replace transmission filter and torque converter at 102.000 miles and now we have 152.000 miles at this time, and now our 2nd gear is going out and the transmission needs to be…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (13).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that during a rainstorm, rainwater leaked into the cabin of the vehicle from the A, B, C, and D pillars and the ceiling control center. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced several times due to the failure, but the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the rear passenger…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 100,000 miles

“The factory paint on my 2014 Toyota RAV4 (Blue ) is peeling in large sections on the roof and hood. The metal underneath is exposed. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting this paint color, and Toyota has acknowledged it in other models. I’m concerned about corrosion and long-term durability.”Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driver [XXX] was driving down roadway and entire dashboard lite up. Attempted to apply brakes to stop vehicle, but the brakes wouldn't operate causing the vehicle to rear end another vehicle around 25 mph. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and is now with Copart PA-Pittsburgh North 2200 River Rd. Ellwood City, PA 16117. Phone number…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Brakes have made a hard scratching sound if vehicle has not been driven daily since its purchase. At 30000 mile service, mechanic has noted that rear rotors are not making full contact.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 700 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Headlight Brightness - it's been degrading for the last 10 yrs to the point that I don't feel safe driving in the dark anymore. I've already had the lenses buffed out, but that only helped about 20%. The brightness looks like I have a dead battery (it's brand new). Not sure if this is a bulb or lens issue but it's not safe.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Top of windshield is completely black when driving in the dark at night. Visibility is specifically impaired when traveling down a hill in the dark.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 36,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was in a car accident and the side and steering airbags deployed. While the main steering airbag deflated successfully following the accident, the driver's side door side airbag never deflated. Once I was trying to get out of the car and had the door open, this meant it was much harder and took longer to get out as I had to slide out…Owner complaint, filed 2026

My sister accidentally ran into the back of a box truck on 7/2/2020 and the knee airbag in her toyota 2014 rav4 deployed. The airbag or cover caused major gashes in her leg and she is now in the hospital and will need to have skin grafts. There is a police report that is not yet ready. I am attaching pictures of the leg. I have never…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 48,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I made my report more than 8 months ago and they did not give me an answer about the fuel pump toyota rav4 2013-2018 that all the vehicles are having a problem with a small arie escaping from that part at the top of the tank I was at the dealer and they can't do nothing because they say that this is normal and that who pays for that work…Owner complaint, filed 2024

My 2014 rav4 has a fuel line leak. The service department claims it is due to a mouse and will not fix it under warranty. I think it appears that the line has been scraped rather than chewed. But if it was damaged by a mouse this is also an issue. The fuel line should not be edible by rodents. Way too many automobile parts are being made…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 8,921 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

When trying to accelerate from a traffic light or stop the suddenly stops acceleration causing a very hazardous condition, has happened numerous times, back to dealer twice with no resolution, will be taking it back to dealer again , after 6 toyotas if this can't be resolved it will be traded for another mfg. Very disappointed with…Owner complaint, filed 2016

The contact owns a 2014 toyota rav4. While driving approximately 3 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle [VIN] [VIN] and crashed into a wooded area. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The [VIN] was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 6,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have been experiencing a strange burning smell in my RAV4 for the past week but was unable to locate the source. No warning lights were active on the dash and the vehicle was functioning properly. Because I live in a colder climate I generally use the heated seat function daily, but would like to clarify that the use of my vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2014 toyota rav4. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, the front passenger's side seat belt failed to retract. The contact stated that the seat belt warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to local dealer coad toyota located at 357 siemers dr, cape girardeau, mo 63701, (573) 335-2927…Owner complaint, filed 2020

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

I just got a leased a brand new rav4-2014 on july 1, 2014. I reported to the dealer the following issues: on 7/6/14, I called the dealer to reported. I was told to wait until friday, while they ordered the part. However, another issues I reported: a( on 7/1/14 while driving towards my home the left front hubcap, came off. Is defective.…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 6 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

When vehicle is started and put into reverse the backup camera is dim and unviewable for 15 sec. Backing up during this period is obviously hazardous and it is very annoying to have to wait until it becomes visible. This is related to the whole display console as the radio, nav system, and bu camera all come on after 15 sec. This does…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 2,000 miles