2013 Toyota RAV4
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 76 of 262 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (12) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 266 in 2012 to 262 in 2013.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,950 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,600 | 2,400–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–24 | 22–24 | 25–26 | 24–26 | 24–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 25–28 | 19–21 / 26–28 | 22–23 / 28–30 | 22–23 / 28–30 | 22–23 / 28–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–423 | 370–404 | 338–358 | 338–363 | 338–362 | |
| Complaints filed | 287 | 266 | 262 | 207 | 303 | |
| Recalls issued | 11 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 44 | 39 | 22 | 20 | 37 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 4 | 29 | 25 | 41 | |
| Injuries reported | 20 | 23 | 15 | 22 | 30 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Toyota RAV4?
Electrical: 76 of 262 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA rates it 25–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Toyota RAV4?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | — | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 78 MPGe | 74 MPGe | 76 MPGe | $1,000 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 338 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 357 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 358 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 31 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 30 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 76 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 25 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 17 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 56 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY · Campaign 23V734000 · Nov 2, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 16V096000 · Feb 19, 2016
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Consequence: A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
VISIBILITY/WIPER · Campaign 15V577000 · Sep 18, 2015
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Consequence: Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 15V143000 · Mar 13, 2015
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING; TRAILER HITCHES · Campaign 15V011000 · Jan 16, 2015
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.