2015 Toyota RAV4
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 84 of 303 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 207 in 2014 to 303 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,600 | 2,400–2,600 | 1,950–2,600 | 1,950–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–26 | 24–26 | 24–26 | 24–32 | 24–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–23 / 28–30 | 22–23 / 28–30 | 22–23 / 28–30 | 22–34 / 28–30 | 22–34 / 28–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 338–358 | 338–363 | 338–362 | 274–362 | 275–363 | |
| Complaints filed | 262 | 207 | 303 | 255 | 320 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 22 | 20 | 37 | 37 | 34 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 29 | 25 | 41 | 12 | 24 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 22 | 30 | 27 | 30 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
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 2015 Toyota RAV4 have?
4 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 2015 Toyota RAV4?
Electrical: 84 of 303 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA rates it 24–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Toyota RAV4?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,600 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 (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) | 344 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 357 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 362 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | 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) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 37 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 84 | 2 | 26 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 33 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
| Steering | 45 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 14 | 1 | 18 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 23 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 31 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 62 | 6 | 12 | 3 | 0 |
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 (4)
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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 15V144000 · Mar 13, 2015
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 14V828000 · Dec 30, 2014
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.