2013 Toyota RAV4: headlights failing or too dim

6 of the 257 complaints about the 2013 Toyota RAV4 describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

2024
5
2023
7
2022
3
2021
7
2020
2
2019
7
2018
19
2017
28
2016
23
2015
8
2014
5
2013
6
2012
1
2011
1
2010
1
2009
1
2008
2
2007
3
2006
2
2005
2
2001
1
1999
2
1997
1

What owners say

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Lights · MO

The other night driving home i notice that my headlights gotten dimmed. I turned on my fog lights so that i could see the road. after turning on my fog lights i had limited vision on the road. I feel that it's a safety concern that needs to be address so that i won't get into an accident. How should i proceed with the issue?

Filed Oct 3, 2020 · Electrical · 61,000 miles · NE · fire

Drove the car 8 blocks on city street to the filling station, while turning into the filling station from access road the car shut off and the dash went completely black just short of fuel pump. Stopped the car and restarted, drove 50 ft. To fuel pump. Shut car off to fill with gas. Went into station to pre-pay for fuel. Returned to the car, filled with fuel and tried to start. When trying to start the car it was completely black, no electronics at all, called my wife to get a tow truck to have it removed from the gas station, then went in to station to tell attendant the situation. While exiting the store I noticed sparks and glowing embers dropping to the ground from inside the left front wheel area. I turned back and asked the station attendant for a fire extinguisher, returned to car, with 5 lb extinguisher, hood would not release so sprayed extinguisher up under wheel, around hood cracks, and by this time the head light had a hole where the flames were shooting out, so sprayed fire repellent into the hole. After about 10 sec extinguisher was empty. Told gas station attendant to call fire department as the vehicle was going up in flames. Approximately 5 minutes later the fire department arrived to extinguish the flames.

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Electrical · VA

I am entering a safety complaint regarding the headlights on my toyota 2013 rav4. Today, I went to my local car repairman to fix a headlight that blew out. This is the 3rd time in 6 months. In september, we had to completely change both headlights because parts in the headlights were melting. Yet, less than 6 months later, my passenger headlight blew out and needed to be replaced. There is something systematically wrong with my headlights. According to my car mechanic, it looks like they are going to continue to burn out. This creates hazardous driving conditions for me and my passengers.

Filed Jan 4, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

While stopped at a traffic light with the transmission in drive, the engine shut off without warning, and the steering wheel locked. The radio and headlights remained on. This the second occurrence within 6 weeks.

Filed Dec 31, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 100 miles · CA

The instruments (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge) of the car do not light up if the headlights are off. This can be dangerous when driving under underpasses or in the shadow of trees, etc., since one unexpectedly cannot see the speedometer or tachometer under those conditions.

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Electrical · GA

2013 toyota rav 4. Consumer writes in regards to a defect in the instrument panel lighting. *smd the consumer stated he was unable to see the instrument panel during daylight hours. The dealer informed the consumer the display panel back light only illuminated when the headlights were on. Even if the headlights were turned on during the day, the instrument panel was only marginally illuminated and the brightness control thumbwheel had very little effect.