While driving my 2015 Toyota RAV4 XLE 2WD (2.5L, about 207,000 miles), the electric power steering assist failed instantly with no warning, making the steering wheel feel locked. At the same moment, the infotainment screen went black and rebooted. It has happened at freeway speeds and at low neighborhood speeds, including on 9/14 and 9/15/2026, and also more than once last year (2025). No warning light or messages appeared beforehand. An OBD2 scan at AutoZone on 9/15/2026 found no active or pending trouble codes, and battery tests at AutoZone and Walmart Auto Care passed. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. The failed component is UNKNOWN. My best assessment is the EPS control unit, because the symptoms match the federal safety agency recall 15V144000. I only learned of this recall on 9/19/2026. A sudden loss of steering at any speed puts me and other drivers at serious risk of a crash. The vehicle is available for inspection.
2015 Toyota RAV4 electrical problems
85 complaints (28% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 46,945. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 85
- of this car's complaints
- 28%
- typical mileage
- 46,945
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition1
- 12v/24v/48v battery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota RAV4 electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Toyota RAV4 electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 23V734000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the engine compartment in Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles on 25 February 2021. At the time of opening, ODI attributed eleven allegations and additional EWR events to this PE. PE21005 focused on replacement batteries installed in the subject vehicles. No reported fire event identified in PE21005 involved the originally supplied 12V battery. The reported fires took place in vehicles known to contain aftermarket batteries or whose age exceeded the expected life of the original equipment battery. ODI identified battery dimensioning as it relates to the battery retention system (hold down bracket, radiator support bolt, J-hook, and battery tray) as the main factor set in the contact between the battery hold down bracket contacting the positive terminal of the 12V battery. The subject vehicles carried over the same battery tray and retention system from the prior generation (MY2006 – MY2012) of RAV4 vehicles. However, the subject vehicles were equipped with a dimensionally smaller battery (Group 35) than the prior generation (Group 24F). The smaller- length measurement in the Group 35 battery size in a battery tray originally designed to fit a Group 24F battery contributed to increased potential for battery movement which was exacerbated by the diversity in aftermarket battery configuration and irregularities intrinsic to battery replacement procedures. Battery movement coupled with the proximity of the B+ terminal on the battery and the grounded electrically conductive hold down bracket set the stage for a short to ground leading to an engine stall (if in operation) followed by a vehicle fire. This investigation was not able to classify the installation status, battery size, or cause of every allegation due to the fire event causing damage to the area, inaccessible vehicle, modification to the battery retention system after the event, and/or inconclusive photographic evidence. Toyota's investigation of the issue identified aftermarket battery catalogs that listed an improper battery replacement size (Group 26R) that would nevertheless fit into the subject vehicles whose battery retention system is incapable of reliably restraining a Group 26R battery. On 18 November 2021, Toyota initiated a consumer advisory campaign (21TG01) to the subject vehicle owners, notifying them of the correct size battery and offering a free inspection of the battery and retention hardware, a caution label to affix to the hold down bracket, and a discounted replacement 12V battery. This investigation with Toyota established three broad categories to characterize the battery retention system state of a given vehicle: "correct", "minor mis-installation", and "major mis-installation". - The "correct" terminology references the front bolt, bracket, and J-hook installed in a position not in contact with the positive battery terminal and the front bolt torqued to 17 Nm and the J-hook engaged with the tray hole and torqued to 4.9 Nm. - A "minor mis-installation" would describe the three retention components installed in the prescribed location, however not to the correct torque values. - The "major mis-installation" condition would constitute a retention component missing or disconnected from the system. Toyota's own testing used five exemplar batteries installed on a subject vehicle in each battery categorization resulted in: - Contact between the B+ terminal and hold down bracket in "major mis-installations" - Movement of the battery in "minor mis-installations" - No observable motion in "correct" installations. ODI conducted its own evaluation of the Toyota- specified replacement battery and 5 aftermarket Group 35 batteries. The six batteries tested conformed to the Group 35 Battery Council International (BCI) standard on overall dimensional tolerance and terminal location. That standard does not define the edge shape or material of battery casing. Physical interaction between the hold down bracket and the battery case and the friction between the casing material and the battery tray resulted in a large variability in movement forces required to incite movement when the battery was installed in the "correct" condition. Resulting in movement at an induced lateral load between 0.6 G and 1.91 G equivalent force across each battery. This force is higher than a typical vehicle could exert in a steady state turn and would only experience loads through brief shock or impulses. Multiple shock or impulse loads across time would contribute to a delay between the replacement battery installation and the fire event. Likelihood of a fire event increases as the installation method degraded from the "correct", to "minor mis-installation", and then to "major mis-installation". Protruding vent caps atop some of the batteries tested aided in restricting battery movement relative to the hold down. An absence of vent caps permitted additional movement. Following several discussions and vehicle inspections with ODI during this investigation, on 01 November 2023, Toyota filed a safety recall (the federal safety agency 23V‑734) of 1,853,568 MY 2013 through MY 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles to reduce the risk of a vehicle fire with redesigned battery retention components. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE21005
What 2015 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the radio was inoperable. The contact stated that the gauges failed to properly operate. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the rearview camera image was reversed before becoming inoperable. The ABS, AWD, and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and an undisclosed fuse was replaced. The mechanic made the contact aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V144000 (Steering). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and scheduled an appointment with the dealer for the recall repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
On Friday February 27, 2026 as the vehicle was being driven it caught fire. Fire department and sheriffs office was called to the scene. Vehicle fire was put out but the whole front end burned.
When we bought the SUV, it had a small top battery installed. The battery slid over and caused my alternator to go out completely. I must have caught fire, as there were burnt wires to the alternator. We replaced the alternator, and it was over $295 dollars and then had to get a new battery, and that was over $150 dollars. I installed it myself because I am a mechanic.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or being driven, water was leaking into the vehicle from the roof, causing water damage to the electrical wiring to the air bags. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that there was a hole in the roof and that the roof needed to be removed for a proper investigation. The contact was informed that the air bags could unintendedly deploy unintentionally if not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via letter and phone calls, and the contact was informed that the case had been closed. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the battery, ABS, and brake warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The vehicle was jump-started, and the vehicle operated normally. Additionally, the steering wheel became difficult to turn on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local Auto Zone which replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The local dealer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.
See attached document for complaint. text from attached document: To my disappointment, the remedy was not perfo rmed totally. The reason for this was, "improper battery size" . Cont inuing with the message I was texted : "This means we cannot fully complete the recall without replacement of the battery. The recall is to replace hardware that keeps the battery secure due to this happening, this smaller size battery which had been Installed in your car is not properly secured.
After a battery recall was performed on the vehicle at the dealership, a serious safety issue occurred. A short circuit in the battery cable caused a fire in the engine compartment. Fortunately, I was able to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher before it spread, but it happened very close to the gas line and posed a severe danger. We believe the fire may be related to the recall service. The fire caused visible damage to the battery area, and we have documented it with photos and video. We are very concerned about the safety of this vehicle and potential negligence in the recall repair. We are requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this matter and take appropriate action.
The battery is off . It does not work. The car does not start. It looks like the battery is not properly installed. I just left my car at the Toyota dealership in June 12 for maintenance services, for brake fluid and flush etc including the replacement of a battery mounting hardware however it does not look right. The car started to go off and today it does not start at all. Please advice Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start and was jumpstarted several times. The contact called AAA who replaced the battery, and the vehicle was able to start. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,945. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Questions about the 2015 Toyota RAV4 electrical
Does the 2015 Toyota RAV4 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 85 complaints about the electrical of the 2015 Toyota RAV4, 28% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2015 Toyota RAV4 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 46,945 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Toyota RAV4 electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V734000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota RAV4 have the most electrical problems?
The Toyota RAV4 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2018 (130 complaints), 2020 (120 complaints) and 2017 (108 complaints).
Other 2015 Toyota RAV4 problems
Steering 47Engine 37Body 31Brakes 31Transmission 25Acceleration 21Airbags 15Fuel system 13Visibility 8Lights 6Seat belts 6Driver assistance 5Suspension 5Wheels 2
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