2016 Toyota RAV4: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Body, Driver assistance · NC · fire

I was driving 9/3 and my left blinker light came on solid. I was not using my blinker. Within a few seconds my check engine light came on and another light. Then within 2 minutes the front left engine/tire caught fire.

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Electrical · CO

The repair shop I was able to pull into as I was experiencing the issue with my vehicle reported: "Battery is unstable and is arcing off of the positive terminal. Battery tray, battery hold down tie, and battery j hook hold down were missing upon arrival." The issue was fixed by a Brakes Plus location, given I was able to pull in there - it was around the corner from where I was driving. The issue has been fixed, and I have no issue with inspection of the vehilce. The car died while I was driving on a main street. The recall note states that the vehicle could have caught on fire, though no fire or crash happened. I made a simple right-hand turn and almost every light imaginable illuminated on the dashbard. I was able to turn the vehicle off and on again and get the car to the Brakes Plus location. This location had to order the parts from Kansas. I called the Toyota Dealership informing them what had happened, that the car was unable to be moved and got the response that I needed to take it to them for repair. I called at least two times since I received the notice for the fix in the mail and I was told that I would be contacted when they were ready to fix my car specifically. I was informed they would call, but they did not take down my contact information. I reached out to Toyota and they opened a claim where I uploaded documents - the original recall notice, the letter informing of the fix, the invoice from Brakes Plus, proof of purchase On Friday,XXX, I received a letter notifying me that my claim was not eligible for reimbursement. Since I tried to reach out and get an appointment scheduled inspection and the fix (if needed), and I never received a call to schedule after being told the dealership would reach out to me when they were ready, I believe they should have paid me back for the repair. I can provide the Toyota Brand Engagement Case number as requested. I am hesitant to upload documents here as these documents contain name, address, etc.

Filed Dec 10, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NC · fire

The car rapidly caught on fire while parked and off. Smoke first appeared from the hood and subsequently flames came out of the hood causing the entire car to catch in fire. There were no warning lights/messages. The car was inspected by our insurance, USAA

Filed Sep 2, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · FL · fire

While my wife was driving the car it suddenly shutoff. She was in the middle of a turn and was able to get to the side of the road. I few moments later she saw what she assumed was steam coming from under the hood and she immediately got out of the car. Within a minute of getting out of the car she saw flames dripping down from the engine. She called the fire department who put the flames out, but the car is most likely totaled. The fire department told her it looked like the battery exploded. I want to make sure you are aware of this as I see you have had other complaints.

Filed Mar 24, 2022 · Engine · 112,000 miles · CT · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unattended in the driveway, it caught fire in the engine. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, property damage or police report filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The manufacturer was not contacted. The fire department provided report number 2022-05-FV. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2021 · Engine · 89,000 miles · WA · crash · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed smoke and flames were coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that when they attempted to move to the passenger side of the road they realized there was not enough room to do so causing them to roll over several times downhill eventually crashing into two trees. The contact stated that a civilian came and assisted them out of the vehicle once they noticed the crash. The air bags did deploy. The contact received head, neck, rib, sternum, and foot. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed May 6, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 102,000 miles · TX · fire

Our 2016 rav4 produced a loud clunk then lost power (after being drive 5-10 minutes) and came to a complete stop. The engine would not turn over nor the car power come back on. White smoke began within 30 seconds of losing power and within one minute flames began shooting out under the driver's side upper hood.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · NM · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while her husband was stopped at a traffic light, he started smelling an abnormal burning odor before flames started coming up from under the dashboard and out of the driver's and passenger's side vents. The driver pulled over and started pouring water from a cooler onto the fire to try to extinguish the flames however, the flames reignited. Another motorist pulled over to assist and disconnected the battery. A business owner also stopped by, and extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. The fire department arrived however, the fire was already extinguished. A police report was filed. The driver stated that a fire report was not filed. The contact stated that the dashboard was destroyed. The driver sustained burns on both hands however, medical attention was not sought. The driver contacted fiesta kia (7400 lomas blvd ne, albuquerque, nm 87110, (505)999-2700) where the vehicle had been purchased only 22 days earlier. The dealer arrived at the scene and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it remained still unrepaired. The insurance provider was contacted and informed the driver that a fire investigator would be sent out to inspect the vehicle, which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The insurance provider had not yet decided whether or not the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Body, Engine · 14,600 miles · TX · fire

My brand new car caught fire in the front while it was parked outside a restaurant. I came outside to leave and it was towed away. The car was totaled from the fire. I saw the rav4 investigation is happening and wanted to make sure you had my report included. The fire happened in the front left (as it was stated in the article other cars). I can send you additional details if needed but everything is matching up with the other incidents. It was a brand new car which is why it was such a strange event.

Filed Oct 3, 2017 · 14,000 miles · TX · fire

I was driving on the highway and smoke began to fill my vehicle. I pulled over and my vehicle caught fire. Unsure of the cause.