2023 Toyota RAV4: false forward collision warnings

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

SAFETY RISK!!!! Component: Forward Collision Avoidance / Lane Departure / Electrical System / Exterior Lighting Description: While driving my 2023 Toyota RAV4 XSE, the dashboard suddenly displayed simultaneous critical safety errors: "Front Camera Unavailable," "RSA Malfunction" (Road Sign Assist), and "Pre-Collision System (PCS) Malfunction." Recently, the "Headlight System Malfunction" warning also triggered because the Automatic High Beam (AHB) system relies on the same sensor. An official diagnosis by a certified Toyota dealership confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C1A9447: Image processing microcomputer in front recognition camera watchdog/safety MCU failure. The dealership confirmed this is an internal component hardware failure requiring a full camera replacement and ADAS calibration. Safety Risk: This manufacturing defect completely disables the vehicle’s Pre-Collision System, entirely removing automated emergency braking, lane-keep safety features, and automatic high-beam headlight safety controls without warning. Driving without automated emergency braking puts the driver, passengers, and surrounding traffic at an immediate risk of an unmitigated collision. Toyota is aware of these microcomputer watchdog failures via internal Technical Service Bulletins but is forcing consumers to pay over $2,100 out-of-pocket to repair a failed factory safety module. A formal safety investigation and recall are urgently required to address this widespread component defect.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

While making a left turn in my 2026 Toyota RAV4, the vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking / Pre-Collision System suddenly activated without cause. The system sounded an audible warning beep and forced the vehicle to brake and come to a hard stop mid-turn. There was nothing in front of me that should have triggered the system. This put my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk. The forced stop occurred suddenly and unexpectedly while turning, which nearly caused an accident, as vehicles behind me had no warning that I would suddenly brake mid-turn. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages prior to the incident — the false activation occurred suddenly with no prior symptoms. I have dashcam footage of the incident attached below.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 58,829 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 46 MPH in heavy rain, a warning message indicating that the pre-collision sensor was blocked and needed to be cleared, was displayed temporarily, and the contact continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost motive power shortly after, and the message "Steering power is low; please contact dealer" was displayed. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart.The following day, the contact's husband successfully restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle immediately stalled again, displaying a "Pre-collision malfunction; please call dealer" message. A local dealer was contacted, and the contact spoke with a receptionist regarding the battery, but the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,829.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · NV

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 8-speed transmission is catastrophically defective and poses an immediate safety hazard. It exhibits severe hesitation, slipping, and lurching when accelerating from a stop or low speed, and when attempting to merge into high-speed traffic (I-15/Las Vegas), creating a high risk of rear-end collisions. During these events, the RPMs spike and fall rapidly but the vehicle fails to accelerate. Furthermore, the vehicle lunges forward while the brakes are applied. The engine actively fights the braking system, requiring extreme physical force to stop the car and prevent front-end collisions. This lunging has repeatedly triggered the Pre-Collision System, causing the seatbelts to lock and tension against the driver’s body. Additionally, the vehicle exhibits steering resistance and feedback during turns, making it difficult to maneuver safely. The local dealership (AutoNation Toyota Las Vegas) inspected the vehicle and claimed these life-threatening behaviors are "normal" for this model.

Filed Dec 20, 2025 · Acceleration, Airbags · AZ · crash

My wife was going at about 10 - 15 mph coming up about 2 car lengths to a small curve in a residential area when all of a sudden she heard a pop or snap and the Rav4 went to a super high speed by itself. The acceleration could not be stopped even though she had her feet on the brakes. She had both hands on the steering wheel to avoid hitting a house and ended up going through a wall in the yard. There were no warning sounds and no signals indicating a problem. it appeared that the display was blank. There was no pre-collision warning or braking except as my wife was pushing on the brakes. She also hit the right side into side wall. No air bags deployed even though Windshield and all door glass on sides shattered. My wife the driver was okay and not hurt, and the grandchild in the car seat behind my wife was fine also. Neither had injuries. There were checked by emt. The police looked but all would not try to get in except to remove my granddaughter. My wife was removed also because she could not get out the door was jammed against shed and rock, and handles broken off This happened after the recall work was done by toyota dealer on 12/04/2025. There were no problems prior to the recall. I've listed the recall below. 25TD01 Rear Traction Motor Cable Corrosion - Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota Hybrid (AWD) Vehicles the federal safety agency Recall ID AWAITING# Recall Date Dealer Reference ID 25TD01 Description The subject vehicles are equipped with a rear motor unit and an HV Floor Under Wire that provide high voltage to operate the motor. Mud, water, or road salt could potentially enter the HV Floor Underwire connector housing and could cause corrosion over time. Excessive corrosion could cause AM Radio Static during certain driving cycles, or the vehicle may not start. Status Remedy Available Remedy Any authorized Toyota dealer will apply a wire harness protector seal to the HV Floor Under Wire Connector. Toyota corporate engagement is looking into this.

Filed Nov 22, 2025 · Driver assistance · WA

Vehicle shows multiple safety systems malfunction and display warning messages. The vehicle displays repeated alerts including LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) Malfunction, Pre-Collision System Malfunction, RSA (Road Sign Assist) Malfunction, and Headlight System Malfunction. These warnings occur while the vehicle is in motion or parking and cause the safety features to shut off unexpectedly.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Driver assistance · CA

I purchased a new 2023 Toyota RAV4 in March 2023, which is covered by Toyota’s 36-month/36,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty. In August 2025, while the vehicle was still within warranty, a malfunction warning appeared for the pre-collision system and Road Sign Assist. The Toyota dealership diagnosed an internal failure of the forward recognition camera (DTC C1A95:00 — image processing module malfunction) and recommended replacement and calibration at a cost of approximately $2,300. Toyota denied warranty coverage despite the failure being internal to the part and occurring within the warranty period. I am seeking reimbursement for repair costs that should be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MD

I was sitting in a drive thru with my car in drive , foot on break and all of a sudden it starts to shake and struggle to stay on . Then it stalls out , engine shuts completely off and my check engine light came on! The error messages on the screen read : Engine stopped , power steering low , precollision system malfunction , and parking brake malfunction. As I tried to restart it , It wouldn’t start back up and stay on at all. After a good 20 min or so , and after being pushed out of the drive thru and my order canceled, my car starts back up as if nothing happened. Had my car checked for codes , and guess what ? NOTHING ! It’s happened to me about 6 times in about a year and two month of owning it ! Nobody can figure out what the problem is . I also have issues randomly with my radio screen . When my phone is hooked up to CarPlay , it will sometimes kick me out and reconnect by itself , the screen completely shutting off and turning back on by itself , there’s times I was listening to pandora and it won’t allow me to click my station and show the song playing , and other issues. Had this happen too many times to count and within the first couple months of owning it , I took it back and they couldn’t figure out the issue. It never happened while they had it .

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OR

While at stop light notices my 2023 Toyota Rav 4 LE engine was steaming. Pulled into a parking lot when Power steering fluid low warning light came on and said that the engine will stop. After I put in some power steering fluid the dash warning lights lit up, with the following warning lights: Pre-collision brake system failure, Collision brake system failure, Secondary collision system failure and check engine light came on. Had vehicle towed to dealership, they did an test and confirmed several error codes and they are waiting on Toyota engineers to provide information on cause and remedy. While at dealership was told by service adviser that there was sat least one other individual with the same issue. The dealership unfortunately don’t know the cause of the problem