2015 Toyota Rav4 Safety Report

The 2015 Toyota RAV4 presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a notable number of complaints, particularly concerning electrical systems and steering. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an excellent 5-star overall safety rating, including 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests, indicating robust occupant protection in a crash. However, the vehicle has accumulated 299 total complaints, with 37 crashes, 41 fires, 30 injuries, and 1 death reported, which are significant figures for a single model year. The high number of fire incidents (41) is particularly concerning and is directly linked to a major recall regarding the 12-volt battery. Common complaint patterns revolve heavily around the 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (51 complaints), 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' (34), and 'STEERING' (31). Many electrical system complaints describe battery issues, short circuits, and even vehicle fires, directly correlating with NHTSA Recall 23V734000 concerning improper battery fitment leading to short circuits and fire risk. Steering complaints often detail unexpected loss of power steering, which is addressed by NHTSA Recall 15V144000. Other issues include 'POWER TRAIN' (20 complaints) and 'STRUCTURE' (19 complaints), with some reports of unexpected acceleration and water leaks. The vehicle has been subject to 4 recalls. Two significant recalls address the primary complaint areas: NHTSA Recall 23V734000 for the 12-volt battery, which can short circuit and cause fires, and NHTSA Recall 15V144000 for the electric power assist system, which can lead to a sudden loss of power steering. The other two recalls, 15V041000 and 15V042000, relate to accessory trailer hitches and equipment, respectively, and are less directly tied to the most frequent safety complaints. The presence of these recalls, especially for critical systems like electrical and steering, indicates that Toyota has acknowledged and attempted to address some of the vehicle's most serious safety vulnerabilities.

Our recommendation: While the 2015 Toyota RAV4 boasts excellent crash test ratings, potential buyers should ensure all 4 recalls, especially those for the electrical system and steering, have been addressed due to the significant number of related complaints and fire incidents.