VehicleVerdict

2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Rav4 Ev years?

Rav4 Ev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted14 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 14 complaints
Rav4 Ev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rav4 Ev years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System333%
Other111%
Electrical System111%
Speed Control111%
Transmission111%
Visibility & Wipers111%
Seat Belts111%

Does the 2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V096000Seat BeltsFebruary 19, 2016 · 1,123,752 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.

Consequence

A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.

15V577000Visibility & WipersSeptember 18, 2015 · 423,456 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.

Consequence

Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.

15V143000Fuel SystemMarch 13, 2015 · 2,497 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible loss of drive power.

Consequence

A loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH, MY CAR LOST DRIVE WHILE I WAS CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR JUST POPPED INTO NETURAL WITH WARNING MESSAGES COMING ON THE DASH. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THE RECALL ADDRESSED YET AFTER 3 MONTHS, THERE IS STILL NO KNOWN FIXES FOR IT. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 3, 2015

“SEAT BELT RETRIEVAL SPRING (WEAK). I HAVE BOTH MODELS 2013 AND 2014. NEITHER MODEL HAS A STRONG RETRIEVAL SPRING, LEAVES THE MEDAL BUCKLE LOOSE AND HANGING IN DOOR JAM, IT GETS SLAMMED IN THE DOOR. WILL DEFORM AT SOME FURTHER POINT AND NOT ENGAGE. DOOR LOCKS. NOT SURE IF MANDATORY BY REGULATION,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 1, 2015

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN THE HOV LANE OF THE 405 FWY, AN ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED STATING THAT THE CAR WAS IN "NEUTRAL". I TRIED TO SHIFT IT INTO "DRIVE" BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. SINCE THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE CENTER DIVIDER TO PULL OVER, I COASTED AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE RIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 13, 2014

“SEAT BELT RETRIEVAL SPRING (WEAK). I HAVE BOTH MODELS 2013 AND 2014. NEITHER MODEL HAS A STRONG RETRIEVAL SPRING, LEAVES THE MEDAL BUCKLE LOOSE AND HANGING IN DOOR JAM, IT GETS SLAMMED IN THE DOOR. WILL DEFORM AT SOME FURTHER POINT AND NOT ENGAGE. DOOR LOCKS. NOT SURE IF MANDATORY BY REGULATION,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 1, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4 ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ELECTRIC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DECELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 18, 2018

2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev — common questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Toyota Rav4 Ev under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.