VehicleVerdict

2013 Toyota RAV4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 sits mid-pack among RAV4 years: 331 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 345, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 17 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 90 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

331

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

29

Crash-involved

34

Fires reported

17

Injuries

1

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other RAV4 years?

RAV4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted1,240 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 54 complaints1997: 61 complaints1998: 92 complaints1999: 75 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 418 complaints2002: 682 complaints2003: 392 complaints2004: 182 complaints2005: 168 complaints2006: 880 complaints2007: 1,240 complaints2008: 708 complaints2009: 397 complaints2010: 498 complaints2011: 402 complaints2012: 357 complaints2013: 331 complaints2014: 275 complaints2015: 399 complaints2016: 291 complaints2017: 408 complaints2018: 435 complaints2019: 1,168 complaints2020: 795 complaints2021: 505 complaints2022: 206 complaints2023: 234 complaints2024: 250 complaints2025: 101 complaints
RAV4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RAV4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Toyota RAV4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9027%
Other4112%
Engine319%
Transmission299%
Body & Structure288%
Brakes237%
Speed Control175%
Airbags134%
Visibility & Wipers134%
Steering113%
Fuel System93%
Tires & Wheels82%
Lighting52%
Seat Belts41%
Latches & Locks31%
Driver Assistance31%
Suspension21%
Seats10%

Does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

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

23V734000Electrical SystemNovember 1, 2023 · 1,853,568 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

15V011000Trailer HitchJanuary 16, 2015 · 1,140 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.

Consequence

If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD. AS I TURNED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A STORE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND SMOKE AND FUMES BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN. I PULLED TO THE SIDE,GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND RAISED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY. A PERSON NEARBY NOTICED THE FIRE AND CAME TO PUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 6, 2020 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT, IGNITION TURNED OFF. LEFT CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MINUTES, RETURNED TO PARKING LOT TO FIND VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. MOST OF DAMAGE DONE TO FRONT OF VEHICLE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 1, 2020 · fire

“I had a 2013 Rav4, while i was driving the car the car started a fire under the hood and burn completely up. Im trying to file a complaint or talk to someone discussing this matter. Toyota says I need to file a bad faith complaint.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2024 · fire

“THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES SUDDEN ACCELERATION. IT OCCURRED TWICE, ONCE WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND AGAIN WHEN YOU GET SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE CAR WAS AT A STANDSTILL BOTH TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS APRIL 2017. I WAS DRIVING ALONG A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET AT 20 MPH. WHEN I STOPPED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 4, 2018 · crash

“THE THROTTLE STUCK ON THE CAR. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND IT WENT OVER A 10 FOOT FALL AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. IT WAS A VERY SCARY RIDE. I TRIED EVERY WAY TO STOP THE CAR BUT COULD NOT . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME OF THE UNINTENDED EVENT. I AM STILL VERY SORE THREE WEEKS LATER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 4, 2015 · crash

2013 Toyota RAV4 — common questions

Is the 2013 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

It is close to typical for the RAV4: 331 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2013 RAV4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (90 complaints), other (41 complaints), engine (31 complaints).

Does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Toyota RAV4. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2019, 2006, 2020, 2008, 2002. The cleanest record among RAV4 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2013 Toyota RAV4?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.