Model year 2015 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2015 Toyota RAV4: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2015 Toyota RAV4 at 24–26 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 304 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
4
EPA combined mpg
24–26
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2015 Toyota RAV4 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2015 Toyota RAV4, newest first.
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
NHTSA 23V734000Reported Nov 1, 2023
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. 23TB13 / 23TA13)
Units affected
1,853,568 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
Risk
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. SET-15A)
Components
Trailer hitches; Exterior lighting
Units affected
1,140 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. SET-14B)
Units affected
3,958 (estimate)
Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
Risk
Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
Remedy
SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
Advertisement
2015 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2015 Toyota RAV4 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2015 Toyota RAV4 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD Early Release
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.9%
No
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV AWD Later Release
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.9%
No
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD Early Release
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
17.4%
No
2015 Toyota Rav4 SUV FWD Later Release
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
17.4%
No
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
Advertisement
2015 Toyota RAV4 owner complaints
Owners have filed 304 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Toyota RAV4, most recently on Oct 1, 2026. 37 mention a crash, 41 a fire, 30 injured people and 1 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2015 Toyota RAV4 complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Electrical system
84
Unknown or other
60
Steering
47
Engine
37
Service brakes
30
Structure: Body
26
Power train
23
Vehicle speed control
20
Air bags
15
Fuel/propulsion system
12
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
