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2014 Toyota RAV4: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2014 Toyota RAV4, most recently filed November 2023. Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2014 Toyota RAV4. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2014 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V734000 Filed Nov 1, 2023

Unsecured Battery May Cause Short Circuit

Electrical system · 12v/24v/48v battery
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
40.7% repairedof 1,853,568 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V734000
Listed for 2014 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V144000 Filed Mar 13, 2015

Possible Loss of Electric Power Steering

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
91.6% repairedof 110,085 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V144000
Listed for 2014 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V011000 Filed Jan 16, 2015

Trailer Lights may Shut Off Due to Software

Exterior lighting
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
58.4% repairedof 1,140 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V011000
Listed for 2014 Toyota RAV4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V828000 Filed Dec 30, 2014

Vehicle Accessories May Detach

Equipment
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
67.9% repairedof 3,958 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V828000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (197)

197 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

20involved a crash
25involved a fire
22injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Toyota RAV4, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 197.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2014 compares with other RAV4 years

Best and worst RAV4 years →
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
This year (2014)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 3★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★☆
RolloverRollover risk 17.4%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2014 Toyota RAV4 suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 76 mpg combined

76
mpg combined
78
city
74
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$1,000
CO₂ tailpipe
—
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$859per year
$72per month
197gallons a year

Miles ÷ 76 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2014 Toyota RAV4 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
Electric · CVTFront-Wheel Drive78 / 74 / 76$1,000—
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26$2,600338
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 25$2,700357
2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24$2,800363

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2014 RAV4 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All RAV4 years

Where to next

2014 Toyota RAV4 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota RAV4 have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 23V734000 (electrical), 15V144000 (steering), 15V011000 (lighting), 14V828000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2014 Toyota RAV4 problems?

Owners filed 197 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (69), Unknown or other (45), Engine (31) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2014 Toyota RAV4 get?

EPA rates the Electric · CVT version at 78 city, 74 highway and 76 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2014 Toyota RAV4 get?

NHTSA rated the 2014 Toyota RAV4 suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.4% rollover risk).

How does the 2014 RAV4 compare with other years?

Among the 2010–2019 Toyota RAV4 model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (197) and the 2019 the most (879). The 2014 drew 197. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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