Regarded as the first compact crossover SUV ever, the Toyota RAV4 has been around for nearly three decades. Still in its fifth generation, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is, according to the automaker, focused on safety upgrades, connectivity, and multimedia. But owners are reporting failures with the electrical system that impact multimedia and connectivity, and ultimately result in safety issues.
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Most Common Problems with the 2023 Toyota RAV4
Released towards the end of 2022, the first complaint to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) was filed on December 29, 2022. By the end of June 2023, there had only been 7 complaints. But the bulk of these focus on features that Toyota has advertised as being superior upgrades, including safety, multimedia, and connectivity.
The electrical system tops the complaints with issues relating to unexplained error codes and infotainment system and rear view camera problems. There are also complaints about navigation issues. Most of these are potentially safety issues.
Another relatively minor complaint relates to the passenger seat being dangerously high, “even for a short person.” While another states that the forward collision avoidance system paid for and installed after purchase, doesn’t work. This, the complaint states, is definitely a “safety issue of the vehicle.”
The ongoing dispute about sunroofs exploding also rears its head in the 2023 RAV4 complaints. After an explosion that sounded like a “gunshot” happened on an interstate road with minimal traffic, a “freaked out” owner took the vehicle to a dealership. The complaint states he’d been driving at about 60 mph in very clear weather. But, as appears to be a typical response from most dealers (regardless of brand). According to the complaint “Toyota claims it was a piece of debris or rock that hit it, so they say it is not under warranty. $14k repair price which is almost a quarter of what I am paying for the vehicle. Waiting to see if my insurance covers it.”
2023 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Unknown Or Other
23
23
Electrical System
8
8
Engine
8
8
Service Brakes
7
7
Fuel/propulsion System
5
5
Power Train
5
5
Steering
5
5
Structure:body
5
5
Visibility/wiper
5
5
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
3
Electrical System and Related Problems
While these complaints are all listed as electrical system problems, they are all varied. Some also identify other components as being partly responsible for the problems experienced.
Electrical System Combined with Engine and Steering Issues
The owner of what is described as a “brand new 2023 RAV4” describes driving the SUV in the rain for the first time. After pulling into a parking lot, he put the vehicle into Park, and it suddenly started “stuttering/jerking/jolting the whole car.” The RPMs were fluttering up and down between 2 and 3, the car engine turned on and off, and the “car felt very weird.”
Then, the check engine light and message “Engine stopped steering power low” came on, and turned the car off. “Then I turned it back on and it was doing the same thing, jolting me forward with the same message.” He also got the message “Not ready to drive” and shut the whole car back off.
“I could barely make it out of the drive thru to park it out of the way in a spot to wait for a tow truck. It wouldn’t drive. I had to get it towed to (the) dealership, and of course when it got there it was acting normal. I got it brand new 3 weeks ago.”
According to the dealership, which had it for little more than a day, there were no codes showing and so there was nothing wrong. “I am extremely concerned since something did happen! This seems dangerous, especially since the codes did not record. I told them I had a trip to go on up north and there was rain/snow anticipated. And they said they would be okay sending their family off in this car since everything with the car says it’s fine.”
There is no indication what happened next! Hopefully the family remained safe.
Powertrain Combined with Electrical System Issues
This complaint states that the driver made a stop at a stop sign. When the vehicle stalled, the driver got a message that the engine had shut off. The SUV wouldn’t restart in the middle of an intersection, and the engine would not turn over after stall.
Like so many other complaints, the dealership was unable to replicate the issue. But, in this case, they did say that “the computer had thrown codes.” Unfortunately, there is no indication what they were.
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Infotainment System Malfunction
What’s the point of an infotainment system if it doesn’t work? Especially when you’ve bought a 2023 RAV4 SUV because it has superior multimedia and connectivity features!
It’s not clear how long this 2023 RAV4 has been on the road, but in June 2023, the owner stated in a complaint that the SUV had been to the dealership “three times in six months.”
“For the last six months our vehicle has had its infotainment system malfunction. It shuts off unexpectedly while driving or stopped. It shuts off and on repeatedly as if [the] car is turning on and off. The bright warning sign will show and proceed to act normal, then again 5-10 seconds later it shuts off again. This issue happens with and without a phone connected to it via bluetooth. While (the) screen of the rear view camera does not work, nothing else is operable within the screen/infotainment system.”
That scenario isn’t going to work for anyone!
Broken 2023 Toyota RAV4? Lemberg Law Can Help.
If you have a recently purchased 2023 Toyota RAV4, and you are experiencing any of the problems that this article describes (or more), Toyota may have sold you a lemon. If so, Lemon Laws entitle you to a free legal process resulting in monetary compensation. The law says that you don’t have to settle for a broken car, and we’re here to make sure you can take full advantage of that right!
While it can be tricky to navigate Lemon Laws, Lemberg Law is here to help you understand your options and take legal action. The information below will tell you everything you need to know about Lemon Laws and how they apply to your RAV4. You can also review below a step-by-step guide on how our free legal services can win you compensation. To skip the research, call Lemberg Law today for an obligation-free, zero-charge consultation.
Our Free Legal Services: Benefits Checklist
The following is a list of potential benefits from a Lemon Law case. However, your outcome will depend entirely on your circumstances, so it is best to call today for a free consultation!
You don’t pay a dime. Toyota must cover your court costs and attorney fees if they have sold you a lemon.
What you can get: a refund for the purchase price of your RAV4, or a replacement.
When we win: Toyota must refund any rental or towing fees.
No more wasted time: we handle all the legal details. That way, you receive your due compensation without having to spend any more time on your lemon.
What You Need to Know About Lemon Laws
Lemons Laws protect consumers who have unknowingly purchased defective vehicles. These regulations cover cars that have some problem, which occurs within a certain time after purchase and your warranty covers, that makes them unsafe or in any way unsuitable to drive. For example, if your RAV4’s engine repeatedly stalls during stops and will not restart, then you may qualify for Lemon Laws.
Lemon Laws make it easy to receive compensation for your defective RAV4 with a free legal process. If you have a lemon, Toyota must refund you for the purchase price of your RAV4 or give you a replacement car. Toyota will also have to cover rental and towing fees, as well as your legal fees. Thanks to Lemon Laws, we consistently force automakers to trade in, pay back, or replace defective cars.
The complicated part of Lemon Laws is that they vary from state to state. Depending on where you live, your RAV4 may or may not be considered a lemon. Therefore, it is important to consult an attorney before taking any further action. To confirm the status of your RAV4 and talk through your legal options, call Lemberg Law today for a free consultation.
Does My RAV4 Qualify for Lemon Laws?
If you’re experiencing problems with your 2023 RAV4, we can help you. Call Lemberg Law for a free consultation to find out today if you have a case. You can also consult our state-to-state guide on Lemon Laws or review this generalized checklist to see if your RAV4 might be a lemon:
Your RAV4 must have some “substantial defect” that has occurred within a certain time after purchase and is covered under warranty.
Your RAV4 must be owned and operated for personal use by individuals or families.
The manufacturer has attempted to repair the same defect multiple times. Specifically,…
The manufacturer has attempted to repair the same serious safety defect two times in 30 days.
The manufacturer has attempted to repair the same issue that is not a serious safety defect four times in 30 days.
Your RAV4 is out of service for more than 30 days due to repairs on problems that your car’s warranty covers.
How to Win Compensation With Our Free Legal Services:
Once you’re sure that your RAV4 is a lemon, which we can confirm for you over the phone for free, your best move is to take legal action. This is the only way to force Toyota to compensate you for your defective car, and a winning case will cost you nothing out of pocket.
Step One: Keep Track of Repairs.
Whether your car qualifies as a lemon may depend on its history of repairs.
Continue to bring your RAV4 in for repairs, and maintain records of how many times you’ve had the same issue fixed, what problems were supposed to be fixed, and how long your car was out of service in the shop.
Step Two: Call to confirm the status of your RAV4 and act quickly.
With a free consultation, we’ll help you determine if you have a case against Toyota.
We can then walk you through your legal options and begin your case.
Your defective RAV4 won’t count as a lemon forever, so it’s best to act immediately. That way, we can win your free compensation and make sure you don’t get stuck with a broken car.
Step Three: Sit back and win compensation.
Once we file your case against Toyota, we will handle the legal details on your behalf.
When we win, you can receive either a refund for your RAV4 or a replacement.
You won’t have to worry about paying your legal bill or dealing with towing and rental fees. The law requires Toyota to cover these costs.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
We’re parking in a handicap ♿️ spot. My mother was driving into the spot at 6 mph and then the rav4 hybrid accelerated suddenly hit the handicap sign before completely shutting off.
I believe that the computer took over the control overriding my mother from braking
I told the cop that we were parking in the spot but he wrote what he wanted to.
We’re parking in a handicap ♿️ spot. My mother was driving into the spot at 6 mph and then the rav4 hybrid accelerated suddenly hit the handicap sign before completely shutting off.
I believe that the computer took over the control overriding my mother from braking
I told the cop that we were parking in the spot but he wrote what he wanted to.
2023 toyota rav4 hybrid