2018 Toyota RAV4 · Electrical & software
High-voltage battery fire risk
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.
What the reviewed source says
Start with the documented condition, not a parts guess.
NHTSA campaign 23V734000 includes certain 2015 to 2018 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. 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. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Words owners may use
Does this match the moment?
Symptoms in the pattern
- Smoke, heat, a burning smell or a battery warning may accompany the condition
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Vehicles and scope
- 2015 to 2018 Toyota RAV4
- NHTSA campaign 23V734000
- The manufacturer filing lists 1,853,568 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
Manufacturer position
What the official procedure directs
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.
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Original evidence
Open the documents behind this page.
Repair paths and safe checks
Separate the diagnosis from the action.
Use the official recall 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.
Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
What owners reported
Did this repair fix the same symptom on your car?
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Check the complete VIN before arranging work
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
What owners reported
Did this repair fix the same symptom on your car?
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Useful before authorizing work
Read the method beside the problem
These guides explain the safety and evidence checks that apply to this problem file.
Check recalls by VIN
A VIN search checks the displayed NHTSA records for an unrepaired safety recall associated with one vehicle. A model search shows only the wider campaign population.
Read guide ↗When a car is unsafe
A warning light does not always mean the same thing, but weak brakes or smoke leave little room for experimentation. Damaged tires and certain recall instructions can do the same.
Read guide ↗Why symptoms overlap
“It makes a weird noise” is useful human language. Diagnosis begins when that language is tied to the exact vehicle and its operating conditions.
Read guide ↗More for this model
Other reviewed Toyota RAV4 conditions
2019 Toyota RAV4 · Suspension, wheels & tires
Front lower control arm may crack and separate
NHTSA campaign 20V286000 lists the 2019 Toyota RAV4 for a condition in which front lower control arm may crack and separate.
2022 Toyota RAV4 · Safety restraints
Air bag system safety defect
The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the occupant.
2020 to 2021 Toyota RAV4 · Safety restraints
Air bag system safety defect
A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.