Toyota Recalls 1.8 Million RAV4s for Possible Fire Risk

• Toyota is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 models because of a possible fire risk.
  

• Toyota says that replacement 12-volt batteries of the appropriate group size could have tops too small for the hold down.

• Toyota says it will replace the hold down, battery tray, and positive cable cover free of charge.

If you own a 2013 to 2018 Toyota RAV4 with a replacement battery, you might want to double check the installation. Toyota is recalling 1,854,000 examples of its popular crossover because of a possible fire risk resulting from improperly secured batteries. Apparently, some replacement batteries that fall into the appropriate group size have top dimensions that don’t work well with the factory-equipped battery retention system.

According to Toyota, one of these batteries could move during a forceful turn and a battery terminal could make contact with the aforementioned battery retainer. If that happens to be the positive terminal, that could possibly cause a fire.

Toyota says it is still working on a full, formal remedy, but notes that the company will replace your RaAV’s battery hold-down clamp, battery tray, and positive terminal cover free of charge. Customers can expect a note before the end of 2023. Interestingly, NHTSA hasn’t published any recall information about this yet, and this comes directly from Toyota.

This situation doesn’t affect every RAV4 from this production window, but it’s probably worth a second look under your hood to make sure your battery is secure. Toyota notes that the company can answer any additional questions through its Brand Engagement Center at 1-800-331-4331.

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