Previous Toyota fixes didn’t work and now they’re finally recalling the RAV4

Some of you may have already heard the news that Toyota is recalling about 1,854,000 Toyota RAV4 SUVs in the US to resolve a battery issue that comes with a fire hazard.

But many of you may not know that Toyota has tried to fix this problem many times in the past and some new ones the fix did not work.

Look at what I found on the RAV4World forum today. A user, named SMS Artemis, wrote that he knew previous Toyota battery fixes for the same fire hazard issue wouldn’t work.

“I knew that the previous repair done by Toyota regarding the battery issue was not correct. I even filed a complaint on the NHTS website clearly stating what the issue was and how Toyota’s repair did not resolve the issue at all. Although my (local Toyota dealer) There’s nothing wrong with my VIN. Several different articles in different places about this. I entered my VIN and it’s not registered yet. I know for sure my VIN is not correct. Now if only we could get them fixed Paint. “The recall is for battery-secured devices,” Artemis writes.

I did a little investigating and checking to see what Toyota has done in the past regarding the battery fire risk issue and look what I discovered.

Before recalling nearly 1.9 million RAV4 vehicles in November 2023, Toyota has issued a few other recalls related to 12V battery issues:

1. In 2021, Toyota recalled more than 1 million vehicles in the United States, including the Camry, Corolla, Prius and RAV4, due to a potential fire hazard caused by a defect in the positive terminal of the 12-volt battery. The recall included cars from 2016-2019 models.

2. In 2018, Toyota recalled more than 1.3 million vehicles in the United States, including the Camry, Corolla, Prius, and RAV4, due to a potential fire hazard caused by a faulty 12-volt battery cable. The recall includes cars from 2013-2017 models.

In either case, a malfunction could cause the battery to overheat and catch fire, increasing the risk of injury to passengers and/or damage to the vehicle. Toyota advised owners of affected vehicles to contact their local Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.

Last year, I remember that the 2019-2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid experienced an unusual series of failures related to high-voltage wiring. Toyota then began investigating the problem of corroded cables in its RAV4 hybrid vehicles.

In addition to these recalls, Toyota has also issued a number of technical service bulletins (TSBs) related to problems with 12V batteries. TSBs are issued to Toyota dealers to provide them with information about known problems and how to fix them.

Some TSBs related to 12V battery problems include:

• TSB 18-003: “12 Volt Battery Discharge – 2013-2019 Camry, 2014-2019 Corolla, 2016-2019 Prius, 2013-2019 RAV4”
• TSB 18-002: “12V Battery Overheating – 2013-2019 Camry, 2014-2019 Corolla, 2016-2019 Prius, 2013-2019 RAV4”
• TSB 17-036: “12V Battery Cable Corrosion – 2013-2017 Camry, 2014-2017 Corolla, 2016-2017 Prius, 2013-2017 RAV4”

These TSBs provide Toyota dealers with information about known problems, how to diagnose them, and how to fix them.

Dear Torque News readers, If you own a Toyota vehicle, it is important to check Toyota’s website regularly for recall and TSB information. You can also contact your local Toyota dealer to inquire about any open recalls or TSB orders that may affect your vehicle.

A battery hold-down recall is a recall issued by the vehicle manufacturer to notify owners of certain vehicles of a faulty battery pressure device. This defect can cause the battery to move during hard cornering or other driving maneuvers, which can lead to a short circuit, stalling of the vehicle, or even a fire.

In a recent Toyota RAV4 recall, the defect was found in the battery retaining clip, battery tray and positive terminal cover. These parts can become brittle and crack over time, allowing the battery to move. Toyota will replace these parts free of charge for all affected vehicles.

If you receive a letter from Toyota regarding a battery recall, it is important to contact your local Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair. The repair will take approximately one hour to complete.

Here are some tips to prevent battery stress issues:

• Inspect battery pressure devices regularly for signs of wear.
• Tighten all battery compression bolts according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Replace any cracked or damaged battery, hold down devices immediately.
• If you notice any signs of battery movement, such as a rattling sound or a loose battery cable, have a qualified mechanic inspect the battery mount.

By following these tips, you can help prevent battery stress issues and keep your vehicle safe and reliable.

Armen Harian is the founder and editor-in-chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry ever since. It can be reached at Torque News on TwitterFacebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. He has over a decade of experience in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.