2013 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

29Engine complaints

11.4%Of all 255 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM65 · 25.5%

Unspecified / other39 · 15.3%

ENGINE29 · 11.4%

POWER TRAIN28 · 11%

SERVICE BRAKES21 · 8.2%

Share of the 255 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Toyota RAV4 overview page.

What owners report

“THE ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. THE RAV4 LIMITED WAS TOTALED. IT WAS LESS…”NHTSA complaint 10860544 — filed 04/20/2016

“OUR TOYOTA 2013 RAV4 HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE GAS PEDDLE SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE FLOOR, AND THE RPM'S WENT…”NHTSA complaint 10837455 — filed 02/22/2016

“WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, SATURDAY 12/12/15, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SPEEDED UP RADICALLY AND I SPED BACKWARD TO…”NHTSA complaint 10809982 — filed 12/14/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Toyota RAV4: 29 of 255 complaints on file (11.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 have in total?

255 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 22 involved a crash, 28 involved a fire, 15 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.