TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Toyota RAV4 electrical problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 16 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 Toyota RAV4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2009 ? 2012 model year RAV4 and 2010 ? 2011 model year Camry vehicles equipped with 2AR-FE (non-PZEV) engines may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0138 (Oxygen Sensor Circuit High Voltage [Bank 1 Sensor 2]). This condition may be caused by incorrect air fuel ratio sensor response. The Engine Control Module/ECM (SAE Term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) logic has been modified to reduce the possibility of this condition occurring. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 RAV4 electrical issues cluster around five categories: unintended acceleration, starting failures, warning light malfunctions, structural fires, and component-level problems.
Unintended acceleration is the most persistent complaint. Owners report engine surges to 3,500–6,000 RPM while stopped or braking, sometimes requiring three to four restart cycles to stabilize idle. One owner logged incidents over 17 months with multiple dealer visits; dealers reset the system and replaced an SSC-ADA accelerator but said the car operated within spec. Another owner experienced surge-while-braking twice in one year; dealer found nothing wrong both times.
Starting failures happen sporadically after the vehicle has been driven and parked. Accessories light up normally, but the starter produces no sound. Owners report this clears after some time passes, suggesting a thermal lockout. Dealers cannot replicate it.
The push-button ignition system fails to engage the engine consistently, with some owners needing multiple presses or finding the start sequence from the manual ineffective.
Two separate fire incidents stand out: one at 3,000 miles where smoke and flames emerged under the hood on the passenger side, and another at highway speed preceded by power loss and brake-pedal failure. A fire marshal ruled both mechanical or electrical defects. A third owner reported complete electrical shutdown while driving in traffic, costing $1,500 to repair.
Additional electrical failures include dashboard warning lights (tire, check engine, non-skid, cruise control, 4WD) that illuminate without diagnosable cause. One owner also reported rear-door latch failure with no manual release option.
Same Toyota RAV4 electrical reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration / surging
Engine surges or revs to high RPM (3,500–6,000) without driver input, often while stopped or at traffic lights. Multiple restart cycles required to return to normal idle. Occurs sporadically over extended ownership period.
When: Reported at 400+ miles through 60,000+ miles; multiple incidents from Nov 2009 through Apr 2011 in one complaint; also reported in other ownership periods
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to 3,500–6,000 RPM while stopped or braking; Requires 3–4 engine restarts to return to normal idle; Occurs in parking lots, at traffic lights, and on highways; Happens sporadically with no obvious trigger
Repairs/costs cited: SSC-ADA accelerator replaced in one instance; dealer resets memory in another; dealer typically finds nothing wrong
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state car is operating within manufacturer parameters; Toyota opens TAS CAS in one case and resets memory; no recall issued
Complete electrical shutdown / power loss
Vehicle loses complete electrical power while driving in traffic. Dashboard lights illuminate briefly before loss; emergency flashers fail to operate. Vehicle had to be towed; total repair cost $1,499.87 (dealer), with Toyota offering partial coverage of $522.47.
When: One incident reported; owner suspects water pump failure unrelated to this event
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power while driving at normal speed; Dashboard warning light followed by total power loss; Emergency flashers non-functional; No heating available
Repairs/costs cited: $1,499.87 dealer repair; tow cost $190; owner attributes this to water pump failure based on online research
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota offered $522.47; denied coverage citing expired warranty
Engine fire
Two incidents reported: smoke and flames originating under hood and passenger-side dashboard area. One vehicle completely destroyed at 3,000 miles; second vehicle caught fire on highway at 60 mph with engine power loss preceding flames. Fire department and fire marshal attributed cause to mechanical or electrical defect.
When: 3,000 miles in one case; highway-speed incident in second case
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke under hood, concentrated on passenger side and windshield-wiper area; Flames emerging from engine compartment; In second case, engine power loss preceded fire; In second case, brake pedal went to floor
Repairs/costs cited: First vehicle destroyed; no repair attempted. Second vehicle destroyed within 8 minutes of fire ignition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; no manufacturer response documented
Intermittent no-crank starting failure
Engine fails to start after vehicle has been driven and parked. Accessories (radio, lights) power on normally, but starter produces no sound and engine does not turn over. Problem resolves after some time passes, suggesting thermal or component cool-down is required.
When: At 30,000+ miles; occurs at least 4 times in one year of ownership; also reported at 46,000 and across multiple complaint narratives
Symptoms owners cite: No starter engagement or cranking sound; Accessories function normally (radio, dash lights); Problem resolves after vehicle cools down or sits; Occurs after vehicle has been driven, then parked
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate or diagnose problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty or recall response documented
Push-button start / stop failure
Start button on push-button ignition system fails to function reliably. Engine does not start when button is pressed. In one case, pressing the start/stop button sequence described in user manual also fails to restore function. Engine ignition button fails to shut engine off in another report.
When: Reported at various mileages; one incident at 30,000+ miles where ignition failed to shut engine off and door locks also failed
Symptoms owners cite: Start button does not engage engine; Button must be pressed multiple times or not at all; Start/stop sequence per manual has no effect; In one case, ignition button unable to shut engine off
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented
Dashboard warning light failures
Multiple warning lights illuminate without clear diagnostic cause: tire indicator, check engine, non-skid, cruise control, and four-wheel-drive warning lights reported. Dealers unable to diagnose root cause.
When: 19,000 miles (multiple lights); unknown mileage for 4WD warning
Symptoms owners cite: Tire indicator light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Non-skid warning light illuminates; Cruise control warning light illuminates; Four-wheel-drive check warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shops and authorized dealers unable to diagnose failures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No repair or response documented
Rodent damage to electrical and interior components
Extensive rodent damage to wiring harness, passenger air bag, HVAC ducts, headliner, carpeting, and instrument panel. Owner attributes damage to Toyota's use of soy-foam and rice-husk materials as petroleum alternatives, which are attractive to rodents. Heater air inlet lacked screening, allowing rodent entry.
When: Mileage not specified; damage extensive enough to require $10,257.91 repair
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rodent damage to wiring harness; Passenger air bag chewed and requiring replacement (safety hazard); HVAC ducts damaged; Headliner torn; Interior carpeting damaged
Repairs/costs cited: $10,257.91 repair cost for extensive rodent damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; design flaw (soy-based materials and unscreened air inlet) identified by owner
Radio failure after headlight deactivation
Radio fails to operate after headlights are turned off. Isolated incident with no further troubleshooting documented.
When: 46,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Radio becomes inoperative after headlights are switched off
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken to dealer or mechanic for repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but no response documented
Rear door latch actuator failure
Rear door cannot be unlocked; latch actuator failed. No manual override or external key entry available. Creates safety hazard if occupant becomes trapped in vehicle or trunk after accident, with no means to open door.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rear door will not unlock electronically; No manual handle or mechanical means to open door from inside; No key entry available from outside; Latch actuator inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav4. The contact stated that once the headlights was deactivated, the radio failed. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer for inspection of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000. *tr
Vehicle fails to start occasionally, lights turn on with normal brightness indicating it is probably not a battery issue,but no cranking . Dealer checked the car, but could not replicate the problem. The date below is the approx last incident date. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav4. Upon starting the vehicle, the tire indicator light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop but the failure could not be diagnosed. After three days, the non-skid, cruise control and check engine lights also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the failure could still not be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired.…
Had electrical trouble with your 2009 Toyota RAV4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 19,000 and 42,330 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,000; a quarter make it past 42,330. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/RAV4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.