Pulled into driveway, turned off car. Entered house within a couple of minutes front end of car burst into flames. Fire Dept. was called to put out fire. Car was towed to Newburgh NY for insurance adjustor inspection. I was on my way to store and stopped at in-laws. Had I not made this stop, I would have been on thruway. If car had been a few feet closer to garage, it would have set the garag…
2013 toyota RAV4 engine problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 THE END OF MY DRIVE. I BRAKED AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE. IT STOPPED AND UPON RESTARTING, WAS OK. THIS COULD BE DEADLY IF IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800. UPDATED 6/8/2015 *JS
I PURCHASED THE 2013 RAV4 IN APRIL, 2013. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, I BEGAN TO SMELL AN ODOR COMING FROM THE AC WHEN I START THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE BOX THAT HOLDS THE AC CONDENSATION IS TOO SMALL DUE TO MANUFACTURING CHANGES. ON MY SECOND TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THIS COMPLAINT, THEY SPRAYED AC FRESHENER IN THE PART UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THIS HELPED WITH THE ODOR BUT ONLY TEMPORAR…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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