Most common 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota RAV4 EV complaints by model year
Best RAV4 EV years: 2013, 2012. Compare all years →
2013 Toyota RAV4 EV recalls (3)
Seat belts › Rear/other
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Visibility/wiper
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed.
Hybrid propulsion system
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Rav4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. Due to a software issue within a component of the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly, the electric propulsion motor may shift to "neutral" resulting in a possible…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly software, free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
Seat belt retrieval spring (weak). I have both models 2013 and 2014. Neither model has a strong retrieval spring, leaves the medal buckle loose and hanging in door jam, it gets slammed in the door. Will deform at some further point and not engage. Door locks. Not sure if mandatory by regulation, door locks don't auto lock after car starts to roll forward. Backup screen, just as you start to back up and, on the roll. The screen blocks out the top 1/3. It connects and tells you, your blue tooth items are connected or not. That message should be delayed until after being in reverse. The top 1/3 of the screen is pretty important. Engine noise, a winding noise, on acceleration. I'll be in touch with Toyota on this issue, (telsa motor). They are aware of the issue, friend had a drive unit replaced by Toyota already in north nj
For the second time in a month, my car lost drive while I was cruising on the highway. The car just popped into netural with warning messages coming on the dash. It appears to be the same problem the recall addressed yet after 3 months, there is still no known fixes for it. Could you please help Toyota into pushing a fix for it asap as the car isn't really safe. 3 months wait to make a software patch is pathetic.
2013 Toyota RAV4 EV engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | CVT | FWD | 78 / 74 / 76 MPGe | 103 mi |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 RAV4 EV rates average: 30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the RAV4 EV at the same age. It is one of the best RAV4 EV years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV?
The fuel & propulsion system — 3 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (1) and seat belts (1).
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV, the most recent from February 19, 2016 (rear/other). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota RAV4 EV?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2012. See the full Toyota RAV4 EV years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 29,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.