Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was parking the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into a vehicle that was parked beside the contact's vehicle. In addition, the vehicle crashed into the Dollar Tree Store doors. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact stated that it was very scary. The Dollar Store door glass was completely shattered. The Dollar Store was closed down as a result of the damage. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. A Police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that an insurance claim was filed. …
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the mother was driving at a slow rate of speed while in a parking lot and when the brake pedal was pressed the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a tree. During the incident, the driver sustained a right leg and right arm injury and was transported to the hospital and treated for multiple fractures. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated while pulling into to a testing facility. The contact depressed the brake pedal and steered away from the tent and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,870.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 35,569.
My vehicle has a problem with torque converter shudder that has gotten worse over time. At first it was shuddering and now vehicle bulks and momentarily slows down at the speed of 20mph thus creating an unsafe situation. Toyota has a Torque Converter Shudder Warranty Enhancement Program (ZH1) for vehicles of my age and mileage, but my specific VIN number does not fall under this warranty enhancement. I spoke to Toyota Brand Engagement Center senior adviser Drew and explained to him that it is a safety issue due to my vehicle unexpectedly slowing down in traffic. But he refused to do anything to mitigate this safety concern.
My friend was leaving church and cranked my vehicle engine. My friend proceeded to exit the church parking lot onto a main road. Prior to exiting the parking lot, she heard the engine "rev", where my vehicle began moving forward without her control. She was consistently pressing the brake pedal; to no avail. where my vehicle was only stopped by careening into a nearby yard. She could hear my vehicle's engine continue rev until she turned it off.
While leaving the bank parking lot my 2015 Rav 4 started to accelerate while my foot was on the brakes. I barely missed hitting an incoming car. This was not first time something like this happened. There were other incidents prior to this but I dismissed them as maybe me hitting the wrong pedal.
I was pulling in a parking space at the back of the building in which I worked. I turned right into my space going about idle speed. I took my foot off the brake to move into the space when it took off and went into the building. I missed the sensor by a quarter of an inch and the air bags did not deplore. I had the black box read by Toyota and then they never called me back to explain the "book" of papers that gave all sorts of information which I really don't understand. After about two or three months it happened again when my husband was driving and came to a four way stop on a city street. When it let up off the brake the car took off and since he had about a half mile of street he let it go. It took him at 40 MPH for the whole way. He had trouble when he hit the brake to make it stop. He had to pump them several times. This car had done this 7 or 8 times to us. …
While pulling up to a gas pump the car suddenly accelerated. It went from zero to 40 miles per hour. I was in the passenger seat and my husband was driving. He pumped the brakes but car made a loud revving noise and would not stop. My husband was able to avoid hitting a truck, but the car went over a concrete mediano and only came to a stop when the emergency brake was pulled. The car was filled with airbag smoke even though the airbags did not deploy. A witness said that he could tell it was a mechanical issue because of the loud revving noise the car was making. Toyota has not been able to tell us what happened. They did not find a problem with brakes or accelerator. The car hit the median so hard that the frame has been bent. Even though we have been loyal Toyota customer for over 20 years, my hope is that they total the car so that I don't ever have to drive it again. …
Sua incident - coasting before entering garage as usual with my right foot on floor and not engaged with accelerator or brake. Upon entering the garage car began to accelerate, naturally shocking/baffling me, as I had already started braking and continued to do that to no avail as car proceeded to hit back wall of the garage where acceleration stopped,car came to rest. I never drive with two feet and am absolutely certain my foot was on the brake and brake was not responding. Also car did not accelerate with the same sound as it normally would if I pressed the gas peddle. It accelerated more like it was on cruise control...very smooth and steady. Actually I'm grateful the wall wasn't far away so it didn't accelerate further. The incident happened June 11,2020 at around 10 am. Do not know reason for sua, but will note that we had the garage door sensors repositioned on June 10. …
Acceleration complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2015 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2015 Toyota RAV4, 7% of the model year's 305 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Toyota RAV4 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2015 Toyota RAV4, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Toyota RAV4 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 63% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.