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).
Slow down to make a right turn, the car completely shut off. Put on emergency lights pulled into nearest safest parking lot, braking systems failed, finally put car in park. Pulled keys out of ignition. Took a look around nothing was physically wrong, got back into vehicle started it, with no problem. Took it through the same parking lot, through the drive-thru. Started smoking at the second window, pulled back into the parking lot, shut off vehicle. Got out of vehicle to access smoke, fire started, got back int car then an explosion. Grabbed my daughter and my things the best I could. There was about two or three more explosions afterwards, the fire department came to take out the flames; this was after other employees from the same area tried to put out the fire with fire extinguishers but it wasn't much help. …
Road conditions were perfect - sunny, dry, nice weather. I was pulling into a parking spot and when I applied the brakes, they FROZE. I.e. the brake pedal DID NOT GO DOWN. (The mats were not an issue). Then the car suddenly accelerated and went over an embankment. I was able to stop the vehicle using the emergency brake.
This is regarding potential safety issue related to the brake system. Last week (10/1/23) I changed the rear brake pads for the first time since I got the car from the dealer. The pads are original ones installed at the Toyota plant/line. Shocked was that there was no sign of grease on right/passenger side caliper guide pins, and pins were rusted and seized on the caliper as a result. This explains why the pad thickness is still 4-5 mm. Braking was done mostly by the front bakes. If the front brakes failed, it's like driving the car without brakes. I and my family narrowly escaped collision because it needs extra distance to make complete stop compared to other normal cars. I checked the front brake pads also just for safety reasons. The pins glide freely in the caliper, but not like normal guide pin behavior. …
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floor. The contact stated that he had to top off the brake fluid constantly. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V198000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The battery is off . It does not work. The car does not start. It looks like the battery is not properly installed. I just left my car at the Toyota dealership in June 12 for maintenance services, for brake fluid and flush etc including the replacement of a battery mounting hardware however it does not look right. The car started to go off and today it does not start at all. Please advice Sincerely, [redacted]
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. …
Vehicle did not respond to braking (possible stalling, loss of control of vehicle), resulting in a severe crash involving two parked cars and property, injury to driver, and total loss. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed going down hill due to having no control over the vehicle. Because driver was unable to stop, the vehicle ran two stop signs. The crash resulted in the vehicle crashing into two parked cars, "jumping" those vehicles and running into a home. The vehicle was twice previously repaired under warranty for stalling. Occasion 1 (14K miles): vehicle stalled at stoplight and key light was flashing. Error codes p1605 and p219a at the time. Occasion 2 (16K miles): vehicle stalled twice while stopped, on the same day. The vehicle was shaky at the stoplight and multiple warning lights came on, code p1605 (2nd repair).
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, a vehicle stopped in front of the contacts vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond as the steering wheel seized. As a result. The contact crashed into a tree. The air bags deploy, releasing a chemical substance. The contact sustained arm, legs and whiplash injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V144000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 04/07/16..updated 12/06/16 updated 03/09/17.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH down an incline, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result of the failure, the contact crashed into a wall and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact mentioned that the failure had recurred twice. A police report was filed. The driver sustained back and neck injuries that required medical assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 6,000.
Brake complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Toyota RAV4, 10% of the model year's 305 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Toyota RAV4 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 2 fires and 9 injuries to brakes 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.