BestCarRank
Toyota

2014 Toyota RAV4 EV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV has 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 11. The most common issue is transmission problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving on the freeway going about 65mph in the hov lane when the accelerator pedal stopped working and a warning light came on the dashboard. i was not able to get over to the shoulder due to not having power and all of the cars on the freeway. i came to a complete stop, powered off the car a. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

14

Total Complaints

3

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

TRANSMISSION

5 complaints
36%
  • I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH IN THE HOV LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO NOT HAVING POWER AND ALL OF THE CARS ON THE FREEWAY. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, POWERED OFF THE CAR A
  • WHILST DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HOV LANE OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, AND ON A LANE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A STOPPING LANE, IT WAS GROSSLY UNSAFE AS CARS WHIZZED BY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOT
  • LOST DRIVING POWER ON HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. CAR SWITCHED AUTOMATICALLY TO NEUTRAL. DISPLAYED "CHECK EV SYSTEM. TAKE TO DEALER" WARNING. WAS ABLE TO TURN POWER ON AND OFF AND REGAIN MOTOR, BUT STILL DISPLAYED MESSAGE. DROVE HOME. TOOK TO DEALER NEXT MORNING.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH IN THE HOV LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO NOT HAVING POWER AND ALL OF THE CARS ON THE FREEWAY. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, POWERED OFF THE CAR A

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
13
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

VISIBILITY/WIPER18/09/2015

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. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.

Risk: Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,002
Per month
$83
Per mile
8.3¢
kWh/mi
0.44

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,817
Full coverage / month
$151
Liability only / year
$679
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1817

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota RAV4 EV Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
120K mi
Cabin air filter
30K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 150K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2014 RAV4 EV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000
Clean Cars 4 All
ColoradoUp to $5,000
Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit
ConnecticutUp to $4,250
CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)
DelawareUp to $2,500
Clean Vehicle Rebate
IllinoisUp to $4,000
Illinois EV Rebate Program
MarylandUp to $3,000
Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
MassachusettsUp to $3,500
MOR-EV
New JerseyUp to $4,000
Charge Up New Jersey
New YorkUp to $2,000
Drive Clean Rebate
OregonUp to $7,500
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate
PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program
Rhode IslandUp to $2,500
DRIVEEV
TexasUp to $2,500
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive
VermontUp to $5,000
Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles
See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 14 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • TRANSMISSION: I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH IN THE HOV LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER DUE TO NOT HAVING POWER AND ALL OF THE CARS ON THE FREEWAY. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, POWERED OFF THE CAR A

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: WHILST DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HOV LANE OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP. BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, AND ON A LANE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A STOPPING LANE, IT WAS GROSSLY UNSAFE AS CARS WHIZZED BY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: WHILE CHARGING THE CAR AT A SCHNEIDER PUBLIC CHARGING STATION, EXTREME HEAT AND ELECTRICAL ARCING RESULTED IN HEAT/BURNING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGE TO THE CHARGING STATION. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, WHILE CHARGING AT THE SAME PUBLIC SCHNEIDER CHARGING STATION, ON MANY OCCASIONS, I NOTICED AN E

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: WHILE BACKING TO MY DRIVEWAY, CAR LOST POWER AND STOPPED. AFTER TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON, POWER RESTORED. THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD: "CHECK EV SYSTEM HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BY A DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY" WHICH LATER (AFTER FEW OFF/ON CYCLES) DISAPPEARED. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Toyota RAV4 EV — Year Comparison

How does 2014 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
14
Recalls
3
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
11

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV