2013 Toyota Rav4 problems
The Toyota RAV4 (Japanese: トヨタ・RAV4, Hepburn: Toyota Ravufō) is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. It is known for starting the wave of compact crossovers.
It made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the manoeuvrability and fuel economy of a compact car. The vehicle's name is an abbreviation of "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", or "Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", although not all models come equipped with the four-wheel drive system.
For the third-generation model, Toyota offered both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions were sold in Japan and Europe; long-wheelbase versions in Australia and North America. Toyota of Japan also sold the longer-wheelbase version as the Toyota Vanguard (Japanese: トヨタ・ヴァンガード, Hepburn: Toyota Vangādo) at Toyopet Store dealership chain from 2005 through 2016. RAV4 for the Japanese market were sold at two different Toyota dealership chains, Corolla Store and Netz.
In 2019, the RAV4 was the best-selling SUV of any type in the world, and the fourth best-selling passenger car overall. North America is the largest market, with 535,000 units sold in 2019, followed by Europe (133,000) and China (127,000). By February 2020, a total of 10 million RAV4s had been sold globally.
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Common 2013 Toyota Rav4 problems
The Toyota RAV4 2013 has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. These problems span across different categories, including accessories, body and paint, and transmission.
One of the most common problems reported by owners is the navigation screen being impossible to see in direct sunlight. This issue is primarily caused by the glare on the screen, making it difficult to use the navigation system on sunny days. The fix for this problem is a $10 anti-glare screen cover, which is a relatively inexpensive solution.
Another common problem reported by owners is oil leaks from around the engine. This issue is caused by some of the components under the hood of the RAV4 seeping oil on occasion. The oil leaks can lead to more significant problems if not addressed promptly, so it is essential to have the vehicle checked by a professional if this issue is suspected.
The 2013 RAV4 has also been reported to have sudden unintended acceleration problems. This issue can be dangerous and has been reported to cost an average of $13,000 to fix, with an average mileage of 22,000 miles. This problem is a significant concern for RAV4 owners and should be addressed promptly.
The transmission of the RAV4 has also been reported to have problems, with some owners experiencing transmission vibrations. Flushing the transmission has been reported to solve the problem, but in some cases, replacing the torque converter is necessary, which can cost $1,500.
There is only one recall for the 2013 RAV4, which is for the trailer lights. Toyota dealers will replace the module for free if this issue is encountered.
In summary, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 has several common problems reported by owners, including navigation screen glare, oil leaks, sudden unintended acceleration, transmission vibrations, and trailer light issues. It is essential to address these issues promptly to ensure the safety and longevity of the vehicle.
Is a 2013 RAV4 reliable?
The 2013 Hyundai Tucson and 2013 RAV4 are the only compact SUVs to earn a perfect predicted reliability rating. Each model comes with some compromises, however. The Tucson has better driving dynamics and a lower average price. The RAV4, on the other hand, is roomier and has more standard features.
How many miles will a 2013 RAV4 last?
between 200,000 miles and 250,000 miles
How Long Does a Toyota Rav4 Last? The Toyota Rav4 is a leading SUV when it comes to longevity, clocking in at between 200,000 miles and 250,000 miles on average, with higher numbers for owners who take good care of their Rav4.
What is the most common problem with RAV4?
But with more used RAV4s in the market — some with hundreds of thousands of miles on the odometer — some of these hiccups will be unavoidable. The RAV4's issues include excessive oil consumption, steering wheel problems, lagging transmissions, fuel system problems, and electrical complications, among other troubles.
Is there any recalls on a 2013 RAV4?
01, 2023) – Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain 2013-2018 model year Toyota RAV4 vehicles in the United States. Approximately 1,854,000 vehicles are involved in this recall. Some replacement 12-volt batteries of the size specified for the subject vehicles have smaller top dimensions than others.
Is a 2013 RAV4 reliable?
The 2013 Hyundai Tucson and 2013 RAV4 are the only compact SUVs to earn a perfect predicted reliability rating. Each model comes with some compromises, however. The Tucson has better driving dynamics and a lower average price. The RAV4, on the other hand, is roomier and has more standard features.
How long can a 2013 RAV4 last?
between 200,000 miles and 250,000 miles
How Long Does a Toyota Rav4 Last? The Toyota Rav4 is a leading SUV when it comes to longevity, clocking in at between 200,000 miles and 250,000 miles on average, with higher numbers for owners who take good care of their Rav4.
Is Toyota RAV4 2013 fuel efficient?
While early versions of the RAV 4 (like the own you once owned) would have trouble beating 10 litres per 100km, the more modern RAV 4 from 2013 will easily consume less than eight litres per 100km over the same distance. If you drive carefully, that difference could be even greater.
What is the common problem of Toyota RAV4?
The RAV4's issues include excessive oil consumption, steering wheel problems, lagging transmissions, fuel system problems, and electrical complications, among other troubles. Here, you'll see which RAV4 model years frequently experience what issues and what might cause them.
2013 Toyota Rav4 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Rav4 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Structure problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2013 Toyota Rav4 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2013 Toyota Rav4
The NHTSA has received 230 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Toyota Rav4. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2013 Toyota Rav4 vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-22
- VIN: 2T3WFREV9DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owned a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to start the vehicle; and noticed that the vehicle would completely shut off with no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the 12-volt battery was inoperable. The contact noticed that the battery was loose. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 191,264. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-03
- VIN: 2T3ZFREV2DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a thermal event had occurred, causing the battery to overheat and engine components to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 166,744. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-02
- VIN: 2T3YFREV6DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Vehicle suffered electrical shortage after a deer impact, battery is under warranty and recall. Progressive insurance and Jim Hudson Toyota Sumter SC refusing to honor
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- VIN: 2T3DFREV0DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
- VIN: 2T3DFREV9DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: On 4/4/18 I purchased a preowned 2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited from Grappone Toyota. It had approximately 80000 miles on it. I was told it was gone over completely and everything was good with it. For quite some time now I have been feeling a vibration/shudder when pressing the gas. I initially thought it was just getting old & that it was normal. During the winters I have tried dry gas thinking that could be helpful. I had also tried higher octane gas. It's been getting considerably worse so when I made an appointment at Grappone for my oil change, I asked them to diagnose it. They came back saying I need a new $4000 Torque Converter. Once I got home I began doing research. I found T-SB-0023-15. Then an extension on it to 8 years or 150000 miles. It's a problem big enough to put a TSB out. I tried contacting Toyota & they said my car is beyond the warranty (it has 135000 miles on it, but over 8 years old). My gripe is I was never told of this TSB. If I would've known, I would've jumped on it as soon as I started feeling the vibration. I feel like Grappone sold this car to me deceitfully as I was never told about it. Toyota confirmed the TSB was sent to the previous owner as I didn't buy until 04/18. I have the estimate for repair from Grappone. I feel betrayed & duped.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- VIN: 2T3DFREV8DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Toyota USA failed to start recall campaign and fix Manufacturer Recall Number23TB13 & NHTSA Recall Number23V734 It was promised to start fixing recall in the middle of 2024, it is 3rd quarter of 2024 and not remedy available, Toyota USA fails to provide timeframes.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-26
- VIN: 2T3BFREV1DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
TIRES,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-18
- VIN: JTMBFREV0D5
- Components: TIRES,WHEELS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4 equipped with four Continental Tires, Tire Line: Cross Contact LX; Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: A32YHOOB0224. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the passenger’s side front tire exploded. The hub cap detached and flew off the rim. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called AAA and was informed that the tires were not properly installed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the tire was replaced. Additionally, while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact became aware that the driver's side front tire was flat. The contact's neighbor replaced the tire with the spare tire. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 102,580. The tire failure mileage was unknown.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- VIN: JTMWFREV1D5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-27
- VIN: 2T3DFREV8DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The paint (Blizzard Pearl) on the roof of my car came off in very large sheets while I was driving. I contacted my local dealership to have my car repainted (per the warranty with Toyota) only to find out that the warranty on the paint for my particular vehicle had expired in 2023. I would like to see this warranty on the paint extended so I called Toyota directly and they advised I issue a compliant here so you can force them to extend this warranty.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-23
- VIN: 2T3DFREV8DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: It is taking too much time for Toyota to offer a remedy on this recall. I am disappointed. This is affecting me because I have not been able to work with my car for to this unresolved recall. I don't know what to do please help
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-09
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2T3ZFREV2DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: I had a 2013 Rav4, while i was driving the car the car started a fire under the hood and burn completely up. Im trying to file a complaint or talk to someone discussing this matter. Toyota says I need to file a bad faith complaint.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-04
- VIN: 2T3YFREV3DW
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Roof leaking inside car left of driver
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-17
- VIN: 2T3ZFREV1DW
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: My 2013 RAV4 has been experiencing shuddering and vibrations at low speeds. Turns out it is the torque converter which Toyota was aware some 2013-2014 RAV4 have the problem. But instead of doing a recall they did a customer support program recall which they were able to put an expiration on the recall. Now my car needs the torque converter replaced Toyota will not honor the recall because it is expired 3 years ago. After seeing numerous complaints about the torque converter Toyota should reconsider doing a full recall on this safety issue.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-02
- VIN: 2T3BFREV3DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: In at least 5 or more instances the vehicle has had unintended acceleration and thrust the car forward while I was braking and trying to come to a stop. Once it happened at a 4-way intersection and propelled my car into the middle of the intersection and I had to swerve to avoid a head-on collision with another car. I , or the other driver, could have been killed. In all cases the braking failed to stop the car and in fact sped it up even though the brakes were applied.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-27
- VIN: 2T3WFREV1DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My vehicle is a Rav 4, pearl white and the vin number is [XXX] . I called a phone number (1-877-855-8377) provided by Toyota de Puerto Rico so I could work on the paint recall on my 2013 SUV. I was not aware of this recall, but a co-worker told me about the recall when I noticed that my SUV was peeling off the paint on the hood. The gentleman who answered my call told me that they had sent me a recall letter, which is not true because I never get a letter. Now my RAV4 is losing its paint and I need Toyota to answer me for their negligence in relation to their defect in that type of paint. I will be grateful if you give me some help and what I should do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-21
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2T3YFREV6DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: While driving the car, it stalled on the expressway and then started to smoke and seconds later started on fire.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JTMYFREV8DD
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Had to make a quick right hand turn, when I did, my vehicle lost power and I thought I had been hit. No power steering or power brakes. Got out, inspected my car, no damages or anything, vehicle restarted and so I continued on my way. Getting back on the road had to make another right, and vehicle sputtered and dash blinked, but seemed to recover. Started to look for a safe place to get off the road, when the dash was blinking and I lost power steering again. Turned into a place of business. As I stopped, smoke was showing from the drivers side, I tried to get out, but my door handle didn't unlock,. I realized I had to manually flip the lock to get out. Dialed 911 from cell phone and went into the business to tell them to keep people away. I could see flames coming down from the engine compartment to the ground. Luckily fire department arrived and extinguished fire. Initially Toyota dealership quoted $12,550 to fix, my insurance company declared it a total loss.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-20
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JTMDFREV8DD
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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 garage, with car inside, on fire, and house. Car in garage could have exploded (gas tank). The recall was received days prior to incident, and indicated remedy would be ready in June 2024. Police and Fire Dept were called, insurance reps, I believe have inspected the car. It was towed and I did not meet with insurance rep. There were no warning lights or problems, passed inspection in August 2023. Police Incident Rep #[XXX], 12/20/23, 12:05 p.m. Yonkers PD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-30
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2T3YFREV4DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My battery was not secure and caused a fire under hood
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-14
- VIN: 2T3WFREV7DW
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Water leaks inside from the sunroof and out of corner of sun visor
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-21
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2T3YFREV6DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The car stalled on the expressway. Then started smoking and was on fire seconds later.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-03
- VIN: JTMWFREV4D5
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to drive rough and was jerking and making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-14
- VIN: 2T3RFREV6DW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: Car jerks when shifts gears and the problem just appeared one day with no warning. I went to 4 different mechanics and none can confirm if there is metal in transmission but to solely tell the transmission needs to be replaced. Either defective transmission or another problem not related causing jerking in driving.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-15
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2T3YFREV8DW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: After driving vehicle, noticed smoke coming from under hood. Upon further inspection battery was on fire.
2013 Toyota Rav4 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2013 Toyota Rav4.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2018 RAV4 vehicles. Certain replacement 12-volt batteries may not fit properly in the battery tray, allowing the battery to move and contact the hold-down bracket, possibly causing a short circuit.
- Consequence: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery clamp sub-assembly, battery tray, and positive terminal cover, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risks were mailed December 8, 2023. Remedy parts are anticipated by December 2024. Remedy is planned to launch to dealers by November 1, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
- Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
- Components: TRAILER HITCHES
- Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software within the module may incorrectly detect an electrical short and preventively turn off the electrical current and the trailer lights.
- Consequence: If the system incorrectly detects an electrical short and turns off the trailer lights while the trailer is being towed at night, there is an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-15A.
Negative 2013 Toyota Rav4 car reviews
Positive 2013 Toyota Rav4 car reviews
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We purchased this vehicle in November and have found some things we like and don't like. We really appreciate the blind spot monitor, which we think should be available on more cars. Additionally, we like the style of the car and the rear cross traffic alert. However, we are disappointed with the rough and bumpy ride. While it is a great riding car on the PA turnpike or a smoothly paved road, our limited model with 18 inch Bridgestone tires provides a very rough ride. My voice even vibrates when I'm trying to talk to anyone in the car with me. Unfortunately, we don't think this will be a vehicle my husband and I will grow old with in our senior years.
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I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share that I got my new Rav4 yesterday and I'm absolutely in love with it. After researching all the small SUV's, I decided that the Rav4 was the best value for me. The only thing I wish is that the XLE had the option for a blind spot monitor. It's been really great to hear everyone's positive comments on how expensive it looks, especially since we only paid $23,600 for it.
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This SUV is perfect for zipping around town, short highway travel, commuting, or heading to the great outdoors for fun weekends. One of the reasons I chose this vehicle amongst others in its size class was because, at the time of purchase, it had more cargo room with decently adjustable back seats. Even so, I did add a Thule cargo carrier for occasional extra luggage capacity. The transmission is versatile with three modes. Its 6-speed transmission with a 4-cylinder engine shifts gears more often than a 4-speed transmission with a 6-cylinder engine, but we also enjoy 27-29 mpg in the city using Eco mode. The three modes respond as follows: Normal mode is great for busily driving around town and on the highway, with responsive shifting. Eco Mode is slower to shift, but shifts more smoothly, not as jumpy or punchy, and we see better gas mileage during city and mixed driving. Sport Mode favors shifting down 1 gear from Normal mode so that the transmission is wound tighter and the vehicle is more responsive. This is helpful on snowy and icy roads. Headlamps create a very clear wall of light for night driving with great visibility. On the interior, everything is well lit except for the power side mirror adjustment. There is no light behind this control, leaving you to feel around for it in the dark. It's a Toyota, so quality is as good as expected. Oil changes use synthetic oil, so they cost $80-$90 each, but they are only recommended every 10k miles, so that would average to about $40-$45 every 5k miles. I have kept up with the recommended 10k oil changes plus their recommended 5k checkups in between the 10k intervals. I needed a set of front brakes and a new set of tires about the times expected. There were two repairs needed that were disappointing. Around 80k-90k miles, there were a few Within 5k miles, there were some new drips which were easy to detect because Toyota uses a bright pink colorant in the coolant. This makes leaks easy to spot, even slow ones like this. The water pump was replaced, which is normally about a $500 repair. Although it was disappointing, the extended warranty I bought at the time of purchase covered it. The second repair needed was at 107k. One morning there was an obvious leak from one of the seals. Fortunately, this was also replaced under the extended warranty, but otherwise, it would have been an $800 dollar repair. The part only costs $30, but lots of labor is required as they have to take an entire day to remove the transmission to replace the seal. I talked with two service techs (separately) about whether I should be concerned and trade in the vehicle. But both said that either one of these repairs could have happened to anyone at any time and that I should not think it is an indicator of other problems to come. There are a few design downsides to be aware of: Firstly, the 4 cylinder engine is under-powered when you load the vehicle with people and luggage. Secondly, the headrest design is not great and can cause neck and shoulder tension. However, I found a safe solution to this problem. I removed the headrest, turned it around backwards (which now makes it a bit too far from your head), and then purchased a headrest pad from http://www.addonheadrest.com/order.html. The distance to my head is now perfect (not too close, not too far), and this makes all the difference in the seating comfort. Lastly, the paint job is quite thin and scratches easily. I hope Toyota will improve this in the future.If you have the option of getting an extra paint protective coating applied to your new vehicle, it's definitely worth considering. However, there are a few things to keep in mind about the Toyota RAV4. Firstly, it doesn't have any rear seat air vents, USB ports, or power sockets, which is a bit of a shame considering its size. Secondly, at around 85k miles, you may experience a small and intermittent transmission rumble when in 5th or 6th gear and accelerating slightly. This is due to friction changes over time and unfortunately cannot be adjusted. However, using Sport Mode around town can help to change the shift point and mostly eliminate the rumble. Despite these minor issues, I ultimately chose the RAV4 over the Hyundai Santa Fe, which had its own set of problems.
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The RAV4 Limited is a fantastic vehicle for snowy Anchorage, Alaska. It comes equipped with all the necessary features and is sure to provide top-level reliability for years to come. The backup camera, a first for us, is a great addition, but the blind spot alert feature is truly the standout feature. It works so well that it's hard to imagine driving without it! Overall, the 2013 RAV4 Limited is an excellent choice.
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The 2013 Rav4 is a great car, and it outperforms the 2006 Honda CRV in many ways. However, there are a few design issues that need to be addressed. The low beam headlights are particularly problematic, with a line across the lights that limits visibility. Additionally, the rear pass' windows are small and slope up towards the back, creating a blind spot. Unfortunately, the rear window does not open, which limits the car's hauling capabilities.
Additional sources
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Are you having problems with your 2013 Toyota Rav4?
Luciano Davis 2024-11-22
I previously owned a 2006 Rav4 (V6, 4-Wheel) and drove it for 135K miles before upgrading to my new I-4 Rav4 2013. While I have had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the new one, I am enjoying it overall. Since purchasing it on 5/21, I have put 3,500 miles on it and have been getting 28 mph, mostly during highway/thruway driving. I tend to use ECO for long hauls on interstates, Sport for short bursts up hills, and the regular setting for other times. However, I do find the placement of the ECO and Sport buttons to be a bit inconvenient and even dangerous, as they are located way under the radio and NAV system. Additionally, the black bumpers tend to streak when washed. Overall, though, I am happy with my purchase and look forward to many more miles on the road!
Walter Fadel 2024-09-09
We owned the Toyota RAV 4 Limited AWD from May 2013 to April 2015. Initially, we liked the RAV, but as we drove it, we found some little things that became annoying. The front seats were too close together, the sliding console moved at the wrong times, and the steering wheel and gauges were smaller than we preferred. The Sport button and other buttons were hidden behind the shifter, making it difficult to adjust them without taking our eyes off the road. Despite not being large people, my wife and I felt a little claustrophobic. What ultimately led us to sell the car was that our two labs had no space to move around in the back seat, and the short wheelbase and Bridgestone Duellers caused every bump to vibrate the entire car. It's worth mentioning that the Duellers were terrible in the snow. The RAV's pluses were its gas mileage and looks. However, I couldn't take it anymore and decided to buy a Highlander Limited, which I haven't regretted. I should have made that choice a year earlier. Overall, the RAV is a good choice if you're looking for a one-person car and don't mind the kidney vibrations.
Rowland Doyle 2024-05-20
Hello! I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to bring to your attention an issue I've been experiencing with my 2013 Rav4 (blizzard pearl that co extra). Unfortunately, it seems that the paint is starting to come off. I was wondering if Toyota's engineers are currently working on a solution for this issue? As a long-time Toyota owner of over 30 years, I have always appreciated the durability of their vehicles and I hope this issue can be resolved soon. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Justus Pagac 2024-05-08
The issue with the radio volume and iPod connectivity in my 2013 Rav4 has been brought to the attention of the dealer service department on multiple occasions. Despite their attempts to fix the issue by replacing the radio, the problem persists. As a confident car owner, I believe that this is a defect that should be addressed by Toyota before putting these cars on the market. I am concerned about the longevity of the vehicle and have lost trust in the brand. It is my hope that Toyota will take responsibility for this issue and provide a satisfactory solution.
Eino Kunze 2024-03-09
I've been a proud owner of a Rav4 since 2013, the redesign model year. However, I have noticed some issues with the interior cabin. Unfortunately, I have experienced some rattles and squeaks, which I have had to address a few times. Although the materials used in the interior are not the best quality, I believe that with a little more attention to detail during assembly, these issues could be avoided. Additionally, the Info-tainment system could be improved, as it is not as smooth and efficient as other auto makes from the same era. Despite these issues, the motor, transmission and brakes have been working perfectly fine. Overall, I still have faith in the Toyota brand, but I am considering trying out a Mazda for my next car.