NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 138 complaints against the 2024 Toyota RAV4. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2024 Toyota RAV4 complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 has generated 302 NHTSA complaints and has 3 active recalls. If your 2024 Toyota RAV4 has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Toyota pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
The 2024 Toyota RAV4 has generated 65 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The Apple CarPlay/navigation system in our 2024 Toyota RAV4 consistently drifts and displays incorrect vehicle location while driving. Navigation apps (Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze) provide inaccurate positioning and incorrect directions. This creates a distraction and unsafe driving condition, particularly for a teenage driver. Additionally, when connected to the vehicle, the iPhone’s GPS location also drifts, preventing accurate real-time location tracking by a parent. Even once disconnected the drifting on the phone navigation continues. The vehicle has been taken to a Toyota dealership multiple times. All software updates have been completed, but the problem persists and appears to have worsened. Toyota has no solve and refuse to put in a new navigation/CarPlay system. This defect has existed since the vehicle was purchased new in 2024.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720482)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 24 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “I was driving home, about a 30 min drive, in heavy rain. Once I got home, I left my car running to run inside. When I came back out the car was shaking and idling funny. A “low steering power” diagnostic came up and then also a parking malfunction. I turned the car off. It would barely turn over and still multiple diagnostic lights on. I pulled in into the garage and after sitting off for about 10 minutes, it started fine. I’ve seen multiple posts about this same issue. It’s definitely a safety concern.” (NHTSA Complaint #11700739)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2024 Toyota RAV4 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 18 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “The vehicle's dashboard and 9.5" screen go blank while driving down the road. It is random at times and you have no idea how fast you are traveling, …”
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Toyota RAV4 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 16 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “I was driving the car for 25 minutes over main roads and freeway. There was lots of rain and water on the roadways, plus we just had major snowfall recently that was melting. I get to my destination and had my car in idle for 7 minutes in park. I shift into Drive and my car shudders and the engine shuts off with an error “Engine Stopped- Steering Power Low”. I turn off the car and let it sit for one hour. Come back start it up and it does, only to repeat the shudder and then throw the same code. I had it towed to Toyota of Auburn, WA. They don’t know what the problem is.Reddit forums have consumers with the same car complaining about this issue with no resolve.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725047)
Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2024 Toyota RAV4 has 16 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “The contact's daughter owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 35 MPH, she had crossed an int…”
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Toyota RAV4 by the NHTSA or Toyota. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A damaged brake line can cause a brake fluid leak, reducing brake performance and increasing the distance required to stop the vehicle. Wheel detachment can result in a loss of vehicle control. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the front brake caliper mounting bracket and hub bearing bolts, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, any damaged components will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota’s custo
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru’s number for this recall is WRE25.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2024 Toyota RAV4:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Toyota to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Toyota must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2024 Toyota RAV4 qualifies as a lemon under California law, Toyota may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Toyota a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Toyota dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Toyota pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Toyota a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Toyota is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2024 Toyota Rav4 has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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