2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 50%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, 50% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Purchased brand new vehicle. At the time of incident vehicle had 168 miles. I was driving approximately 20 miles per hour on a parkway entrance ramp with no vehicle in front of me and no vehicles approaching from behind. I accelerated gradually to merge onto the parkway. The engine kicked and the dashboard lit up with several warning indicator lights including the check engine light (see attached images). …”
NHTSA complaint #11754250, filed 2026-08“I purchased this 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid about two weeks before this incident. It had approximately 170 miles at the time. While driving at approximately 50 mph, it suddenly decelerated as though braking (without me pressing the brake pedal) and would not accelerate when I pressed the accelerator. At the same time, these warnings appeared: “Hybrid Startup Malfunction,” “Hybrid System Malfunction,” “AWD Malfunction,” “System Malfunction,” and “Check Engine.” I stopped safely and powered the vehicle off and on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11745309, filed 2026-06“I purchased this 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid brand new, about two weeks before this incident. At the time of the incident the odometer read approximately 170 miles. While driving at about 50 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated as though braking (without me pressing the brake pedal) and would not accelerate when I pressed the accelerator. At the same time, these warnings appeared: Hybrid Startup Malfunction, Hybrid System Malfunction, AWD Malfunction, System Malfunction, and Check Engine. I stopped safely and powered the vehicle off and on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11745314, filed 2026-06“The contact owns a 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with an EV inverter and transmission failure. The vehicle was pending repairs and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60.”
NHTSA complaint #11760305, filed 2026-08, 60 miles“While driving in heavy traffic, the engine shuddered then dashboard warnings: Hybrid System Malfunction Output Power Reduced, Drive-Start Control Malfunction, AWD System Malfunction. I pulled over, parked, then the transmission wouldn't shift to drive or reverse.”
NHTSA complaint #11767909, filed 2026-09Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 50% |
| 2025 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
5 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology