2013 Toyota RAV4 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 257 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2013 Toyota RAV4, 2% of the 257 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I bought a new 2013 rav 4 with Toyota navigation. On any sunny day it is impossible to read the map due to the glare. I plan on complaining to the dealership this week.”
NHTSA complaint #10508045, filed 2013-04, 200 miles“The instruments (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge) of the car do not light up if the headlights are off. This can be dangerous when driving under underpasses or in the shadow of trees, etc., since one unexpectedly cannot see the speedometer or tachometer under those conditions.”
NHTSA complaint #10558027, filed 2013-12, 100 miles“When driving at any speed, under any condition, it is impossible to see the navigation screen, causing the driver to look, rather than glance, at the screen to determine driving instructions, road hazards, warnings, etc. The glare is almost blinding at times.”
NHTSA complaint #10546055, filed 2013-09, 6 miles“The navigation screen is totally unusable in daylight. Screen is flat and exposed to sun. Driver has to lean over and hold right hand over the screen to get any visibility at all. Even then you can barely see it, not to mention the danger of leaning over, using the right hand to screen, and staring at the screen rather than the road. Terrible terrible design. Toyota will not address the problem. $1500 mistake for anyone who purchased this add-on. You have to completely rely on the voice for navigation.”
NHTSA complaint #10630837, filed 2014-09, 4,085 miles“The other night driving home i notice that my headlights gotten dimmed. I turned on my fog lights so that i could see the road. after turning on my fog lights i had limited vision on the road. I feel that it's a safety concern that needs to be address so that i won't get into an accident. How should i proceed with the issue?”
NHTSA complaint #11734167, filed 2026-04Related recalls
- 15V011000Jan 16, 2015Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2013–2015
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 3 | 0% |
| 2018 | 23 | 7% |
| 2017 | 32 | 10% |
| 2016 | 28 | 12% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 0% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2013 Toyota RAV4
75 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsEngine
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsEquipment
15 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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