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Exterior lightingPart report

2014 Toyota RAV4 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
4%of 197 total for the year
Median mileage
45,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2014 Toyota RAV4, 4% of the 197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 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.

“Vehicle was parked, just turned the car from engine on to off with just the battery on running the radio while I was preparing to exit the vehicle. Suddenly the entire radio system completely stopped working. I looked at my infotainment screen and it was certainly having a issue because ever since that day over one year ago I have not been able to listen to radio, use GPS, use bluetooth, etc. …”

NHTSA complaint #11288506, filed 2019-12, 45,000 miles

“I was driving on the highway when the car shut off completely and turned on and off repeatedly, and instantaneous for a few seconds (like it was blinking) super fast. Everything was going on and off. As I was pulling onto the shoulder from the middle lane on the highway, it shut off completely!!! I couldn't even put my hazards on. I was waiting in the car for a tow truck and my husband, I was with my daughter. The car started to smoke and flame and was on fire. We jumped out and yet was up in flames!!!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #11066101, filed 2018-01, 57,000 miles

“Left rear tail light - water is accumulating inside the tail light lense - potential for electrical shortage and inability to warn vehicles behind RAV4 that car is turning or braking”

NHTSA complaint #11183882, filed 2019-03, 30,000 miles

“Headlight Brightness - it's been degrading for the last 10 yrs to the point that I don't feel safe driving in the dark anymore. I've already had the lenses buffed out, but that only helped about 20%. The brightness looks like I have a dead battery (it's brand new). Not sure if this is a bulb or lens issue but it's not safe.”

NHTSA complaint #11697142, filed 2025-11

“Navigation/bluetooth/media function screen no longer works, it happened when I started it about a month ago at 65,750 miles on my car. I've read that this usually happens around 65,000 miles to 70,000 miles for this model and can cost up to $2,000 to $3,000 to get it fixed. It starts off as a black screen then lights up like its downloading something then goes black again. Its a safety issue because driving at night or early morning when its dark no matter how low of a setting you have for your dash lighting setting when it lights up its extremey bright. …”

NHTSA complaint #11254248, filed 2019-09

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202544%
202421%
202311%
202162%
202020%
201930%
2018237%
20173210%
20162812%
201562%
201484%
201352%
201221%
201121%
201010%
200831%
200740%
200651%
200220%
200110%
199811%
199712%

Other parts of the 2014 Toyota RAV4

Electrical system
69 complaints
Other or unknown
45 complaints
Engine
31 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
20 complaints
Body and structure
18 complaints
Brakes
16 complaints
Air bags
12 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2014 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