Important Safety Recall for Toyota RAV4: Battery Issue That May Cause Fire
In the fast-paced world of automotive innovation, safety remains a top priority for manufacturers. When an unexpected issue arises, swift and decisive action is essential to ensure the well-being of vehicle owners. In this blog, we delve into a recent safety recall affecting a range of Toyota RAV4 models from 2013 to 2018. This recall addresses a battery-related concern that, if left unattended, could potentially pose a fire hazard. We’ll not only explain the issue at hand but also outline the corrective actions being taken to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.
In a recent development, certain Toyota RAV4 vehicles have been found to have a battery hold-down assembly that may not securely fasten specific 12 V aftermarket batteries. This oversight could lead to the battery shifting positions and potentially making contact with the hold-down bracket, which, in turn, might result in a short circuit.
Safety Risk: The presence of a short circuit poses a considerable safety risk, including the potential for a fire hazard.
Corrective Actions: To address this issue and ensure the safety of Toyota RAV4 owners, the manufacturer, Toyota, will be taking the following corrective actions:
Notification Process: Toyota will reach out to affected vehicle owners by mail to inform them of the recall and the necessary steps to be taken.
Dealership Visit: Affected owners are advised to schedule a visit to their nearest Toyota dealership.
Replacement Components: During the dealership visit, the following components will be replaced at no cost to the owners:
- Battery clamp sub-assembly
- Battery tray
- Positive terminal cover
Make Model Model Year(s) Affected: Toyota RAV4 vehicles from model years 2013 to 2018 are affected by this safety recall. This recall encompasses approximately 249,416 vehicles in Canada.
CHECK IF THIS RECALL APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE
Explanation: Some replacement 12-volt batteries intended for these vehicles may have slightly smaller top dimensions than others. If a replacement battery with smaller top dimensions is used and the hold-down clamp isn’t properly secured, it could allow the battery to shift during aggressive turns, potentially causing the positive battery terminal to contact the hold-down clamp, leading to a short circuit and an increased risk of fire.
Toyota is actively working on the remedy for this issue, and when it becomes available, owners will have the affected components replaced with improved versions.
Timeline: Affected owners can expect to receive notifications about this recall by late December 2023.
Please Note: The information regarding automotive recalls, including the list of affected vehicles, is accurate as of the date of this filing. However, it is subject to change in the future. To stay up-to-date with the latest Safety Recall Information for Toyota and Lexus vehicles, we encourage customers to check their vehicle’s status by visiting Toyota.ca/recall or Lexus.ca/recall and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
For any additional questions or concerns, our customer support teams are available for assistance. You can reach the Toyota Customer Interaction Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA-8 (1-888-869-6828) or Lexus Guest Service at 1-800-26-LEXUS (1-800-265-3987). Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities.
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