Body problems of the 2023 Toyota RAV4

The exterior plastic parts on this 2023 Toyota Rav4 xle premium are warping, bubbling, and melting. It began with both side mirror covers (left and right). Later, the black plastic trim panels alongside the rear windows (rear pillar trim) began failing the same way. The damage is on different parts, on different sides of the vehicle, and appeared at different times. All affected parts are still on the vehicle and available for inspection. The manufacturer claims the cause is "solar convergence" or "outside influence" — sunlight reflecting off a window. This does not hold up. Sunlight is not selective. It cannot single out only certain black plastic pieces and melt them while leaving the paint, glass, and every surrounding surface undamaged. If concentrated sunlight were really hitting these areas, the nearby surfaces would be damaged too — and they are not. The only thing the failed parts share is the type of plastic they are made from. That points to poor-quality material that cannot handle normal sun and heat, not to an outside cause. I first reported this to a Toyota dealership while the vehicle was still under warranty. The dealership took photographs and sent them to the manufacturer's regional representatives. The claim was denied based on those photos alone. No one physically inspected the vehicle, and no one ever identified the specific window or surface supposedly responsible. A denial based on an unverified theory, with no inspection, is not a credible finding of the cause. This is a known, recurring problem reported by many Rav4 owners across multiple model years, including in mild climates — the mark of a material defect. There were no warning lights. This is a gradual physical failure that has worsened over months. I have not had a crash, fire, or injury from it. Safety: the side mirror covers are part of the exterior mirrors used for visibility and blind-spot checks; continued degradation could affect mirror function, which is a safety risk.

When pulling into a driveway, sudden acceleration while slowing down caused crash into side of the garage and damage to the right front fender, side panel and hood.

I was driving over 120 mph and my car slid and hit the front car. My car later caught fire and ruptured shortly after. The fd extinguished it and it was a total loss. I have no clue as to where it was taken after the accident. Sorry :(.

Rearview camera quit for 3-4 seconds when I was backup. There was a car in my blind spot, aft right quarter, that I couldn't see and I hit his left front panel/headlight causing $2200. Damage to his car plus my car.

The paint of the exterior body is peeling off after becoming bubble on the surface. It appears all over the body including hood, roof, doors, etc. For reference, please see attached photos. This can eventually start rusting. This has come to know only after using a car for a year and four months, which proves this needs to be addressed because it may be going to start rusting other parts of the body or structural components. Car is available for inspection, on request.

The brakes failed, without warning, while parking; causing me to hit a pole/wall in my employer’s parking garage on April 12, 2024. I was injured, and obtained care from uchicago medical center. Toyota assigned an independent investigator to assess my vehicle; which was completed on April 29, 2024. Per Toyota, no brake issues were noted. My vehicle remained at oak lawn Toyota from April 12, 2024- may 31, 2024.

At less than 8000 miles on this brand new vehicle, the paint started chipping away all the way down to the metal under the paint on the front of the car… the dealership that I ordered from the manufacturer through stated it will probably start to rust and that I need to have someone repaint it… they tried to refer me to someone that they use for paintwork… and stated it will be at my expense; although I was forced to purchase toyoguard platinum and the clear paint cover protection packages/warranties. I have owned multiple of this make and model vehicle in the past and have never had an issue with the paint peeling off and chipping as it is on this brand new vehicle.

While driving down the highway at the speed limit in our town on a clear evening with no weather, the sunroof of our 2023 Toyota rav 4 exploded. There was a loud bang and it shattered as if the glass had been under significant stress or pressure. The glass bowed up in the middle and a section the size of a small saucer dropped out. There was a rigged break along the front edge of the sun roof. There were no bumps or holes in the road - it was smooth. There were no other vehicles nearby - no one threw a rock at our car. The noise was so loud that it was disruptive and shocking and thankfully I was not in heavy traffic or an accident might have occurred. I researched the web and found numerous instances of this sunroof explosion occurring. Please get Toyota to fix this before someone is serious injured.

I was driving on a highway posted speed limit 75mph on a clear day with no precipitation and without cause, the panoramic sunroof above my head imploded with glass shattering down upon my head. I did not hit anything and nothing hit me. No rocks, no debris, no outside force caused this. The panoramic sunroof showed a crack around the seal where it meets the body of the car and it imploded and cracked (shattered) inward from this cracking.