The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·15V577000·Announced 2015-09-18

Toyota Recalls RAV4 and RAV4 EV for Wiper Linkage Separation Risk

Toyota is recalling 2009-2012 RAV4 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles because water dripping on the wiper joint may cause corrosion and linkage separation, reducing visibility.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where wiper failure increases the risk of a crash, but no specific injuries or fatalities are reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured between October 27, 2008, and December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured between July 24, 2012, and August 29, 2014. The recall affects approximately 423,456 vehicles.

In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor. Over time, this dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. If this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. Additionally, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
TOYOTA RAV4 EV, RAV4
Brand
TOYOTA
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Category
Vehicle — Wiper System
Hazard
Affected units
423,456

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • RAV4 EV
  • RAV4

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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