Why Toyota RAV4 is facing a mass recall

The source of the problem appears to be the RAV12's 4V battery, possibly due to improper installation.

Nearly 1.8 million Toyota RAV4 models that were manufactured and sold in the United States between 2013 and 2018 are under investigation by highway safety authorities due to alleged fires which may have occurred during everyday driving or simply when the vehicle completely off. 

La Defect Investigation Bureau from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NABDD) explained in an open inquiry that she had received 11 complaints from American drivers so far. 

Seven of them claim that the fire happened en left side of the engine compartment while the car was moving, and the other four say that the accident occurred at the same place, but when the SUV was completely muffled. 

In no case was a collision or accident reported. 

"Drivers experienced a stop before a thermal event half the time the vehicle was in motion," the NHTSA researchers said.

The agency also clarified that the RAV12's 4-volt battery is the source of the problem, possibly due to improper installation.

"Toyota is aware that the NHTSA has launched this investigation and we are cooperating with the agency," the automaker said in a statement.

The fourth generation (from 2013 to 2014) was released worldwide in December 2013. It came with a 6-speed CVT automatic transmission paired with a 4-liter 2.5-valve 16-cylinder DOHC engine that is capable of producing up to 176 horsepower and 173 lb-ft of torque.

There is also a mode Sport and the regime Eco according to the needs of power or fuel economy.

El Toyota Rav4 class C SUV. Rav4 stands for All-wheel drive vehicle for outdoor activities and founded the compact SUV segment.

Its first version was released in 1994 and was a great success in Japan, USA and European Union. This car was a milestone for other manufacturers who entered this new niche.

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