Toronto, Ontario — Toyota is preparing to issue a safety recall that applies to over 1.8 million units of the RAV4 crossover built between the 2013 and 2018 model years.
The reason for the recall is a result of affected vehicles being equipped with an undersized battery that can cause a short circuit and start a fire. Specifically, the 12-volt battery is physically smaller than it should be and so, does not properly fit with other necessary components.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet published a bulletin detailing the recall yet, but Toyota has issued a statement clarifying that the recall includes approximately 1,854,000 units of the RAV4.
“If a small-top battery is used for replacement and the hold-down clamp is not tightened correctly, the battery could move when the vehicle is driven with forceful turns. The movement could cause the positive battery terminal to contact the hold-down clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire,” Toyota explained. There’s no word yet on whether any injuries, deaths, or accidents are linked to the problem.
Toyota will reach out to owners with an affected vehicle by the end of December. Owners will be advised to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer so that a technician can replace the hold-down clamps, the battery tray and the positive terminal cover.
Canadian drivers with an affected RAV4 should continue to stay up-to-date on related notifications in the near future. Currently, 250,000 affected vehicles have been recalled in Canada.
