Toyota RAV4 undergoes investigation due to battery fire concern

KUALA LUMPUR: The growth of the electric vehicle market is accompanied by several kinds of risks, and one of them is a fire threat. Lithium-ion batteries may combust when overcharged, damaged, or exposed to high temperatures. While automakers around the world are working to overcome this, we have heard another complaint in the meantime, and that’s from Toyota’s best-selling vehicle in the US market, the RAV4.

As per Reuters, a total of 11 fire complaints have been registered so far in the country, specifically for the fourth-generation (2013-2018) model in gasoline and hybrid versions. Thus, the U.S. government has decided to launch an investigation that covers nearly 1.9 million units.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reviewed the filed cases and revealed that in most of the incidents 12-volt battery packs were the origin of the problem. The improper battery installation or previous front-end collision repair was highlighted as a factor. The agency further added that most of the fire cases happened when the vehicles were in motion. Well, no injuries have been reported yet.

NHTSA is now investigating the two million RAV4s, but instead of a recall, the agency is calling it a preliminary evaluation to “better understand the contributing factors and frequency of vehicle fires originating from the battery region of the subject vehicles.”

“Toyota is aware that NHTSA has opened this investigation and we are cooperating with the agency,” a company’s spokesperson replied to Consumer Reports when asked about the NHTSA action. 

In the local market, the Toyota RAV4 crossover made its comeback after 20 years of absence in June 2020. As a fully imported unit, it is available in two variants - 2.0L and 2.5L sharing identical equipment levels, interior, and exterior appointments, but have different powertrains. 

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder mill produces 173 PS of maximum power and 207 Nm of torque, while the bigger 2.5-litre unit is rated at 207 PS and 243 Nm. The former is mated to a CVT sending power to the front wheels, whereas a conventional 8-speed automatic gearbox is on offer with the latter. The Toyota RAV4 price in Malaysia starts at RM 196,436.

Also read: Toyota Corolla Cross: What to expect?