After receiving 11 fire reports over the past year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Monday that it is investigating nearly 1.9 million Toyota RAV4 vehicles.
RAV4 models from 2013 to 2018 were the subject of the complaints. The bulk of the fires, according to the NHTSA, were caused by the vehicle’s 12-volt battery, which was located on the left side of the engine. According to NHTSA records, a terminal on the 12-volt battery can short to the frame, resulting in “sudden loss of electrical power, vehicle stalling, and/or a fire originating in the engine compartment.”
“Toyota is aware that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened this investigation, and we are working with the department,” a Toyota spokesperson told Insider. According to iSeeCars.com, the small SUV is one of the car company’s best-selling models, as well as one of the fastest-selling cars in the United States.
According to the department, the fires were most likely caused by previous front-end accidents or incorrect battery installation. Many of the studies contained vehicles of less than 50,000 miles.
While the majority of the fires occurred while the vehicle was on the track, four fires were confirmed to have occurred after the engine had been switched off. RAV4 drivers returned to their parked cars to find fire had “consumed the engine” in at least two accidents.
According to the NHTSA survey, half of the drivers on the road said the vehicle stalled before catching fire. At least two drivers said that they were “lucky to be able to [walk] out of my burning car” and that they hoped to alert other drivers who may be in danger.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is still investigating the explosions. Despite the possibility of a recall as a result of the investigation, no Toyota RAV4 models have been recalled.
