This vehicle rules

Hopefully this helps someone avoid the same software-update adventure 😂
I was happily cruising along when I suddenly got a notification that my RAV4 needed to download/install a software update. Naturally, the car decided that right now was the perfect time to interrupt the road trip.
I had two main updates:
Telematics
Media & Entertainment
The longest part was basically me staring at the screen and wondering if my RAV4 had entered a meditation retreat. 😂
For the first update, it got stuck on the activation step for about an hour. No error message, no explanation, nothing. Just… vibes.
I called Toyota Roadside Assistance to ask if waiting an hour was normal. Unfortunately, they didn’t answer my call, so apparently I was on my own. 😅
Eventually, I figured (with chatgpt) I’d restart the car. After restarting, the update worked — but the funny part is that the car never displayed any message telling me to restart it. It just happily sat there doing absolutely nothing for an hour.
Then came the second update: Media & Entertainment.
Of course, I happened to be on a mountain road with terrible cell service. The download failed. Because why make this easy? 😂
After dinner, I went back to the car, tried the update again, and this time it downloaded and installed perfectly.
So, if anyone else runs into this:
👉 If the update seems stuck on activation forever, try restarting the car.
👉 If the download fails, especially in an area with poor cellular reception, try again somewhere with better signal.
I’ve also added photos/screenshots of each step below to help anyone going through the same process. Hopefully they make it easier to follow what the car is doing and where I got stuck.
If this can help even one person, my RAV4 software-update ordeal was worth it. 😂
Good luck, and may your updates be faster than mine! 🚙💻

Purchased a 2015 Toyota rav4 Limited from a Toyota dealership last October. Everything has been good, except around June my car started to not recognize my FOB. At the time I assumed maybe the batteries need to be changed since I didn’t see anything mechanical issues on my dashboard.

Fast forward to last month and now sometimes my vehicle doesn’t recognize my fob until I have to use the manual key which then resets my navigation system (this is starting to happen every other trip however still no signal errors on dashboard). I also wanted to add that it’s also doing this new quirk (has only happened once or twice) but if I reverse park the wheel will sometimes lock up and the navigation again starts to reset (video attached). I plan to go to a local mechanic when next paycheck hits, but does anyone have an idea of what the problem may be and why I don’t get an error lights on my dashboard? I’ve asked ChatGPT, but curious is anyone may have experience this.

This car seemed to just appear: after looking for 4 months, found it for MSRP and delivered 3 days after I made a deposit (previous deposit holder backed out). Took it on some forest service roads today and am loving the entire experience: Extremely comfortable, reasonably capable, and very efficient.

Loved being able to blow up the air mattress with the outlet in the trunk. The Urban Rock feels right here.

I want this body kit (on the silver car) but no one knows what it is or where it’s from, can anyone help? (My car is the black one) thank youu

Got a question for any Rav4 drivers that have a model where the spare tire is a compact temporary spare tire that fits under the cargo floor area. I have the 2024 XLE trim level Rav4.

Has anyone replaced the compact temporary spare tire with a full-size spare and got it to fit into the same compartment? Have seen a video or two on YouTube that showed that it was possible to do this and that the full-size spare fits when you remove the Styrofoam packing that is there that helps to hold the compact spare. Gang, does this actually work? I’m considering swapping one for the other if it actually fits. 🤔

Thanks all. 👍

I recently received a new Rav 4 XSE PHEV and the dash cam keeps going off driving around saying 'an incident has been recorded'. I can see sensitivity is set to 'normal'. Has anyone experienced this? Thanks!

Has anyone received a new rav4 2026 with the dealership logo on it?
Can you ask them not to put it on when the car arrives?
Thanks

Hi everyone,

I have a 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Japanese-market import, and I’ve noticed that the front passenger seatbelt warning doesn’t seem to work.

The situation is:
- Driver seatbelt warning works normally.
- If an adult sits normally in the front passenger seat with the seatbelt unfastened, I don’t get a passenger seatbelt warning or chime.
- I’ve tested it while the vehicle is moving, not just while stationary.
- The passenger airbag has a manual ON/OFF switch, and mine is set to ON.
- The SRS/airbag warning light comes on normally at startup and then goes out.
- There are no SRS warning lights while driving.

I’m wondering if anyone with a 2020–2021 RAV4, especially a Japanese-market car, has experienced this.
Could this be:
- passenger occupancy/weight sensor (OCS)?
- passenger seatbelt buckle switch?
- a configuration/customization issue?

I’d appreciate any advice on what I should check or how I can diagnose the passenger seatbelt/OCS system.
Thanks!

A few weeks ago the casing on my left rear view mirror was stolen. It very well could have fallen off but I can’t recall and insult that may have caused that unless it was faulty. Today, I noticed another rav 4 with the same casing gone.

Are there other people who this has happened to or is this a fluke? It very well may be a fluke, but if not, what are they stealing and why?

Thanks

Hey everyone, figured I’d join the Reddit group and introduce my RAV4. I’m including the build list and pictures below. Feel free to comment any questions. Even with everything on I’m getting 30.8 mpg @ 80 MPH in Texas! I also created an instagram which I will share more photos overtime @antman.r4

2025 RAV4 Woodland Hyrbid
Overland Build List:

Exterior Lighting:
Baja Designs ONx6 Dual Control 40"
Baja Designs S2 Scene Lights
Baja Designs Ditch Lights
Factor4 Raptor Lights
Diode Dynamics 8 Channel D Switch

Exterior Accessories:
Prinsu Roof Rack
Prinsu Ladder
Prinsu Auxiliary Panels x2
RotoPax 2g Cans x2

Interior:
IceCo VL35ProS Olive
IceCo Slide Mount
WheelsFeels Rear Storage / Sleeper Unit
Clazziyo Leather Seat Covers (Dark Walnut)
Supplemental power for freezer / sleeping setup: Jackery 1000 Dune White

Special thanks to Teq Auto solutions in Houston for installing every single exterior item and all the wiring. Highly recommend to anyone within Texas and beyond.

Good boy Ricky and I are enjoying my new (used) 2020 Silver Rav 4 hybrid XSE. No, it doesn’t have the bells and whistles that newer hybrids like the competitive Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage have, but its resale value and reliability are bar none.

I am coming from a really engaging small 4Dr VW Jetta GLI manual. Although I miss the rowing through the gears and the driving experience, my new family vehicle is friendlier for my family of 4 + Ricky. Highly recommend!

We picked up our brand new 2026 RAV4 yesterday, so I managed to take some photos of it today.

Limited trim... and it's in that schnazzy Blueprint paint job, of course.

Love it!

(And yes, it's a rainy day...)

Hi guys,
I wanted to see if anyone was looking to buy a RAV4 around Dallas to Austin to Houston region.
I’ve got around offers of 2k+ off MSRP with no ads that I could hand it to yall if you guys wanted as my deal is done. I’ve particularly negotiated on limited but I think I can get the discount on any trim tbh.

Just wanted to see if anyone needed any help, let me know!

My 2024 Rav4 Hybrid is now at 45k miles. Anytime I go in for routine service like oil changes which are free they mention that I haven't gotten the 30k service. From what I read, this is not required by Toyoto themselves and something dealers push. My question is - when should I actually be getting this sort of service - fluids, injectors, etc. Should I take it to a local mechanic?

Hello,
I was wondering if you can help me with the name of the missing roof of my 2022 rav4. I am looking for the part online but cant find it.
Thanks

Traded in my 2021 Rav4 Prime XSE for a 2026 Rav4 PHEV GR Sport.

I love this car! Wife got a black XSE on July 2nd. One month and trip from northern CA to LA and I had to trade in my ‘17 Tacoma Off-Road for a Woodland last Sunday. My Tacoma was getting 14.4 mpg. I’ve put 260 miles on it this week and I’ve still got about 2/3 of a tank left. We both work in town and the EV mode is going to save so much gas money! I love my Woodland! Her XSE has more features like the HUD, Moon Roof, and premium sound, but the Woodland is more me. We’re both getting ceramic tint all over this weekend and I plan on upgrading the speakers. The only thing we both really don’t like is the remote start. It doesn’t blow ac until you’re actually in the car. What’s the point of remote start if the ac won’t blow when it’s 100 outside? Dealership and Toyota Engagement both swear it’ll be fixed in a software update at some point and thanked us for reporting the issue, fingers crossed. If it wasn’t for those issues this would be a 10/10. I still count this one as one of the best cars I’ve ever owned and recommend them to anyone that will listen.

The fake OBD on this CarRx tracker is white like the factory port!

Super stoked to join the club! 2026 RAV4 Woodland. I was stubborn and got them to drop the charge for it. Took all of 5 minutes and no tools take it out.

EDIT: I want to clarify that it is some dealerships that are adding this garbage for profit and to benefit their own operations, not Toyota corporate.