Toyota recalls 1.85 million RAV4s in the US due to fire risk, Australian impact unclear

Japanese car giant Toyota has recalled approximately 1.85 million examples of its popular RAV4 in the US, owing to a battery clamp fault which could lead to the SUV catching fire.

It is not yet known whether the recall affects Australian-delivered Toyota RAV4s, which were also built alongside left-hand-drive US-market versions of the SUV in Japan.

Drive has contacted Toyota Australia for comment regarding the overseas recall.

The recall notice, uploaded to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, said the 1,854,000 RAV4s affected were built by Toyota between 2013 and 2018, falling into the SUV’s previous ‘XA40’ generation.

According to NHTSA, the Toyota RAV4’s 12-volt battery hold-down clamp may not be tightened correctly for vehicles which have since been fitted with smaller top-dimension batteries.

If the clamp is not tightened correctly and the RAV4 is driven “with forceful turns”, the battery could come loose and short circuit, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

News agency Reuters reports Toyota’s US division has said its dealers will replace the battery hold-down clamp, battery tray, and positive terminal cover to accommodate smaller batteries.

US Toyota RAV4 owners will be notified about when they can receive the remedy from late December.

In addition to being built in Japan, certain US-delivered variants of the XA40-generation Toyota RAV4 were assembled in Canada, though using parts largely supplied from Japan.

Drive will update this article if Toyota Australia comments on the US recall.