NHTSA Complaint #11398767 — 2016 TOYOTA RAV4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING; HOWEVER, HER HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE UPON DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS THEY CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES AND AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE, A BLACKISH SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER BOTTLE. THE AUTHORITIES WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED; NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHEEHY TOYOTA OF STAFFORD(95 GARRISONVILLE RD, STAFFORD, VA 22554) WHERE THEY INITIALLY GAVE THE CONTACT AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE PARTS IN ORDER TO CHECK IF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL OPERABLE. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF THE REPAIR, HER INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS AND WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,156. *BF THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.