Purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) promises a blend of environmental consciousness and reduced running costs. The 2013 Toyota Rav4 EV, a collaboration between Toyota and Tesla, seemed like a compelling option. However, for those considering a used model, especially outside of California, it’s essential to be aware of potential pitfalls. This article shares a personal experience with a 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV in Washington state, highlighting significant service challenges and offering a cautionary perspective for prospective buyers.
Early Charging Issues and Costly Repairs
The excitement of a new car quickly turned to frustration shortly after bringing home a used 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV in November 2016. The very next day, the vehicle failed to charge. Despite charging successfully during the test drive, it now only charged for a few seconds before displaying a flashing error. This marked the beginning of a series of service visits to Toyota of Kirkland.
Alt text: Close-up of a 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV charging port with a charging cable inserted, indicating a potential point of issue discussed in the article.
The initial service experience was lengthy and expensive. The RAV4 EV remained at the dealership for almost a month awaiting a Tesla technician and specialized parts. The diagnosis revealed a failed heater, resulting in a substantial $3000 repair bill. While a discounted rate was negotiated along with an extended warranty, this decision proved to be a crucial error. Opting for a third-party warranty from Protective, rather than a Toyota backed warranty, led to further complications down the line. Despite assurances of comprehensive coverage from Toyota of Kirkland, Protective demonstrated a lack of familiarity with the unique components of the RAV4 EV, ultimately denying numerous subsequent claims.
Two Years of Intermittent Issues
For approximately two years following the initial repair, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV provided relatively smooth operation. However, subtle yet persistent issues began to surface. The vehicle occasionally exhibited erratic charging behavior, sometimes halting mid-charge before inexplicably resuming normal function. While these glitches were minor, their frequency suggested underlying problems. Had every minor anomaly been addressed, service visits could have been as frequent as every three months. On one occasion, the vehicle was taken to the dealership for one of these intermittent errors, but by the time it arrived, the system was functioning correctly. Dealership staff demonstrated how to clear error codes and proposed a potential charger malfunction as the cause. Subsequently, chargers were replaced in an attempt to resolve these sporadic charging interruptions.
Alt text: Side profile of a silver 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV parked in a residential street, showcasing its typical SUV design and hinting at potential usability challenges discussed in the article.
Stranded and Recurring Problems
Earlier this year, a more serious problem emerged. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV became completely immobile. A new issue, unlike previous charging faults, presented itself: the car would power on but fail to engage gear, displaying a “take to dealership” message. The vehicle was towed back to Toyota of Kirkland. Service experiences at this dealership seemed to have shifted from the initial visit. It was unclear whether the relationship with Tesla had deteriorated, impacting Tesla technician availability, but recent services appeared to be conducted by a Toyota hybrid technician guided remotely by Tesla instructions.
In this instance, Tesla advised the technician to fully drain and recharge the battery – a service that incurred a $500 charge. This procedure was agreed to under the assumption that the vehicle remained inoperable. However, it later became apparent that the “service” primarily involved driving the vehicle until the battery was depleted. Strangely, the RAV4 EV began functioning again after being towed to the dealership. This incident initiated a frustrating pattern: the car would intermittently fail to start or charge, be taken for service, and then, inexplicably, resume operation after a period of time at the dealership.
The nature of these problems was unpredictable and difficult to replicate consistently. They occurred with multiple chargers, and most critically, the extended warranty provided no recourse as “no repairable fault was found.” Essentially, the root cause remained undiagnosed. The standard procedure became draining the battery, clearing error messages, and being told the vehicle was “fine.” The final six months of ownership were marked by near-weekly charging failures and complete drive failures approximately once a month. Often, the vehicle would spontaneously recover after several hours of inaction.
Parting Ways and Lessons Learned
Ultimately, the decision was made to sell the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV at a significant loss, below its Kelley Blue Book (KBB) value. While the driving experience and the estimated $4000 saved in gasoline were appreciated, these benefits were overshadowed by the escalating repair costs, expenses associated with chargers and their installation, and the financial loss incurred when selling a vehicle with unresolved issues.
Alt text: Interior view of a 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV dashboard, highlighting the car’s controls and interface, potentially relevant to discussing usability and technical issues.
This experience serves as a crucial lesson: exercising caution when purchasing a 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV, particularly outside of California, is paramount. Despite assurances from dealerships regarding service capabilities, the reality can be significantly different. The promise of readily available service at Toyota of Kirkland proved unfounded. For those considering this vehicle, thorough due diligence regarding service infrastructure and warranty coverage is strongly advised. While there was hope for a positive ownership experience, the persistent and ultimately unresolvable issues led to a disappointing conclusion.
