When a rattle, a reboot or a warning light shows up on a new car, dealers often say they have not heard of it. A Toyota bulletin number changes that conversation. This page lists every bulletin NHTSA holds for the 2026 RAV4, what each one says, and which owner complaints have no bulletin at all, so you can tell a documented problem from one that is only being discussed.
How this list is built. We read the Toyota bulletin PDFs on file with NHTSA on October 20, 2026 and list them below with their numbers, dates and the repair or workaround each states. The RAV4 Hybrid and the Prime are covered together in most of them. Toyota "Tech Tips" carry an expiry date and are advisory; "T-SB" bulletins are service bulletins. A bulletin is Toyota's instruction to its dealers, not a recall, and it does not by itself mean a free repair outside warranty. We will add new bulletins as NHTSA publishes them.
2026 RAV4 Bulletins on File
| NUMBER | DATE | APPLIES TO | SUBJECT | WHAT TOYOTA SAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-SB-0050-26 | Aug 19, 2026 | 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid | Head unit software update 8612G42397 | Update by over-the-air or USB; phased rollout; covered by the Basic Warranty; do not replace the head unit. Bulletin PDF |
| T-TT-0803-26 | May 21, 2026 | 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid | Intermittent audio, CarPlay and Bluetooth, head unit version 1136 or older | Under investigation; replacing the head unit will not fix it; temporary recovery steps below. Tech tip PDF |
| T-TT-0800-26 | May 20, 2026 | 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid | Distance to empty higher than expected at first fill-up | Dealer resets the learned value using the repair manual's Initialization of Drivable Distance procedure. Tech tip PDF |
| T-TT-0801-26 | Apr 16, 2026 | 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (and Prius Prime, bZ4X) | Unable to charge with the supplied Level 1 or 2 charger | Check the charger troubleshooting guide, then the dealer opens a Toyota technical case with a photo of the cable serial number. Tech tip PDF |
| T-TT-0798-26 | Feb 4, 2026 | 2026 RAV4 Hybrid | Remote start and remote lock/unlock inoperative | Can happen if the system is not registered after an ECU replacement; the dealer registers it with Toyota's diagnostic software. Tech tip PDF |
| T-TT-0806-26 | July 22, 2026 | 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (and bZ models) | Battery State of Health display | Explains the SOH number; do not run a battery utility update to reset it. Tech tip PDF |
| T-TT-0810-26 | Sept 14, 2026 | 2026 RAV4 Hybrid (and Camry Hybrid) | Check engine light with code P1C7F49 | Under investigation; dealers are told not to repair and to contact Toyota's technical assistance. Tech tip PDF |
Full write-ups: T-SB-0050-26 head unit software update and T-TT-0803-26 CarPlay, audio and Bluetooth tech tip.
Dealer-facing pre-delivery and storage bulletins (floor mat retainers, matched tire sets, stored-vehicle battery care and pre-delivery inspection) are also on file for the 2026 RAV4. They guide dealers before a car is sold and are not owner complaints.
What the Head Unit Update Fixes (T-SB-0050-26)
Toyota's bulletin says the new software addresses these items in multimedia versions earlier than 8612G42397:
- Head unit reboots and a black display (Toyota notes the backup camera display is not affected)
- The "Add a device" button does not work
- A "Network required" screen appears during user profile setup
- Wireless Android Auto does not connect after a remote engine start drive-off
- Navigation ETA in the instrument cluster does not match the head unit, or ignores the 12-hour or 24-hour clock setting
- Voice guidance prompts overlap
- Drive Recorder videos cannot be exported to USB, and the drive recorder does not record the panoramic view monitor camera
- The audio icon shows a loading screen instead of the audio source screen
- FM volume is higher than expected, and AM/FM seek buttons intermittently fail
- Toyota app destinations do not transfer to the head unit
- Road sign assistance and cruise control warnings appear when parked in a location with poor GPS signal
- Key fob lock and unlock sound volume cannot be changed
- General navigation, voice assistant, road sign assistance and efficient drive enhancements
The update is a phased rollout: more vehicles get the on-screen notification over time, and you can also start it from the Settings menu. A dealer can do the update by USB, and the repair is covered under the Basic Warranty, which runs 36 months or 36,000 miles from the in-service date. Toyota says the head unit should not be replaced as part of this update.
Owner Complaints and Their Status
| COMPLAINT | BULLETIN ON FILE? | WHAT WE FOUND |
|---|---|---|
| CarPlay or audio dropouts, Bluetooth not pairing after remote start | Yes: T-TT-0803-26, T-SB-0050-26 | Documented. Recovery steps in the tech tip; software update in the service bulletin. |
| Infotainment reboots, black screen | Yes: T-SB-0050-26 | Documented and addressed in the software update. |
| Trouble setting up a secondary driver profile | Partly: T-SB-0050-26 | The bulletin lists a "Network required" screen during user profile setup. It does not describe the Toyota app login question. |
| Distance to empty looks too high on a new car | Yes: T-TT-0800-26 | Documented; the dealer can reset the learned value. |
| Prime will not charge on the supplied cable | Yes: T-TT-0801-26 | Documented. Dealer opens a technical case. |
| Remote start or remote lock stops working after an ECU replacement | Yes: T-TT-0798-26 | Documented; registration with Toyota's diagnostic software. |
| Check engine light, code P1C7F49 | Yes: T-TT-0810-26 | Under investigation; no repair yet. |
| Sunglass holder drops open | No bulletin found | Owner-reported on forums. We found no Toyota bulletin or recall. |
| Moonroof rattle | No bulletin found | Owner-reported. No bulletin or recall found. |
| "System Malfunction" or data module errors | No bulletin found | Owner-reported. No bulletin found; the closest items are the head unit bulletins above. |
| Hollow-sounding doors, wide center console | No bulletin found | Owner opinions on design; not a defect Toyota has documented. |
"No bulletin found" means we did not find one in the NHTSA records on October 20, 2026. Toyota can issue a bulletin at any time, and some dealer-only items never reach NHTSA.
2026 RAV4 Recalls
| NHTSA | MODEL | DEFECT | REMEDY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V571 | 2026 Hybrid | Incorrect load label | Replace the label (letters expected Oct 18, 2026) |
| 26V659 | 2026 Prime | Motor generator ECU error: the plug-in hybrid system can reduce power or shut down at higher speed | ECU software update |
Both are free. See the full RAV4 recall tracker and the NHTSA complaints by year.
Temporary Fixes From the Tech Tips
These are Toyota's own recovery steps from T-TT-0803-26, for the intermittent conditions on head unit versions 1136 or older:
- No sound from the JBL system at startup: press the power/volume knob twice (off, then on).
- CarPlay audio or icon missing, or CarPlay does not launch at restart: toggle the CarPlay device off and on in the head unit's Bluetooth and Devices settings.
- Bluetooth does not pair after remote start: toggle the Bluetooth device off and on in the same menu.
- Sirius XM seek buttons not working after transferring favorites from an older account: tap the heart icon on favorite stations that show an empty heart.
How to Use a Bulletin With Your Dealer
- Quote the number. "T-SB-0050-26" or "T-TT-0803-26" lets the service advisor find it in Toyota's system.
- Check your software version. The 0050 bulletin says to check the version under the Software Update menu; it applies to versions earlier than 8612G42397.
- Get a repair order. Ask that your complaint be written on the repair order, even if no repair is done. That record supports a later warranty claim.
- For problems with no bulletin, file a complaint at nhtsa.gov. Complaints are how bulletins and recalls get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a TSB for the 2026 RAV4 CarPlay problem?
Yes. Tech Tip T-TT-0803-26 (May 21, 2026) covers CarPlay, JBL audio and Bluetooth issues on head unit versions 1136 or older, and service bulletin T-SB-0050-26 (August 19, 2026) is a head unit software update.
Is there a TSB for the 2026 RAV4 moonroof rattle or sunglass holder?
We found none in NHTSA's records on October 20, 2026.
Is a TSB the same as a recall?
No. A TSB is Toyota's repair guidance to dealers. A recall is a safety-related campaign with a free remedy.
Does the head unit software update cost anything?
Toyota's bulletin lists the over-the-air update as not applicable to warranty claims, since owners accept it on screen. A dealer-performed update is covered under the Basic Warranty, 36 months or 36,000 miles.
What is T-TT-0810-26?
A tech tip on a check engine light with code P1C7F49 on the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid and Camry Hybrid. Toyota says the code is under investigation.
Related RAV4 Guides
- Toyota RAV4 Towing Capacity by Year, Trim and Hybrid
- Toyota RAV4 MPG by Year: Gas, Hybrid and Prime
- Toyota RAV4 Recall Tracker: Every Recall 2013–2026
- Toyota RAV4 Tire Size by Year and Trim (2013–2025)
- Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
- Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
- RAV4 Prime Cost Calculator: Electric vs Gas Per Mile
- Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
- Toyota Towing Capacity Chart: Every Truck and SUV
Sources: Toyota bulletins on file with NHTSA, October 20, 2026: T-SB-0050-26, T-TT-0803-26, T-TT-0800-26, T-TT-0801-26, T-TT-0798-26, T-TT-0806-26, T-TT-0810-26; NHTSA recall data.
Keep reading
Toyota RAV4 Common Problems by Generation and Powertrain
The 2019 and 2020 RAV4 have the most documented problems: NHTSA lists recalls for engine casting porosity, front lower control arms, power steering assist loss and fuel pumps on those years. 2019 and newer gas RAV4s are named in a December 2025 lawsuit over the 8-speed automatic transmission; the claims are unproven and Toyota has not recalled it. Hybrids and Primes have a repeated 12V battery drain complaint (Toyota issued a service bulletin for the 2021 Prime), and 2019–2022 hybrids have the rear power cable corrosion that Toyota Canada covered with an extended warranty. 2013–2018 gas RAV4s have a short recall list, mostly labels.
Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year
NHTSA's complaint database holds 880 complaints for the 2019 RAV4 and 635 for the 2020, against 90 to 333 for most other years. The 2019 spike is led by fuel and propulsion system (255) and engine (206) complaints, which line up with the fuel pump and engine casting recalls. The 2021 year is led by air bags (125), matching the occupant sensor and steering column recalls. 2023 to 2025 complaints run 90 to 176 a year, led by electrical system, engine and steering. The 2026 RAV4 has no NHTSA complaints on file yet. Its recalls are a load label and a Prime motor generator ECU update.
Toyota RAV4 Maintenance Schedule: Gas and Prime
Toyota's gas RAV4 schedule (2025 model) lists service every 5,000 miles or six months. Engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles, engine and cabin air filters every 30,000 miles, spark plugs at 120,000 miles, and engine coolant at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Automatic transmission fluid is inspected at 30,000-mile intervals and replaced early only under severe conditions. Towing, dusty roads and short winter trips put you on the severe schedule: oil every 5,000 miles. The Prime follows its own schedule, with oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months.
Toyota RAV4 MPG by Year: Gas, Hybrid and Prime
EPA combined mpg for the RAV4: gas 25–26 mpg (2013–2018), 28–30 mpg (2019–2025); hybrid 32 mpg (2016–2018), 39–40 mpg (2019–2025), 41–43 mpg (2026, hybrid only); RAV4 Prime 38 mpg on gas, 94 MPGe and a 42 mile electric range. Real-world data is thinner than EPA data: TrueDelta's 2020 AWD hybrid owners average 39 mpg against an EPA 40 combined, and Cars.com measured 42.7 miles of electric range in a 2021 Prime on a mixed loop. Cold weather, highway speed, towing and all-terrain tires all cut these numbers.