NHTSA complaint #11674778

Owner complaint summary

I purchased a brand-new 2024 Toyota RAV4 on November 18, 2023. Since early ownership, the Apple CarPlay/Bluetooth system has been defective. The system repeatedly disconnects, powercycles, and will not reconnect unless I pull over and restart the car, creating a serious safety hazard when I rely on navigation and hands-free features. I have taken my car to the dealership six times under warranty, leaving it for full days, providing photos, videos, and documentation (dates, times, temperatures) as requested. Toyota’s technical representative confirmed in 2023 that this is a known wiring issue affecting the radio WiFi/bluetooth system and said I “just have to wait for an update.” Toyota has admitted the defect but refuses to replace the radio, rewire the vehicle, or provide a 2025 model (which has the updated system). I was told multiple times the delay is due to “FCC approval for the software update,” which is misleading — only hardware needs FCC approval. Toyota’s Bend representative assured me my warranty will apply once the update arrives, but with 10,000 miles left, there is still no fix. This issue is widespread and a clear safety concern because drivers cannot reliably use navigation or hands-free features, forcing unsafe phone use or emergency stops. Toyota is not taking ownership, and this should fall under Lemon Law protections. I request NHTSA investigate this defect in 2024 RAV4s, as the 2025 models already have the corrected hardware/software, leaving earlier owners with unresolved, unsafe systems.