ToyotaRAV42015Overview/toyota/rav4/2015/base/

2015 Toyota RAV4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 RAV4.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV built on Toyota's global platform with a 4.6 quart engine capacity using 0W-20 oil viscosity, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 23/30/26 mpg across city/highway/combined cycles. This model year recorded 302 owner complaints with the Electrical System emerging as the primary concern area, alongside four total recalls issued during the model year. When placed within the RAV4's complaint history spanning from 1994 to 2025, the 2015 model falls well below the peak of 1,002 complaints logged in 2007 yet significantly above the historic low of just 1 complaint in 1995, suggesting moderate but not negligible reliability concerns relative to the nameplate's long-term performance record.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/30/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 356 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9672335028. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 356 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/65R17, P235/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-7.0, 7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9672335028 alt 9030179006
Engine air filter178010V020
Fuel filter7702442070 alt 770240R010
Spark plug9091901233
Battery2880036071
Front wiper blades8522242120 alt 8521242130
Serpentine belt9091602668 alt 90916A2021
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 9091603136
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.5 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3527 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 30 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RAV4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2016 XLE Hybrid
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014XLE 2.5L I-48.70 sec16.70 sec176 hpFWD
2016XLE Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh7.40 sec15.80 sec194 hpAWD
2016XLE Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh7.80 sec16.00 sec194 hpAWD
2016Limited Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh8.20 sec16.30 sec194 hpAWD
2016Limited Hybrid 2.5L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh8.30 sec16.40 sec194 hpAWD
2016SE 2.5L I-48.40 sec16.70 sec176 hpAWD
2016SE 2.5L I-48.70 sec16.70 sec176 hpAWD
2016SE 2.5L I-49.30 sec17.00 sec176 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.6 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, SAE 75W · API · GL-5 in the differential, SAE J1703 · DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 9.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · API · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.48-0.58
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity7.2
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts72 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts98.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 217.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 159.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720-820 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerToyota
Spark Plug Gap.039-.043 (2) in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.6-18.6 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeDENSO ND-OIL 8
Oil Capacity2.37 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance356 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44-50 @ idle or fuel pump running psi
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
Engine Compression142
Engine Compressionpsi 142-210 max variation 29 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 20 /; Front: 25; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 79; Rear: 65 /; Front: 79; Rear: 65
ABS Sensor Torque6.2 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementRear: .413
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .984
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Toyota RAV4 sits in a mid-generation lull for complaints and recalls relative to the broader RAV4 history, though it marks a local peak within its immediate generation. With 302 complaints, 4 recalls, 1 investigation, and 313 TSBs, 2015 shows a noticeable jump from 2014's 194 complaints (with identical recalls and investigations) and remains above 2016's 233 complaints, suggesting a modest deterioration in reported owner experience that year. Across the 2013–2018 generation arc, complaint volumes are generally far below the 2006–2011 highs, and 2015 falls near the upper end of this quieter period before the much larger spikes seen in 20192020. Leading 2015 complaint categories are electrical system (51), unknown/other (35), steering (31), and structure (20), with 37 crash-related and 41 fire-related complaints; the federal data does not specify root causes. Given the elevated but not extreme complaint count, stable low recall activity, and position before the larger later-model surge, a well-documented 2015 RAV4 is a reasonable used buy, but prospective owners should verify recall completion and pay attention to electrical and steering concerns during a pre-purchase inspection.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
313
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
302
Owner complaints
37 involved a crash · 41 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 302 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System51
Unknown Or Other35
Steering31
Structure20
Power Train20
Engine16
Service Brakes14
Vehicle Speed Control11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V828000EquipmentReported 30/12/2014

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed… Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at…

15V011000Trailer HitchesReported 16/01/2015

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Toyota Rav4 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2013, to December 29, 2014, and equipped with an accessory trailer light module. The software… Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer light module with a new unit with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 313 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
21TG012025-06-18Electrical System21TG01 Exprired - Replaced with Campaign 23TA13 During a recent investigation of reported…
21TG012025-06-18Electrical SystemCampaign Expired - replaced with campaign 23TA13TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMER…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAV4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 RAV4 take?

4.6 qt of 0W-20 ILSAC GF-5 multigrade engine oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 RAV4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RAV4 get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg.