Authorities Label Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid as Hazardous and Unsuitable for Use | Carscoops

      Australian police have reported overheating problems during intensive testing of their RAV4 Hybrid fleet.

      A confidential memo reveals issues concerning the Queensland Police's Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vehicles.

      Reports suggest that the hybrid battery might overheat when under substantial load or stress.

      Toyota maintains that the RAV4 Hybrid operates as expected in extreme conditions.

      Last year, the Toyota RAV4 was the top-selling vehicle globally, even as it nears the conclusion of its lifecycle. Its reputation as a reliable hybrid SUV for families is well known; however, this may not hold true for police use, at least according to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in Australia.

      In January 2025, QPS announced plans to integrate 400 RAV4 Hybrids into its fleet, replacing standard police vehicles such as the Camry sedan statewide. Nevertheless, a leaked internal document indicates that not everything proceeded smoothly during intensive driver training.

      According to 7News Brisbane, testers discovered that the RAV4's hybrid battery “may overheat under extreme conditions of hard braking combined with high acceleration.”

      The internal report also stated: “If warning lights appear, officers should stop urgent duty driving and pull over to allow the system to cool,” noting that “in extreme circumstances, the vehicle may enter limp mode,” which restricts its performance. This is far from ideal when officers are pursuing suspects at high speeds.

      Footage shown by 7News depicts the RAV4 Hybrid being pushed to its limits on a training course, with the traction control system disengaging automatically, negatively impacting handling accuracy.

      Following the incident, a Toyota representative told CarExpert: “Toyota Australia technical teams have examined the vehicles in question and confirmed they are functioning as designed. In extreme scenarios like police driver training, the vehicle may take measures to protect the hybrid system. As the QPS noted, there have been no such incidents during routine duties.”

      What Will Become of the RAV4 Fleet?

      Currently, around 200 police-prepared RAV4 Hybrids are operational throughout Queensland. In an interview with 7 News Brisbane, Police Union president Shane Prior expressed concerns about the decision to use these vehicles, asking, “What danger does that put our personnel at?” He further stated that “if there is any risk whatsoever, those cars should not be on the road. All that testing should have been completed in advance.”

      Interestingly, a QPS spokesperson confirmed that all vehicles entering their fleet, including the RAV4 Hybrid, undergo “rigorous testing as part of an internal and external evaluation process to guarantee they are fit for purpose.”

      In addition to the RAV4 Hybrid and the Camry, the QPS fleet includes the Hyundai iLoad, Kia Stinger, Sorento, and EV6, along with various models of the Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux.

      This is not the first instance in which a mainstream SUV has come under scrutiny in a police context. Earlier this year, Italy's Carabinieri union reported serious handling problems with the Alfa Romeo Tonale at high speeds and on uneven terrain. Unsurprisingly, Stellantis defended its vehicle, endorsing the SUV's capabilities.