RAV4 Hybrid cable corrosion: which years, what Toyota covers, and how to check your VIN

Quick picks

What the RAV4 Hybrid cable problem is

So every RAV4 Hybrid with all-wheel drive has a second electric motor at the back that drives the rear wheels. Toyota calls it the Rear Motor Generator, or MGR. And high-voltage cables run under the floor to power that rear motor.

Basically, the connector where the high-voltage cable plugs in sits under the car where it gets hit by water, mud and road salt. Toyota's own explanation is that mud, water or road salt gets inside the connector housing, then freezes and corrodes. And Toyota says the freezing and corrosion make the connector housing expand or crack.

And once the corrosion gets bad enough, Toyota says the corrosion "can cause AM Radio Static during certain drive cycles, or the vehicle may not start." Owners nicknamed the problem "Cablegate." The name started in Quebec in 2021 and 2022, where a Facebook group of more than 3,200 owners pushed Toyota to cover the repair.

Now Toyota first warned U.S. dealers about corrosion at the rear motor connector in October 2020, on the 2019 to 2020 RAV4 Hybrid. Then a 2022 service bulletin showed Toyota changed the part partway through the 2021 model year.

Now something to note is that Toyota doesn't handle the cable problem as a safety recall. Toyota handles the cable problem with two programs instead.

• Customer Support Program 22TE09 is the cable repair itself. Basically, a Customer Support Program is a free repair Toyota offers for one specific problem, past the normal warranty.
• Limited Service Campaign 25TD01 is the free seal job. Basically, a Limited Service Campaign is a free fix Toyota asks dealers to do on every car in a group, whether the car has symptoms or not.

So because 22TE09 and 25TD01 aren't safety recalls, they don't show up on every recall lookup. I explain which lookup to use in the VIN section below.

Which RAV4s have the cable problem

So the cable problem only affects RAV4s with that rear electric motor. Every U.S. RAV4 Hybrid from 2019 to 2024 has all-wheel drive, so every one of those years has the rear motor. The table below shows which RAV4s are in Toyota's two programs.

And keep in mind that a late-built 2024 RAV4 Hybrid or Prime not showing 25TD01 is normal. A missing 25TD01 just means the car was built after Toyota's cutoff. If you're still deciding which year to buy, I cover the cable programs year by year in my guide to the RAV4 years to avoid.

What Toyota covers under 22TE09 and 25TD01

So here's exactly what Toyota's current dealer letters say. The 22TE09 letter was last updated May 14, 2026, and the 25TD01 letter came out September 18, 2025.

22TE09, the free cable repair

• What 22TE09 covers: corrosion at the connector of the high-voltage floor wire harness and the rear motor cable. If the dealer confirms the corrosion, the dealer repairs the connector or replaces the harness and cable.
• How long 22TE09 lasts: 10 years from the date of first use, with no mileage limit. Basically, the date of first use is the day the car was first sold. 22TE09 started in December 2022 at 8 years or 100,000 miles, and Toyota stretched it to 10 years and unlimited miles in 2025.
• The catch with 25TD01: Toyota's letter says the car "must have LSC 25TD01 completed by September 30, 2028" to keep the 10-year coverage. If 25TD01 isn't done by then, 22TE09 goes back to 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• 22TE09 needs a dealer to find the corrosion: 22TE09 only pays once a Toyota dealer finds the corrosion. And if the dealer checks the car and the problem isn't covered, Toyota says "you may be responsible for the initial diagnostic fees."
• Toyota dealers only: 22TE09 follows the same rules as Toyota's new car warranty. So damage from an accident, abuse, theft or vandalism isn't covered.
• Salvage titles don't qualify: a RAV4 with a salvage, total-loss or "true mileage unknown" title isn't eligible for 22TE09 or 25TD01.
• The coverage stays with the car: Toyota's letters tie 22TE09 to the VIN and the date of first use. And neither letter limits 22TE09 to the first owner.
• A loaner and a tow: Toyota lets dealers claim a loaner or a Toyota Rent-A-Car for up to 3 days. Toyota also allows up to $250 for a tow if the car can't be driven.

25TD01, the free seal

• What 25TD01 is: the dealer inspects the connector and adds a protector seal to keep water and salt out. If the connector is already too far gone, the dealer replaces the harness instead.
• Who 25TD01 is for: every RAV4 in the range, with or without symptoms.
• The deadline for 25TD01: 25TD01 is free at any Toyota dealer until September 30, 2028.
• How long 25TD01 takes: Toyota says about 1 to 2 hours.
• Owner letters for 25TD01: Toyota started mailing them in early October 2025, using addresses from state DMV records.

Now what does the September 30, 2028 deadline mean for your RAV4? So until September 30, 2028, every eligible RAV4 has the 10-year, unlimited-mile coverage, sealed or not. After that date, the table below shows what happens.

So basically, if you drive a lot, getting 25TD01 done matters even more. And if you live where roads get salted, I'd get 25TD01 done sooner rather than later.

And in Canada, Toyota Canada announced in November 2025 that it's extending its cable coverage to 10 years with unlimited kilometers. That covers the 2019 to 2024 RAV4 Hybrid and Prime. Before that, the Canadian coverage was 8 years or 160,000 km.

Signs of a corroded high-voltage cable

So these are the signs Toyota itself lists for the cable problem.

• "Hybrid System Malfunction / Visit Your Dealer" on the gauge screen. A lot of people search for "Check Hybrid System," but on a 2019 to 2024 RAV4 the actual words are "Hybrid System Malfunction." The touchscreen can also show a Vehicle Alert saying a malfunction in the hybrid system has been detected. And the check engine light can come on too.
• You hear AM radio static the moment you shift into Drive or Reverse, and the static stops when you shift back to Park.
• Your RAV4 won't start. Toyota says "the vehicle may not start."

Now keep in mind that Toyota says the Hybrid System Malfunction message can come on for other reasons too. So the message alone doesn't prove the cable is the cause. A weak 12-volt battery can also set off a pile of hybrid warnings and a no-start, which I cover in my RAV4 12-volt battery guide. And my RAV4 warning lights guide explains the other lights and messages.

And something to note is that in owner complaints to NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a bunch of unrelated warnings often show up together with Hybrid System Malfunction.

• Some owners got a cruise control malfunction message, or radar cruise control unavailable.
• One owner got "PKSB Malfunction" and "Pre-Collision System Malfunction." PKSB is the Parking Support Brake, which brakes for you at parking speeds.
• One owner got an Intelligent Clearance Sonar malfunction, which is the parking sensor system.
• Other owners got tire pressure warnings, "Vehicle not ready to drive" or "No power to rear brakes."

So if you see a cluster of warnings like that plus Hybrid System Malfunction on a 2019 to 2024 RAV4 Hybrid or 2021 to 2024 Prime, the corroded cable is worth asking the dealer about. About 7 owners in those complaints also lost power while driving or couldn't start the car at all.

The fault codes Toyota links to the cable

Basically, a fault code is a short code the car's computer saves when something goes wrong, and a dealer reads the code with a scan tool. Toyota's service bulletin T-SB-0026-22 names two codes for the corroded cable.

• P0AA649 is a hybrid battery voltage isolation fault.
• P1C8049 is an isolation fault in the rear motor area.

Basically, an isolation fault means the car's computer found high voltage leaking somewhere it shouldn't be, like through a corroded connector.

So because P0AA649 mentions the hybrid battery, some cable faults get mistaken for a bad hybrid battery. I cover the hybrid battery itself in my RAV4 Hybrid battery life guide.

Toyota's AM radio test you can do at home

So Toyota gives owners a simple test in its 22TE09 FAQ, and the AM test is safe for anyone to do. You don't touch anything under the car.

1. Park somewhere safe and start the RAV4 in Park.
2. Tune the radio to an AM station you know.
3. Listen to how the AM station sounds in Park.
4. With your foot on the brake, shift into Reverse or Drive for 3 seconds, then back to Park.
5. Do step 4 two more times.
6. Listen for static that starts exactly when you shift into Drive or Reverse and goes away in Park. That pattern is the sign of the cable problem.

And keep in mind that normal AM static while you're driving down the road isn't the cable problem. Toyota's test is only about static that switches on and off with the shifter. A dealer does the same AM test 3 times and also scans for P0AA649 and P1C8049.

How to check your VIN for 22TE09 and 25TD01

So your VIN, or vehicle identification number, is the 17-digit code that identifies your exact car. Here's where to check it, and what each lookup can and can't show.

• Toyota's recall and campaign lookup: enter your VIN, or your license plate and state. Toyota says the lookup shows "Safety Recalls, Special Service Campaigns and/or Limited Service Campaigns." So 25TD01 should show there as open or done. But Toyota's description of the lookup doesn't mention Customer Support Programs, so 22TE09 may not show there. Ask a Toyota dealer about 22TE09.
• NHTSA's recall lookup: NHTSA's lookup only shows safety recalls. So NHTSA won't show 22TE09 or 25TD01, and a result of "0 open recalls" there doesn't mean the cable work is done.
• Any Toyota dealer's service desk: a Toyota dealer can look up both 22TE09 and 25TD01 by VIN.
• Toyota's customer line: call 1-800-331-4331. The 22TE09 letter also lists 1-888-270-9371, and both numbers go to Toyota.

I keep Toyota's lookup and phone numbers on my RAV4 owner resources page too.

What to say at the Toyota dealer

So the dealer visit goes a lot smoother when you use Toyota's program numbers. Here's what I'd do in each case.

1. If 25TD01 shows open on your VIN: call any Toyota dealer and say "I'd like to book Limited Service Campaign 25TD01." 25TD01 is free, and Toyota says the seal job takes about 1 to 2 hours. Call ahead, since owners report waiting on parts.
2. If you see Hybrid System Malfunction, a no-start, or AM static when you shift into Drive: say "I think my RAV4 has the cable corrosion covered by Customer Support Program 22TE09. Can you check for codes P0AA649 and P1C8049 and do Toyota's AM radio test?"
3. If the RAV4 won't start or won't go into Drive: don't drive the RAV4. Toyota allows dealers up to $250 for a tow under 22TE09, so ask the dealer about the tow first.
4. Ask about a loaner: Toyota lets dealers claim a loaner or rental for up to 3 days under 22TE09. Longer rentals need Toyota's approval.

If you already paid for the cable repair

So Toyota's dealer letters say "Reimbursement consideration instructions will be included in the owner's letter." But the dealer letters don't spell out the reimbursement rules themselves, like a deadline or what proof Toyota wants.

In the meantime, I'd keep your repair order and receipt. Then call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 with your VIN and the program numbers, 22TE09 and 25TD01, and ask about reimbursement.

And something to note is that two owners past 100,000 miles were turned down for the cable repair in September 2025. That's right after Toyota expanded 22TE09 to unlimited miles, but before the 25TD01 owner letters went out in October 2025. So if a dealer turned you down for mileage in 2025, I'd ask Toyota again with the program numbers.

Buying a used RAV4 Hybrid or Prime with the cable problem in mind

So a used 2019 to 2024 RAV4 Hybrid or 2021 to 2024 Prime doesn't have to scare you off, as long as you get proof the cable work is done. Here's what I'd check.

1. Ask for the repair order showing 25TD01 done, or the 22TE09 cable replacement.
2. Check the title. A salvage, total-loss or "true mileage unknown" title means no 22TE09 and no 25TD01.
3. Run the VIN on Toyota's lookup to see whether 25TD01 is open.
4. Do Toyota's AM radio test on the test drive.

And keep in mind that Toyota asks its dealers to finish 25TD01 on new and used cars in their inventory before selling them, or to tell the buyer in writing that 25TD01 is still open. A Toyota Certified Used Vehicle can't be certified with 25TD01 still open. So a Toyota Certified RAV4 Hybrid or Prime should already have 25TD01 done.

I go through the rest of a used hybrid check, like the hybrid battery, in my RAV4 Hybrid battery life guide. And if you're still choosing between a Hybrid and a Prime, my hybrid vs plug-in vs electric guide covers that.

What the cable repair costs without coverage

So if your RAV4 isn't covered, here's what the parts cost, from ToyotaPartsDeal on October 15, 2026.

Now on top of parts, Toyota's own labor time for the job is 4.7 to 5.7 hours on a RAV4 Hybrid. On a RAV4 Prime, it's 9.5 to 13.6 hours. If the rear motor cable has corrosion too, the dealer replaces both the harness and the rear motor cable, which is the longer time.

And here's what owners told NHTSA they actually paid or were quoted.

• $4,668 for a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid past 120,000 miles, in May 2025.
• "Almost $5000" for a 2019 past 100,000 miles, in September 2025.
• $6,000 for a 2021 RAV4 Hybrid XLE in Massachusetts at 105,000 miles, in September 2025.
• "Almost $7,000" in parts and labor for a 2020, in April 2025.
• A quote of "$2000 to $4000" for a 2021 in New Hampshire, in May 2024.

So ultimately, plan on roughly $4,700 to $7,000 at a dealer for a RAV4 Hybrid, and more on a Prime because of the longer labor time. That's exactly why the free 25TD01 seal is worth an hour or two of your time.

What owners are running into in 2025 and 2026

So these are owner reports to NHTSA, and Toyota hasn't confirmed them.

• Parts backorders: a 2021 RAV4 Prime owner had waited since February 2026 for the harness. A 2021 RAV4 Hybrid owner was told in May 2026 there were "no parts, no estimated arrival time" for 25TD01. And ToyotaPartsDeal listed the rear motor cable as unavailable on October 15, 2026.
• Loaners refused: two owners say their dealers wouldn't give a loaner. Toyota's 22TE09 letter lets dealers claim a loaner for the cable repair, but Toyota's 25TD01 letter doesn't mention a loaner for the seal job.
• An argument over the AM test: one 2022 RAV4 Hybrid owner says the dealer refused coverage because "FM radio is fine." But Toyota's test uses the AM band, not FM.
• Parts for independent shops: one owner says an independent shop couldn't buy the parts in 2025. But the harness is listed for sale on ToyotaPartsDeal now, so the parts may be easier to get now.

So if your dealer pushes back, I'd call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 with your VIN and the program numbers.

Aftermarket connector covers

So a Quebec company called CableWarden sells plastic covers that shield the connector. Prices are in Canadian dollars, from CableWarden's site on October 15, 2026.

• CableWarden Kit (Rear) 2019-2025 is CA$369.95, for the 2019 to 2025 RAV4 Hybrid and 2021 to 2025 RAV4 Prime.
• CableWarden Kit (Front) 2021-2025 is CA$289.95, for the 2021 to 2025 RAV4 Prime only.
• CableWarden Kit (Repair) 2019-2025 is CA$1,500.00 and includes an upgraded connector.
• CableWarden Kit (Rear) 2026+ is CA$319.95, for the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid.

But keep in mind that CableWarden isn't Toyota's fix. On a 2019 to 2024 RAV4 Hybrid or 2021 to 2024 Prime, the free 25TD01 seal is what keeps your 10-year coverage. So I'd get 25TD01 done first either way.

Videos that show the cable and the fix

And The Yota Channel has a dealer technician's full walk-through of 25TD01 on YouTube, from September 2025. It's called Multiple Model & Model Year Toyota HV AWD Vehicles Rear Traction Motor Cable Corrosion. The tech checks whether the car already has the updated cable, cleans off light surface corrosion, and seals the connector. They also explain that if the corrosion has already set a code, the cable gets replaced instead.