Toyota RAV4 deemed ‘harmful’ by Queensland police

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has warned its officers that their Toyota RAV4 AWD Hybrid patrol vehicles might overheat or shut down throughout excessive driving circumstances, probably forcing them to tug over mid-pursuit.

Based on the QPS, the issue – found throughout a current driver coaching program – pertains to the RAV4’s high-voltage battery, which can overheat “below excessive circumstances of exhausting braking mixed with excessive acceleration and excessive RPMs”, main it to suggest its officers “stop pressing driving obligation and pull over to permit the system to chill” ought to car warnings seem.

The advice was issued to police in a now-leaked inner memo from an assistant commissioner, which additionally warned that in “excessive circumstances” it’s doable the car might enter limp-home mode, through which the facility output of the hybrid system is drastically diminished and depends solely on the petrol engine, limiting acceleration.

“What hazard does that put our individuals at?” Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior instructed 7News Brisbane.

“That’s what I feel is a query the service must reply, as a result of if there may be any danger in any respect, these vehicles merely shouldn’t be on the street. All that testing ought to’ve been carried out beforehand. We shouldn’t be speaking about this after we’ve bought 400.”

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The QPS maintains that because the RAV4’s introduction in 2020, the overheating problem has not been reported in operational duties, and that the car stays protected for frontline use. The Sunshine State police pressure’s Secure Driving Coverage additionally requires automobiles to be pushed inside each the car’s and driver’s capabilities.

Video aired by 7News Brisbane additionally exhibits a RAV4 Hybrid’s traction management system shutting down throughout exhausting driving, which has an hostile affect on rear-end traction and total car stability. It’s not clear from the footage whether or not the disabling of traction management is linked to the overheating problem.

A Toyota Australia spokesperson instructed CarExpert the RAV4 Hybrid has an inbuilt failsafe mechanism to guard the car’s powertrain, and that nothing reported is taken into account to be a fault.

“Toyota Australia technical groups have inspected the automobiles in query and decided they’re functioning as designed,” the Toyota spokesperson mentioned.

“In excessive situations comparable to police driver coaching, the car might intervene to guard the hybrid system. As famous by the (QPS), there have been no incidents of this nature throughout regular duties.”

In January 2025, the QPS bought 400 new RAV4 Hybrid patrol vehicles to exchange a whole lot of Toyota Camrys utilized by basic duties officers throughout the state. It’s understood that round 200 have been rolled out as of October 2025.

A QPS spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert that the RAV4 would proceed for use for frontline duties, whereas exhibiting confidence in Toyota’s hybrid programs and related failsafe measures.

“The QPS is dedicated to the protection and wellbeing of our members and regularly screens the operational setting to make sure that all tools meets our ongoing wants,” the QPS spokesperson mentioned.

“All automobiles launched to the QPS fleet, together with the Toyota RAV4 AWD Hybrid, are rigorously examined as a part of an inner and exterior analysis course of to make sure they’re match for goal.

“In depth session happens between the QPS and the Queensland Police Union of Workers (QPUE) on the assemble of the QPS Fleet and the wants of the frontline.”