2023 RAV4 Prime Owner Says Her Dashboard Went Dark, and Toyota’s Recall Doesn’t Fix It - She Adds, “It’s Unsafe To Drive, They’ve Had It 2 Weeks, and I’m In a Camry Loaner”

Imagine driving your 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime and suddenly losing every piece of critical information, no speedometer, no fuel gauge, nothing but a black screen. For many owners, this nightmare is a reality, and Toyota currently has no fix for it. Here is Jenelle’s story and what RAV4 owners need to know.

Janelle Calindas on the Toyota RAV4 Discussion Group 2019-2025 - Gas + Hybrid + Prime Facebook page says,

“My 2023 RAV4 Prime has been at the Toyota dealer service center for two weeks now because they don’t have a fix for the problem. The entire instrument cluster doesn’t show speed in mph or how much gas is left, and it can't be turned on or manually started charging. It’s just a completely black screen. So when I took it in, Toyota said it was unsafe to drive and kept it. It’s not safe to drive, because I don’t know how fast I am going, if I have gas or not, and cannot manually turn on the vehicle to recharge the EV.”

“The first week, there were no loaners at the dealer available, and I had to rent a car from Enterprise. I finally got a new 2026 Camry loaner today. I was told it was because they had to pull the affected RAV4 loaners and not loan those out. So, mine is not the only one with this issue.”

“Toyota gave me a printout of the active recalls for my 2023 RAV4 Prime. Toyota's safety recall #25TA08 covers multiple models and years, and the combination dashboard meter may go blank. It says, “The manufacturer has not provided a fix for this recall yet.”

Janelle Calindas’s harrowing experience reveals a significant safety gap in Toyota’s current lineup, specifically regarding a widespread failure of the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. In my research into this problem, I have found that it isn’t an isolated incident but a systemic software and hardware conflict that Toyota is struggling to resolve. I am diving deep into why this "Black Screen of Death" is grounding one of America’s favorite SUVs.

The Root of the "Combination Meter" Failure

As a Senior Reporter for Torque News, I have spent decades tracking vehicle reliability, and what we are seeing with Safety Recall #25TA08 is particularly concerning. The issue lies within the 12.3-inch combination meter (the digital dashboard). Toyota’s investigation found that a software error causes the system to repeatedly write unnecessary data to its internal memory. This "memory wear" eventually leads to a fatal crash of the display at startup.

When the screen goes black, you lose more than just a speedometer. You lose brake system warnings, tire pressure alerts, and the ability to monitor your hybrid powertrain's status. This is why dealers are flagging these vehicles as unsafe to drive. If you are experiencing strange behavior from your hybrid system, you should also look into Toyota's quiet admission that the "fixed" RAV4 Hybrid might still have a major $5,000 defect, which discusses the ongoing "Cablegate" saga.

The Loaner Car Dilemma

Janelle’s story highlights a secondary crisis: the lack of available loaner vehicles. Because this recall affects the 2023-2025 RAV4, RAV4 Prime, Highlander, and Camry, dealerships are being forced to pull their own inventory off the loaner line.

If the dealer tells you they have no cars, you must be firm. As an expert who has navigated manufacturer buybacks and lemon law claims, I recommend asking the service manager for a "Pre-Authorization for Rental Reimbursement." If they cannot provide a Toyota loaner, they should be covering your Enterprise or Hertz bill.

We are seeing a trend where even newer models are showing signs of early component failure. For instance, I recently reported that some 2024 Toyota RAV4 owners feel their cars are lemons with only 12k miles, citing everything from fuel tank issues to electrical glitches.

What Can You Do Right Now?

If your screen is flickering or has gone blank, do not wait for the "fix" to be announced. Here is my advice:

1. Document Everything: Use your phone to record the blank screen while the car is "running."

2. Contact NHTSA: Your reports to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are what force manufacturers to act faster.

3. Check Your VIN: Visit Toyota’s recall portal frequently. While the fix isn't ready, your vehicle being "listed" gives you legal leverage for a loaner.

Sometimes, the car tries to tell us something is wrong in subtle ways. I previously covered a story titled “I Just Learned Something About My Toyota RAV4 That I Had Never Heard of Before, Did Ya'll Know About This?” which explains how certain light patterns can signal deeper electrical issues.

Key Takeaways

Safety Recall #25TA08 affects the 12.3-inch digital clusters in 2023-2025 RAV4, RAV4 Prime, and other models.

• The Problem: Internal memory wear caused by faulty software "bricks" the dashboard.
• The Risk: Driving without a speedometer or warning lights is a major safety violation and risk.
• The Status: Toyota has officially stated that a "fix" is still in development as of late 2025.

What RAV4 Owners Are Saying

Owners on social platforms are expressing extreme frustration over the lack of communication.

On Reddit, one user noted: "The entire instrument cluster seems like it went out or turned off.. just black empty darkness... My dealership has ordered me a new instrument cluster (almost 4 weeks ago), the part is back-ordered, with no ETA." 

Another owner shared on a RAV4 Club thread: "Toyota approved my buyback request and is paying me $42k back on the car... Turned out to be some sort of chip that shorted out." 

Conclusion

Toyota has long been the gold standard for reliability, but the complexity of modern digital cockpits is testing that reputation. While they work on a software patch and hardware replacement strategy, owners are left in limbo. If your RAV4 Prime is at the dealer, don't let them tell you it's "normal" to wait without a vehicle; demand the support you deserve for a $50,000 SUV.

It’s Your Turn: Has your Toyota dashboard gone dark, and has your dealer provided you with a loaner or a rental while you wait for the fix? Click the red link below to write your comment and join the community in sharing experiences.

Next Up: Is this 2024 Toyota RAV4 a lemon, or is Toyota's quality slipping? Pam says her new RAV4 Woodland has too many problems even to count. Is it just the Toyota RAV4 Woodland that has issues, or is the quality slipping across all RAV4 models? Read the full story here. 

With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Toyota