2007 Toyota RAV4 complaints

THE DRIVER DOOR'S WINDOW/LOCK CONTROL PANEL SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOT USING THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME. I COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF BURNING AND FEEL HEAT BEHIND THE PANEL, HOWEVER NO ACTUAL FLAMES CAME OUTSIDE OF THE PANEL. COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SMOKE BEGAN TO BILLOW FROM THE OPENINGS IN THE CONTROL PANEL. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS THE SOUND OF BURNING CEASED. THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO BILLOW FROM THE OPENINGS IN THE CONTROL PANEL FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO COME IN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE I WAS DRIVING SMALL AMOUNTS OF SMOKE CONTINUED TO COME OUT THROUGH THE OPENINGS IN THE CONTROL PANEL. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY PLACED SOME KIND OF "LOCK" ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. I HAVE SINCE SEEN THE ACTUAL CONTROL MECHANISM. A PORTION OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IS CHARRED, AND WHERE THIS CHAR IS THERE IS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE PLASTIC ENCLOSURE. *TR

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN A RETREAD FROM A 18 WHEELER CAME OFF AND WENT UNDER MY CAR APPARENTLY RIPPING THE CASE AND BRACKET FOR THE CARBON CANISTER OFF. LEAVING 2 HOSES HANGING UNDER THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD METALLIC NOISE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED FURTHER. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS ON A 60 DEGREE ANGLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND THE TREAD WAS STRIPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED A NEW REAR ASSEMBLY IF THE CONTACT TRADED IN THE OLD PART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND PERFORMING A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,883. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS FISHTAILING SHE JAMMED ON THE BREAKS SLOWLY STOPPING WITH IN INCHES FROM PARKED CARS. UPDATED 09/12/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AFTER A GUN SHOT LIKE NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND SOMETHING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DETACHED ALONG WITH PART OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES, BUT THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER MASTER SWITCH. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12002 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE FOR THE AIR BAG CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION AND THE SPIRAL CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON A SMELL EMANATED AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE WINDOW SWITCH AREA OF THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THE SMELL LINGERED BUT THE SMOKE STOPPED. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE KEYS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC CASING ON THE IGNITION KEY SEPARATED FROM THE METAL PART OF THE PRIMARY KEY. SHE THEN STARTED USING THE SPARE KEY AND WITHIN A YEAR, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THAT KEY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST $200 TO REPLACE THE KEY. THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS A CHALLENGE TO HOLD THE PARTS TOGETHER WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUNSHADE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY IN MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE SHADE DOES NOT STAY UP FLAT AGAINST THE ROOF OF THE CAR, NOR WILL IT REMAIN IN PLACE WHEN PUSHED FORWARD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, INSTEAD, IT JUST HANGS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN, GETTING IN THE DRIVER'S FACE AND POSING A SERIOUS VISIBILITY PROBLEM. IT WON'T EVEN STAY IN PLACE TO BLOCK THE SUN PROPERLY - THE PURPOSE IT WAS DESIGNED FOR. ALSO, WHENEVER GETTING INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER NEEDS TO BE CAREFUL TO AVOID HAVING THE SUNSHADE HIT HIM IN THE FACE OR HEAD. I AM ESPECIALLY WORRIED ABOUT HAVING THE "KNIFE EDGE" OF THE SHADE HANGING AT EYE LEVEL IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY CAUSE INJURY TO THE DRIVER. THESE SUNSHADES WERE VERY POORLY DESIGNED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I AM FINDING THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM IN SEVERAL TOYOTA VEHICLES FROM THE EARLY TO MID 2000'S. IN ALL OF THE CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED (A FEW OF WHICH UNFORTUNATELY TURNED OUT TO TRULY AWFUL AND UNRELIABLE CARS), AND IN ALL OF THE OTHER CARS I HAVE EVER DRIVEN, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THIS DANGEROUS AND ANNOYING PROBLEM. *TT

SRS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CAR IS PUT IN GEAR AND REMAINS ON. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN STATED THE CODE INDICATED BY COMPUTER ANALYSIS IS B1801. SPIRAL CABLE AND AIR BAG SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $933.31 PARTS, LABOR AND TAX. IT SEEMS THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH SOME FREQUENCY, EVIDENT FROM PRIOR COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS ON AUTOMOTIVE WEBSITES, AND THAT TOYOTA TECHNICIANS ARE AWARE OF IT. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW POWER SWITCH AND THE DOOR PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

MASTER WINDOW SWITCH BURNED AND EMITTED SMOKE WITH HIGH CONCENTRATION OF IRRITATING FUMES THROUGHOUT THE SUV WHILE ENROUTE IN MARYLAND. *TR

MY AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY AT 128,824 MILES. JUST AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT. DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED. PART NUMBER IS 84306-22010. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP, THIS FAILURE IN NOT AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM. PARTS ARE $272.00 AND LABOR WILL BE $150.00+ TAX. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH , THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL TOYOTA MODELS.ACCORDING TO TOYOTA WHEN I CALLED THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE OTHER MODELS BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE RAV4 TO ISSUE A RECALL. SO WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS THING RECALLED? I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE MONEY AT THIS TIME, BUT AM WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR ARE DRIVING TOYOTA'S AROUND WITH AN INOPERATIVE AIR BAG? *TR

ON 11/15/2011 I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 AND I RAN OVER A WOOD ON THE ROADWAY. MY PASSENGER CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY AUTO. I BROUGHT MY AUTO TO MY INSURANCE CLAIM DEPARTMENT ( TRAVERS) AND I GOT A INSPECTION AND QUOTED A PRICE OF 2959.98. MY AUTO HAS NO DAMAGE TO IT OTHER THEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I GOT IT FIXED AND A FEW DAYS LATER I RECEIVE A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAG AND THAT THEY WERE DEPLOYING BECAUSE OF THE SENSORS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN TRYING TO HAVE TOYOTA ACCEPT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BUT TOYOTA SAYS BECAUSE I GOT IT FIXED BEFORE THEY COULD LOOK IT ,THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBLE AND I AM OUT OF LUCK.I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO CLAIM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BECAUSE THEY SENT ME THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME AIRBAG THAT I HAD THE PROBLEM WITH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER 1,000 MILES, THE ENGINE WOULD CONSUME ONE-HALF A QUART OF ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

THE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING, POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED. DEALER SAYS IT IS A INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, AND ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR IT, IT IS NOT COVERED OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER QUOTED A PRICE OF $350, FOR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND $ 700. IF BOTH SHAFTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT LOW SPEED, PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WHEEL TURNED AT 45 DEGREE ANGLE, DISABLING THE AUTOMOBILE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP HAD PREVIOUSLY CHECKED A KNOCKING NOISE IN REAR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A DESIGN FAULT AND THAT THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH THREADS ON THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY TO HOLD THE TIE ROD SUFFICIENTLY. I HAVE FOUND OTHER REPORTS OF THIS TIE ROD FAILURE. SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. *TR

TOOK MY RAV4 IN FOR SERVICE OF FIVE THOUSAND MILES OIL CHANGE. AT THAT TIME WHEN I PICKED UP CAR WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO GET MY STEERING LOWER SHAFT REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN HAVING STRANGE NOISES SINCE ABOUT 30000 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE STEERING. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT IS THE STEERING AND I NEED TO GET IT FIX RIGHT AWAY. I FEEL THIS IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM THAN TOYOTA WANTS TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IS THIS BEING LOOKED INTO? READING ONLINE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY 2007. *TR

WITHIN 4000 MILES OF OIL & FILTER CHANGE THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE (DROPS ON GROUND OR BUILD UP ON ENGINE COMPONENTS) AND NO EVIDENCE OF BURNING UP OIL (SMOKE OR SMELL). ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALS A TOYOTA TECHNICAL BULLETIN SB0094-11 ENTITLED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WHICH DETAILS AN ACCEPTABLE OIL USAGE LEVEL OF 1 QUART EVERY 1200 MILES. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE IN A CAR BUILT IN 1940, BUT IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A CAR DESIGNED TO GO 5000 MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAN LEAD TO EXCESSIVE ENGINE HEAT AND WEAR CAUSING FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. AS TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE YET NOT DOING ENOUGH TO REMEDY IT, I AM REPORTING IT HERE TO HOPEFULLY BE INVESTIGATED. *JS

IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, AND I DROVE MY 2007 RAV4 AT THE SPEED OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. SUDDENLY, I HEARD A NOISE ZIIIII FROM THE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH AT THE DRIVER SIDE. I SAW AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AT THE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH AT THE DRIVER SIDE. THE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH. I PULLED OVER MY CAR, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND LEFT THE CAR. WHEN THE FLAME WENT OUT, I SAW A BURNED HOLE ABOUT QUARTER SIZE IN THE SWITCH. NOTE: THERE IS NO WATER LEAKED / COFFEE SPILLED INSIDE THE SWITCH. I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THE FUSE DID NOT BLOW OUT. DEALER DENIED TO REPLACING THE SWITCH WITHOUT CHARGING. *JS

STEERING POPPING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED. *TR

I HAVE 2 TOYOTA RAV4S - BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, THE STEERING COLUMN IS MAKING A "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY, MANY OTHER TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED T-SB-0318-08 BULLETIN WITH AT PROCEDURE TO REPAIR AN INADEQUATELY DESIGNED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT LONG-TERM SAFETY AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF THIS REPAIR IS NOT DONE. TOYOTA SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL AND OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.

THIS TOYOTA RAV4 BEGAN HAVING CLUNKING WITH STEERING THE VEHICLE RIGHT AND LEFT DIRECTLY AFTER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE CLUNKING WORSENED SO IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A REPLACEMENT PART THAT WAS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS RAV4 WITH THE STEERING COMPONENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A FACTORY DEFECT? THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT QUOTED ME A $3500 CHARGE FOR REPAIR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT I NEED TO PAY AN ENORMOUS COST FOR A FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD CARPET AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, A LOUD NOISE AND A LEAK EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 5/11/12 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE MUFFLER OR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED AND SET THE BACK RUNNER MAT ON FIRE, AS IT WAS DIRECTLY UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. UPDATED 05/31/12

NEUTRAL START SWITCH HIDDEN WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CAN FAIL TO WORK AND THUS NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO START THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE HEAD MECHANIC, THE DEFECT IS UNCERTAIN WHY IT HAPPENS OTHER THAN THE STANDARD RESPONSE THAT IT IS NORMAL ASPECT OF WEAR. I DON'T AGREE, SINCE THE COMPONENT IS UNDER NO STRESS LIKE FOR EXAMPLE A SPARK PLUG. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING IN THE MATTER. *TR *KB

JUST LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2007 RAV4 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A DISTINCTIVE KLUNKING NOISE AROUND 35,000 MILES. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE SIDE..... MY PROBLEM WAS THAT IT WAS MAKING CRACKING NOISE ALL THE TIME, WHEN TURNING OR ESPECIALLY PARKING THE CAR.... ALSO A PROBLEM WITH MY DRIVER VISOR FLAP NOT STAYING IN UPWARD POSITION IT WAS HANGING DOWN HALFWAY AND FACES FORWARD. I HAD TO PAY 75 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT, WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. SINCE SO MANY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 OWNER ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS IT SHOULD BE ELEVATED TO A RECALL STATUS!!! *TR

DRIVER SIDE STEEL WHEEL PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM HUB DUE TO SHEARING OF 4 OF 5 WHEEL LUGS. TESTED AN ADDITIONAL WHEEL LUG/NUT ON PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WITH TORQUE WRENCH SET AT 85 LB-FT AND IT SHEARED OFF. JUST PRIOR TO WHEEL SEPARATION, LOUD "POPS" WERE HEARD WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE DRIVER TO REDUCE SPEED AND SHOULDER THE VEHICLE. NO BODY DAMAGE, JUST SHAKEN DRIVER. ALL WHEEL NUTS WERE PROPERLY TORQUED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATION OF 85 LB-FT LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR *JS

EXPERIENCE KNOCKING AND POPPING NOISES IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. MY VEHICLE HAD 31,247 MILES ON IT WHEN I BROUGHT IN FOR AIRBAG RECALL. THEY ASKED ME ABOUT THE KNOCKING AND I SAID YES IT'S KNOCKING. ASKED IF IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME IF IT WAS....I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THEM. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ABOUT $500 TO REPAIR. I DID RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND 117 COMPLAINTS. WHY HASN'T TOYOTA RECALLED THIS? I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. TOYOTA KNEW THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

MY WIFE STARTED VEHICLE IN GARAGE TO WARM IT UP WHEN SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW/POWER LOCK SWITCH AREA. SHE POURED HER CUP OF COFFEE ON THE FLAMES TO EXTINGUISH THEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE MASTER WINDOW SWITCH WHICH HAD BURNT UP. *TR

A CAR PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MY ENGINE INCREASED ACCELERATION WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE SLOWED ACCELERATION AND I PUSHED MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND I PULLED CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TOWARDS ME AND THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN-MY CAR HAD BEEN SET TO CRUISE AT 52 MPH. AFTER THE INCIDENT I SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AS I WAS HEADING INTO TOWN. I THEN PULLED INTO BIG SCOOP(CANTON,IL BUSINESS) PARKING LOT GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH-A LADY WALKED IN FRONT OF MY CAR AND I TOUCHED THE BRAKE AND AGAIN I EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND AGAIN I WAS QUICK IN SHOVING CAR INTO NEUTRAL PREVENTING A SERIOUS INJURY. I WENT HOME AND CALLED FORT TOYOTA IN PEKIN, IL AND I TOOK CAR IN FEB, 17, 2012 AT NOON. THEY HAD THEIR TOP MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT-HE SAID HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY CALLED TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTERS AND THEY TOLD THEM IT WAS A FLOORMAT ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT AND I TOLD THEM IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FLOORMATS BUT RATHER AFTER TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL IS WHEN I RECEIVED UNWANTED ACCELERATION IN BOTH INCIDENTS. THEY ASKED ME SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT AND THEY GAVE ME TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTERS NUMBER AND GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR TO USE. WHEN I CALLED THEIR HEADQUARTERS THEY SAID IT WAS A FLOORMAT ISSUE AND THAT WAS THEIR FINAL STATEMENT ON THE MATTER. I TOLD THEM IT WAS A BRAKE ISSUE BUT THEY STUCK TO FLOORMATS AS THE CAUSE AND THAT IS WHY I'M REPORTING THIS MATTER TO YOU AS I FEEL FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS; THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY ANY AUTOMAKER WIT

MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 HAD A REAR RIGHT WHEEL TIE ROD BREAK WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND OUR ONE YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO SEE MY WIFE'S DOCTOR FOR HER MEDICAL CONDITION AT THE TIME. THANKFULLY WE HAD JUST MADE A TURN ON TO THE ON-RAMP OF THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AND WERE MOVING AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE TIE ROD BROKE, I MIGHT HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD A TERRIBLE CRASH WITH SERIOUS INJURY (OR WORSE) TO OUR FAMILY AND POSSIBLY OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT TOYOTA RAV4 TIE ROD INCIDENTS, IT SEEMS THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER RAV4 DRIVERS MANY TIMES ON ALL DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS OF THE VEHICLE. JUST LIKE US THEY ALL SAY THEY DID NOT HIT ANY POT HOLES OR OTHER OBJECTS TO HAVE CAUSED THE TIE ROD TO BREAK. THIS FAILING OF TIE RODS ON RAV4S SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT. SOME ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS TIE ROD FAILURES ON TOYOTA RAV4 VEHICLES. *TR

I WAS JUST IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I LOST STEERING AND CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER READING ONLINE ABOUT THE KNOCKING IN THE STEERING FROM OTHER OWNERS, I BELIEVE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH NOONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED I AM WORRIED ABOUT OTHER DRIVERS SAFETY. MY CAR AND TWO OTHERS WERE TOTALED. I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER AND I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING WITH THE STEERING AND CHECKED IT . I JUST HAD A 50000 MILE CHECKUP. I REALLY FEEL SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT CAN BE FATAL. I AM LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR DID GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THOUGH. I HOPE SOMEONE KNOWS HOW TO GET AHOLD OF ME AND HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. BUT JUST TO SAY EVERYONE ELSE, PLEASE BE CAREFUL. *TR

SPIRAL CABLE FAILURE IN STEERING COLUMN CAUSING AIRBAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT. TOYOTA CHARGING TO REPAIR WHEN CLEARLY THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS IN MANY RAV4'S WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. $500+ FOR REPAIR. *TR

VEHICLE EXHIBITED A CLUNK AND RATCHET SOUND FROM REAR OF CAR WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO DEALER IN JANUARY 2010. WHILE THE NOISE WAS REPLICATED, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS ASSURED THAT THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS ALSO CONSULTED WHO COULD NOT PINPOINT THE SOURCE OF THE SUSPENSION NOISE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL KICKED OUT AND WAS NO LONGER PARALLEL WITH THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS PRACTICALLY IMMOBILE. THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE A LINKAGE THAT STRIPPED ITSELF OUT. THE LINKAGE (TIE ROD?) HOLDS THE WHEEL IN PLACE. I HAD BOTH SIDES (RIGHT AND LEFT) REPAIRED JUST IN CASE THE LEFT SIDE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR WEAR. CAR REMAINS SLIGHTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT (JUST BEYOND TOLERANCE) AS LINKAGE FAILURE CAUSED SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO WARP OR BEND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD TIGHTEN TO THE POINT OF CHOKING THE PASSENGER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE FAILURE WAS TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 RAV4 FROM TOYOTA OF BRAINTREE IN 2007. 1. IN 2009 I COULD HEAR WIND IN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW; I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED, TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID I WAS HEARING THINGS. 2.THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAUGHT FIRE (I HAD THE KEYS WITH ME) I HAD TO SPEND $606.01 TO FIX IT, TOYOTA SAID THERE WAS WATER INTRUSION (I THOUGHT, IT PROBABLY WAS, BECAUSE OF THE AIR LEAK PREVIOUSLY REPORTED IN 2009) 3. THE STEERING WHEEL FELT STRANGE WHEN I DROVE, I TOOK IT BACK FOR SERVICE, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS STEERING SHAFT INTERNAL FAILURE WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; I FOUGHT TO GET THAT FIXED OUT OF WARRANTY. 5. ON NOVEMBER 25, 2011 I WAS DRIVING, THE WINDOW FELL IN ON ME AND ON NOVEMBER 26, 2011, I HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED FOR $338.30 7. NOW, OIL IS LEAKING INTO THE MUFFLER. (I PURCHASE OIL FREQUENTLY) THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 4.5 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY OF THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS, WHEN I PURCHASED THIS RAV4, IT WAS GOING TO BE MY LAST VEHICLE PURCHASE BECAUSE TOYOTA ADVERTISES LONGEVITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE WHO DRIVE 1990 AND 1995 TOYOTA PRODUCTS WHO HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. I WAS ALSO TREATED VERY POORLY DURING SOME OF MY REPAIR VISITS. AFTER THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE, I HAD A MEETING WITH THE OWNER OF TOYOTA OF BRAINTREE, [XXX] BUT HIS RESOLUTION WAS GIVING ME $13,000.00 FOR MY VEHICLE (WHICH I OWN) AND ME PURCHASING A BRAND NEW VEHICLE, WHICH MEANT I WOULD HAVE A MONTHLY PAYMENT. I DID CONTACT TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS

WHEN DRIVING FOR LONGS PERIODS, AND SOME SHORT PERIODS INCLUDING COMING HOME FROM THE DEALER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW, THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL, AND 4WD LIGHTS COME ON IN THE CLUSTER. THE CRUISE CONTROL, 4WD, AND STABILITY CONTROL DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES AND CANNOT FIX IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE MARCH OF 2007, AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AS I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES DOING THE SAME THING, AND STABILITY CONTROL IS A SAFETY FEATURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CABIN STARTED SMOKING THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE WINDOW SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT REMOVED ALL OF THE SWITCHS AND FUSES FROM THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED AN ANNOYING WHINE FROM 40 TO 60 MPH. VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE HIGH PITCH NOISE IT MAKES INSIDE THE CABIN. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT! *TR

BEGAN EXPERIENCING A DISTINCTIVE CLUNKING NOISE, AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CLUNK COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FELT AS THOUGH A BUSHING WAS DEFECTIVE, OR THEIR IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. NO NOISE FROM THE FRONT END, OR UNDERCARRIAGE, JUST AT THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN TURNING, AT LOW SPEEDS. TOYOTA STATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A PART REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH COULD BECOME FATAL, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SHOULD BE ELEVATED TO A RECALL STATUS, AS IT INVOLVES THE STEERING ASSEMBLY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST JANUARY 19 AT 5PM I SAW MY WINDOW THAT IT LOOKS LIKE SO HOT OUTSIDE AND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN IT,I SAW A FLAME COMING OUT FROM THE LEFT POWER SWITCH. I WAS SO SCARED BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS GETTING BIG SO I STOP MY CAR ,TURN OFF MY ENGINE,GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CALL 911. WHEN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE FIRE OR FLAMES GONE. IT WAS SO STRANGE AND SCARY. GOOD THING I NEVER GOT HURT AND I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE RIGHT AWAY. I FILE THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I JUST WANT YOU TO BE AWARE SO THAT YOU GUYS CAN DO ANY SOLUTION FOR THIS MATTER AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO EXPERIENCE WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. POLICE REPORT # 12-024482. *KB

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT STARTED FAILING CAUSING KNOCKING NOISES WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. TOYOTA WILL ONLY REPLACE WITHIN STANDARD WARRANTY PERIOD AS THEY DON'T THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *KB

SEVERAL YEARS AGO I NOTICED A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. I THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE I FREQUENTLY USED THE TILT AND TELESCOPE FEATURES TO LET ME USE MY WORK LAPTOP WHILE IN THE CAR. (I AM A RETIRED HOSPICE NURSE.) I JUST FIGURED IT WAS AGING FROM OVERUSE. HOWEVER, LAST WEEK I TOOK THE 2007 RAV4 IN TO MY TIRE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ALIGNMENT WHILE THEY DID SOME OTHER WORK. THE MECHANIC WAS SHARP AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAD FIRST THOUGHT THE SAME THING ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL BEING THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE, BUT INVESTIGATED FURTHER AND FOUND IT WAS THE "INTERMEDIATE SHAFT" OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT IT. I'VE LOOKED UP THE TSB'S AND THEY ARE 0318-08 AND ST001-08, AND THEY DESCRIBE MY CAR EXACTLY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TOMORROW-2-3-12-TO HAVE A LOCAL DEALER LOOK AT IT. THE CAR HAS 69659 MILES ON IT NOW, BUT ONLY 49882 WHEN I RETIRED IN MAY OF '10 AND IT WAS MAYBE A YEAR BEFORE THAT (AT 33842 MILES) THAT THE NOISE STARTED. THIS HAS CERTAINLY NOT BEEN THE CAR OUR '96 RAV WAS. I CALL IT MY BAD LUCK CAR FOR VARIOUS REASONS AND IT APPEARS IT STILL IS. THE TIRE MECHANIC SAID THE REPAIR WAS ABOUT $400. *KB

EXPERIENCED KNOCKING NOISES WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. CONDITION HAS WORSENED OVER THE LAST YEAR. I AM CONCERNED THIS COULD RESULT IN STEERING FAILURE AND AN EXPECTED INABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

EXPERIENCED KNOCKING AND POPPING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONDITION WORSENED OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS AND EVENTUALLY BECAME CONSTANT. *TR

"KLUNKING" NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN. NOTICED INTERMITTENTLY INITIALLY,NOW ALL THE TIME. OCCURS AT ANY SPEEDS BUT PRIMARILY LOWER SPEEDS AND WHILE STOPPED. WORSENING OVER TIME. *KB

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAD 148MILES ON IT WHEN DELIVERED AS IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. FOR THE PAST 20,000 MILES IT HAS BEEN USING 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HAS A TSB 0094-11 TO FIX THE DESIGN FLAW. THIS "FIX" BASICALLY REBUILDS THE ENGINE WITH NEW PISTONS, RINGS AND CRANKS. CALLED THE DEALER WHEN I SAW THIS TSB AND TOLD THEM I HAD 59923 MILES ON VEHICLE SO I'LL BE OVER THE WARRANTY BY THE TIME I BRING IT IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NO PROBLEM. DROPPED OFF VEHICLE WITH 60114 MILES ON IT AND THEY STARTED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BY FIRST FILLING THE OIL. IT TOOK 3 1/2 QUARTS JUST TO TOP IT OFF. NEED TO GO BACK IN 1200 MILES TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS USING OIL BUT THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY WILL NOT BE VALID AND I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. TOYOTA USES THIS ENGINE IN MANY DIFFERENT VEHICLES AND A SEARCH ONLINE FINDS THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *KB

UPON STARTING THE CAR THE RED POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT (P/S) STAYED ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 WEEKS. WE ARE TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. OTHERS ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM SAY IT COST $2500 TO FIX!! TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON RELIEVED THE PROBLEM BUT IT CAME BACK AGAIN A WEEK LATER. GM ISSUED A RECALL QUICKLY FOR ITS CARS WHEN THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW ELECTRIC INSTEAD OF HYDRAULIC STEERING. THIS IS ANOTHER MAJOR DEFECT FOR TOYOTA WHICH COULD BE VERY SERIOUS IF THE STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING! LOSS OF STEERING CAN RESULT IN MAJOR ACCIDENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS MATTER. LIVES WILL BE SAVED IF YOU MAKE TOYOTA MEET ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR