Page 19 of 21 · complaints 901–950 of 1,004

2007 Toyota RAV4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2007 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 10, 2010MI

WE BOUGHT OUR TOYOTA, A NEW 2007/4430C RAV4 (5-DOOR 4X2 SUV), ON 9/7/07, AND HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL PROBLEMS IN THE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. OUR RAV4 CURRENTLY HAS AROUND 24,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE PROBLEMS HAVE NEITHER INCREASED NOR DECREASED IN FREQUENCY. BECAUSE THESE PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT, OUR DEALER, DUNNING TOYOTA OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE WHAT WE EXPERIENCE. HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THAT DOCUMENTING THIS SITUATION IS IMPORTANT AS PROBLEMS'SOME OF WHICH SOUND SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED'ARE CURRENTLY SURFACING ON OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. PROBLEMS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED EVER SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INCLUDE: (1) INTERMITTENT ENGINE SURGES. THESE OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING, BRAKING, OR SIMPLY COASTING. THE RPM NEEDLE VISIBLY FLUCTUATES, AND PASSENGERS CAN FEEL THE SURGING AND 'CHOKING' OF THE ENGINE. (2) THE GAS PEDAL SOMETIMES DOES NOT SMOOTHLY ENGAGE, AND THE CAR 'JUMPS' AHEAD WHEN THE PEDAL SEEMS TO FINALLY ENGAGE. (3) OCCASIONALLY THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO SLOW WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. IN THE WINTER OF 2008, I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED (BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP) ON SLICK PAVEMENT WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR DID NOT SEEM TO SLOW DOWN. THE RESULTING COLLISION RESULTED IN $615.63 IN DAMAGE TO OUR VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED BUT NO TICKETS WERE ISSUED. I JUST PUT AN ARBITRARY MONTH

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 10, 201024,000 milesCA

I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, 6-CYLINDER 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED AWD, THAT SUFFERS FROM THROTTLE/TRANSMISSION LAG OF 1-2 SECONDS. I EXPERIENCE IT MOST COMMONLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR CHANGING LANES, WHEN I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO SPEED UP, THERE IS AN UNCOMFORTABLY LONG DELAY BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. THE RESULT IS I AM LEFT HANGING OUT IN A LANE WITH NO POWER OR SPEED. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION OR THROTTLE FINALLY KICKS IN, THE CAR LURCHES VIOLENTLY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. I AND MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. BY THE WAY, I ALSO OWN A 2008 HONDA ACCORD AUTOMATIC AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN THE HONDA. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE LOOKED AT AND FIXED. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 8, 201019,000 milesCA

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING MY 2007 RAV 4 CAUSED ME TO GO OFF A FOUR FOOT RETAINING WALL AND THE VEHILE WAS TOTALED

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 8, 20105,892 milesTX

I HAVE A2007 RAV4 PURCHASED NEW 11/06/07. THE CAR ACCELERATED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, CAUSING ME TO HIT TWO SIGNS ACROSS THE STREET, BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING, WHEN IT HIT THE CORNER OF MY HOUSE. I MADE A COMPLETE LOOP. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 SECONDS. I TRULY CAN NOT SAY WHETHER THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, IT JUST HAPPENED SO FAST. THE DAMAGE WAS $3900. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FREAK THING, HOWEVER WHEN I SEE ALL HAVE TROUBLES WITH TOYOTA, I THINK IT SHOULD BE REPORTED. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 20105,000 milesCA

LARGE STEERING NOISE WHEN CAR IS TURNED AT CERTAIN SPEEDS, WHICH IS WELL CHARACTERIZED BY OTHER SON MY 2007 RAV4. SEE A LINK: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0C40D0 THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HOW SAFE THE CAR IS ENLIGHT OF TOYOTA'S QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES. *TW

SuspensionCrash
Filed Feb 7, 201018,000 milesIL

I OWN A TOYOTA 2007 RAV4 WHICH AS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIPS SHOP OVER 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME TWO ISSUES BRAKES AND GRINDING NOISE, PER TOYOTA EACH TIME IT WAS DIFFERENT, BUT I KNOW IT WAS THE SAME TWO THINGS. IT'S LIKE TOYOTA IS FALSIFYING CUSTOMER'S CAR ISSUES WITH THEIR OWN WORDS INSTEAD OF MAKING PROPER DOCUMENTATION. IT STARTED OFF WITH THE BRAKES WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR THEY WERE MAKING A NOISE AND WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE INSTEAD OF STOPPING, BUT I THOUGHT THIS MAY BE AN ADDED FEATURE TO THE NEW CAR. THE FIRST REAL INCIDENT IS WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND I CRASHED INTO TO A SIDE RAIL. IT DIDN'T DO MUCH DAMAGE AND IT TOTAL ABOUT $400.00. THE CAR IS MAKING A METALLIC NOISE IN THE SUSPENSION AND THIS WAS REPORTED, BUT EACH AND EVERY TIME TOYOTA'S TECHS DRIVES WITH ME AND MY HUSBAND WHILE WE DRIVING THE CAR TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE TOYOTA'S TECHS SAID THIS NOISE WAS NORMAL. WE KNEW THIS NOISE WASN'T NORMAL BEHAVIOR OF A BRAND NEW CAR, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THE NOISE WAS IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM, THAT TOYOTA WOULD NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND IT WOULD COST ME MONEY TO LOCATE THE NOISE. WHEN I TOLD TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY GIVE A CAR UNTIL THEY COULD FIND THE ISSUE, BY LETTING THEIR FIELD TECH LOOK AT THE CAR, AND I ASKED WHEN THIS TECH WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I WANTED TO SEE THIS PERSON LOOK AT THE CAR, BUT THEY CAME UP WITH A MILLION AND ONE REASONS THAT I COULD MEET WITH T

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Feb 6, 20107,000 miles00

AFTER I HAD MY NEW 2007 RAV4 FOR ABOUT HALF YEAR, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOCKUP, FELT COULDN'T GO EVEN 10 METERS WITH SMOKING. MY DRIVING SPEED WAS ABOUT 20-30KMH, JUST OUT OF GARAGE ABOUT 200 METERS,AND MY NEIGHBOR SAW THE SMOKE AS WELL. HE JUMPED INTO MY CAR, AND CHECKED IF I WAS USING EMERGENCY BRAKE, NO, I WASN'T USING THAT. I CALLED COUNTRY HILL TOYOTA, CALGARY, ALBERTA, AND THEY TOWED MY RAV4 AWAY. NEXT DAY, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING, THE CAR WAS OK. I ALSO CALLED AMA(ALBERTA MOTOR ASSOCIATION), GET NOTHING. *CN

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 5, 201080,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED HER BRAKES LOCKS WHENEVER THE ROAD WAS SLIPPERY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS TO INCLUDE 20 MPH, SHE LIGHTLY TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED IT RESPONDED AS IF THERE WAS NO PEDAL. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY STATED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Structure
Filed Feb 5, 2010LA

THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS IN THE 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 ARE TO CLOSE TOGETHER. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE TO ALL BE APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE SALESMAN MEASURED THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS IN A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER (I ALSO OWN A HIGHLANDER) AND CLAIMED THEY WERE THE SAME DISTANCE APART. WHEN ASKED TO FIX THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE ALMOST HIT A HOUSE, OFFICE BUILDING, VEHICLES AND MOST RECENTLY MY WIFE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE DRIVEN. INITIAL INCIDENT WAS IN FEB 07. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 4, 20109,563 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A WIRE FENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HER LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 9,563. UPDATED 04/09/10.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 4, 2010PA

I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. I PURCHASED IT NEW, AND SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT I EXPERIENCED TWO INCIDENTS WHERE I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN, PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND LURCHING FORWARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS NUTS. THE HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE PROBLEM. I STILL OWN THAT VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWO MORE INCIDENTS WHERE THE ENGINE HAS ACCELERATED AFTER MOVING MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOU NEED TO EXPAND THE INVESTIGATION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 4, 2010240,000 milesFL

WE HAVE A 2007 RAV 4 TOYOTA. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN WE HAD A BOOSTER BLOW OUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING 100 MILES FROM HOME. THIS BOOSTER IS NEEDED TO OPERATE THE BRAKES. WE DID MAKE IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT WAS DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKES. WHEN THE COMPUTER PUT A WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE OUT, ALL WE GOT WAS A SWERVE LINE...NOTHING THAT WARNED THAT THE BOOSTER HAD GONE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 3, 201066,000 milesGA

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, BUT TWICE SINCE NOVEMBER 2009 MY GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN ACTING AS IT WAS DEPRESSED WHEN IT WAS NOT. THE LAST TIME MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND MY ENGINE WAS REVVING LIKE A RACE CAR. WHO DO I NOTIFY? *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 3, 201015,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN BRAKING WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PETAL THE ENGINE DID NOT SLOW DOWN ,IT KEPT GOING THE SAME SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND IT STOPPED. THIS HAS OCCURRED 2 TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL . THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 2, 201047,000 milesMI

FIRST ISSUE-WHILE BACKING UP SLOWLY, ATTEMPTED TO STOP BEFORE HITTING TELEPHONE POLE, INSTEAD OF STOPPING RAV-4 LURCHED BACKWARD HITTING POLE CAUSING $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. COST US $500 DEDUCTIBLE, PLUS OVER $1000 NEXT SEVERAL YEARS FOR LOSING NO-CLAIM CREDIT. SECOND ISSUE; CRUISE CONTROL WHILE CLIMBING A HILL WILL, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WILDLY, THEN CUT OUT, THEN LURCH BACK AND FORTH UNTIL YOU HIT THE BRAKE TO SHUT IT OFF. NO INJURIES FROM THIS YET, BUT DANGEROUS IF OTHER VEHICLES PRESENT. *TR UPDATED 02/17/10

Steering
Filed Feb 1, 201040,000 milesOR

STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM WITH 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A STRANGE NOISE EVERY TIME HE TURNED THE WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED A NEW STEERING SHAFT WAS NEEDED. THE SEALS ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM HAD DRIED UP AND WAS CAUSING THE JOINT TO MAKE A NOISE. *JB UPDATED 03/08/10.*JB

Wheels
Filed Feb 1, 201010,000 milesMN

2007 RAV4 RIMS RUSTING STARTING THE WINTER OF 2008. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 1, 201028,135 milesIL

I BOUGHT THE BRAND NEW 2007 RAV4 LIMITED V6 FROM CHICAGO GROSSINGER TOYOTA 2 AND 1/2 YEARS AGO. THERE WAS SOME BOILING WATER NOISE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE AT AROUND 28K MILES. I TOOK THE RAV4 TO THE CGT DEALER FOR REPAIR SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THAT THE REASON WHY THE ENGINE HAD SOME BOILING WATER NOISE BECAUSE THE CAMSHAFT WAS BENDED. HE LIED! HE DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME THAT THE OIL HOSE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE. THE NOISE PROBLEM WAS FIXED (HOPEFULLY) BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS STILL GOING OR NOT BECAUSE I FOUND THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD ONLINE. MOST COMPLAINTS SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE THE OIL PIPE WAS MADE WITH HALF RUBBER/METAL. THE RUBBER PART WILL SOON BE CRACKED DUE TO THE WEATHER OR SOMETHING. I CALLED THE CGT CUSTOMER REP TO VERIFY THIS PROBLEM AND THEN HE TOLD ME THAT MY CAR MIGHT HAVE THAT PROBLEM AND HE WAS AWARE OF THAT SO HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SWITCHED OIL PIPE TO METAL. HE LIED AGAIN! I CHECKED IT AND THE OIL PIPE IS STILL MADE WITH HALF RUBBER AND METAL. HE SEEMS LIKE COVERING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS HAD BEEN EXISTING FOR A LONG TIME BUT TOYOTA NEVER DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS TO BE LIABLE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SAFETY IF THEIR PRODUCTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 31, 201020,000 milesTX

I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED THAT MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 SEEMED TO HAVE A SUDDEN BURST OF ACCELERATION WHEN I START TO MOVE. I ASKED A MECHANIC ONE TIME IF THIS COULD BE ADJUSTED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I AM NOW WONDERING IF THE SAME ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL THAT IS CAUSING PROBLEMS ON THE LATER RAV4S IS ON MY RAV4. I BET IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL THROTTLE AND NOW I HEAR IT IS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. IF ELECTRONIC, THEN I WOULD THINK A CHANGE IN THE COMPUTER CODE THAT CONTROLS THE THROTTLE WOULD FIX THE A PROBLEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 27, 201030,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN THE GAS PEDAL REMAINED STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES WHICH RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL. OCCASIONALLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND PUMP THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 22, 201050,000 milesWA

WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL IT HAS A TENDENCY TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY AND SOMETIMES PAST THE SET SPEED WHEN USING "RESUME." HITTING THE BRAKES OR TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL HAS ALWAYS STOPPED IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. USUALLY THE CAR IS GOING OVER 60 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED ONCE WHEN NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATION STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT IN BECAUSE IT WILL BE HARD TO TRACE AND THE WARRANTY IS OUT. WITHOUT CHANGING OUT ALL OF THE COMPONENTS ONE COULD NEVER BE SURE THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I NOTED THAT YOU HAVE NOW GONE DOWN TO 2009 RAV'S. I BELIEVE THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH EARLIER YEARS TOO. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 201011,491 milesMA

AT LOW RPM THE ACCELERATOR AND/OR THE TRANSMISSION HAS A NOTICEABLE LAG. THIS OCCURS APPROX 50 % OF THE TIME. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS PUT ME INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN TRYING TO BLEND INTO TRAFFIC. MOST RECENTLY I WAS TAKING MY SON TO COLLEGE AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A TRUCK ON THE PENN TURNPIKE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TWICE TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT A ROAD TEST SHOWED "NORMAL OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR". I RECENTLY DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS STOPPED SELLING RAV 4 WITH V6 ENGINES IN AUSTRALIA FOR JUST THIS PROBLEM. IN JUNE , WHILE ALSO DRIVING MY SON TO COLLEGE I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER ON FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS OF A 11 HOUR DRIVE. THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, FLOODED. UPON MY ARRIVAL I DRIED IT OUT THE BEST I COULD USING HOTEL TOWELS. A MUSTY SMELL LASTED ABOUT A DAY OR TWO THEN SUBSIDED. DRIVING BACK HOME SEVERAL DAYS LATER IT RAINED FOR MOST OF THE TRIP AND AGAIN THE CAR FLOODED . I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THAT WEEP VENTS UNDER THE VEHICLE FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND MOON ROOF WERE CLOGGED THEREBY DIRECTING THE WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CLEANED IT UP AS BEST THEY COULD BUT THAT THE MUSTY SMELL WAS STRONGER NOW. TO GET RID OF THAT WOULD REQUIRE PULLING THE SEATS AND RUGS TO PROPERLY CLEAN THE VEHICLE AND THAT WOULD COST APPROX $250. I OPTED NOT TO DO THAT AND DROVE FOR THE NEXT WEEK WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON TO DEHUMIDIFY THE CAR. I CHECKED TO OWNERS MANUAL AND FOUND

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 28, 200924,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE. HER DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND BACK. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK REPORT 0912138057, AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVED A VERBAL RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 23, 200980,000 milesCO

2007 TOYOTA RAV 4: ENGINETYPE V6 1) DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, STOPPED AT LIGHT, SMELLED OIL BURNING THOUGHT SMELL WAS FROM OTHER VEHICLES. CONTINUED TO DRIVE WHEN STOPPED AT NEXT STOP LIGHT SMELLED OIL BURNING, SAW LIGHT TRAILS OF SMOKE AROUND HEAD LIGHTS. WATCHED GAUGES AND GOT THE CAR HOME. 2) SHUT OF ENGINE RAISED HOOD AND REMOVED PLASTIC ENGINE COVER. SAW OIL WAS ALL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT OF ENGINE NEAR FIRE WALL AND WHEEL ON WELL COVER. HAD WIFE START CAR, SAW OIL SQUIRTING IN A SMALL STREAM FROM A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO METAL PIPE. THE PIPE THE HOSE WAS ATTACHED TO WAS ATTACHED TO ENGINES CYLINDER HEAD NEXT TO FIRE WALL AT THE FRONT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. 3) I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE DEC. 2007 WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW IT NOW HAS 80,000. MILES. I TALKED TO THE LOCAL DEALER ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. I GAVE THE DEALER MY VIN AND MILEAGE, I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST AND MY MILES WERE WELL OVER THE VEHICLES WARRANTY LIMIT OF 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD IF I WANTED A QUOTE I WOULD NEED TO GET IT TOWED IN AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME A QUOTE FOR THE WORK. AT THIS TIME BASED ON ALL THE INFORMATION STILL AM INVESTIGATING MY OPTIONS FOR THIS REPAIR TO ATTEMPT TO REDUCE MY COSTS. THE REPAIR OF THIS FAILED OIL LINE ENTAILS THE REMOVAL OF THE COMPLETE FAILED OIL LINE END TO END AND THE INSTALLATION OF A COMPLETE METAL PIPE ASSEMBLY. SO FAR I AM FINDING THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE A QUITE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL

Steering
Filed Dec 1, 200965,225 milesMI

I HAVE AN 07 TOYOTA RAV AND RECENTLY HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING ROD IS FAILING. THE SPLINES ARE HITTING THE BOTTOM ASSEMBLY. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS SAFE TO DRIVE. COST WAS $415.70 FOR PARTS AND 178.00 FOR LABOR. THE ISSUE IS NOT THE COST BUT CONCERN THAT SOMETHING (INTERMEDIATE STEERING ROD) IN MY STEERING IS FAILING (WHEN WILL IT FAIL COMPLETELY) AND ACCORDING TO SERVICE REP...THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. PERHAPS HE SHOULD BE TURNING THE WHEEL, LISTENING TO THE "CLUNKING SOUND OF THE FAILING SPINES" AND THEN THINKING, "THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE!" *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 25, 2009CA

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 V-6 MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE OIL LINE OF THE VVT-I CAMSHAFT. POOR QUALITY OF RUBBER LINE HAS CAUSED MULTIPLE FAILURES WHICH HAS RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE, ENGINE FIRES. TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING VOLUNTARY RECALLS WITH CERTAIN VIN'S, HOWEVER THIS VOLUNTARY RECALL DOES NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HAS REDESIGNED OIL LINE ACCORDINGLY, BUT IS NOT OFFERING THIS REDESIGNED OIL LINE TO CUSTOMERS AFFECTED BY ORIGINAL DEFECT. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 17, 200942,000 milesSC

THUMPING/CLUNKING SOUND HEARD/FELT IN STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT. DIAGNOSED AS BAD INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. VEHICLE ONLY 9,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND FAILURE OF THIS PART AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE IS ABSURD. HAD IT REPLACED AS POTENTIAL SAFETY THREAT. SELLING DEALER INITIALLY ADVISED THAT REPAIR WOULD COST $839.00 BUT AFTER FURTHER DISCUSSION OF TOYOTA TSB'S AND INTERNET INFO THAT THIS PART HAS ALSO BEEN DEFECTIVE IN CAMRYS AND AVALONS TOYOTA AGREED TO PROVIDE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY-SAVING $517. I PAID LABOR OF $321.00. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 16, 2009DC

2007 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WILL THE VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME ACCELERATION ISSUES LIKE THE OTHER TOYOTA'S. *NJ

Steering
Filed Nov 15, 200936,100 milesMD

POPPING NOISE IN STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS, INDICATING POSSIBLE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF STEERING FUNCTION. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NONRESPONSIVE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FAILURE THAT FREQUENTLY SHOWS JUST AS VEHICLE EXCEEDS WARRANTY. GOVERNMENT PRESSURE IS REQUIRED FOR TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE THIS NUISANCE ISSUE BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Nov 10, 200922,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE LEFT PORTION OF HER CHEST WAS BRUISED FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS WAITING FOR AUTHORIZATION FROM TOYOTA TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 8, 200920,520 milesIL

2007 RAV4 W/4CYL ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC, THROTTLE BECAME STUCK. THE PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND TO MY FOOT. IT WAS STUCK IN "DOWN" POSITION. I MANAGED TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND WITH ENGINE REVVING WIDELY SHUT THE MOTOR OFF. I AM VERY LUCKY THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. NOTE THAT I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED FOR FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH PEDAL AND THE MAT WAS NOT NEAR THE PEDAL. THIS THROTTLE STUCK AS IF MECHANICAL LINKAGE OR THROTTLE-RELATED DEVICE HAD HELD IT IN PLACE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 18, 200952,388 milesOK

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ON MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. MY CAR WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN STEERING LEFT AND RIGHT. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE STEERING SHAFT. MY CAR WAS ABOVE THE MILEAGE AND OUT OF THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY. SINCE THERE WAS A TSB THEY SAID THEY WOULD TEMPORARILY FIX IT BY LUBING IT. THE ACTUAL REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING SHAFT ON MY CAR COST ME OVER $755.08 OUT OF POCKET. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY THIS SINCE I AM NOT SURE IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE TO EVEN CONTINUE DRIVING MY CAR. I KNOW OF ONE COMPLAINT ON THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AND I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THIS OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 15, 200935,600 milesCA

I HAVE 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE STEERING START MAKING KNOCKING / POPPING SOUND WHENEVER I TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. I FOUND TSB FROM THE WEBSITE WHICH IS T-SB-0318-08. THIS TSB IS TO REPLACE STEERING SHAFT. 2006,2007,2008 RAV 4 IS FALL INTO THIS TSB. THE PROBLEM IS TOYOTA WILL DO THIS TSB REPAIR ONLY THE CAR IS BELOW 36K MILE/36 MONTH WHICH IS UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, CONSUMER HAS TO PAY ABOUT $700. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY CONSUMER HAS TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PART REPLACEMENT. IF I DON'T REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE SAFE FOR KEEP DRIVING OR NOT. TOYOTA MUST RECALL THE RAV 4 TO REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT INSTEAD OF TSB REPAIR UNDER THE WARRANTY. STEERING IS DIRECTLY RELATED WITH DRIVER'S SAFETY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 5, 20095,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION. HE WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, HE COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,800. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 29, 20091,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE FLOOR MAT STARTED TO SLIP UNDER THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAS REMOVED THE FLOOR MATS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 18, 200919,250 milesCA

THE BATTERY ON MY WIFE'S 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, & SO ON THE ADVICE OF THE FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA GARAGE, I JUMP STARTED HER CAR TO GET HER HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I DID THE SAME, SO THAT SHE COULD DRIVE IT TO THE GARAGE TO GET FIXED. WHEN SHE STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOWEVER, THE STEERING LOCK WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO TURN THE WHEEL & SHE ENDED UP DRIVING TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SHE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED, & TOLD ME, & SO AS I THOUGHT SHE MEANT THAT THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY WASN'T WORKING, I SAID THAT I WOULD DRIVE IT TO THE GARAGE FOR HER. WHEN I STARTED OFF HOWEVER, THE CAR STEERING LOCK STOPPED ME TURNING THE WHEEL, ALTHOUGH ONLY FOR A SECOND OR TWO, BEFORE THE STEERING BEGAN TO WORK CORRECTLY, & SO I VERY SLOWLY & CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE CHECKED THE CAR & SAID THAT IT WAS JUST A FAULTY BATTERY, BUT WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IF A FAULTY BATTERY COULD CAUSE THE STEERING LOCK TO ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING, THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, THEY SAID THAT WHEN THEY ASKED TOYOTA, THEY SIMPLY SAID THAT IT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED, & SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CONSEQUENTLY, I CALLED TOYOTA, & THEY TOLD ME THAT AS THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE, THE STEERING LOCK COULD ENGAGE WITH A BAD BATTERY. WHEN I SUGGESTED TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICES REP THAT THEY NEEDED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS A SAFETY HAZARD, SHE WASN'T INTERESTED IN HELPING, & POINT BLANK REFUSED TO GIVE ME CONTACT DETAILS FOR HER BOSS, OR ANYONE AT TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2009PA

MY 2007 RAV 4 HESITATES WHEN I DEPRESS GAS PEDAL. IT BEGAN HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN 2007 AND THE PROBLEM HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY & DURATION. YESTERDAY I STARTED A LEFT HAND TURN WHILE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR, BUT BECAUSE OF VEHICLE'S HESITATION, IN MID-TURN, ONCOMING TRAFFIC SUDDENLY APPEARED AND HAD TO STOP FOR ME TO COMPLETE MY TURN. I NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING IN AN ACCIDENT, FOR WHICH I WOULD HAVE BEEN FOUND AT FAULT, AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 27, 200956,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 CHILDREN AND THE OIL HOSE BROKE. NO FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK CAR TO CLOSEST REPAIR SHOP. THEY HAD TO ADD 5 QTS OF OIL SINCE IT LEAKED OUT. FOUND OUT THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY ON THE SAME ENGINE IN ANOTHER MODEL. THE OIL HOSE WAS REPLACED.*TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 13, 200921,500 milesOR

MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 4CYL 4 X 4 HESITATES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN I DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2007, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEGUN TO GET WORSE. TODAY AS I ATTEMPTED TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, IT HESITATED AND NEARLY GOT US INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Air Bags › Side/Window1 injured
Filed Jul 28, 200923,000 milesCA

2 YEAR OLD 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. NO PRIOR ACCIDENTS. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND PARKED. I TURNED THEY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING HELP THE SITUATION. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TOYOTA WILL DO FOR ME BUT I AM LOOKING FOR SOMETHING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 24, 200945,232 milesCA

1. LEADING UP : A FAULTY AND POORLY DESIGNED RUBBER OIL LINE WEATHERED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. 2. FAILURE: WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE WEATHERED HOSE SNAPPED. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SPILLED FOUR QUARTS OF OIL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER LIT. THE WATER TEMPERATURE STAYED WITHIN RANGE. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. 3. REPAIR: TOYOTA REPLACED THE FAILED OIL LINE WITH THE SAME PART. NO ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED DESPITE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE. THE OIL COMPARTMENT WAS LEFT DIRTY. THE ENGINE COVER WAS LEFT SOAKED IN OIL (IT'S A FOAM PART). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 19, 200936,000 milesCA

TOYOTA V6 ENGINES 2GR-FE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE VVTI OIL PIPE FAILING. THIS PIPE HAS A RUBBER SECTION IN IT, IT LEAKS WITH ALL THE OIL DRAINING & CAUSING ENGINE FAILURES. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED THIS PIPE ON LATER VEHICLE WITH ALL METAL THIS STARTED OUT WITH THE AVALON.CHECK OUT THE RAVWORLD ON LINE SITE. CLICK ON "4.3" & THEN "OIL LINE FAILURE RAV CAMRY, LEXUS" ETC. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH 2GR-FE V6 THAT HAVE THE RUBBER HOSE IN THE VVTI OIL LINE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 8, 200940,634 milesMD

AN INTENSE SQUEAK INITIATED THE VISIT TO THE AUTO DEALER. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS RUBBING ON THE VEHICLE FRAME AND TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 1, 200970,744 milesNY

BLOWN OIL LINE ON 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 16, 200935,000 milesWA

THE THROTTLE IN MY 2007 RAV4 V6 LIMITED HAS STUCK OPEN THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IT HAPPENS AFTER I "FLOOR" THE ACCELERATOR. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED IN MY GARAGE AS I WAS TRYING TO START THE ENGINE. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF. THE SECOND TIME WAS A WEEK LATER AS I WAS PASSING A TRUCK GOING UP A HILL ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY. I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND TRIED TO GET THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AS I TRIED TO GET TO CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT WAS SCARY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD A LEAK, SO THEY REPLACED THE SEAL. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN TWO DAYS AGO. I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC ON A FREEWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE THROTTLE STOPPED STICKING AND QUICKLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 14, 200937,887 milesNY

MY RAV4 V6 2007 37,887 MILES HAD A V V T OIL LINE RUPTURE AND EXTENSIVE LOSS OF OIL. THE OIL SPRAYED THE UPPER ENGINE AND LEAKED ON THE GROUND. THE CAR WAS CREATING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED THEN WENT OUT. THE SERVICE STATION WHERE I PULLED IN REFILLED THE OIL AND THEN FOUND THE LEAK.THE CAR HAD TO HAVE 5 QUARTS PUT INTO IT, IT HOLDS 6. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A REQUEST TO EXAM THE VALVES AND DROP THE OIL PAN TO EXAM FOR METAL FILINGS OR ANY DAMAGE HAS BEEN DENIED. THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACED THE HOSE ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. THIS DEFECT WAS KNOWN BY TOYOTA ,TSB EG064-05, ON THE AVALON 2005 (SAME ENGINE). RESEARCH SHOWS THIS PART WAS STILL ON THE 2006-2008 RAV4 V6. THIS HOSE WAS REDESIGNED ON THE 2009 RAV4. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ON THE RAV4 V6 DOES STAY LIT UNTIL AFTER ALL THE OIL IS GONE AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE OCCURS. TOYOTA BUILT IT WITH THIS DEFECT AND HAVE NO MECHANIC DEVICE TO WARN AND PROTECT THE CONSUMERS OF THE LEAK. I WAS TOLD SERVICE REPLACED AN ENGINE ON ANOTHER RAV4 RECENTLY, BUT MINE WAS NOT RUN UNTIL THE ENGINE STOPPED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT CHECK THE VALVES OR BEARINGS FOR FURTHER DAMAGE. THEY RAN THE CAR, BUT WOULD NOT DO A VISUAL OR PHYSICAL INSPECTION AS WE REQUESTED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 2, 200928,000 milesNY

AFTER A DANGEROUS SURGE-AT-STOP PROBLEM, WE TOOK OUR 2007 RAV4 TO OUR DEALER YESTERDAY, BUT SO FAR THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WE TOLD THE DEALER THAT WE DON'T WANT THE CAR BACK UNTIL THEY FIX THIS LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION. YESTERDAY WAS ACTUALLY THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED, AND EACH TIME THE PROBLEM WAS MORE INTENSE THAN THE PRIOR INCIDENT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, AROUND THREE WEEKS AGO, MY HUSBAND WASN'T SURE IF HE HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR, SO HE IGNORED IT. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, FIVE DAYS AGO, HE WAS MORE AWARE, AND KNEW WHERE HIS FOOT WAS PLACED, AND KNEW FOR SURE THAT THIS WAS AN ENGINE SURGE ENTIRELY UNRELATED TO ANYTHING HE WAS DOING. IT WAS ONLY BECAUSE HE HAD HIS FOOT PLACED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE THAT HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE RAV4 AND PREVENT IT SURGING PAST THE RED LIGHT. YESTERDAY WAS THE WORST INCIDENT, SINCE THE SURGE HAPPENED, AGAIN AT A RED LIGHT, WITH CARS PASSING IN FRONT OF OUR RAV4 (WE WERE FIRST IN LINE) AND WHEN MY HUSBAND JAMMED HIS FOOT HARDER ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SURGED EVEN HARDER, AND LOUDER, AND HE HAD TO REALLY FORCE THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. IF OUR DAUGHTER HAD BEEN DRIVING THE RAV4 THERE IS NO DOUBT IN OUR MINDS THAT SHE WOULD HAVE GONE RIGHT INTO THE INTERSECTION, AND EITHER BROADSIDED A VEHICLE, OR BEEN BROADSIDED HERSELF, WITH CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. THIS SEEMS LIKE THE KIND OF LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION THAT NHTSA SHOULD REALLY FOCUS ON, AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD WANT TO IMMEDIATELY FIX, BEFORE SEVERAL

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 2009DE

WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF, BUT LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO KEEP THE RADIO ON FOR MY PASSENGER WHILE I AM OUT OF THE CAR, SOMETIMES I FORGET TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT INTO PARK. I DO NOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I HAVE DONE THIS, THE CAR HAS ROLLED BACKWARDS. USUALLY, I NOTICE IT BEFORE I STEP OUT OF THE CAR, AND I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. LAST WEEK, HOWEVER, I GOT OUT OF THE CAR. LUCKILY, THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK BEFORE THE CAR ROLLED INTO SOMETHING. IF I HAD LEFT A CHILD IN THE CAR, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 2, 200946,000 milesNC

MY WIFE WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF AN INTERSTATE WHEN OUR TOYOTA 2007 RAV4 V6 HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF AN OIL HOSE WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ALMOST ALL THE OIL IN THE ENGINE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE 3.5L V6 ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE IS IDENTICAL TO THE V6 IN THE TOYOTA AVALON WHICH IS EXPERIENCING A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES SUCH THAT A TSB WAS ISSUED. THE AVALON STARTED USING THIS ENGINE PRIOR TO THE RAV4. I WAS TOLD BY A PARTS MANAGER THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OF THESE FAILURES THAT OWNERS ARE WAITING 6 WEEKS FOR THE BACKORDERED REPLACEMENT PART AND THAT 2500 PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. TOYOTA KNOWS THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE V6 RAV4 SINCE THE ENGINE IS IDENTICAL BUT REFUSES TO PUT OUT AN ASSOCIATED TSB FOR THE RAV4. THIS FAILURE IS DANGEROUS IN THAT IT CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP ON THE HIGHWAY POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA IS "QUIETLY" REPLACING THE FAILING HOSE WITH A METAL HOSE ONLY AFTER A FAILURE HAS OCCURRED.(A DEFECT ADMISSION OF A DESIGN FLAW). A RECALL IS COMPLETELY WARRANTED FOR THIS DEFECT. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED NO SUCH RECALL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 2, 200951,126 milesCA

OIL HOSE RUPTURED ON '07 TOYOTA RAV-4 DUMPING ALL ENGINE OIL. ENGINE THEN WAS STARVED FOR OIL AND RUINED INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS. TOYOTA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS HOSE LEAKING AND A TSB EXISTS FOR THE FIX. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO RECALL OR EVEN A MANDATORY INSPECTION OF THIS HOSE AT REGULAR SERVICE INTERVALS. OUR ISSUE WAS A COMPLETE RUPTURE AND IT WOULD HAVE COST US THOUSANDS TO REPAIR ON OUR OWN IF THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT COULD HAVE EVEN LEAD TO A CRASH AS THE TIRES AND BRAKES GOT COVERED WITH OIL. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2007 Toyota RAV4 → · Every RAV4 year → · How the figures are calculated →