Page 20 of 21 · complaints 951–1,000 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 →

Power TrainCrash
Filed Feb 23, 200927,000 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S CHILD INSERTED A KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE CHILD ACCIDENTALLY SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE WHILE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CAUSED MINOR PHYSICAL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND PROPERTY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO DETERMINE WHY THE BRAKE SAFE GEAR SHIFTER DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 3, 200916,000 milesAL

I PURCHASED MY 2007 RAV4 USED IN EARLY 2008. IT HAS THE FACTORY INSTALLED PREMIUM JBL 6-DISC STEREO. SINCE THE DAY THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH RADIO RECEPTION. THE RADIO'S DISPLAY WAS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING, SO THE DEALER REPLACED THAT, BUT I STILL HAVE POOR RECEPTION. THE RECEPTION IS FINE IF I AM WITHIN ABOUT 5 MILES OF A RADIO TOWER, BUT JUST OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS, I EITHER GET STATIC OR THE SIGNAL IS LOST COMPLETELY. WHEN I HAD THE DISPLAY REPLACED, I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP (BILL PENNEY TOYOTA, HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA) ABOUT THE POOR RECEPTION, BUT THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 30, 200924,113 milesTX

2007 RAV4 LTD V6 - ALARM SYSTEM THAT KILLS ENGINE -- MALFUNCTIONED. SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BETWEEN ALARM SYSTEM AND BATTERY. DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED, BUT I HEAR A BUZZ NOISE LIKE A WIRE SHORTING OUT AND THE ONE BEEP THE ALARM SYSTEM IS TO MAKE WHEN LOCKING CAR DOESN'T BEEP. SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED 2 X AND LAST TIME WAS LEAVING AIRPORT AT MIDNIGHT. LUCKILY PULLED OFF INTERSTATE. CAR DIED. COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. CAR HORN CONTINUOUSLY BEEPED WHEN MALFUNCTIONING - WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE CAR JACKED BY SOMEONE WHO THOUGHT I WAS INTENTIONALLY DOING THE BEEPING OR IT COULD HAVE KILLED THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS BATTERY THEN SAID SHORT BETWEEN BATTERY AND ALARM SYSTEM. SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT BUT IT APPEARS THAT IT'S STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY 2 WEEKS LATER SO TAKING BACK TO DEALER TODAY. *TR

Visibility
Filed Nov 28, 200814,500 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL INTERSTATE (I-16) IN GEORGIA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. I INITIALLY THOUGHT I HAD A BLOWN TIRE. I PULLED OVER TO FIND MY MOON ROOF HAD A HOLE LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GLASS. THE REST OF THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED IN TINY PIECES, BUT STILL HOLDING TOGETHER. I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS NOWHERE NEAR AN OVERPASS. WHEN I REACHED ATLANTA, I WENT TO MARIETTA TOYOTA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE INSPECTOR SAID THAT THE HOLE WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK BOUNCING UP OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS TRAVELING AT A RATE OF 65 MPH. I HAVE A WIND DEFLECTOR AT THE FRONT OF THE MOONROOF. THE GLASS AROUND THE HOLE WAS PUSHED UP AS IF PRESSURE HAD CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. THE SCENERIO HE DESCRIBED WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. THE COVER WAS CLOSED ON THE INTERIOR, SO THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE MOON ROOF. THE COST IS $585.00 PLUS LABOR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 27, 200820 milesVT

I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED 4WD V6 AND THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY AT LOW SPEEDS. A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF THE PROBLEM IS SEEN AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF OVERDRIVE, SO WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASES AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. THE COMPUTER THEN REALIZES THAT THE CAR IS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND "SLAMS" INTO GEAR. THIS CONDITION ALSO OCCURS IN TRAFFIC AND MAKING LANE CHANGES IS VERY DANGEROUS AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA'S TECHNICAL SERVICE HOTLINE AND HAD THE LEAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT MY LOCAL DEALER RIDE WITH ME TO SEE THE PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CAR IS "WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING PARAMETERS", BUT AFTER LOOKING AT SEVERAL WEB SITES, I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS A WORLDWIDE ISSUE WITH EVERY CAMRY, SIENNA, AVALON, RAV4 AND TUNDRA BUILT IN THE PAST SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. THE LOCAL SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT IN HIS 28 YEARS OF REPAIRING TOYOTA VEHICLES, HE HAS NEVER SEEN PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND THE CARS ARE BEING DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT A MECHANIC CANNOT FIX THE CAR. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITHIN THE FIRST 5000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP, AND AFTER 18 MONTHS, THERE STILL ISN'T A FIX OR ADMISSION FROM TOYOTA THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE RAV4, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE RELEASED TCM UPDATES FOR SOME CAMRY AND AVALON VEHICLES TO CORRECT THIS VERY ISSUE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 17, 20084,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 11/12/08. *CN UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

Seats5 injured
Filed Oct 1, 200810 milesCA

1- CONSTANT HEADACHE AN STOMACH ACHE LOSS OF EYE SIGHT 2-BECAUSE OF THE LEAD IN FRONT SEATS WHICH ARE 99% OR 24198 PPM AND BROMINE WHICH IS 99% OR 131 PPM AND CHLORINE IN ARM REST WHICH IS 88% OR 191455PPM AND WIRING IS 99% LEAD AND 535011 PPM THIS CAR IS HIGHLY UNHEALTHY. 3-TOYOTA DID NOT DO ANYTHING CASE#200810010833. *TR

Air BagsCrashFire1 injured
Filed Sep 26, 200825,000 milesIL

OTHER VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN HIT MY CAR AT FRONT RIGHT BUMPER AND MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED EITHER. I THINK THERE IS SOME MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MY CAR IT SHOULD NOT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN SUCH A SMALL ACCIDENT AT LOW SPEED OF 25 MPH. PLEASE CONTACT GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR REPORTS. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 08092403046. PLEASE HELP ME. LUCKILY OTHER CAR PASSING BY SHOW MY CAR ON FIRE AND SHOUTED TO MY DAUGHTER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND SHE IS BEING SAVED. PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. THANK GOD MY DAUGHTER SURVIVED THE CRASH WITH VERY LITTLE INJURY. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 19, 200819,000 milesFL

PART WORN OUT IN STEERING COLUMN THEY CALL IT THE SHAFT. *TR

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Sep 18, 200813,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE SPARE TIRE WAS STOLEN FROM THE REAR DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. HE WAS CONCERNED OF THE TIRE NOT BEING SECURED BY A SAFETY LOCK. A REPLACEMENT SPARE TIRE WAS ORDERED AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $500. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,000.

Steering
Filed Sep 14, 20087,000 milesNY

STEERING NOISE-WHETHER TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL A NOISE(CLANKING SOUND). THE FEEL IS ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHEEL. THIS VEHICLE HAS 10,000 MI. BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 6,000 MI.. TIRE PRESSURE IS GOOD, I CHECK IT ONCE A WEEK. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 31, 200826,000 milesMD

JEST BOUGHT A 2007 RAV4, THE FRONT BUMPER AT THE HEADLIGHT SEAM CLIPS ARE BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. LOOKED AT THREE SAME MODELS WITH ABOUT 20,000 TO 26,000 MILES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 20, 200811,720 milesLA

ME AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME THE CHARCOAL FILTER AND HOSE BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN RAINING. IT CAUSES THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER ASSY. TO BE CONTAMINATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE, VSC, LSD LIGHTS TO ALL COME ON. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 19, 200810,285 milesLA

THE VSC, CHECK ENGINE, LSD LIGHTS CAME ON AND WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND HOSE AND CHARCOAL FILTER ALL MISSING CAUSING CONTAMINATION TO CHARCOAL CANNISTER CONTAMINATION. WE WERE TOLD IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE CHARGED APP. $1294. THE HOSE AGAIN FEEL OFF APP. 3 WEEKS LATER AND WE HAD TO BRING IT IN AGAIN AT NO CHARGE THIS TIME. *TR

Air Bags › Side/Window1 injured
Filed Aug 9, 200838,000 milesWA

WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND ALL SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. ALL THEY DID WAS REPLACE AIRBAGS. DID NOT FIND CAUSE. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 21, 200810,000 milesLA

BRACKET ASSEMBLY HOLDING CHARCOAL CANISTER AND HOSE AND FILTER CAME OFF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE CK ENGINE, VSC LIGHT, AND THE LSD LIGHTS ALL TO COME ON. BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING.*TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jul 19, 200830,000 milesGA

TOYOTA RAV4, 2007, 2WD, 2.4LTR. DROVE THROUGH DEEP WATER AFTER TORRENTIAL STORMS IN UPPER OHIO. CHECK ENGINE , VSC, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. FOUND THE EVAP SYSTEM CHARCOAL CANISTER FILTER HOSE BROKEN OFF AT THE FILTER ASSEMBLY. WATER HAD FILLED UP THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AS WELL AS GRAVEL AND SAND. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRICAL MODULE ATTACHED TO THE CANISTER WAS FILLED WITH GRAVEL, SAND AND WATER. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 18, 2008VA

I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH A LAG IN ACCELERATION. I NOTICE IT THE MOST WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH TO MAKE A TURN. AS I COME OUT OF THE TURN AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR DOES NOTHING FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THEN THE ENGINE REVS UP AND FINALLY LURCHES FORWARD. I STARTED NOTICING THIS PROBLEM JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND TOTALLY SCREWS WITH THE GAS MILEAGE. IT'S ALSO ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I HATE AUTOMATIC ENGINES AND WISHED THAT TOYOTA OFFERED THESE VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE "AUTOMATIC" TRANSMISSION ISN'T ALL THAT AUTOMATIC AND SEEMS TO TAKE SOME TIME TO CATCH UP WITH HOW YOU'RE DRIVING AND WHAT YOU NEED THE CAR TO DO. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 18, 2008VA

I BOUGHT MY 2007 RAV4 IN NOVEMBER 2006 AND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS BECAUSE OF THIS HUMMING/WHISTLING/WHINING NOISE THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED. HOWEVER, MY HUMMING NOISE IS INTERMITTENT WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO FIND, AND IT SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT IN THE WARMER MONTHS, NOT THE COLDER MONTHS. I ASKED MY MECHANIC ABOUT IT, BUT HE COULDN'T RECREATE THE NOISE THE DAY MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. HOWEVER, I INTEND TO TAKE IT BACK THERE IF I'M EVER DRIVING IT IN THE AREA AND THE NOISE CROPS UP AGAIN. TO ME IT SOUNDED LIKE SOME KIND OF VAPOR PRESSURE NOISE AND I WAS INITIALLY THINKING THAT IT MIGHT BE COMING FROM MY GAS TANK WHEN VAPOR PRESSURE BUILT UP IF MY TANK WAS LOW ON GAS. BUT, THAT WASN'T THE CASE EITHER. IT WILL HAPPEN WHETHER I HAVE A FULL TANK OR ALMOST EMPTY TANK...JUST NOT CONSISTENTLY. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND I HOPE OTHERS WRITE IN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AS WELL. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 3, 200826,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR OVER THREE MONTHS BECAUSE THE CONTACT REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000.

Steering
Filed May 16, 200846,799 milesTX

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE,HAD TO DRIVE FROM LORSBURGE N.M.TO EL PASO TX 180 MILES WITH NO ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. TOOK CAR TO DICK POE TOYOTA ON 5/14/08 CAR HAD 2 FAILURE CODES 1-COMPUTER FAILED 2-POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED DEALER WOULD NOT MAKE REPAIRS,CAR IS COVERED BY TOYOTA WITH 100,000 MILES WARRANTY. *TR

Tires
Filed May 14, 200825,000 milesPA

MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 79 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE FAILED. THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALLS. THE TIRES ARE YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER P225/65/17 G91A. *TR

Structure
Filed Apr 28, 20086,000 milesAZ

THE "MEMORY DRIVE FEATURE" ON THIS VEHICLE IS A HAZARD AND SKEWS GAS MILEAGE. I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. I SHOPPED AND COMPARED VEHICLES, PRICES AND CONSUMER GUIDES FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE "DRIVING MEMORY FEATURE" IN THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE WHEN CONSIDERING BUYING. VEHICLE HAS LAG TIME BETWEEN THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATION OR TAKE EVASIVE CAPABILITY TO AVOID ACCIDENT OR GET OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID BEING HIT. THE MEMORY FEATURE, ELECTRONICS/COMPUTER SYSTEM DEVELOPS A MEMORY AS TO A PERSON'S DRIVING "HABIT". IT THEN BECOMES CONFUSED BECAUSE EVERY TIME I DRIVE CONDITIONS CHANGE, MINUTE TO MINUTE, DAY TO DAY, CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO BECOME CONFUSED WHEN I ASK THE CAR TO RESPOND TO AN EXCEPTION IN DRIVING CONDITIONS. MY GAS MILEAGE EPA IS LISTED AS 19 TO 28 MPG, AND I AM YET TO GET 18 MPG ONCE IN CITY DRIVING. I CAN'T EVEN GET CLOSE TO AN AVERAGE OF 19 I GET 17.5. ONE HIGHWAY TRIP I GOT 24.9 MPG, AND I AM AN AVERAGE DRIVER, NOT A LEAD FOOT. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER HERE IN TUCSON AND THEY "ERASED" THE MEMORY IN THE DRIVE COMPUTER. IT DROVE WELL FOR 2 DAYS THEN HAS RETURNED BACK TO THE PREVIOUS ERASED MEMORY. MY GAS MILEAGE IS WORSE. I TALKED WITH ANOTHER OWNER AND HE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT OUT OF OVERDRIVE FOR IN-TOWN DRIVING. IF I DO THAT THE ENGINE WILL RPMS WILL NOT DROP IF OVER 40 MPH THEREBY ,SKEWING GAS MILEAGE AND WILL DAMAGE THE ENGINE. SO, HERE I AM, PAID $26,000 FOR A CAR AND AM SO UNHAPPY WITH THE RIP OFF. I WOULD BE HAPPIER IF IT WAS AVAILABLE I

Fuel System, Other
Filed Apr 23, 20084,000 milesPR

COMPRE UNA TOYOTA RAV4 2007 EN SEPTIEMBRE 2007, DESPUES DE 2 SEMANAS DE HABERLA COMPRADO COMENZO A PISTONEAR. LA HE LLEVADO A LA GARANTIA 4 VECES Y A DIFERENTES DEALERS. PERO INDICAN QUE EL RUIDO ES UNA CONDICION NORMAL DE LA GUAGUA. POR FAVOR HAGO UNA RECLAMACION PORQUE LOS CARROS NUEVOS NO HACEN ESE RUIDO, Y NINGUN DEALER LA ARREGLA PORQUE INDICAN QUE VINO ASI DE FABRICA. CONOZCO A OTRAS PERSONAS QUE TIENEN LA MISMA GUAGUA Y NO HACEN ESE RUIDO. (PISTONEO). PLEASE IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND SPANISH, CALL ME. THANKS

Wheels
Filed Apr 17, 200812,000 milesWA

NEW AIR MONITOR VALVE STEMS ON TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM ALLOY MATERIAL, NOT THE STANDARD BRASS METAL USED ON MOST VALVE STEMS. THE USE OF COMMON METAL CAPS TO COVER THE VALVE STEMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH COMMON HIGHWAY DE-ICER CHEMICALS CAN RESULT IN ACCELERATED CORROSION AND SEIZING OF THE VALVE CAPS TO THE STEM. THE RESULT IS THAT YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE VALVE CAP TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND IF TOO MUCH FORCE IS APPLIED TO TRY AND REMOVE THE CAP, THE STEM WILL FAIL AND LET THE AIR OUT. THIS COULD RESULT IN POTENTIAL STRANDED VEHICLE, ETC. LONG TERM EFFECTS OF THE HIGHWAY CHEMICALS ON THE ALUMINUM VALVE STEMS IS UNKNOWN, COULD BE PROBLEMATIC. PLASTIC CAPS ARE ADVISED TO MINIMIZE THE RISK. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 7, 2008TX

07 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS HAD "PULL TO LEFT" PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASED 6-07. BEEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR THIS AND STILL CANNOT CORRECT. THEY SAY IT HAS BEEN CORRECTED. THEY FOUND ALIGNMENT. PROBLEM 10-07, BUT JUST X-ROTATED TIRES 3-08 AND SAID WAS CORRECTED. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 8, 2008NY

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN CAR ACCIDENT WITH FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE IMPACT WHICH IT SERIOUS. NONE OF THE SRS (AIRBAGS- FRONT, SIDE AND CURTAIN) DID NOT GO OFF. I AM SUFFERING MAJOR INJURY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 28, 2008500 milesNY

MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 EXPERIENCES SUDDEN AND RANDOM INSTANCES OF UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. UNDER FULL BRAKE PRESSURE THE ENGINE REVS TO 4000 RPM AND CONTINUES TO MOVE. WHEN I SHIFT TO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVS TO 6500 RPM. SOMETIMES IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL IDLE AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND SOMETIMES IT IS NECESSARY TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. IT USUALLY RESTARTS NORMALLY BUT OCCASIONALLY REPEATS THE 6500 RPM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE WHO FINDS NO COMPUTER RECORD OF A MALFUNCTION AND REPORTS THAT " EVERYTHING MEETS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. " I HAVE REQUESTED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES BUT THEY ONLY REFER ME BACK TO THE DEALER. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum
Filed Jan 24, 20086,000 milesWI

ALL 2007 RAV4 V6 ENGINES HAVE A WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES VACUUM BOOST LINE EITHER AT IDLE OR ESPECIALLY LOUDER WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON AND OFF AT IDLE SPEED. MY TOYOTA DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE ONLY NOTED THAT THEY HAVE FILED A CASE# WITH TOYOTA TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. ONLY UNTIL 100'S OF OTHER 07 TOYOTA RAV4 V6 OWNERS COMPLAIN, WILL TOYOTA DEALERS FIX THE PROBLEM BY COMING UP WITH A PART IN THE BRAKES VACUUM BOOST LINE TO SILENT THIS ANNOYING WHINING NOISE AT IDLE/START UP WHILE APPLYING BRAKES ON AND OFF. *TR

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Check Valve
Filed Jan 24, 20086,000 milesWI

ALL 2007 RAV4 V6 ENGINES LIKE MINE PURCHASED NEW HAVE A WHISTLING/WHINING NOISE AT IDLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD OUT DUE TO MORE AIR INTAKE NEEDED, FROM THE BRAKES VACUUM BOOSTER LINES VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN AT IDLE AT INITIAL COLD STARTUP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES OFF AND ON. I HAVE EVEN HEARD THIS SAME LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM IN FRONT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN IN VERY COLD (BELOW 32 DEGREES) WEATHER WHICH IS ALL DUE TO THE VACUUM LINES/CHECK VALVE IN THE BRAKES VACUUM SYSTEM. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NO RESOLUTION EXCEPT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA REP. TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. ALL NEW 07 RAV4 V6 OWNERS NEED TO COMPLAIN TO THEIR DEALERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THIS ANNOYING LOUD WHISTLING NOISE IN THE BRAKES VACUUM BOOSTER LINES WITHOUT 100'S OF COMPLAINTS. ALSO, I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL FLOORING THE ENGINE UP EVEN A SLIGHT HILL AND SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEARS REPEATEDLY LIKE IT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR THE ENGINE SHOULD BE IN. EVEN WITH MY 268 HP V6, IT WILL DO THIS AND IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING, BUT IS A DISTRACTION AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE IN SLIPPERY WINTER DRIVING SINCE THE CRUISE CONTROL FLOORS THE ENGINE UP A HILL AND CAN CAUSE SWERVING ON ICY ROADS. SPEAK UP CONSUMERS, AND LET TOYOTA KNOW THEY HAVE ISSUES WHICH I AM 100% CORRECT ON! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 23, 20082,500 milesME

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH BECAUSE IT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH A LOT OF SNOW. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BOUNCE AND THE CONTACT WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,600. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Dec 18, 200719,000 milesTX

LEADS TO BATTERY WERE COLORED WRONG. THE POSITIVE LEAD WAS PAINTED BLACK AND THE NEGATIVE LEAD WAS PAINTED RED. WHEN I JUMP-STARTED THE CAR I PUT THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE ASSOCIATED COLORS. IT WAS CONNECTED FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE WHEN I NOTICED SOMETHING SMOKING. AFTER I FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS I CORRECTED THE CONNECTION AND STARTED THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE, WHICH THE CAR DEALERSHIP HAD TO FIND. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Nov 30, 2007TX

RACING RPM'S WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL; RACED WAY UP TO 5-6 AND THEN BACK DOWN. *TR

Structure
Filed Nov 30, 20074,000 milesMA

I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV-4. IF I APPLY THE BRAKES AND MY FOOT IS PLACED PARTIALLY TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT, IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE AND THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I NOTICE AN INCREASED LEVEL OF ACCIDENTS WHERE A VEHICLE CRASHES INTO A BUILDING. I BELIEVE THIS MIGHT BE A CAUSE OF THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT. I DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND HE SAID THAT THIS CONDITION IS TYPICAL WITH THE NEW TYPE OF BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Nov 13, 200735 milesMD

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THIS VEHICLE. IT SHIFTS ERRATICALLY, AND BUCKS, AND SHIFTS IN TO THE WRONG GEARS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OPERATE AT VERY HIGH RPMS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Oct 31, 2007VA

I AM EXPERIENCING A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH A LAG IN ACCELERATION. THE TIME I NOTICED IT THE MOST IS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, AS I COME OUT OF THE TURN AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR DOES NOTHING FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THEN THE ENGINE REVS UP AND FINALLY LURCHES FORWARD. AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS HOW "DRIVE-BY-WIRE" ACCELERATION IS DESIGNED EVEN THOUGH I'VE TOLD THEM THAT I SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE, I AM NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED. I STARTED NOTICING THIS PROBLEM JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Oct 27, 20076,000 milesGA

I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2007 RAV4 BASE 4CYL (6000 MILES ON IT) WITH THE CRUSE ON, GOING 60 - 65 MPH, UP HILL IT WILL START SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEARS, BUCKING AND JUMPING. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Oct 26, 20078,100 milesVA

WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL (WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT RAPIDLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS WHEN CLIMBING SMALL INCLINES AND EVEN SOMETIMES ON FLAT GROUND. THIS ACTION STARTS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO MAINTAIN CURRENT SPEED. THIS WAS FIRST NOTED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 8,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS OVER 17,000 AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR REPAIRS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICING DEALER THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE A REPAIR TOYOTA WOULD HAVE TO CREATE A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO INSTALL. AFTER TALKING WITH TOYOTA I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE VEHICLE AND NO EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE FOR ANY TYPE OF REPAIR. THIS CONDITION MAKES FOR AN UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION WHEN THE CRUISE IS UTILIZED BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW THE VEHICLE WILL REACT DURING THE DRIVE. CURRENTLY I AM AWARE OF 12 CASE NUMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED WITH THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER ADDRESSING THIS SITUATION. SOME OF THESE CASES EVEN INVOLVE 2006 MODELS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Oct 26, 200737 milesTX

WHEN USING THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL DOWN SHIFT BACK AND FORTH FROM 2ND AND 3RD GEAR NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE FINALLY ACHIEVING THE ORIGINAL SPEED AND RETURNING TO 4TH GEAR. THIS OCCURS PREDOMINATELY ON HILLS WHERE THE VEHICLE SPEED WILL DROP FORCING THE DOWN SHIFT. THIS DOWN SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 55 MPH IS HARD ON THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE ON OTHER TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS IS IMPAIRED. THE WHOLE ADVANTAGE OF CRUISE CONTROL IS NEGATED CAUSING A MORE HAZARDOUS CONDITION. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 20, 2007CA

THE LOUD WHINING SOUND APPEAR WHEN GOING FROM 30 TO 45 MPH. LOUDEST AT 40MPH. WHILE PRESS GAS PEDAL, THE SOUND APPEAR CLEARLY, WHEN RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL, THE SOUND SEEMS TO DISAPPEAR, PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN, THE SOUND COME BACK. IT REALLY GIVES ME HEADACHE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 19, 200712,000 milesNY

KNOCKING/POPPING NOISE IN STEERING WHEN TRUN LEFT OR RIGHT. SOMETIME HAPPENS WHEN MAKE A U-TURN.

Steering
Filed Oct 3, 20075,900 milesNJ

CLUNK IN POWER STEERING (RACK-AND-PINION) WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A SLOW SPEED (CAN BE HEART AND FELT ON STEERING WHEEL). *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 18, 200715 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS DIFFERENT ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THEY CORRECTED THE TIRE PRESSURE, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL TOYOTA'S EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 18, 2007DC

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 SIDE IMPACT CRASH CONCERNS. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE TEST HAD ANY IMPACT ON THE FUEL TANK OR FILLER TUBE. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY WERE DAMAGED BECAUSE THEY ARE CLOSE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. *KB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 30, 200755 milesGA

HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO PRESS GAS PEDAL USUALLY FROM A STOP. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN I BELIEVE I HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT ON MAIN HIGHWAY FROM SIDE STREET AND THE SUV WON'T GO. TOOK TO DEALER, WHO SAID NORMAL. CRUISE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY ON INCLINES. IT WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH UNTIL CRUISE TURNED OFF. MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND SAID THIS SHD NOT BE HAPPENING, BUT TOYOTA HAS NO FIX FOR IT AT PRESENT; THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN. CALLED TOYOTA CALL CENTER. THEY SAID THIS VEHICLE NOT MEANT TO USE CRUISE ON INCLINES(SO WHY PUT IT ON THE VEHICLE-PUT ON ON LEVEL ROAD, TAKE OFF WHEN SEE HILL APPROACHING-WHAT A JOKE). NEVER HAD A VEHICLE IN MY LIFE WHERE THE CRUISE WAS NOT MEANT TO BE USED AT ALL POINTS OF DRIVING. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP TO WAIT. THIS VEHICLE IS NEW AND I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 200789,079 milesMD

TRANSMISSION HAS GONE UP. NO EXCESSIVELY HARD DRIVING IN THE PAST. APPARENTLY TRANSAXLE SHIFT NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR. *TR

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Aug 15, 20071,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT RETURN UNTIL THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,600. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, IT RESET ITSELF, HOWEVER THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME, A COMPUTER COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/18/07. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jul 24, 2007NC

2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 CRUISE CONTROL CHANGES GEARS VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING UP A MINIMUM HILL AND CONTINUES TO CHANGE GEARS WHEN ON THE STRAIGHT AWAY. FEELS LIKE IT IS CHANGING BETWEEN THREE GEARS. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. DEALER DENIES PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX. CAR ONLY HAS 5K MILES ON IT. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 28, 20073,035 milesTX

YOHOMA TIRE TREAD ON A NEW 2 MONTH OLD TOYOTA RAV 4 COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE TIRE. DEALER WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIRE TO SEND BACK TO TIRE MANUFACTURER. VERY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY ASSOCIATED WITH 3 REMAINING TIRES.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 8, 2007530 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A PASSING GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE WILL SWERVE TO THE RIGHT WITHIN 100 FEET. A REPRESENTATIVE OF TOYOTA AND A REGIONAL MANAGER DROVE THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THE EXACT PROBLEM. AFTER TWO SUSPENSION ALIGNMENTS, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STILL SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 530. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3000.

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 →