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2008 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 2008 record →

Suspension
Filed Feb 17, 2017NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Steering
Filed Feb 15, 2017NY

I HAVE 106.700 MILES ON MY CAR AND I START HEAR CLICKING AND KNOCKING NOISES INSIDE ON MY RACK AND PINION WHEN MY CAR IS NOT IN MOTION AND I TURN MY WHEEL I HEAR THIS NOISE ALSO WHEN II HIT POTHOLES I FEEL SOMETHING LOOSE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AS FAR AS IM SEARCHIG MANY PEOPLE OF TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM, TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE THIS AS A RECALL

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 7, 2017CA

OIL CONSUMPTION !! SEEMS TO BE BURNING OIL . I HAD A SMALL OIL LEAK FIXED SO IT'S NOT LEAKING AT ALL !!! I TOOK A TRIP AND DROVE 400 MILES AND I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL BEFORE I STARTED AND AFTER 400 MILES . I NEEDED TO ADD ABOUT A 1/3 OF A QUART !!

Suspension
Filed Feb 4, 2017CA

I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL NO.16V-596, I CALLED TOYOTA TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS, WHEN THEY CALL ME TO TELL ME THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE, WE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T MAKE IT BECAUSE I HAD TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO THE HOSPITAL, I WENT DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA TWO WEEKS LATER JUST TO HEAR THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABE AGAIN IS BEEN ABOUT 4 WEEKS AND I STILL HAVEN'T HEAR BACK FROM THEM. HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO FIX THE RECALL?

Steering
Filed Feb 3, 201785,000 milesWA

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE AND SCAREY TO DRIVE. WAS TOLD IT IS THE STEERING AND THAT TOYOTA IS VERY AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR CAR, HOWEVER SINCE NOBODY HAS DIED YET IT IS NOT BEING RECALLED. THE STEERING IS SOMETIMES UNRELIABLE AND I NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL STEER WHERE I WANT IT TO OR NOT. I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT, TOYOTA TELLS ME ITS SAFE. I AM NOT WILLING TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO DIE BECAUSE OF TOYOTA GREED TO NOT RECALL AND FIX THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS TURNING ANY DEGREE EITHER WAY

Engine
Filed Dec 17, 2016100,000 milesVA

OIL CONSUMPTION.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 6, 201672,379 milesFL

TOO CAR TO DEALER THEY SAID BRAE BOOSTER,MASTER CYLINDER,SID CONTROL NEED TO BE REPLACE MY CAR ONLY HAS 72379MILES

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 6, 201671,504 milesFL

DEALER IS REPLACING BRAES 04465-42180 WITH 04465-AZ021-TM IS NOT SUPPORTED WITH RAV4 WITH 3RD ROW SEATS.

Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2016MA

RAV 4 HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES DUE TO POOR ENGINE DESIGN FROM TOYOTA, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT CHOOSE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2016149,000 milesWI

AT 149,000 MILES MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 STARTED TO CONSUME OIL. IT IS CURRENTLY CONSUMING A LITTLE OVER 3 QUARTS OF OIL IN 3000 MILES. THIS HAS CAUSED A NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN NOISE IN THE VALVE TRAIN WHICH I PRESUME IS DUE TO OIL STARVATION. I SUSPECT THAT MY VEHICLE WILL NEED TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 230,000 MILES. THIS IS BEYOND UNACCEPTABLE FOR AN AUTO MANUFACTURER NOT TO RECALL.

Steering
Filed Oct 24, 2016100,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Suspension
Filed Oct 24, 2016NC

HAVE CALLED A FEW TOYOTA DEALERS IN THE AREA TO GET THIS URGENT RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. NOBODY HAS THE PARTS. WHY IS TOYOTA SAYING THIS IS AN "URGENT SAFETY RECALL" - QUOTE FROM FRONT OF NOTICE - YET NOT PROVIDING THE PARTS TO THE DEALERS? ONE DEALER SAID NO BOLTS. ANOTHER DEALER SAID NO SUSPENSION ARMS. I AM CURRENTLY #139 ON THEIR LIST, ONCE THE PARTS COME IN. CAN YOU REALLY ISSUE AN URGE NT SAFETY RECALL, YET NOT PROVIDE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR????

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 11, 2016VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V596000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Suspension
Filed Oct 11, 2016104,000 milesFL

TOYOTA WANTS TO REPLACE MY REAR SUSPENSION ARMS, ALIGN MY WHEELS AND THE ENCASE ARMS IN EPOXY. THIS WILL PREVENT ANY FUTURE ALIGNMENTS TO MY CAR WITHOUT HAVING TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE ON THE LAST RECALL OF THE FRONT END. HOWEVER THIS TIME THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO THE SAME THING. THIS IS NOT RETURNING THE CONDITION OF MY CAR TO THE CONDITION IT WAS IN WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. AND IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME.

Steering
Filed Oct 5, 201653,000 milesNJ

1ST ISSUE WAS REPEATED RECALL OVER LOWER ARM SUSPENSION BAR THAT WAS PERMANENTLY GLUED, TO REMEDY SAFETY CONCERN. NOW INTERMEDIATE STEERING ARM IS BAD, AND PROBLEMS W CAR SWAYING, AND TIRES FEELING WOBBLY. BEING TOLD TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER EXPENSES TO REPAIR RELATED SUSPENSION ISSUE. $750.00 CAR HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES... MANY OTHER RAV4 OWNERS W SAME PROBLEM. AFRAID TO DRIVE.

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 3, 2016AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/06/17*LJ *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Sep 27, 201675,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 19, 20161,006,000 milesDE

2008 TOYOTA RAV4. 1006,000 MILEAGE. SUDDENLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. TAKEN TO NEWARK TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES SINCE JUNE THIS YEAR UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ON A CITY STREET.

Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2016148,000 milesPA

ZE7 REPAIR OIL CONSUMPTION - I FAILED THIS TEST AND THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. THIS WAS AFTER MONTHS OF HAVING TO ADD OIL (AFTER THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON). 2 MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR THE BEARINGS ON THE BALANCE SHAFTS FLEW APART RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. THE REPAIR SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THE LOWER BLOCK IS NOT TO BE OPENED EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD BE ON AN ENGINE THAT HAS HAD OIL PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE REPAIR (AT NO COST TO ME) WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLEVIATED THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE OF TOYOTA CORP TO NOTIFY OWNER OF RAV4'S OF THIS ISSUE, FIXING THE ISSUE BEFORE IT BECOMES A PROBLEM AND THEN NOT INSPECTING THE ENTIRE ENGINE FOR LOW OIL GENERATED PROBLEMS HAS NOW LEFT ME WITH A $6500 DOLLAR REPAIR WHICH MORE THAN THE KELLEY BLUE PRICE OF THE CAR. I AM HOPING TO HAVE THIS COVERED BUT SO FAR HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. I AM NOW DOWN ONE VEHICLE WHICH HAS FURTHER COMPLICATED THINGS.

Engine
Filed Sep 3, 2016FL

EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION @ 57851 MILES.

Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2016NJ

THERE ARE HAVE BEEN 6 RECALLS TO DATE SINCE WE PURCHASED 2008 RAV4. MOST RECENTLY, SEATBELTS WERE DEEMED UNSAFE IN THE REAR, WHERE WE HARNESS OUR CHILDREN'S CARSEATS. THIS WAS IN APRIL 2016, AND WE HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED ABOUT A REMEDY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO PUSH FOR A FIX TO THIS SITUATION. WE ARE FRUSTRATED THAT THIS CAR IS A LEMON, BUT NOT ACCORDING TO LAW, SINCE THE RECALLS ARE ROLLED OUT OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 6-8 YEARS.

Suspension
Filed Aug 22, 201624,000 milesCA

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 16V596 RECALL DATE: AUGUST 10, 2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: G0V QUOTE "THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH SUSPENSION ARMS AND ENCASING THEM IN EPOXY. AN ALIGNMENT WILL BE PERFORMED, AS WELL, AND WARNING LABELS WILL BE APPLIED. " THIS IS OBVIOUSLY UNACCEPTABLE, AS ENCASING THEM IN EPOXY WILL NEGATE ANY ABILITY TO ALIGN THE SUSPENSION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS IS OCCURRING ON THIS MODEL HOW MANY OTHERS ARE IDENTICAL, IF NO OTHER MODEL HAS ISSUE, THEN ISSUE NEW PARTS THAT HAVE THOSE DESIGN ASPECTS INCORPORATED.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 9, 201664,400 milesPA

BACKING MY RAV4 OUT OF THE GARAGE AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, I DID A THREE POINT TURN IN THE DRIVE WAY. WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE AGAIN TO GET CLOSER TO MY GARAGE THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ONLY THE SIDE BAGS AND SEAT BELTS, AND I DID NOT CONTACT ANYTHING. TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS (OR DIAGNOSIS), AND INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS!

Steering
Filed Aug 3, 2016128,000 milesNY

CLUNK IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 2, 2016CA

THERE ARE 2 ISSUES WITH THE CAR: 1. THE AIR DYNAMICS OF THE CAR MAKES ALL SMALL PEBELS RUN INTO THE WINDSHIELD. MY CAR PROBABLY CAUGHT 10 OR MORE OF THEM. MY WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED TWICE. THERE IS A BULL EYE AND OTHER SMALL ROCK-CONTACT INCIDENTS 2. SPARE TIRE MOUNTED ON THE BACK HAS A COVER THAT TENDS TO LOOSE IF GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH. TOOK PLACE TWICE. IMAGINE THE HAZARD IT PRESENTS TO CARS NEXT IN LINE IN CONVEYOR BELT WHEN THE COVER FALLS OFF RIGHT UNDERNEATH OF THEIR CARS AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO

Engine
Filed Jul 31, 201675,000 milesCA

HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN 2 TIMES TO GET THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE AND BOTH TIMES THE DEALER SAYS IT'S WITHIN TOYOTA'S GUIDELINES. THE THIRD TIME I CALLED TO HAVE IT DONE THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY SO I JUST CONTINUE TO ADD OIL EVERY 600 MILES. I TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THEY SAID THIS IS NOT NORMAL TO BURN THIS MUCH OIL AND IT'S NOT LEAKING OIL,THEY SAID THEY COULD PULL THE ENGINE APART TO TELL ME WHY IT'S LEAKING FOR $500.00, BUT I WISH TOYOTA WOULD FIX THE ISSUE KNOWING THERE IS ONE, AND THEY HAVE AN ENHANCEMENT WARRANTY FOR THE PROBLEM GOOD UNTIL 10/2016, HOWEVER, THEY SAY I'M NOT WITHIN TOYOTA GUIDELINES, THE FIRST TIME I EVEN NOTICED THIS ISSUE WAS AFTER I HAD CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER PRIOR TO A TRIP I WAS MAKING, MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON MY STICK HAD BURNT OIL ON IT AS IT WAS BONE DRY. I ADDED THINKING THE DEALER JUST DIDN'T DO A GOOD JOB, WELL COME TO FIND OUT, I HAVE BEEN CHECKING AND ADDING EVER SINCE. IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES LESS THAN 3,000 MILES OIL LIGHT HAS COME ON AND COMPLETELY DRY NO OIL REGISTERING ON THE DIP STICK.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 26, 2016120,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE IN PARK, THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Suspension
Filed Jul 5, 2016100,000 milesIL

A ROD IN THE RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME IT WAS PART REPLACED IN A SAFETY RECALL, AND THAT THE LEFT SIDE PART WAS NEAR FAILURE AS WELL. THIS RECALL OCCURRED IN 20124 AND IS LABELED CSJ. MY MECHANIC RECOMMENDED I CONTACT TOYOTA. TOYOTA TOLD ME THERE WAS NO FURTHER ACTION ON THIS RECALL AND THE RECALL REPLACEMENT WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY HAD NO INTEREST IN THE SAFETY ASPECT; THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED THAT PARTS ON BOTH SIDES HAD WERE FAILING AND THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OTHERS.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 15, 2016DC

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR LONGER THAN TWO MONTHS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE SECOND NOTICE WOULD BE SENT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/28/16*LJ

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 10, 2016WV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL NOTIFICATION 16V096000, COMPONENT SEAT BELTS. THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 7, 2016MD

2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR BACK ROW SEAT BELTS. *SMD

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jun 3, 201696,500 milesTX

I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR SUDDENLY DROPPING OUT OF THE CEILING MOUNT. OF COURSE THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING AND BECOMES A HUGE DISTRACTION WHILE TRYING TO GET IT BACK IN PLACE. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER RAV4 OWNERS AND NEARLY EVERYONE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE . IT SEAMS THAT THE VISOR STUB ARM THAT GOES INTO THE CEILING MOUNT WEARS OUR WHATEVER IS HOLDING IT INTO THE SOCKET . THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS AND DOES SEEM TO BE MORE OFTEN IN THE SUMMER TIME

Air Bags
Filed May 30, 2016CA

TAKATA RECALL

Structure › Body
Filed May 30, 201684,625 milesCO

DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT ABOUT THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT OF 75 MPH, PART OF THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL COVER ON THE UNDERSIDE CAME LOOSE AND CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE/WHEEL AND THE CAR BODY, AT FIRST SOUNDING LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE PLASTIC COVER WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE TIRE AND THE CAR BODY. I HAD TO UNSCREW THREE SCREWS TO REMOVE THIS PIECE. IT EXPOSED SOME OF THE CAR BODY AND WHAT MIGHT BE OPENINGS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE TURNED AROUND TO HEAD HOME. AS WE PROCEEDED, DRIVING MORE SLOWLY BACK THE WAY WE CAME ON THE INTERSTATE, WE COULD HEAR SOME SCRAPING NOISE AROUND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, ANOTHER LARGE PLASTIC UNDERSIDE WHEEL WELL, (AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT?) COVERING FELL OUT BESIDE THE SIDEWALK AND STREET. UPON PARKING IN MY GARAGE, I COULD SEE THE UNDERSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL EXPOSED LIKE THE OTHER WHEEL AREA AND WHAT MIGHT BE UP INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SEVERAL PLASTIC PINS USED TO HOLD IT IN PLACE HAD FALLEN OFF BY THE SIDEWALK. FOR THIS SET OF PLASTIC PIECES TO COME LOOSE, CREATING A HAZARD, WAS VERY CONCERNING. PIECES POSSIBLY COULD HAVE FLOWN AWAY ON THE HIGHWAY, HARMING OTHER CARS OR DRIVERS. WE WERE GRATEFUL WE WERE NOT HURT AND DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS APPEARED TO HAPPEN ON ITS OWN, WHICH REVEALS POTENTIALLY SHODDY MATERIALS AND ANCHOR MECHANISMS FOR THIS SET OF UNDERSIDE PIECES. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I WONDER IF OTHER RAV4 OWNERS HA

Unknown or Other
Filed May 22, 2016104,135 milesPA

ON SATURDAY MAY 21 2016 AT 11:00AM I WAS PARALLEL PARKING. I BACKED UP IN THE SPACE. I THEN PULLED UP A BIT AND STOPPED, EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. I THEN PUT IT IN REVERSE ONCE MORE TO CENTER THE VEHICLE. THAT'S WHEN THE ENGINE REVED UP. I LOOKED AT THE SHIFTER (IN REVERSE) AND MY FOOT(ON THE BREAK PEDAL). THE ENGINE REVED UP SO HARD THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED TWICE! I THOUGHT I HAD HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I WAS PUSHING ON THE BREAK REALLY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ALREADY HAD THE RECALL FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL / FLOOR MAT ISSUE. THE ENGINE REVED UP PREVIOUSLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT I WASN'T TOO CONCERNED ABOUT IT. NOW THIS HAPPENED A 2ND TIME AND MORE VIOLENTLY, I AM VERY CONCERNED.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 15, 201669,548 milesIL

MY 2008 RAV4 WITH 69,548 MILES WAS IN MOTION (APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH) WHEN MY DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HEADLINER. THE VISOR FELL ON MY LAP CAUSING ME TO BECOME VERY STARTLED. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0068-10 ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECT BUT NO RECALL. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $127.52 TO REPLACE THE VISOR AND THE BRACKET.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 15, 201665,000 milesNM

THE PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE. GOING UPHILL ON A HIGHWAY AT AROUND FIFTY MPH WITH SPEED CONTROL ON. VEHICLE SPEED HAS DROPPED ABOUT 2 MPH BELOW THE SET POINT. I TAP THE SPEED CONTROL LEVER ONCE TO REDUCE THE SET POINT BY ABOUT 1 MPH. THE SPEED CONTROL INSTANTLY OPENS THE THROTTLE WIDE AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A LOWER GEAR. THE RESULT IS AN ABRUPT INCREASE IN SPEED RATHER THAN THAN THE INTENDED DECREASE. IF, UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, I PULL THE SPEED CONTROL LEVER TO TURN OFF THE CONTROL THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT IS QUICKLY TERMINATED WHEN THE CONTROL DISCONNECTS, WITHOUT MUCH INCREASE IN SPEED.

Seat Belts
Filed May 11, 2016LA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Engine
Filed May 4, 2016120,000 milesFL

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION.

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 28, 2016PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000 (SEAT BELTS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT ONLY HAD AN OPTION TO PLACE A CHILD IN THE MIDDLE SEAT DUE TO THE REPAIRS NEEDED FOR THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Engine
Filed Apr 24, 2016165,570 milesFL

MY OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON LESS THAN 1600 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. I HAVE HAD THE "OIL CONSUMPTION" TEST THREE TIMES. EACH TIME, I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY CAR HAS "PASSED" THE TEST BECAUSE IT IS "NORMAL" FOR A CAR TO BE A QUART LOW ON OIL AFTER 1000 MILES.

Engine
Filed Apr 13, 201698,302 milesMD

MY VEHICLE WAS CHECKED FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IN NOVEMBER 2015. THE DEALERSHIP STSTED MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE AN OIL PROBLEM. I AM STILL ADDING OIL TO MY VEHICLE LESS THAN 1,000 MILES.

Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2016125,000 milesCA

MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY CONSUMING 4 QUARTS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE TOYOTA DISTRICT PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR A LOANER VEHICLE, HOWEVER, TOYOTA HAS APPROVED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR ANY EXTRA OIL PURCHASED. THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ESTIMATED TIME OF DELIVERY FOR YOUR PART AT THIS TIME AS IT IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER WITH TOYOTA.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 23, 2016102,000 milesKY

THIS WAS MY PROBLEM ONE YEAR AGO AND LISTED ON THIS PAGE UNDER THE DATE 3/6/2015 ABS LIGHT, VSC LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING ALL SYSTEMS TO BE INOPERATIVE. AFTER TAKING CAR TO LOCAL DEALER PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE BAD LEFT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, HARNESS FOR SENSOR AND WHEEL HUB THAT HAD CORROSION ON IT POSSIBLY FROM LIVING IN AN AREA THAT DEICES ROADS WITH SALT. IN MY RESEARCH IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THROUGH SEVERAL TOYOTA BLOGS THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AROUND THE COUNTRY. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THE ASSOCIATED COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS EXPENSIVE. IF AN OWNER FAILS TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE OUTCOME COULD BECOME CATASTROPHIC IN INCLIMATE WEATHER. EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL HUB ASSY. AND WIRING HARNESS WENT OUT. THIS TIME I CHANGED IT ALL MYSELF SAVING ALMOST $600 FROM HAVING IT DONE AT TOYOTA DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE. WHILE WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY WIFE DURING A RAINSTORM. ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HER AND SHE HAD TO BRAKE HARD. DUE TO THE ABS BEING INOP. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE. I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE BUT I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT HAS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE. IT'S A TERRIBLE DESIGN AND LIKE I SAID SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED DUE TO THE LACK OF CONCERN.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 16, 2016105,000 milesMN

SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CAR WAS STOPPED IN PARK AND SHIFTED TO DRIVE. TRANSMISSION MADE A LARGE CLUNK SOUND AS IT WENT INTO DRIVE AND THEN ACCELERATED TO WHAT SOUND LIKE FULL THROTTLE. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE MUCH BUT WAS BUCKING AGAINST THE BRAKE. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I THEN PUT IT INTO PARK. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER THE DASH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LOOKED LIKE IT WAS IN A NORMAL POSITION AND THE FLOOR MATS WERE SEVERAL INCHES FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS TOOK PLACE AT THE BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT. I THEN RE-STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT HOME WITH NO INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND NO INJURIES.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 15, 2016125,648 milesWI

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE EMERGENCY BREAK CABLE ON 1/13/16. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL SHOP AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GETTING REMOVED FROM THE REPAIR STALL THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, AS THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A FLAT FLOOR AT THE TIME OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON1/27/16, THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. A SAFETY RECALL BOE-CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG SENSOR WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE ON 1/19/12 ACCORDING TO THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM TOYOTA AFTER THERE INSPECTION. I REALIZE THAT TOYOTA ONLY READ THE EVENT RECORDER. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW TIMES THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD INADVERTENTLY BLINK AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES BUT NEVER WHEN THERE WAS A CHANCE TO GET A DIAGNOSIS FROM A COMPUTER READING AT A SERVICE FACILITY.

Engine
Filed Mar 2, 201647,000 milesMN

CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISE, COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WHEN DRIVING. THE NOISE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED ONCE THE CAR IS RUNNING. I BROUGHT IT INTO AN AUTO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP AND BEARING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 47,093 MILES.

Engine
Filed Feb 22, 2016FL

PRIOR TO 2015, 2 DIFFERENT SERVICE COMPANIES ON 2 SEPARATE SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR HAD NO OIL. IN 2015,RECEIVED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM RELATED TO EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION FROM TOYOTA. SINCE BEING TOLD ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT THE CAR HAD NO OIL DURING OIL CHANGE SERVICE, I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO SCHEDULE FOR THE CONSUMPTION TEST. BROUGHT THE CAR ON 7/7/15 THEN RETURNED ON 9/2/15 BETWEEN 1100-1300 MILES AS INSTRUCTED AND WAS TOLD IT PASSED. HOWEVER, ON 1/20/16 BROUGHT CAR TO ANOTHER SERVICE COMPANY FOR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE (FIRST OIL CHANGE AFTER IT SUPPOSEDLY PASSED TEST) AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO OIL MARKING ON DIP STICK. THEREFORE,WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT BACK TO TOYOTA. NO OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED BUT SERVICE COMPANY ADDED OIL (APPROX 3.5 QUARTS)PER MY REQUEST. SPOKE WITH A LADY MANAGER AT TOYOTA VIA PHONE TO REPORT THE FINDINGS AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT FOR RE-TEST. I BROUGHT CAR TO TOYOTA ON 1/29/16 AS SCHEDULED AND WAS TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT A RE-TEST WILL NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE IT ALREADY PASSED THE TEST IN SEPT. 2015 DESPITE THE LATEST FINDING OF A DRY DIP STICK IN JAN. 2016. TOYOTA SUGGESTED TO CHANGE THE OIL AT MY EXPENSE AND TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A LEAK. I DECLINED IT BECAUSE I EXPECTED THE APPOINTMENT TO BE A RE-TEST FOR OIL CONSUMPTION AS INDICATED BY A TOYOTA MANAGER. I EVENTUALLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE ON 2/17/16 PERFORMED BY A NON-TOYOTA SERVICE COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THE OIL DRAINED WAS 2.5 QUARTS WHICH IS

Suspension
Filed Feb 10, 2016SC

I LOOKED AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS ALREADY FILED AND I HAVE THE SAME THING. MY MECHANIC AT A PRIVATE CAR SERVICE PLACE COULD NOT ALIGN MY TIRES BECAUSE THERE WAS A PERMANENT FIX PUT IN PLACE DURING A RECALL NOTICE THAT I RECEIVED BACK IN 2014. MY MECHANIC CALLED TOYOTA DEALER AND ASKED WHAT COULD BE DONE AND WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA COULD REPLACE THE ARMS FOR $1,500. MY MECHANIC SAID HE COULD DO A RETRO FIT FOR $100 WHICH IS WHAT I TOLD HIM TO DO. MY MECHANIC WAS REALLY DISGUSTED ABOUT THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED. HE SAID I WAS REALLY LUCKY THAT THE WEAR ON MY TIRES HAD NOT CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THAT THE INSIDE RIM OF MY TIRES WAS WORN ON ALL 4 TIRES AND WENT TO THE SERVICE DEALER.

Steering
Filed Feb 1, 201683,812 milesCA

I HEAR A " THUD NOISE " WHENEVER I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.

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 2008 Toyota RAV4 → · Every RAV4 year → · How the figures are calculated →