TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT 35 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD FROM THE MUFFLER WAS DETACHED AND WEDGED NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DETACHED HEAT SHIELD WAS REMOVED. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPOT WELD ON THE MUFFLER WAS WEAK AND THE MUFFLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,536.
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 →
REAR U JOINT SEIZED AT 100519 MILES. NOTED VIBRATION AND REAR WHEEL INSTABILITY STARTING APPROX 30 MPH.
VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CLUNK NOISE THAT COULD BE HEARD AND FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND ESPECIALLY DURING SLOW SPEED OPERATION. THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN 8/2015 AT ~45,000 MILES. VEHICLE ALSO DEVELOPED A LOOSE FEEL IN THE STEERING AND WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. BY 1/2016, THE PROBLEM GOT NOTICEABLY WORSE. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR. AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF CHECKING THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT". THE LOCAL SHOP OWNER STATED HE HAD REPLACED SEVERAL OF THESE SAME STEERING SHAFTS ON OTHER RAV4S AROUND THE SAME VINTAGE (2006-2010). I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE AGENT ALSO STATED THEY HAD "SEVERAL" INCIDENTS WITH THIS VINTAGE OF RAV4S AND STEERING SHAFT PROBLEMS BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. I THEN LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH RAV4S OF THE SAME VINTAGE AND HAD SIMILAR RESULTS WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS EVENTUALLY THE STEERING SHAFT AND/OR SHAFT U-JOINT KNUCKLES COULD FAIL DUE TO THIS POOR DESIGN AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL (STEERING) OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY, HOPEFULLY THE NHTSA WILL.
2008 RAV 4 HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES. WAS EXPERIENCING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING SHAFT AT A COST TO ME OF $688. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL FOR A LONG TIME. WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL GENERATED FOR THIS AS TOYOTA OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING.
THE CAR IS LOOSING ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL IN 1100 MILES AND IT STARTED ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THE TOYOTA DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS INDUSTRY STANDARD.
2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS CONSUMER 15 QUARTS OF OIL IN 36,000 MILES. ALSO, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS SOME RUST IN THE DRUM AREA THAT PROBABLY CAUSED THE NOISE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V166000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
HAVING JUST EXITED I-95, I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO PULL UP TO THE CURB AT THE PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT TO PICK UP A PASSENGER. UPON DOING SO, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A LOUD POP OR CLUNK SOUND, AND THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY LURCHED APPROXIMATELY 6-8" TO THE LEFT - AND NEARLY OUT OF MY HANDS - ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE CROWD AT THE CURB. AFTER THIS SOUND OCCURRED, THE STEERING WHEEL (AS IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT IN 2013) WAS STILL OPERATIONAL, HOWEVER WAS ABLE TO MOVE APPROXIMATELY 6 - 9" UP, DOWN, RIGHT, OR LEFT WHILE STILL REMAINING OPERABLE. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, I WAS ASKED IF I HAD BEEN IN A FRONT-END COLLISION (ANSWER, "NEVER"), AS A FACTORY WELD HAD FAILED THAT KEEPS THE STEERING COLUMN ATTACHED TO A SAFETY ROD IN THE DASH. REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO RUN APPROXIMATELY $3,700. MATTER HAS BEEN SENT TO TOYOTA CORPORATE, HOWEVER NO WORD HAS COME BACK. IT APPEARS AS IF I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL REPAIR COST, DESPITE FAILURE IN FACTORY WELD. APPARENTLY NO FAIL-SAFES ARE IN PLACE SHOULD THIS WELD FAIL, SUCH THAT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ARISES, ESPECIALLY IF THIS HAD HAPPENED THREE MINUTES EARLIER WHEN I WAS IN VERY HEAVY INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, INSTEAD OF JUST HAVING EXITED, AND MOVING AT 10 MPH OR LESS.
2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR SUSPENSION ARM RUST AND FAILURE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO GET THE REAR SUSPENSION IN SPECIFICATION BECAUSE SUSPENSION ARMS WERE BENT. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO SECOND OPINION, AND WAS INFORMED THE ARMS WERE NOT BENT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ARMS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH ADJUSTABLE ARMS. *JB
NOTICED WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT APPEARED TO HAVE A BLOWOUT. REPLACED WITH NEW BULB, DID NOT WORK. CHECKED FUSE TO LIGHT, FUSE GOOD. HIGH BEAM DOES WORK, LOW BEAM DOES NOT. CHECKED ONLINE, AND SEE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
THIS VEHICLE HAS REQUIRED ABOUT 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL TO BE ADDED IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST HAS BEEN PERFORMED AT 2 SEPARATE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS, AND BOTH HAVE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT USING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND THEREFORE DOES NOT REQUIRE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO NEED 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES.
MY CAR BURNS MORE OIL THAN IT SHOULD.WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL, THEY RECOMENDED ,I LET THEM PUT NEW OIL STEM VALVE GASKETS IN FOR $530.00. NOW MAYBE I NEED THEM BUT,EVERYTIME, I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL THE DEALERS WANT ME TO PAY TO GET SOME THING FIXED.ENOUGH IS ENOUHG
VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT MY REGULAR SERVICE LOCATION. MECHANIC NOTED LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND I WAS HEARING A "WHIRING" NOISE WHILE DRIVING, TOLD TO CONTACT TOYOTA. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTED IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER. WOULD NOT COVER THE $1400 REPAIR EVEN THOUGH TSB-0080-13 AND SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT NO 960 WAS IN PLACE AT THAT DATE/TIME. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, PURCHASED PART THROUGH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAD INSTALLED BY REGULAR REPAIR SHOP DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. CONTACTING TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA LETTER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER THAT I HAD TO HAVE INSTALLED SINCE SO MANY RAV4 OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIRS REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THEM. I HAVE ATTACHED A FELLOW RAV4 OWNERS INVOICE THAT SHOWS COUPLER REPLACED UNDER THE SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT THAT IS ALSO ATTACHED.
ON OCTOBER 5 AND 6, 2015 MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS IN FOR SERVICE AT PIERCEY TOYOTA IN MILPITAS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES, FRONT/BACK BRAKES AND FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS, A TOTAL OF $2,000. ON OCTOBER 8, 2015, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR BACK FROM STANFORD LUCILE PACKARD OVER DUMBARTON BRIDGE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN MY CAR. JUST BEFORE THIS EVENT, THE ABS, VSC, AND SLIP WARNING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT VERY STIFF AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANY REPETITIVE PUMPING OF THE BRAKE. I CALLED 911 AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE FRONT TRAFFIC CAME TO A HOLD I HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MY ENTIRE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT. WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY THE BUS BEHIND US. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HELPED ME TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. THAT DAY, MY 9 YRS. OLD SON AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I REQUEST THAT TOYOTA INVESTIGATES/RECALLS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CIRCUIT THAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. PIERCEY TOYOTA IN MILPITAS INVESTIGATED THE INCIDENT ON 10/09/15. THEY FOUND C1249 OPEN STOP LIGHT SWITCH CIRCUIT, C1223 ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, MY VEHICLE HAD INTERMITTENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. PIERCEY TOYOTA REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
THE RIGHT REAR SWAY BAR LINK BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 136842 MILES. IT WAS FOUND BY THE TOYOTA DEALER.
ON OCTOBER 5 AND 6, 2015 MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS IN FOR SERVICE AT PIERCEY TOYOTA IN MILPITAS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES, FRONT/BACK BRAKES AND FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS, A TOTAL OF $2,000. ON OCTOBER 8, 2015, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR BACK FROM STANFORD LUCILE PACKARD OVER DUMBARTON BRIDGE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN MY CAR. JUST BEFORE THIS EVENT, THE ABS, VSC, AND SLIP WARNING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT VERY STIFF AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANY REPETITIVE PUMPING OF THE BRAKE. I CALLED 911 AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE FRONT TRAFFIC CAME TO A HOLD I HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MY ENTIRE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT. WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY THE BUS BEHIND US. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HELPED ME TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. THAT DAY, MY 9 YRS. OLD SON AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I REQUEST THAT TOYOTA INVESTIGATES/RECALLS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLIES FOR TOYOTA RAV4 2008. IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM CONTAINS A BRAKE ACTUATOR THAT ADJUSTS THE FLUID PRESSURE OF EACH WHEEL CYLINDER. WITHIN THE ACTUATOR IS AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL THAT CONNECTS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR MOTOR AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE SKID CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). DUE TO MANUFACTURING VARIATION, THERE COULD BE A REDUCTION IN CONTACT FORCE BETWEEN THE TWO COMPONENTS OF THE TERMINAL, CAUSING OXIDE FILM TO INCREASE RESISTANCE. A LARGER THAN NORMAL INCREASE IN RESISTANCE CAN CAUSE THE ILLUMINATION OF VARIOUS WARNING LIGH
I HAVE A 2008 RAV4. IN 2010, I EXPERIENCED A "CLUNKING" OR "THUNKING" SENSATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN ON LOW SPEED TURNS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT A FAULTY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS THE CAUSE AND REPLACED IT. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN IN 2012 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AGAIN. IN 2015, I HAD STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH HAD A SIMILAR FEEL (A "THUNK" OR "CLUNK" FEELING WHEN TURNING). THIS TIME THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND RELATED PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND CHARGED ME $2,400 FOR THE REPAIR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT TO RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BOLT THAT ATTACHED THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIE ROD TO THE VEHICLE HAD DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 01/20/16*LJ *JS
I AM HAVING OIL BURNING ISSUES WITH MY RAV4 ALSO. IT IS A 2008, 4 CYLINDER. I HAVE HAD MY OIL CHANGED RELIGIOUSLY IN THIS CAR AS IT WAS MY FIRST NEW CAR. EVERY 3000 MILES AND I HAVE THE ALL THE PAPERWORK. ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS AGO, EVERY TIME I PRESS BREAK AND NOTICED THE OIL FLICKER ON AND OFF. STOPPED AT A STATION AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY OF OIL. I HAD HAD AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT 2500 BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I THOUGHT MAY BE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DID NOT PUT ENOUGH ENGINE OIL AS RECOMMENDED. NEXT TIME I TOOK MY CAR TO FIRESTONE SERVICE AND AGAIN TODAY I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS NO ENGINE OIL LEFT, THE ENGINE OIL STICK IS COMPLETELY DRY. I WAS READING ON ONLINE FORUMS THAT A LOT OF CONSUMER HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR RAV4. THERE IS NO RECALL FROM TOYOTA AND LOCAL DEALER DON'T WANT TO FIX IT.
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO GO IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND STEERING COLUMN MOTOR ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL COST WAS $3,300. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON COMPLAINT AND, CONSIDERING THE COST INVOLVED, SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED BY THE NHTSA.
THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WHERE IT DOESN'T STAY WHERE I PUT IT. IT REGULARLY SLIPS DOWN AND AT TIMES BLOCKS MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN/RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL (BASED UPON INTERNET SEARCH OF THIS ISSUE). WHEN THE VISOR IS PLACED OVER THE DRIVER DOOR WINDOW, WHEN I GO AROUND A CORNER (TURN), THE VISOR WILL ROTATE AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD, AGAIN DISTRACTING ME FROM THE ROAD AND FORCING ME TO MAKE REGULAR VISOR ADJUSTMENTS AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM; A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM.
PREMATURE EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURE BEFORE 80,000 MILES OR 8 YEARS. TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE DEALER AND TOYOTA CORP (CASE #1508262478 @ 800-331-4331) BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CONNECTED TO AN IN-LINE RESONATOR AND MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THE MUFFLER SEAM HAS SPLIT. MY CLAIM TO THE DEALER AND TOYOTA CORP IS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WORKS HAND IN HAND AND THE WAY TOYOTA HAS DESIGNED THE SYSTEM IT CAN NOT BE SEPARATED FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS REQUIRED TO REDUCE EMISSIONS AND INCREASE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND THEREFORE COVERED UNDER THE EMISSION WARRANTY. NOT SURE IF IT IS A DESIGN OR MATERIAL DEFECT BUT SOMETHING COSTING OVER $1,400 TO REPAIR IS MORE THAN A SIMPLE MUFFLER REPLACEMENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 52,000 MILES.
MY OIL WARNING LIGHT KEPT COMING ON WHEN I WAS BRAKING. I HAD APPROXIMATELY 2300 MILES SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE BUT TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET CHECKED. THE MECHANIC FOUND THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO OIL LEFT IN THE ENGINE. SINCE THEN I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN MY ENGINE AROUND EVERY 500-700 MILES. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I JUST TOOK MY CAR INTO MY CLOSEST TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IN 20 YEARS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LYING TO ME AND JUST WANT THE FAULTY PART FIXED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE AND WHAT I CAN DO TO GET HELP. -THANK YOU *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES COULD NOT BE ALIGNED DUE TO THE EPOXY FROM THE RECALL REMEDY. AS A RESULT, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, SO IT NORMALLY STAYS IN A VIEW-OBSTRUCTED POSITION WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO BUDGE IN TERMS OF RECALLING THIS ITEM. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA A YEAR OR SO AGO AND THEY ASKED ME FOR A QUOTE TO FIX - I SENT THEM A COPY OF THE DEALER PRICE QUOTE (AROUND $150) AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GO AWAY. I WOULDN'T NORMALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS BUT I'VE NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET....AND EVEN FROM THOSE WHO HAD THE VISOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT [XXX] IF YOU'D LIKE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
THE RAV4 HAS EXHIBITED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION THREE TIMES: LATEST OCCURRED ON 7/17/2015 AT 7:30 PM WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION; THE 2ND ON 7/06/15 WHILE IN PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY JUST AFTER STATING THE CAR; THE 1ST ON ABOUT 6/30/15 AROUND NOON WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BREAK OR WAS IN PARK SO THAT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AT LOCAL DEALER ON 7/20 WITH DIAGNOSTIC DATA SENT TO TOYOTA CENTRAL, BUT THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM IN THE DATA - NO ERROR CODES. THE TECHNICAL CASE NUMBER IS [XXX]. AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE (CASE # [XXX]) I WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING FURTHER THAT THE CAR "PERFORMED AS DESIGNED" PER SABINA CHARFAUROS, CASE MANAGER, 188-331-4331 EXT. 73846 UPDATED 9/28/15 *LN UPDATED 3/23/2016*JS
I'VE HAD MY 08 TOYOTA RAV4 FOR OVER 4 YEARS NOW. I GET THE OIL CHANGED ON IT EVERY 5,000 MILES REGULARLY. I GOT IT WITH ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT AND RIGHT AROUND 70,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE OIL LIGHT WOULD COME ON BEFORE I REACHED MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT HOLDS ABOUT 5 QUARTS AND WITH BEING CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES THAT MEANS IT IS BURNING MORE THEN 1 QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES! MY BROTHER-IN-LAW DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS BECOMING A PROBLEM WITH MANY RAV4'S WITH THE PISTONS IN THE 2AZ FE MOTOR. I LOVE THIS CAR SO MUCH AND IT BREAKS MY HEART TO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG THAT I CAN'T FIX. I DON'T WANT TO GET A DIFFERENT CAR BUT NOW I HAVE TO!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FRACTURED STEERING ROD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,901.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE CONTACT'S ANKLE WAS IMPACTED BY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH GENERATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO PICK UP SPEED EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE FOR A TEST DRIVE AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE CONTACT'S FOOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPACING NEAR THE ANKLE BY THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FROM THE RECALL REMEDY OF THE SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY RECUR WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,315. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 12/06/2017*CN
THE HOSE CONNECTING THE CANISTER FILTER TO THE CANISTER BROKE OFF DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND I DIDN'T SEE UNTIL NEXT DAY WHILE 8 HRS AWAY FROM HOME. CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWN.I GOT HOME AND HAVE THE CANISTER FILTER REPLACED WITH THE DEALER AND NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE, VSC AND 4WD LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER SAYS IT COST $1800 TO FIX IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND LOT OF 2006 AND UP RAV 4 OWNER HAVE SAME ISSUE. CANNISTER HOSE BROKEN OR FILTER DROPPED AND WATER GETTING INTO THE SYSTEM. I GOT TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0098-09 WHICH WAS UPDATED TO T-SB0161-11 ON OCTOBER 20,2011 FOR THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAD COVERED WARRANTY FOR 2GR-FE ENGINE FROM 2006-2011 SOLD ON CA, CT, ME, MD, MA, NJ, NM,VT,WA, RI UNDER CALIFORNIA LONG TERM EMISSION WARRANTY OF 64 MONTHS OR 70,000 MILES WHICH EVER OCCURS FIRST. TOYOTA KNEW THE ISSUE AND EVEN ADDED A NEW COVER (PART NO 77641-0R020) THE PROTECT THE CANISTER FILTER AND THE HOSES BUT THEY DIDN'T ISSUE THE RECALL. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUE. THE FILTER AND HOSE ARE UNPROTECTED UNDERNEATH THE CHASSIS AND IT CAN BREAK OR FALL DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING IN A RAIN OR SNOW. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY REVIEW MY CASE AND GAVE ME CASE # BUT THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AND SOLD ON THE AFOREMENTIONED STATES. TOYOTA HAS COVERED THE WARRANTY ON THE STATES WITH HEAVY SNOW AND RAIN ONLY. BUT THESE THINGS ARE TRUE FOR THE STATE I AM IN TOO. REMAINING STATE STANDARD 36 MONTHS 36,000 WARRANTY. BUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ...UPDATED 08/20/15 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS); 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.
CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAD A RECALL FOR THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS, THE FIRST RECALL WAS AROUND JAN. 12, 2013. (64,306) MILES. AT THIS TIME TOYOTA TIGHTENED THE CONTROL ARMS TO THE CORRECT TORQUE AND I BELIEVE COMPLETED ALIGNMENT. ABOUT 1 YR LATER, ON JAN.17, 2014 (78,847) MILES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WHERE REPLACED, ALIGNMENT WAS DONE, AND EPOXY WAS APPLIED TO THE BOLTS FOR A PERMANENT FIX APPROVED BY TOYOTA. WHEN HAVING MY BRAKES REPLACED AT TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 17, 2015 (101,475) MILES, THEY INFORMED ME MY REAR ALIGNMENT WAS OUT SLIGHTLY. I WAS TOLD THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO HAVE THE SAME JOB DONE, AS WAS DONE IN JANUARY 2014, AT A COST OF APPROX. $900.00. I WAS TOLD I MUST HAVE HIT A POT HOLE?? THIS WAS A TOYOTA RECALL FOR A DEFECT ON THEIR PART WITH THEIR PARTS. OBVIOUSLY, THE PERMANENT FIX DIDN'T WORK. I GUESS THEY WOULD EXPECT ME TO PAY EVERY TIME MY VEHICLES REAR COMES OUT OF ALIGNMENT TO PAY $900.00. MY TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT THE SAME TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VINELAND, NEW JERSEY, WHICH IS WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP, AND THEY WHERE NO HELP. ALSO, HAVING A PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, LIKE MANY OTHERS. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO TOYOTA AND THEIR REPUTATION!
MY ENGINE SEIZED ON A MOVING HIGHWAY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC WHO IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE HAD VERY LITTLE OIL IN IT DESPITE JUST HAVING HAD AN OIL CHANGE 3 WEEKS PRIOR. HE CHECKED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAL AND ADVISED TO ME TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE HE FELT MY VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY ENGINE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO LIED FIRST ABOUT MY VEHICLE HAVING A FAULTY ENGINE AND THEN WHEN I PRESENTED TO THEM THE EXISTING LITERATURE ON THE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, ONLY THEN DID THEY CONFIRM MY VEHICLE AS HAVING A FAULTY ENGINE. BASED ON MY VIN, I HAVE THE 2AZ-FE ENGINE WHICH POSES A SAFETY RISK TO CONSUMERS IN THAT IT CAUSES ENGINE PROBLEMS INCLUDING FAILURE. TOYOTA KNEW OF THIS DEFECT WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND DID NOT DISCLOSE THIS TO ME. THEY ALSO ISSUED A SAFETY BULLETIN IN 2011 BUT ONLY TO DEALERSHIPS AND NOT TO CONSUMERS. TOYOTA HAS NOT DISCLOSED OF THIS PROBLEM TO ITS CONSUMERS AND CONTINUES TO REGARD THEIR VEHICLES AS SAFE. MY SAFETY WAS COMPROMISED BECAUSE OF TOYOTA'S DISHONESTY AND DECEIT.
WE RECENTLY TOOK OUR RAV4 IN FOR RECALL WORK. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DECIDED TO DO A COMPLIMENTARY INSPECTION ON MY RAV4. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT HAD NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE. NOW, THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS SQUEALING ON TIGHTER THAN REGULAR CORNER TURNING. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. THE DISTURBING, MORE CONSTANT COMPLIANT IS THAT THE POWER STEERING ON MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WILL FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN SUDDENLY FAIL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE SINCE MOST OF THE DRIVERS ON THE ROAD ARE USED TO POWER STEERING AND MAY NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO IF THE POWER STEERING SHOULD SUDDENLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I AM NOT BLAMING THE DEALERSHIP OR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY GAVE US A HEADS-UP ON WHAT WE HAD NO IDEA WAS ABOUT TO BECOME A PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING PUMP PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, THE RAV4 IS A FAMILY CAR FOR THE MOST PART.
LOW ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AT 4200 MILES OF SCHEDULED 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE. DIPSTICK CHECKED AND NO OIL WAS IN ENGINE. TWO QUARTS ADDED AND BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. CAR FILLED WITH OIL DRIVEN 1200 MILES AND BROUGHT BACK. DEALER STATES APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF OIL CONSUMED AND IT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CORRECTION. *TR
4 CYLINDER ENGINE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION - BETWEEN 5000 MILE OIL CHANGES WE ARE PUTTING IN 4 - 5 QUARTS OF OIL. THERE IS A WELL-KNOWN PISTON DESIGN FAULT ON THIS ENGINE WHICH REQUIRES THE FITTING OF NEW PISTONS AND THIS SHOULD BECOME A RECALL ISSUE NOT AN DISCRETIONARY MATTER DECIDED ARBITRARILY BY TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERS. WE RAISED THIS ISSUE WITH A DEALER ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND WAS FOBBED OFF WITH THE USUAL RESPONSE LIKE '' IT'S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT'' WE INTEND GETTING THE OIL CONSUMPTION CHECKED AGAIN BY TOYOTA BUT IN THE MEANTIME PLEASE PUT PRESSURE ON TOYOTA TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY. SUCH A SERIOUS ENGINE DESIGN FAULT SHOULD NOT RESULT IN CONSUMERS LOSING OUT WITH A COLLAPSE IN CAR VALUE AND FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH OIL CONTAMINATION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO BURNING LARGE QUANTITIES OF OIL. *TR
THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEEL NUTS GAVE UP, WHICH CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR GO TO THE DITCH. MY WIFE AND MY TWO KIDS WAS ON THE CAR, AND LUCKILY THEY GET OUT AND SAFELY STOPPED THE CAR. TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT THEY REPAIRED THESE REAR BOLTS LAST YEAR BECAUSE IT HAD RECALL BEFORE, BUT STILL THE ISSUE IS HAPPENING EVEN IF THEY PERFORM REPAIR. LITERALLY THIS CAN CAUSE A LOT OF BAD ACCIDENTS AND LOST IF TOYOTA EVEN DON'T REPAIR CORRECTLY ON THE REAR SUSPENSIONS OF RAV4. *TR
WATER PUMP HAS FAILED, DESPITE TIMELY AND COMPLETE MAINTENANCE AND NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS WIDESPREAD, PREMATURE WATER PUMP FAILURE ON 2008 V6 RAV4 VEHICLES AT EVEN EARLIER MILEAGES. *TR
VEHICLE STARTED PINGING WHEN GOING UP HILLS. CHECKED OIL AND IT DIDN'T EVEN REGISTER! HAD JUST HAD OIL CHANGED 2 WEEKS BEFORE. SINCE THIS TIME, I HAVE HAD TO ADD ABOUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL. NOW I'M TOLD TOYOTA CONSIDERS USING 1 QUART PER 1,000 DRIVING MILES IS "NORMAL". THE ENGINE COULD BURN UP BASED ON THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS STRANDED. *TR
WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT THE RAV4 ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND LURCHED FORWARD WITH DRIVER'S FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. DRIVER PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE CAR HURTLING INTO THE INTERSECTION. DRIVER THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR AND PUT GEAR SHIFT TO PARK. AFTER 30 SECONDS RESTARTED THE CAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AGAIN WITH CAR IN PARK. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD. CAR WAS AGAIN TURNED OFF. CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES AND ENGINE BEHAVED NORMALLY. OWNERS TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER WITHIN AN HOUR OF THE INCIDENT. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGER SAID DRIVER HAD FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN IT HAPPENED WHICH IS CERTAINLY NOT TRUE. DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE A COPY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT. OWNERS HAVE HAD ALL RECALL WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE DONE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS REQUIRED IN THE OWNER MANUAL. *TR
I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MY NORMAL OIL CHANGE IN SEPT 2013 AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK, RAV HAD 85,000 MILES AT THE TIME. NO LIGHTS HAD COME ON THAT ALERTED ME TO AN ISSUE. THEY NOTED IT ON THE RECORDS AND SAID THEY WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON IT. I WENT FOR MY NEXT OIL CHANGE NOV 2013 AND SAME ISSUE OF NO OIL ON DIPSTICK AND AGAIN NO WARNING LIGHTS. THEY NOTED IT AGAIN ON PAPERWORK AND SAID WE MIGHT NEED TO LOOK INTO WHY IT IS USING OIL. WE MADE A PHONE CALL TO A FRIEND WHO IS A TOYOTA MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED TO THE DEALERSHIPS ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. DEALERSHIP DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TO ME EITHER TIME. WE HAVE WATCHED THE OIL EVER SINCE AND HAVE TO ADD OIL BETWEEN CHANGES. IN JANUARY 2015 WE RECEIVED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. IN FEBRUARY WE HAD OIL CONSUMPTION TEST PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD THE RAV WAS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS OF OIL USAGE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOGGED A CASE. THEY TOLD ME TO GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP BETWEEN 1100-1300 MILES AND HAVE OIL LEVEL CHECKED AGAIN. IT WAS 1500 MILES LATER BEFORE I COULD GET BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP. THEY NOTED THE RAV HAD USED 1 QUART OF OIL IN 1500 MILES. I AM BEING TOLD THAT IS NORMAL USAGE AND AT THIS TIME MY VEHICLE WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE "FIX". THE RAV ONLY HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
I PURCHASED MY RAV4 NEW IN 2008. OVER THE YEARS OCCASIONALLY WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN LIKE IT SHOULD AND A REALIZED THAT MY FOOT WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. I DIDN'T LIKE IT VERY MUCH THAT THIS COULD OCCUR BUT NEVER DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT. RECENTLY WHEN BRAKING AT A 4-WAY STOP SIGN IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT CAUGHT ME OFF-GUARD AND I NEARLY BROADSIDED A VEHICLE THAT HAD JUST PULLED OUT FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION. FORTUNATELY I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR IN TIME TO STOP. THIS TIME IT SCARED ME SINCE I WAS SO CLOSE TO HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE. THIS TIME I WENT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WAS TOLD I HAD TO CONTACT TOYOTA ABOUT THE ISSUE. I DID THIS AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE VEHICLES COMPUTER UPDATED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD THIS DONE BUT IT DOES NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE UPDATE IS DESIGNED TO NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO OVERPOWER THE BRAKES BUT IT WILL STILL ALLOW THE ENGINE TO PUT POWER TO THE WHEELS WHEN BRAKING. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS ISSUE AGAIN BUT WASN'T GIVEN ANY SATISFACTION AS TO HOW THIS ISSUE COULD BE CORRECTED. I SPOKE WITH MY BROTHER WHO HAS A 2009 RAV4 AND SAYS HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF THERE ARE 2 PEOPLE IN OUR FAMILY WITH THIS ISSUE, I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ALSO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. ISN'T THERE SOMETH
WHEN STARTING MY CAR MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OUT. WHEN TAKEN THIS TO MY MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE VACUUM SYSTEM. AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING , THINGS SEEMED TO BE OK. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS CAP WAS PUT ON TO TIGHT. THE LIGHTS WHERE RESET. IN JANUARY IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN AGAIN. TOOK IT TO A NEW MECHANIC, I WAS TO TOLD THAT THE CHARCOAL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH I NEEDED TO WAIT ABOUT 10 DAYS FOR IT TO COME IN. REPLACED THE ABOUT 25 MILES LATER LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. NEW CLAMPS WHERE PUT ON ALL HOSES. 50 MILES LATER LIGHTS BACK ON , NOW CODE IS SAYING THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FAULTY. NOW THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC DID RESEARCH, FOUND OUT THAT THEIR HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART COST OVER 800$ I MYSELF HAVE READ OTHER RAV4 OWNERS THAT THIS ISN'T A NEW PROBLEM. HOW LONG OR HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THEIR HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENS THE CAR SPUTTERS AND REALLY DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE. DOES MY LIFE HAVE END WHEN MY VEHICLE DOES THIS AND I GET HIT FROM BEHIND. OH DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE AMOUNT OF OIL THIS CAR USES. MAYBE MY ENGINE NEEDS TO BLOW UP FIRST. PLEASE FINALLY DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. OR IS THIS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. *TR
TOYOTA OIL CONSUMPTION TEST CONDUCTED. USAGE OF ~3/4 QT PER 1,200 MILES. FIRST NOTED EXCESSIVE USAGE AT ~ 95,000 MI. TESTED AT 138,739 MI. 2.4L 4-CYL DOHC ENGINE. *TR
WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT THE RAV4 ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND LURCHED FORWARD WITH DRIVER'S FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. DRIVER PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE CAR HURTLING INTO THE INTERSECTION. DRIVER THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR AND PUT GEAR SHIFT TO PARK. AFTER 30 SECONDS RESTARTED THE CAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AGAIN WITH CAR IN PARK. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD. CAR WAS AGAIN TURNED OFF. CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES AND ENGINE BEHAVED NORMALLY. OWNERS TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER WITHIN AN HOUR OF THE INCIDENT. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGER SAID DRIVER HAD FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN IT HAPPENED WHICH IS CERTAINLY NOT TRUE. DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE A COPY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT. OWNERS HAVE HAD ALL RECALL WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE DONE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS REQUIRED IN THE OWNER MANUAL. *TR
MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN I TURN AND I FEEL A "BUMP" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS CHARGED $594.45 AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ENFORCE A VEHICLE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. SHORTLY AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 5/5/15*CN UPDATED 9/16/2015 *JS
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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 →