2007 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,003 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 53 involved a crash and 37 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for Lexus vehicles. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-383, in which some vehicles were only inspected, sealed, and did not have both arms replaced. The affected vehicles were previously recalled under 13V-383, but did not have both rear suspension arms replaced at that time. Those vehicles need to have both arms replaced as part of this recall remedy.
Campaign 16V596000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherFeb 19, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
A cut seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a protector over both rear seat cushion frames, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0F.
Campaign 16V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 22, 2015
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Campaign 15V689000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleApr 9, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 14V168000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 28, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tie rods and replace any that have rust or corrosion on the alignment adjustment threads. All of the rear tie rods will then be encased in an epoxy to prevent future environmental damage. Due to limitations in parts, the recall remedy will be launched in phases from September 2013 through mid-April 2014. All owners will receive notification of the recall, with most receiving second notifications when parts are available in their area. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes Toyota and Lexus recall 12V-373. All vehicles that have been inspected and remedied under the previous recall need to be re-inspected and have the appropriate remedy applied.
Campaign 13V383000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 10, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 12V491000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 2, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear tie-rod nut for looseness and replace any suspect tie-rod found loose. Dealers will also affix instructions in multiple places to prevent improper servicing in the future. The recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 12V373000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 21, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH. IF BOTH SENSORS FAIL NEARLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AFTER INITIAL AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECK, THE CSA AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED.
INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE CSA AND/OR THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CAN CAUSE INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE CONTAINING IMPROVED ROLL RATE SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA INTENDS TO SEND AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS EARLY TO MID-MAY, 2011 WHEN SUFFICIENT PARTS AND REMEDY BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 11V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalFeb 24, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 LEXUS LX570, 2003 THROUGH 2009 TOYOTA 4RUNNER, AND 2006 THROUGH 2010 RAV4 VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
THE REMEDY IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN EARLY APRIL 2011. THE REMEDY WILL INVOLVE MODIFICATION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 11V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 09V223000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
236 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Mar 6, 2015
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION: CHECKING THE OIL ON THIS 4 CYLINDER ENGINE SHOWED THAT IT WAS DOWN 1 1/2 QUARTS IN ONLY 1,500 MILES. THE LOCAL DEALER FOUND NO OIL LEAKS. *TR
Engine, Mar 5, 2015
MY VEHICLE HAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION RECALL. THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL THUS A RECALL TO CONDUCT TESTING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TO TEST THE OIL CONSUMPTION. HOWEVER, THEY SCREWED THE TEST RESULTS BY OVERFILLING THE OIL TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THERE WAS NO OIL BURNING ONCE THE TEST WAS COMPLETED. THEY WANTED ME TO DRIVE BETWEEN 1200-1400 MILES THEN LOOK AT THE DIP STICK. BUT THEY OVERFILLED THE OIL ON PURPOSE TO EFFECT THE RESULTS. *TR
Engine, Feb 23, 2015
BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 86,226 MILES ON IT. CHECKED THE OIL AT 91,103 AND FOUND ONLY A HALF A QUART OF OIL IN THE PAN. CHANGED THE OIL AT THAT TIME AND THEN HAD TO ADD ANOTHER QUART AT 92328. ENGINE IS BURNING WAY TOO MUCH OIL. *TR
Engine, Feb 13, 2015
WE HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE OIL USEAGE. THE VEHICLE IS USING APPOXIMATELY 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Engine, Feb 10, 2015
WAS EXPERIENCING AND INTERMITTENT CHECK OIL LIGHT SO I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE DAY BEFORE THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, MY ENGINE SLOWED WAY DOWN AND LOST ALMOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE AND WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 30 MPH. THE NEXT DAY THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP CALLS AND INFORMS ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WENT WITH A JASPER REBUILT ENGINE WHICH STILL COST ME $6,100 INSTALLED. *TR
Engine, Feb 9, 2015
OIL CHANGED AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT 83036 MILES. AT 87750 MILES, OIL LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER AND ENGINE STARTED SMOKING DUE TO LOW OIL SOON AFTER. ADDED 3 QUARTS OF OIL AND HAD OIL CHANGED AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 6/30/14 AT 87829. CONTINUED TO CHECK AND ADD OIL-NEXT ROUTINE OIL CHANGE: 11/19/14 AT 93035 MILES AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, CAR WAS STRUGGLING UP HILLS AND SOUNDING LIKE IT WOULD STALL. EMERGENCY OIL CHECK-LOW OIL AT 94709 MILES. LOCAL MECHANIC HAD TO ASSIST TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. RECEIVED AN "EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION" NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ON 2/6/15. PROTOCOL TO ADDRESS MALFUNCTIONING ENGINES IS TO HAVE TOYOTA VERIFY "EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION". CUSTOMER MUST PAY FOR OIL CHANGE IN ORDER TO BEGIN PROCESS, REGARDLESS OF PAST EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT CLAIMS OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. DANGEROUS, FAULTY ISSUES WITH ENGINES SHOULD NOT BE THE DRIVERS' RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVE. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE OWNER HAS MAINTAINED ALL RECORDS TO DEMONSTRATE PROPER CARE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Jan 30, 2015
1. MY CAR USES AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF OIL (1 QUART BEFORE EVERY 1500 MILES). 2. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WARNING LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. I DISCOVERED THIS DEFECT WHEN I FIRST REALIZED MY CAR WAS BURNING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF OIL, AND I WAS THREE QUARTS LOW JUST PRIOR TO MY OIL CHANGE. *TR
Engine, Jan 22, 2015
I HAVE BEEN BRINGING MY CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. DURING THIS PERIOD MY CAR WAS COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. I'VE HAD MY BRAKES REPAIRED, SEVERAL RECALLS TENDED TO, AND MANY OIL CHANGES PERFORMED. THERE WAS ONE OCCASION WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A CHAIN AUTO SERVICE STORE TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED. IT WAS AT THIS CHAIN THAT I WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IN MY CAR WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW. I CALLED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT I USUALLY BRING MY CAR TO FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO PERFORM AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON MY CAR. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS SO THAT THEY COULD PERFORM THE TEST. ON THE FINAL TEST DAY I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS INDEED LOSING ABNORMALLY EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND THAT THE FIRST STEP TO REMEDYING THE MATTER WOULD REQUIRE TAKING THE ENGINE APART. AT THIS POINT MY MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I AM NOW RELYING ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THE EXCESSIVE LOSS OF OIL IN CARS LIKE MINE IS A ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH. IN 2011, TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHICH SERVICED MY CAR NEVER TOLD ME THIS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY MAY DECIDE NOT TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REMOVED AND TAKEN APART AT WHICH POINT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, IF THE REPAIR NEEDED TO BE DONE WHEN MY CAR WAS UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, THEN WHY DIDN'T THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPAIR IT? THE TSB WAS ISSUED IN 2011 AND I BEGAN BRINGING MY CAR TO THEM IN 2012. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED. *TR
Engine, Jan 5, 2015
JUST AFTER OIL CHANGE, ABOUT ONE WEEK LATER AND HAVING DRIVEN ABOUT 500 MILES, OIL WAS ALREADY ONE QUART LOW. SINCE THEN IT VARIES, BUT IT BURNS MORE OIL THAN ANY CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. ON AVERAGE I NEED TO ADD 2-4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, WHICH I PERFORM EVERY 3000 MILES. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION WILL PROGRESSIVELY GET WORSE. AN OBVIOUS DEFECT HERE SOMEWHERE. *TR
Engine, Dec 17, 2014
I WAS TOLD THAT MY RAV4 WAS VERY LOW ON OIL AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THOUGH I USUALLY HAVE MY OIL CHANGED AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT LOW LEVELS OF OIL IN MY CAR. I LEARNED ABOUT THE LOW LEVEL OF OIL WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHAIN TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. HOWEVER, THE PEOPLE AT TOYOTA HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2011. I MENTIONED THE ISSUE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE ME RETURN ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS. NOW MY CAR HAS EXCEEDED THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AND TOYOTA HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY MAY NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS POINTED OUT TO ME. I WAS ALSO INFORMED TODAY THAT IT COULD COST ME $1100-$1200 JUST TO HAVE TO ENGINE TAKEN APART. THE COST OF REPAIRING THE VEHICLE WILL INCREASE IF THEY TAKE IT APART AND THE PROBLEM ISN'T COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Engine, Dec 5, 2014
MY CAR IS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING; HOWEVER, WHEN RESEARCHED ONLINE THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST TOYOTA AND THERE WAS ALSO A SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2011 ADVISING THE DEALERSHIPS TO REMEDY PROBLEM. AT THAT TIME MY CAR WOULD HAVE STILL BEEN UNDER WARRANTY BUT SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO COVER IT. THEY ESTIMATE COST BETWEEN $4-6000. *TR
Engine, Dec 3, 2014
SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS BURNED EXCESSIVE OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES - ROUGHLY EVERY 3,500 TO 4,000 MILES, STARTING AT APPROXIMATELY 45K MILES. BETWEEN OIL CHANGES IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO PUT IN TWO TO THREE QUARTS OF OIL. DRIVER CARRIES AT LEAST ONE QUART OF OIL IN VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES TO HOPEFULLY PRECLUDE ENGINE SEIZURE. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLICKERED ONE TIME AND DRIVER PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER OIL LEVEL WAS DOWN NEARLY TWO FULL QUARTS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. *JS
Engine, Nov 19, 2014
THE CAR IS BURNING OIL AND AT A RAPID PACE. MY DEALER STATES THAT IT IS NOT BURNING FAST ENOUGH TO WARRANT ANY FACTORY REPAIR. I HAVE TO CARRY OIL AND CHECK FREQUENTLY. 60,000 MILES NOW. TWO DAYS AGO, I THOUGHT I SAW THE OIL LIGHT FLASH, IT ONLY IS A QUICK FLASH. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE OIL, IT TOOK 4 QUARTS. NO WARNING EXCEPT ONE EXTREMELY RAPID FLASH SO FAST THAT YOU'RE NOT SURE IF YOU SAW IT. AND THE CAR WAS DOWN FOUR QUARTS! THE OIL WAS PUT IN BY A MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR OF THE ENGINE SEIZING UP BECAUSE IT HAS RUN OUT OF OIL. I GET MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED BUT THIS CAR BURNS OIL AT AN UNUSUAL RATE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHECK THE OIL EVERY DAY BUT IT SEEM I HAVE NO CHOICE. A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE SHOULD NOT BE BURNING OIL AT THIS RATE. TOYOTA INSISTS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. IF SO, THEN AT LEAST HAVE AN INDICATOR THAT SHOWS OIL LEVEL. NOT WHEN IT IS IN DIRE NEED TO OIL. *TR
Engine, Nov 16, 2014
92,564 MILES 12/05/13 HAD OIL CHANGE. SOMETIME AFTER THAT OIL CHANGE, BUT BEFORE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO CHECK. THEY TOPPED OFF OIL AND INSTRUCTED ME TO COME BACK IN 1000 MILE INTERVALS TO DO CONSUMPTION TESTS. I FOLLOWED THEIR DIRECTION AND CAME BACK FOR SEVERAL CONSUMPTION TESTS. THEY TOPPED OFF OIL I BELIEVE ONE TIME FOR QUART ONE TIME FOR QUART. THEY INFORMED ME THIS WAS ?NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION PER TOYOTA SPECS FOR THIS ENGINE? AND THAT I NO LONGER NEEDED TO COME IN FOR TESTS. 96,546 MILES 3/19/14 HAD OIL CHANGE, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF OIL LEVELS. 99,434 MILES 5/23/14 OIL LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK CAR IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER, WAS TOLD ?VEHICLE HAD A QUART OF OIL LEFT: IT HAS BEEN 3,000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. THIS IS NORMAL TECHNICIAN TOPPED OFF OIL. THE OIL LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON SINCE THIS TIME. 101,628 MILES 7/23/14 WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE. NO MENTION OF OIL LEVELS. WAS TOLD TO TOP OFF OIL HALF WAY THROUGH TILL NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. AFTER AROUND 2500 MILES CHECKED OIL AND ADDED 3 QUARTS OF OIL, CHECKED AGAIN BEFORE GOING IN FOR 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE AND ADDED 2 QUARTS. 106,232 MILES 11/06/14 WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE INSISTING THAT THIS CAN NOT BE "NORMAL" OIL CONSUMPTION NEED TO HAVE THE ENGINE CHECKED OUT. DEALER RECOMMENDING THAT WE DO CONSUMPTION TESTS AGAIN. BEING TOLD THAT ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS OIL PROBLEMS WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Engine, Nov 5, 2014
I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,0000 MILES EVEN SYNTHETIC OIL RECOMMENDS THAT 5000 MILES ARE DEALERS RECOMMENDED AND CAR CAN RUN EVEN LONGER ON A FULL SYNTHETIC OIL. BUT NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY I CHANGE MINE EVERY 3000 MILES. FOR LAST MANY OIL CHANGE I FIND MY OIL LEVEL TO BE VERY VERY LOW. I MEAN ALMOST 1 AND A HALF COURT DOWN, IN LESS THEN 30000 MILES. FUNNY THING IS I PUT HALF COURT OF OIL BETWEEN THE 3000 MILES DRIVEN ON OIL CHANGES. SO THEORETICALLY IT WAS 2 QT DOWN FROM OIL. THIS PROBLEM I STARTED TO NOTICE AROUND 60,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. THERE IS NO LEAKS. I HAVE GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF CARS AS I HAVE WORKED ON HONDA ACCORDS AND CAMRYS FROM OLDER MODELS. I HAVE CHANGED STEERING PUMP TO GASKETS TO SPEED SENSORS AND MANY MORE ON CARS. I CAN ASSURE THAT THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY LEAKS EXCEPT FOR OIL PAN GET SLIGHTLY WET AROUND THE BOLT AREA BECAUSE OF PERHAPS NEEDS A SEAL OR NEW BOLT. IN TOTAL THAT OIL WONT ADD UP TO MORE THAN 10-20 DROPS IN TOTAL THROUGH OUT THE TIME OF OIL CHANGE IF THAT. THIS EXTREME AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL BURNOUT SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. TOO COMMON TO BELIEVE IT WAS MADE BY TOYOTA. IM VERY SURPRISED AS TO WHY TOYOTA WON'T RECOGNIZE AS THEIR FAULT. (WELL NOT REALLY THAT SURPRISED). *TR
Engine, Nov 5, 2014
MY 07 RAV 4 HAS HARD/ ROUGH IDLING ISSUE. THE CAR WILL (AT TIMES) HAS ROUGH IDLING ISSUE RIGHT AT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN AC/HEAT FAN IS ON. BUT BESIDE THAT AT TIMES ENGINES FEELS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STOP AND IDLE FALLS BELOW 400 RPM SHAKING OR VIBRATING THE WHOLE CAR FOR GOOD 3-5 SECOND AND THEN SPIKES BACK UP JUST ENOUGH TO SLOW DOWN THAT VIBRATION A BIT. AT THIS POINT MY FOOT IS STILL ON BRAKE. NO CHECK ENGINE OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS ON. *TR
Engine, Oct 23, 2014
WE RETURNED FROM A TRIP TO RENO/CALIFORNIA IN MY TOYOTA RAV 4. I HAD DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL I RETURNED TO CHANGE OIL SINCE THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT 3000 OR LESS ON THE LAST CHANGE,. WHEN WE RETURNED AND NEARING OUR DESTINATION, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. IN CHECKING THE OIL, NO OIL SHOWED ON THE DIPSTICK. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE INCLUDING CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION OIL (ABOUT $600 ). A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS DOWN 1 1/2 QUARTS. I NOW STILL HAVE ABOUT 2000 MILES TO GO BEFORE MY CAR NEEDS ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND IT WAS AGAIN LOW AND ANOTHER QUART WAS ADDED. PER MY RESEARCH I FIND THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SENT OUT INFO TO DEALERS IN 2011 TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ACCORDING TO WHAT I'VE READ, IT REQUIRES A PISTON TO BE REPLACED. TOYOTA HAS TOTALLY IGNORED THIS PROBLEM AND I FIND THAT IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON ON RAV4'S. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE BURNED OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND A CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC PLACED LESS OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO COME BACK AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN 500 MILES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Engine, Oct 16, 2014
MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 STARTED TO CONSUME COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF OIL. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF OIL LEAKAGE AND NO SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. I ALWAYS HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AT A TOYOTA DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. AFTER MY RECENT OIL CHANGE, I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1,500 MILES AND HAD TO PUT IN 2 QUARTS OF OIL. I ASSUMED THIS WAS A FLUKE AND TOYOTA DID NOT FILL THE OIL UP. BUT NOW AGAIN, I DROVE ANOTHER 1,500 MILES AND THIS TIME IT WAS BONE DRY ON THE DIP STICK. I DID NOT RECEIVE A LOW OIL LIGHT. I ADDED ANOTHER 2 QUARTS OF OIL TO BRING IT UP TO THE BOTTOM LINE. *TR
Engine, Sep 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE UNTIL ANOTHER 600 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE UNDER A 1,000 MILE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 10/30/14*CN UPDATED 7/9/2015*JS
Engine, Jul 30, 2014
THE EXTERNAL OIL PRESSURE LINE TO THE REAR CYLINDER HEAD BUSTED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO COMPLETELY DUMP ALL 6 QUARTS OF MOTOR OIL ONTO THE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATE FOR ME I WAS ONLY 0.8 MILES FROM AN EXIT WITH A SAFE PARKING LOT. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE OIL FROM MY VEHICLE CAUSED ANY WRECKS ON THE INTERSTATE, HOWEVER THE POTENTIAL FOR A MOTORCYCLE WRECK OR ANY VEHICLE THAT HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN SLOW DOWN OR QUICK MANEUVER WOULD BE AT A HIGH RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. NOT ONLY DID THIS PUT MY ENGINE AT RISK FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY AVOIDED. TOYOTA IS NOT ONLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO FIX THE HOSE WHEN IT RUPTURES. ITS NOT A MATTER OF IF THE HOSE WILL RUPTURE, BUT WHEN WILL THE OIL HOSE RUPTURE. IF I HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE NEED TO REPLACE THE HOSE I WOULD HAVE GLADLY HAVE HAD THE HOSE REPLACED. THE LEAST TOYOTA SHOULD DO IS SEND EVERY OWNER OF THIS TYPE OF ENGINE WITH THIS TYPED OF HOSE A LETTER EXPLAINING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO PREVENT THIS VERY PREVENTABLE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine, Jul 28, 2014
THIRD SUCH INCIDENT -- TWO PREVIOUS IN LATE 2009 -- BACKING UP SLOWLY IN PARKING LOT, ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED TO RACE. I THREW THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, STEPPING ON BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS (SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY); RACING FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I RELEASED BRAKE AND TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL. *JS
Engine, Jul 22, 2014
SINCE I PURCHASED THE RAV4 I NOTICE THE ENGINE OIL WAS BURNING OUT VERY QUICKLY CAUSING ME TO RUN THE CAR ON ALMOST NO OIL. WARNING LIGHTS ONLY CAME ON WHEN THERE WAS NO MORE OIL IN CAR. I'M PUTTING IN 1 TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. I HAVE TO CHECK OIL EVERY WEEK. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD A OIL LEAK BUT SINCE I DID NOT SEE ANY OIL LEAKING AT ALL I GOT A SECOND OPINION AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE STUCK OIL RINGS THAT CAUSE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR
Engine, Jul 14, 2014
VEHICLE IDLING AND BEGINNING TO OVERHEAT DUE TO BAD WATER PUMP AT 47,500 MILES. TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. IF VEHICLE OVERHEATED, COULD CAUSE FIRE. *TR
Engine, Jul 3, 2014
THE OIL LIGHT BLINKED ON. I WAS DOWN BELOW A QUART ON MY 2007 RAV4. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. TOYOTA PERFORMS ITS ENGINE CONSUMPTION TEST AND SAYS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING WITHIN TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS YET THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA VEHICLE. *TR