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: service brakes
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 13, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH WHEN A GRAY SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL EMITTED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER A FIRE BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,329.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2012
A CAR PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MY ENGINE INCREASED ACCELERATION WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE SLOWED ACCELERATION AND I PUSHED MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND I PULLED CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TOWARDS ME AND THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN-MY CAR HAD BEEN SET TO CRUISE AT 52 MPH. AFTER THE INCIDENT I SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AS I WAS HEADING INTO TOWN. I THEN PULLED INTO BIG SCOOP(CANTON,IL BUSINESS) PARKING LOT GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH-A LADY WALKED IN FRONT OF MY CAR AND I TOUCHED THE BRAKE AND AGAIN I EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND AGAIN I WAS QUICK IN SHOVING CAR INTO NEUTRAL PREVENTING A SERIOUS INJURY. I WENT HOME AND CALLED FORT TOYOTA IN PEKIN, IL AND I TOOK CAR IN FEB, 17, 2012 AT NOON. THEY HAD THEIR TOP MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT-HE SAID HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY CALLED TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTERS AND THEY TOLD THEM IT WAS A FLOORMAT ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT AND I TOLD THEM IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FLOORMATS BUT RATHER AFTER TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL IS WHEN I RECEIVED UNWANTED ACCELERATION IN BOTH INCIDENTS. THEY ASKED ME SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT AND THEY GAVE ME TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTERS NUMBER AND GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR TO USE. WHEN I CALLED THEIR HEADQUARTERS THEY SAID IT WAS A FLOORMAT ISSUE AND THAT WAS THEIR FINAL STATEMENT ON THE MATTER. I TOLD THEM IT WAS A BRAKE ISSUE BUT THEY STUCK TO FLOORMATS AS THE CAUSE AND THAT IS WHY I'M REPORTING THIS MATTER TO YOU AS I FEEL FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS; THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY ANY AUTOMAKER WITH UNWANTED ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. A FIRST STEP IS TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM THEN GOOD(SAFE) THINGS WILL RESULT. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT. IT IS APPRECIATED VERY MUCH,[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 14, 2011
I HAVE HAD MY RAV4 SINCE OCT. 2007, BOUGHT IT NEW AND 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER OWNING IT I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES IN JUNE 2010. I JUST PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR MY RAV4 AND HAD THEM PUT ON IN NOV. 2011 AND I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED BRAKES AGAIN. NOW FROM JUNE 2010 TO NOV. 2011 I SHOULD STILL HAVE A LOT OF BRAKE LEFT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO REPLACE THEM. IF THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY RAV4 I WILL TRADE IT IN AND BUY A NISSAN SUV INSTEAD. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO CHANGE MY BRAKES EVERY 1 1/2 YEARS ON MY VEHICLE. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS WAS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM I WOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD'VE BOUGHT SOMETHING DIFFERENT. DON'T GET ME WRONG I LOVE MY CAR BUT I FEEL THAT I SHOULD GET MORE WEAR AND TEAR FROM MY BRAKES THAN A 1 1/2 YEARS. MAYBE THE TOYOTA COMPANY SHOULD CHECK THE MATERIAL THE BRAKES WAS MADE FROM TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT DEFECTIVE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 5, 2011
2007 RAV 4 HAD 3 LIGHTS TURNED ON (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT), SHORTLY AFTER THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THE BRAKES FAILED. RAV4 WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA DELEARSHIP FOR REPAIR AND AFTER THE TECHNICIANS BEING CONFUSED BY THE LIGHTS, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THE RECENT HIGHLINDER RECALL AND I FEEL PEOPLE'S SAFETY IS AT STAKE WITH THE BRAKES FAILING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, Sep 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSTERIOR OXYGEN SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 11/03/11 *BF UPDATED 05/12/2012 *JS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 17, 2011
BRAKE BOOSTER BROKE DOWN AND REPAIR WILL COST ABOUT $1,120 DOLLARS. MY CAR IS 2007. I NEED TO DO THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR THE CAR, AND I CAN NOT PAY, AT THE SAME TIME, I CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT CAR, I WILL LOST MY JOB. I NEED HELP. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS BEEN REPAIR AT WONDERS TOYOTA DEALER ALHAMBRA CA. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 27, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY VOICE MAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,110 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,400.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 31, 2010
LAST NIGHT, MY RAV4 BATTERY DIED DUE PRESUMABLY TO THE REAR DOOR LIGHT GETTING ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON. UPON JUMP STARTING THE CAR, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. I DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THEN, THIS MORNING, THE BATTERY WAS NOT QUITE UP HIGH ENOUGH TO START THE CAR, SO I JUMP STARTED IT AGAIN. IT STARTED, BUT A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY, I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKE ASSIST. IT REQUIRED EVERY OUNCE OF FORCE I COULD MUSTER TO TURN THE VEHICLE AROUND AND GET IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. THANKFULLY, THIS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS NEAR MY HOUSE AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT OR THE CHP WOULD HAVE BEEN SCRAPING ME OFF A BRIDGE POST. THE RAV4 CANNOT REALISTICALLY BE STEERED BY AN AVERAGE PERSON WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BECAUSE OF THE GEARING RATIO, MAKING THIS A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. IF A VEHICLE CANNOT SAFELY OPERATE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT OPERATE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT, BECAUSE THE BATTERY PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN POWER SMOOTHING, AND BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKE PUMPS ARE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED, A LOW BATTERY CAN RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE PUMPS WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL FUNCTIONAL. THIS CAN EASILY RESULT IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE BARRELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 80 MPH. I BELIEVE THAT FIXING THIS PROBLEM REQUIRES A FUNDAMENTAL REDESIGN OF THE ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PUMPS TO ADD ADDITIONAL CAPACITORS SO THAT THE BATTERY IS NOT PLAYING SUCH A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SMOOTHING OUT THE PULSATING DC FROM THE ALTERNATOR ALONG WITH THE ADDITION OF SENSOR HARDWARE TO DETECT A LOW BATTERY CONDITION AND ACTIVATE AN INDICATOR LIGHT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IDEALLY, THE STEERING GEARBOX SHOULD ALSO BE REDESIGNED WITH A LOWER GEAR RATIO SO THAT IT DOES NOT BECOME UNDRIVEABLE. WITHOUT THESE FIXES, THE 2007 RAV4 IS FUNDAMENTALLY UNSAFE. THIS DESIGN FLAW PROBABLY ALSO AFFECTS MOST OTHER LATE MODELS OF TOYOTA. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 16, 2010
I BOUGHT A NEW 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 AT THE END OF THE MODEL YEAR. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SHOOK AND MADE NOISES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND SAID IT SCORED THE DRUM AND THEY HAD TO BE TURNED AT 33,000 APPROX MILES, UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE PARTS. BUT THE REAR BRAKES WERE SUPPOSE TO BE FINE. THIS IS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER AND AT 47,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH EVERY 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEY WERE GOOD. LAST WEEK I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP GRADE AND THE BRAKES WERE A MAJOR PROBLEM AND I COULD HARDLY STOP MY CAR, THE BRAKES GRABBED, THE CAR SHOOK AND WAS HARD TO STEER AND I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES, ETC.. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ONLY BAD BUT SCORED THE DRUMS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM HAVING TO PAY OVER $200.00 FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, PLUS I HAD A PASSENGER AND IT WAS SCARY. I HAVE HAD SPECIAL DRIVER TRAINING SO I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND, THANK GOD, BUT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND THE DEALER HAS SO FAR TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY. TOYOTA IS WAITING FOR A REPLY???FROM THE DEALER. I FEEL THIS SHOULD ALL BE REPORTED FOR SAFETY AND CONSUMER AWARENESS REASONS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Electric, Apr 15, 2010, crash
I TURNED ON THE IGNITION OF MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 AND BEGAN TO DRIVE INTO MY GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND DID NOT SLOW DOWN UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I PUMPED THE BRAKE FIERCELY SEVERAL TIMES TO THE FLOOR BOARD OVER THE APPROXIMATELY 12-15 FEET OF GARAGE DEPTH AND THE RAV4 STOPPED JUST AS IT PUSHED THE WHEELBARREL INTO THE WALL. . ASIDE FROM DAMAGE TO THE WALL OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE'S BUMPER WAS DENTED AND SLIGHTLY CRACKED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WAS NO BODILY TRAUMA OR PERSONAL INJURY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2010, crash
HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS WITH TOYOTA RAV4 2007 BEFORE RECALL. IN BOTH INCIDENTS THOUGHT I WAS PRESSING BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Feb 21, 2010, crash
HIT GARAGE WITH 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 WHILE MOVING IT IN DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEED. INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER A LARGE SNOW STORM AND VEHICLE WAS BEING MOVED TO CLEAR AREA AFTER SNOW WAS REMOVED. IT SEEMED LIKE THE GAS PEDAL STUCK OR THE BRAKES FAILED. NO INJURIES JUST A DENT IN THE FRONT BUMPER. THE FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO TOYOTA DEALER (LIA TOYOTA IN SCHENECTADY NY) AND CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE WAS EXPRESSED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE BRAKES AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CHECK. THEY TOLD ME " THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED EVERYTHING WAS FINE" AND GAVE ME A $700 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND HAD THE DENT REPAIRED AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Electric, Feb 7, 2010, crash
I OWN A TOYOTA 2007 RAV4 WHICH AS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIPS SHOP OVER 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME TWO ISSUES BRAKES AND GRINDING NOISE, PER TOYOTA EACH TIME IT WAS DIFFERENT, BUT I KNOW IT WAS THE SAME TWO THINGS. IT'S LIKE TOYOTA IS FALSIFYING CUSTOMER'S CAR ISSUES WITH THEIR OWN WORDS INSTEAD OF MAKING PROPER DOCUMENTATION. IT STARTED OFF WITH THE BRAKES WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR THEY WERE MAKING A NOISE AND WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE INSTEAD OF STOPPING, BUT I THOUGHT THIS MAY BE AN ADDED FEATURE TO THE NEW CAR. THE FIRST REAL INCIDENT IS WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND I CRASHED INTO TO A SIDE RAIL. IT DIDN'T DO MUCH DAMAGE AND IT TOTAL ABOUT $400.00. THE CAR IS MAKING A METALLIC NOISE IN THE SUSPENSION AND THIS WAS REPORTED, BUT EACH AND EVERY TIME TOYOTA'S TECHS DRIVES WITH ME AND MY HUSBAND WHILE WE DRIVING THE CAR TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE TOYOTA'S TECHS SAID THIS NOISE WAS NORMAL. WE KNEW THIS NOISE WASN'T NORMAL BEHAVIOR OF A BRAND NEW CAR, I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THE NOISE WAS IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM, THAT TOYOTA WOULD NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND IT WOULD COST ME MONEY TO LOCATE THE NOISE. WHEN I TOLD TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY GIVE A CAR UNTIL THEY COULD FIND THE ISSUE, BY LETTING THEIR FIELD TECH LOOK AT THE CAR, AND I ASKED WHEN THIS TECH WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I WANTED TO SEE THIS PERSON LOOK AT THE CAR, BUT THEY CAME UP WITH A MILLION AND ONE REASONS THAT I COULD MEET WITH THE TECH? AFTER TALKING TO PEOPLE FROM THEIR CORP OFFICE ABOUT THE METALLIC NOISE AND THE BRAKES TOYOTA SAID, 'SINCE WE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR IT'S UNDER WARRANTY SO IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IT WILL BE FIXED'. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS CAR TO KILL ME OR MY FAMILY FOR THE COMPANY TO LOOK AT THEIR FAULTS BECAUSE ALL WE DID WAS PURCHASED A CAR FROM THE TOP OF THE LINE AUTO MAKERS TO GET THIS KIND OF TREATMENT? *TW
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED HER BRAKES LOCKS WHENEVER THE ROAD WAS SLIPPERY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS TO INCLUDE 20 MPH, SHE LIGHTLY TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED IT RESPONDED AS IF THERE WAS NO PEDAL. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY STATED SEVERAL TIMES THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
WE HAVE A 2007 RAV 4 TOYOTA. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN WE HAD A BOOSTER BLOW OUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING 100 MILES FROM HOME. THIS BOOSTER IS NEEDED TO OPERATE THE BRAKES. WE DID MAKE IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT WAS DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKES. WHEN THE COMPUTER PUT A WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE OUT, ALL WE GOT WAS A SWERVE LINE...NOTHING THAT WARNED THAT THE BOOSTER HAD GONE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. I PURCHASED IT NEW, AND SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT I EXPERIENCED TWO INCIDENTS WHERE I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN, PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND LURCHING FORWARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS NUTS. THE HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE PROBLEM. I STILL OWN THAT VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWO MORE INCIDENTS WHERE THE ENGINE HAS ACCELERATED AFTER MOVING MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOU NEED TO EXPAND THE INVESTIGATION. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 3, 2010
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, BUT TWICE SINCE NOVEMBER 2009 MY GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN ACTING AS IT WAS DEPRESSED WHEN IT WAS NOT. THE LAST TIME MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND MY ENGINE WAS REVVING LIKE A RACE CAR. WHO DO I NOTIFY? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 21, 2008
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Service brakes, Air, Vehicle speed control, Jan 24, 2008
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 24, 2008
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
Structure, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 30, 2007
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