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
1,003 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 28, 2010
WAS STOPPED IN DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME WAITING FOR GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN (REMOTE CONTROLLED.) THEN I SLOWLY PROCEEDED TOWARDS OPEN GARAGE. THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED AND SURGED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. I PUT ALL MY WEIGHT UNTO THE BRAKE WHICH SEEMED TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. ONLY THEN DID THE CAR SEEM TO NORMALIZE. I SHUT IT OFF AND HAVEN'T TRIED TO DRIVE IT SINCE. *TR
Steering, Feb 28, 2010
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF STEERING AT VEHICLE STARTUP. STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION AND P/S INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED FOR STEERING TO FUNCTION. MORE FREQUENTLY - STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE SLIGHTLY AT STARTUP AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO LOCK, BUT CONTINUES TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. TOYOTA DEALER SAID CAUSE WAS LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE AND REPLACED BATTERY. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER. WILL RETURN VEHICLE - STILL UNDER WARRANTY - FOR ANOTHER REPAIR OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 26, 2010
ABOUT 8 OR 9 MONTHS AGO, I WAS DOING MAYBE 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPMS WENT WILD, THE ENGINE HOWLED, AND MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED SPED OFF AS IF SOMEONE HAD DUMPED A BOULDER ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MY HEART WAS IN MY THROAT AS I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR. PRESSING THE BRAKE HARD DIDN'T DO IT. I THEN STUCK MY FOOT UNDERNEATH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PUSHED UP WITH THE TOE OF MY SHOE A FEW TIMES. THAT WORKED AND SUBSEQUENTLY I COULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND THE CAR RESPONDED NORMALLY. I ASSUMED AT THE TIME THAT MAYBE THE DRIVER'S-SIDE FLOOR MAT HAD SOMEHOW CREPT UP AND IMPEDED THE FREE OPERATION OF THE PEDAL, A THEORY THAT TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS ALSO SEEMED TO FIND PLAUSIBLE (THOUGH NOT FOR THE RAV4, APPARENTLY). SO I THREW OUT THE MAT AND DIDN'T REPLACE IT WITH ANYTHING. WE HAVE DIRTY CARPETING NOW, BUT WE ARE ALIVE. OF COURSE, IN RECENT WEEKS, THE WORLD HAS LEARNED THAT MILLIONS OF TOYOTAS ARE POTENTIALLY AFFLICTED WITH A STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDAL. TWO WEEKS AGO, WE DROVE OUR CAR TO THE DEALER, DOWNEAST TOYOTA IN BREWER, MAINE, WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR ITS 60,000-MILE SERVICE ANYWAY, AND WE INSISTED THAT THE ACCELERATOR BE REPLACED. WE DISCOVERED LATER THAT THEY HADN'T DONE SO, EVEN THOUGH WE ADVISED THEM CLEARLY THAT WE?D HAD A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING INCIDENT INVOLVING THE ACCELERATOR. THE REASON THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR, THEY TOLD MY WIFE, IS BECAUSE TOYOTA BELIEVES THAT THE 2007 RAV4 HAS NO ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. IN OTHER WORDS, OUR CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, SO WE'RE OUT OF LUCK NO MATTER WHAT I'VE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2010
UNINTENDED RAPID ACCELERATION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2010
AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, MY WIFE AND I WERE RETURNING HOME FRIDAY AFTERNOON JANUARY 22, 2010 IN MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 (V6 ENGINE - 30,815 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) WHEN WE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING IN OUR SUBDIVISION. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 20-22 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE GATHERED SPEED (ESTIMATED 35 MPH) IN SPITE OF MY EFFORTS TO BRAKE HARD. AS THE RESIDENTIAL STREET WAS TO END AT A "T" WITHIN ABOUT 100 YARDS AND THERE WAS A CAR AHEAD OF ME, I HAD TO USE ANY MEANS POSSIBLE TO STOP MY RUNAWAY VEHICLE OR A COLLISION WAS SURE TO FOLLOW. ONLY AFTER SHIFTING, WHILE CONTINUING TO BRAKE, THROUGH "PARK", "REVERSE", TO "NEUTRAL" TO THE UNBELIEVABLE ROARING SOUND OF THE RACING ENGINE DID THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOP AND A COLLISION WAS AVOIDED BY A FEW CAR LENGTHS. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE, AND WAS ESPECIALLY SURPRISED IN THAT I HAD JUST HAD MY 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON DECEMBER 18, 2009. BADLY SHAKEN, MY WIFE AND I DROVE THE THREE BLOCKS TO OUR HOUSE AND I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. I WAS TOLD THAT, AS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO FOR ME AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE EXPERIENCE CENTER. SO I HUNG UP THE PHONE AND THEN CALLED TOYOTA AS INSTRUCTED. WHEN FINALLY GETTING THROUGH, I RELATED MY EXPERIENCE AND WAS TOLD THAT "TOYOTA TAKES THIS VERY SERIOUSLY" AND THAT MY INFORMATION WOULD BE PASSED ALONG IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HEAR BACK FROM A CASE WORKER ON MONDAY, JANUARY 25. I DID GET A CALL BACK ON MONDAY, BUT NOT FROM A CASE WORKER, BUT FROM THE SAME INDIVIDUAL I HAD TALKED TO ON FRIDAY. I WAS TOLD THAT MY ISSUE WAS NO LONGER A PRIORITY SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND I SHOULD CALL MY DEALERSHIP AND GET MY CAR INSPECTED AT MY EXPENSE. I INSTEAD LEFT MY CAR PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO CHANCE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 25, 2010
2007 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER STATES DISSATISFACTION RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE OIL LINE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE BUT WANTED THE OIL LINE REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS, BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND SHE DRIVES MANY MILES EACH DAY WEEK FOR WORK. THE CONSUMER PAID THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE PART, BUT THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER RUBBER OIL LINE INSTEAD OF THE ALL METAL LINE WHICH SHE HAD REQUESTED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 25, 2010
I WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY 2007 RAV4 SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM'S WERE OVER 6000. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER THAT DAY AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BUT TOLD ME THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I ASKED WHAT I COULD DO OR WHO I COULD SPEAK TO AND THEY SAID THERE NOTHING UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MAY 2009 AND WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE IN JUST RECENTLY FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE I AGAIN WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO SINCE IT IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. WHY ISN'T IT? MUST SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY DIE BEFORE SOMEONE WILL MAKE IT A PART OF THE RECALL LIST? I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE IN FOR A SAFETY CHECK NEXT WEEK. *TR
Steering, Feb 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION AT ANY SPEED HE HEARD A NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT BOTH OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS BE REPLACED. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,025. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,100.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
THIS IS A POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THE PRESENT TOYOTA "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" INVESTIGATION. IT INVOLVES ONE MOMENTARY INCIDENT OF UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION ON A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 VEHICLE IN SEPT. 2009. IT HAS NOT RECURRED NOR WAS IT REPORTED TO TOYOTA NOR THE NHTSA. WHILE TRAVELING ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY, WITH THE VEHICLE UNDER CRUISE CONTROL, I ATTEMPTED TO RESUME MY NORMAL CRUISING SPEED AFTER AN APPARENTLY SUCCESSFUL "BRAKE SHUTDOWN" OF THE SYSTEM. ON APPLYING THE "RESUME SPEED COMMAND", THE ENGINE WENT TO AN APPARENT FULL THROTTLE POSITION WITH THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING INTO "PASSING GEAR". THIS CONTINUED FOR A SHORT TIME, ESTIMATED TO BE LESS THAN 2 SECONDS, FOLLOWED BY A SHARP DECELERATION AND A SECOND FULL ACCELERATION (AGAIN OF A MOMENTARY LENGTH OF TIME). AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION WITH CONTINUED CRUISE CONTROL. AT NO TIME DID I APPLY MANUAL BRAKES OR SHIFT OUT OF "DRIVE". THE INCIDENT HAS NEVER REPEATED. THE REPORT IS STRICTLY TO INFORM YOU THAT THE APPARENT PROBLEM UNDER INVESTIGATION SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO 2009 MODEL YEAR TOYOTA'S BUT SHOULD GO BACK FURTHER INTO THEIR FLEET WITH "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL". *TR
Steering, Feb 23, 2010
STEERING ISSUE WITH 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT. BIG NOISE AND SUDDEN SLIP FEELING IN STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHILE TAKING OUT OF GARAGE OR GETTING IN OR WHILE TAKING TURNS ON BUMPY ROAD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY, IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Steering, Feb 23, 2010
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD V6 LIMITED THAT HAD A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT. IN EARLY 2009, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD "CLUNK" WHEN MY VEHICLE TURNED SLOWLY (FWD OR BACK FROM A STOP) OR WHEN I ENTERED OR EXITED MY DRIVEWAY. QUICK RESEARCH REVEALED OTHERS WITH THIS CONDITION ON 2006 AND 2007 RAV4S, IT WAS LIKELY A DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT..IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED AT THE JOINT, AND IT WAS WEARING/LOOSENING. TOYOTA HAD APPARENTLY ISSUED A T-SB-0318-08 TO REPLACE THE SHAFT WHEN OWNERS COMPLAINED. I TOOK MY RAV4 IN FOR SERVICE TO CHECK, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, MY MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, AND DESPITE NUMEROUS DIPLOMATIC ATTEMPTS ON MY PART, TOYOTA DENIED COVERAGE ON THE BASIS OF MILEAGE, DESPITE MY ARGUMENT OF A SAFETY DEFECT. I ARGUED THAT THIS LOOSENING/DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT COULD BREAK AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS IGNORED NUMEROUS TIMES THROUGH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TOYOTA "CUSTOMER SERVICE" CHANNELS. MY LOCAL DEALER WAS FRIENDLY, BUY UNABLE TO CONVINCE TOYOTA TO HELP. I FINALLY DECIDED TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE, FEARING FOR THE SAFETY OF MY STEERING, AND TOYOTA COULD NOT ASSURE ME THAT THE STEERING WAS SAFE WITHOUT THE REPAIR (THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT). I TOLD THEM I WOULD BE REPORTING THIS TO THE NHTSB, AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE. I SPENT OVER $500 TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT, AND I HOPE OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE ARE REPORTING THIS TO HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECTS. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Feb 23, 2010
ON OCT 2009 I HAD A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SEIZED COMPLETELY .THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING GEARS AND BRAKING PROBLEMS . *TR
Steering, Feb 22, 2010
CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING SHAFT. I HAD MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER IN NUMEROUS OCCASION THE MONTH AFTER MY WARRANTY WORE OUT THEY MENTIONED YES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SEVERAL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM ITS CALLED THE STEERING SHAFT WHICH MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND SOMETIMES BECOMES STUCK. THE DEALER HEADQUARTER TOYOTA (HORRIBLE SERVICER) FAILED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE PART EVEN THOUGH THERE IS RECALLS IN JAPAN FOR THIS SAME SITUATION. I AM NOT ABLE TO COVER THIS EXPENSIVE PART AND SO IM WAITING TO SEE IF THE RECALLS COMES TO THE US BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTING JERKING AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENT. SHE THEN TAPPED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECREASE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15948 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37000.
Steering, Feb 17, 2010
2007 RAV4 STEERING CLUNKING NOISE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010
I BOUGHT A NEW 2007 RAV 4 IN 07 AND HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL REVVING UP AND DOWN SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW WHILE GOING UPHILL. I TOOK IT TO 2 DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEN I CALLED TOYOTA DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT. FIRST INSTANCE ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME BUT I HIT THE BRAKES TURNING OFF THE CRUISE. SECOND INSTANCE CAUSED A COP TO PULL ME OVER BECAUSE HE THOUGHT I WAS CHALLENGING THE CAR BESIDE ME TO RACE WHEN HE HEARD MY ENGINE AND SEEN MY SUV LUNGE FORWARD. A DETAILED DESCRIPTION> CRUISE ENGAGED AT 65 MPH AND RPM AT 2500 PERFORMS FINE UNTIL HEADED UPHILL THEN IT WILL INCREASE RPM TO 4000 FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS THEN BACK DOWN TO 2500 THEN BACK UP THEN BACK DOWN AND SO ON TILL IT GETS OVER THE HILL. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY DON'T RECOMMEND TO HAVE THE CRUISE ENGAGED WHILE GOING UPHILL. THAT'S FUNNY I HAVE A HONDA AND IT WORKS FINE GOING UPHILL. MY MOTHER HAS AN 07 CAMRY AND HER CRUISE WORKS FINE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AND WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP AND SHE COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER TWICE. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE, AND KNEE. SHE CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEY HAVE NOT INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE YET. NEWPORT NEWS POLICE REPORT NUMBER 1049316. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 30,000.
Power train, Feb 15, 2010
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2007 TOYOTA RAV4, THE MOTOR REVVED MOMENTARILY WHILE I WAS BRAKING. THE LAST INSTANCE WAS IN THE SUMMER OF 09 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CAMPGROUND AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. A PERSON CROSSED THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME AND I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO LET HIM PASS. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE CAMPGROUND, THE MOTOR REVVED (I AM ESTIMATING IT REVVED FROM IDLE TO ABOUT 17-1800 RPM) AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, STARTLING THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME. FORTUNATELY MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I JUST APPLIED THE BRAKE HARDER AND NO ONE WAS HURT. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS PREVIOUS TO THESE INCIDENTS, I EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND I HAD PREVIOUSLY DISMISSED THEM THINKING THAT PERHAPS I COULD HAVE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME. I KNOW THIS NOT TO BE THE CASE IN THIS LATEST INSTANCE BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I WERE RETURNING FROM THE BEACH AND I WAS BAREFOOT, SO I KNOW DID NOT STEP ON BOTH THE GAS AND BRAKE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE GAS PEDAL ALSO DID NOT STICK. I WAS IDLING THROUGH THE CAMPGROUND AT THE TIME WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AT ALL. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2010
COMPLAINT:SECOND COMPLAINT I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA RAV 4 2007 IN OCTOBER OF 2007. A FEW MONTHS AFTER I HAD THE CAR I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE CAR, FOR NO REASON WOULD HESITATE, LEAVING ME AT TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF CROSSINGS AN INTERSECTIONS WITH NO POWER. AFTER OTHERS BEGAN MAKING COMMENTS THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG I BROUGHT IT INTO LEITH TOYOTA. THE FIRST TIME WAS APRIL 24TH 2008. I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR I WAS HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I TOLD HIM I WOULD START ACROSS AN INTERSECTION (4 LANES) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR HESITATED, THERE WAS NO POWER. I WOULD PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS LATER THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. I TOLD THEM IT CONCERNED AND SCARED ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. APRIL 28TH 2008 I RETURNED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP ADVISING THEM THERE WAS A PROBLEM, I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND WANTED IT FIXED. I AGAIN WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THIS TIME I REFUSED TO LEAVE UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THEY FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN AND TOLD ME THE MODELS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECM SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THEY REFLASHED THE ECM SYSTEM WITH AN UPDATE SENT BY CORPORATE AND THINGS SHOULD BE FINE. YESTERDAY I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOLD THEM THE CAR WAS OK FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS BUT AGAIN THIS WEEK I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR HAD STARTED TO HESITATE AGAIN, AND I AM LEFT IN THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT POWER AND ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THEY TOOK THE CAR OUT AND OF COURSE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT SO THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING ABNORMAL. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ADDITIONAL COMPUTER UPDATES FOR THE PROBLEM. THE CAR ALSO LOOSES POWER ON HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, SHUTS DOWN AFTER A WHILE. THEY ADVISED ME THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL UPDATES. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM IS PUTTING ME IN DANGER OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THEY TOLD ME TOYOTA DOES NOT FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 07/15/10.*JB
Steering, Feb 13, 2010
2007 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS LOUD CLUNKING NOISES AND "CATCHES" WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. SUPPOSED TO BE A STEERING ISSUE CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, BUT TOYOTA NOT WILL NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS THAT COST UPWARDS OF $1,000. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RESPOND TO COMPLAINANTS ABOUT IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. IF STEERING FAILS, WILL TOYOTA BE RESPONSIBLE? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 13, 2010
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF A 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4; HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, THIS IS THE LATEST INCIDENT; HAS HAPPENED AFTER GOING OVER A VERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT LESS THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
Steering, Feb 11, 2010
STEERING COLUMN IN 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. PROBLEM IS S MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT WILL NOT BE CORRECTED IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE WHENEVER STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED AND HAS A TENDENCY TO "WANDER" TO SIDE OF ROAD. *TR
Power train, Feb 10, 2010
I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, 6-CYLINDER 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED AWD, THAT SUFFERS FROM THROTTLE/TRANSMISSION LAG OF 1-2 SECONDS. I EXPERIENCE IT MOST COMMONLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR CHANGING LANES, WHEN I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO SPEED UP, THERE IS AN UNCOMFORTABLY LONG DELAY BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. THE RESULT IS I AM LEFT HANGING OUT IN A LANE WITH NO POWER OR SPEED. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION OR THROTTLE FINALLY KICKS IN, THE CAR LURCHES VIOLENTLY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. I AND MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. BY THE WAY, I ALSO OWN A 2008 HONDA ACCORD AUTOMATIC AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN THE HONDA. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE LOOKED AT AND FIXED. *TR