2008 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 575 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 42 involved a crash and 16 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 2 people died.
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
575 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Electric, Apr 26, 2011
I OWN A TOYOTA RAV 4 FROM 2008. MY BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. IT HAVE THE PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. I HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY COMPLAINING IT TO THE DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT THEY HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET. ALL THE TIME THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS TELLING THAT WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU OR REPORT IT TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TOYOTA. I AND MY WIFE HAVE BEEN SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN ON BOARD. WE BOUGHT THIS SUV AS A FAMILY CAR BUT NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT WITH PEACE OF MIND. WE NEED SOME HELP TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. SOME OF THE DEALERS GET BACK TO ME SAYING "THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN THERE" EITHER SELL IT OR WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING. MAKE : TOYOTAYEAR:2008 MODEL : RAV 4 *TR
Tires, Apr 6, 2011
YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR TIRES G91 SIZE 235/55R1899H PEELING & FALLING APART I PURCHASED A TOYOTA RAV 4 2008 AT 27900 MILES WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED ( NOTE NOT AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP) THEY INFORMED ME MY FRONT TIRES ARE FALLING APART. I MADE AN APPT. AND TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA WAITED AN HOUR AND WAS TOLD TAKE IT HOME WITH THE BAD TIRES NO ONE THEIR COULD HELP ME OR DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A PROBLEM NEW TO TOYOTA RAV4'S. *TR
Air bags, Mar 24, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE WHEN IT WAS STARTED AND ALL FRONTAL AND REAR CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE HOUSING FOR THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FLEW ACROSS THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE PET ELEMENT, LEATHER INTERIOR AND FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERE LACERATIONS TO THE LEFT HAND FROM THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENING AROUND THE HAND UPON DEPLOYMENT. ANOTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE CHEST FROM THE EXPLOSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THE EVENT DATA RECORDER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND REACTED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SEVENTY DEGREE LATERAL ROLLOVER WITHIN 4.2 SECONDS OF STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,500.
Electrical system, Mar 23, 2011, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH, HE SAW SMOKE BEING EMITTING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR, IT WAS ON FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ORIGINATING FROM THE WIRES IN THE DOOR WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Service brakes, Electric, Mar 4, 2011
MY TOYOTA RAV 4, 2008 MODEL ACCELERATED WHILE I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE HARDER I WENT DOWN ON THE BRAKES THE MORE THE ENGINE REVVED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP. AS HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN INCREASE IN RPMS UP TO 7000. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,500.
Tires, Jan 30, 2011
BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE WORN IN THE MIDDLE AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES! WHEN I WENT TO HAVE THEM ROTATED, THEY COULDN'T ROTATE THEM BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TREAD LEFT. SO, I WENT TO REPLACE THE YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR TIRES, BUT SOON FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY, NO PRO-RATED REPLACEMENT...NOTHING!!! I HAD MAINTAINED PROPER INFLATION IN BOTH TIRES, BUT I NOTICED OTHER 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 CARS IN PARKING LOTS WITH THE SAME PREMATURE TREAD WEAR ON FRONT TIRES. HOW CAN TOYOTA SELL A CAR WITH TIRES THAT INCLUDE NO WARRANTY?? SO I HAD TO PAY FOR TWO NEW TIRES ON A CAR THAT WAS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD! I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 25, 2011, crash
WHILE MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE HEAD FIRST, UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, AT THE STREET IN FRONT OF OUR HOME, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY NEARLY STOPPED, AND CAUSED HER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. EVEN AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE ENGINE KEPT ACCELERATING, THUS PUSHING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WHICH WE HAD COLLIDED INTO. THE ENGINE ONLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AFTER MY WIFE TURNED OFF THE CAR. AT NO POINT DID MY WIFE STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, THIS WAS NOT A CASE OF PEDAL CONFUSION. HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE (SLOWING DOWN TO PARK) BEFORE AND AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING. THE ACCELERATION WAS QUITE SEVERE, I AM NOT SURE THE CAR COULD ACCELERATE THAT FAST EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN INTENTIONALLY. THIS IS THE FOURTH INCIDENT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WE'VE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE THREE OTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY. WE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA IN THE SUMMER OF 2010, BUT THEY TOLD US THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND WE COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE CLOSELY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IN NO CASE WAS THE GAS PEDAL STUCK, OR THE FLOOR MAT WAS IN THE WAY. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING AND AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIMES.THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED OVER $4000 IN DAMAGES IN JUST THE LATEST INCIDENT. WHEN WE REPORTED THE LATEST INCIDENT TO TOYOTA THEY CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS A CASE OF PEDAL CONFUSION AND DISMISSED OUR COMPLAINT. THIS WAS NOT A CASE OF PEDAL CONFUSION. MY WIFE ALREADY HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE SLOWING DOWN TO PARK THE VEHICLE. ONLY ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY PARKED DID THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE WHILE MY WIFE'S FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKES. OUR PROBLEM IS BEING DISMISSED BY TOYOTA. SURELY OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ARE SUFFERING THE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2011
2008 4 CLY RAV4 SPORT WITH 24700 MILES. CONCERN: 1/20/11 THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON BY ITSELF AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I HIT THE CRUISE BUTTON, LIGHT WENT OUT, NOT SURE IF I ALSO APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY. AFTER THE INCIDENT I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT ANOTHER 20 MILES WITH NO DUPLICATION OF THE PROBLEM. CONCERN: 1/21/11 START THE CAR AND THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT WAS ON. ABOUT 2 MINUTES INTO MY SNOW COVERED TRIP I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND WORKED AS NEEDED. I DROVE ANOTHER 5 MINUTES AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CRUISE LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I PUSHED THE CRUISE BUTTON TO TRY AND DEACTIVATE IT. IT DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK SO I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE KEY. RESTARTED THE CAR AND ONLY THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CAR SEEMED OK AND I DROVE APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 25 MILES AND GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. DEALER CAUSE/CORRECTION INFORMATION. 1/21/11 CHECK VEHICLES CRUISE CONTROL COMING ON BY ITSELF AND VEHICLE ACCELERATING. TECH ROAD TESTED VEHICLE AND MONITORED ALL SYSTEMS. TECH NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE CONDITION WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATING ON IT OWN. TECH FOUND NO BULLETINS OR UPDATES FOR THE VEHICLE. ** TECH/DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM .** THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A LOANER AND CONTACTED TOYOTA OF THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE FROM TOYOTA IS COMING 1/24-1/25/11 TO CHECK THE VEHICLE. *LN
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 23, 2011, crash
AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15AM SATURDAY JANUARY 22, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON SPIT BROOK ROAD IN NASHUA NH FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, WHEN MY LEASED TOYOTA RAV4L SUDDENLY REVVED IT'S ENGINE AND STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD. AS IT DID, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD, AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV THE ENGINE AND SUDDENLY JUMPED FORWARD HITTING THE CAR THAT WAS ABOUT 6 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. AT THAT TIME, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, STOPPED THE ENGINE AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THE WOMAN IN THE CAR AHEAD OF ME WAS HURT. SHE WAS NOT. HER CAR HAD NO DAMAGE TO IT. SHE WENT ON HER WAY. THERE IS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FROM END OF THE RAV4, INCLUDING THE BUMPER AND GRILL. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, AND TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IN NASHUA NH, THAT WAS A MILE OR 2 AWAY, AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THEY TRIED TO BLAME THIS ON THE FLOOR MAT ISSUE, AND THEN TRIED TO BLAME IT ON ME, SAYING THAT THEY THINK MY BOOT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON THE ACCELERATOR. I TOLD THEM THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE CAR WAS STOPPED FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS WHEN IT SUDDENLY REVVED THE ENGINE AND ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. THE CAR WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT ON MONDAY JANUARY 24TH, 2011. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. *LN
Air bags, Jan 12, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2011
NUMBER 1 -- I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MY RAV4. IT WAS A COLD EVENING AFTER DARK AND I LEFT WORK. THE BATTERY HAD FAILED. NOT A PROBLEM, I GOT A JUMP AND THE CAR STARTED. I LET IT SIT AND OBTAIN SOME CHARGE. WHAT WAS VERY UNUSUAL WERE THE NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THAT COULD FAIL WHENEVER A POWER SURGE WAS NEEDED, SAY FROM THE POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC. THE POWER SURGE WOULD LEAD TO A LIGHTS OUT, OR LOSS OF STEERING, OR ENGINE TEMPORARILY STALLING, ETC. IT RECOVERED EACH TIME AFTER THE SURGE WAS OVER (GOOD NEWS). I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE IF THE BATTERY FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AT SPEED I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I VIEW MYSELF AS VERY LUCKY. THE BATTERY WAS THE ORIGINAL BATTERY SUPPLIED WITH THE CAR. I HAVE NOT YET RETURNED IT FOR RE-CYCLING. IT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO YOU FOR SAFETY STUDY REASONS I CAN MAKE IT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Jan 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN EITHER THE PARK POSITION OR THE DRIVE POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. THE PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED WHICH WOULD TAKE TIME TO ARRIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,397.
Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2010, crash
WHILE I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND STEPPING ON THE BREAK PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STOPPED THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT MY CONTROL SPED UP FORWARD AND CRASHED TO TWO PARKED CARS IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT SPEED OF 15 MPH. WHEN I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY LIFTING THE EMERGENCY PARKING HANDLE, THE CAR REVERSE ITS DIRECTION BACKWARD AND HIT A BUILDING AND STOPPED .THE CAR'S ENGINE DID NOT BECOME IDLE WHILE I WAS STEPPING ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND THE CAR BECAME WITHOUT MY CONTROL AFTER SLOWED DOWN TO LESS THAN 5 5 MPH AND MY FEET WERE ON THE BREAK PEDAL ALL THE TIME .SUBSEQUENTLY, I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE WEST LAPD AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR ANY DRUGS .I HAVE REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE MANUFACTURE OF THE CAR WHICH SENT AN INSPECTOR TO RETRIEVE ANY INFORMATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT MY CAR HAS SPECIAL ACCELERATION PEDAL WHICH OPERATED BY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WHICH COULD CAUSE SURGING FORWARD GOING FROM CLOSED THROTTLE TO OPEN THROTTLE. IN THE MEANTIME STILL WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURE RESPONSE TO MY CLAIM. I AM MATURE EXPERIENCED RESPONSIBLE DRIVE FOR YEARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE MY CLAIM
Service brakes, Air, Dec 30, 2010
BRAKES WERE REPORTED AS RUSTED OUT AND WERE REPLACED DURING A 10,000 MILE STANDARD SERVICE. COST WAS NEARLY $1000. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 27, 2010, crash
PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AT WORK DOING ABOUT 5-10 MPH. SLOWED TO TURN INTO SPACE, GIVING CAR JUST ENOUGH GAS , WHEN CAR LAUNCHED FORWARD HITTING A CHAIN LINK FENCE. I DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES, SO I TRIED PUMPING BRAKES BEFORE IMPACT . BRAKE PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, SO I USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP CAR BEFORE IT CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO CAR AND FENCE. I DID NOT REPORT INCIDENT, BUT TOOK CAR TO LACEY COLLISION, AND THEY ESTIMATED DAMAGE AT $1500. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS..NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. THEY ONLY ADMITTED THAT YES, MY BRAKES WERE A BIT 'SOFT'. BUT CAR WAS NOT ON THEIR RECALL LIST.
Suspension, Dec 23, 2010
I RECENTLY GOT MY OIL CHANGE DONE AND TIRE ROTATION FOR MY TOYOTA RAV 4. I WAS TOLD BY A NON TOYOTA SERVICE PERSON TO TAKE MY CAR TO TOYOTA TO GET THE SHOCKS CHECKS OUT SINCE THEY WERE LEAKING AND I WAS UNDER WARRANTY WITH TOYOTA. MY CAR IS ONLY LIKE 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE SHOCKS BEFORE AT LIKE 20K MILES ONLY. TOYOTA HAD FIXED MY LEFT REAR SHOCKS ONCE BEFORE TOO. SO THIS WAS NOT SURPRISING TO ME KNOWING THAT THE RIGHT SHOCKS/STRUTS WERE MESSED UP THIS TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID MOISTURE ON THE SKOCKS/STRUTS WAS NORMAL AND NOTHING WAS LEAKING. ALSO THE NEW TIRES THAT I HAD REPLACED A FEW MONTHS BACK WERE WORN OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHOCKS/STRUTS WERE NOT A REASON FOR THAT. SINCE I WILL RUN OUT OF MY 36,000 MILES WARRANTY IN THE NEXT 3 MONTHS I AM CONCERNED IF TOYOTA IS BEING HONEST ABOUT MY SITUATION OR THEY JUST DON'T CARE. *LN
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 21, 2010
GREETINGS, WE HAVE A 2008 RAV4 WHICH HAS TWICE EXHIBITED UNCONTROLLED ENGINE ACCELERATION. MY WIFE HAS CONTACTED TOYOTA TO NO AVAIL. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THE RAV4. THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OUR COMPLAINTS AS A MORTAL SAFETY CONCERN. IT IS AS IF WE ARE TRYING TO CON THE COMPANY. AS A LIFELONG SAFETY PROFESSIONAL, THIS IS VERY DISTURBING. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO OUR POSSIBLE ACTIONS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 LTD (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THEN DRIVE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN SO THE CONTACT RUBBED THE TIRES ALONG THE CURB AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT FAINTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
Air bags, Oct 17, 2010
AIR BAG ECU ON 2008 RAV4 NEEDS REPLACING . STARTING AT 52000 MILES DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON. RECENTLY IT WOULD STAY ON (82000 MILES), AFTER DEALER INSPECTION IT WAS DECLARED THAT A NEW AIRBAG ECU IS NEEDED AT A COST OF $670. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 16, 2010, crash
2008 TOYOTA RAV4 (35K MILES) PURCHASED IN 12/07. AFTER A 40 MILE DRIVE, WE WERE SITTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR APPROX 20 MINUTES. DURING A STOP, THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING LOUDLY AND LUNGED FORWARD. WITH BOTH FEET STILL ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO CREEP FORWARD UNTIL HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. THEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF. THIS IS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. AFTER SETTLING DOWN, AND DISCUSSING THE ACCIDENT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE, NO DAMAGE TO THEIR CAR, SO NO NEED TO FILE AN ACCIDENT REPORT. WE CALLED TOYOTA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. AND TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST DEALER. AFTER A CHECKING OUT THE CAR, THEY FOUND NO ISSUES, AND SAID THE CAR WAS 'TO TOYOTA'S SPECIFICATIONS', AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE HOW IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 6, 2010
2008 TOYOTA RAV 4 KEEPS LOSING OIL . LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. RETURNED TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY PUT IN WRITING "UP TO 1 QT IN 1000 MILE IS CONSIDERED NORMAL BY TOYOTA. SINCE OIL CHANGES ARE REQUIRED EVERY 5000, IS TOYOTA SAYING IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO BE DOWN 5 QTS? ASKED REPS FOR EXPLANATION AND THEY STATED THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ME WITH ONE. AT THIS RATE I SHOULD HAVE A BLOWN ENGINE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 27, 2010
TURNED ON IGNITION AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Air bags, Sep 1, 2010
MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON OFF AND ON FOR TWO YEARS ON MY TOYOTA RAV 4. EVERYTIME I BROUGHT IT IN THE MECHANIC WOULD RUN A TEST AND SAY THAT IT WAS JUST A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM. WE ASKED THEM IF IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. ON THE DAY THE AIRBAGS REALLY MESSED UP MY FRIEND AND I WERE SITTING IN MY CAR, I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS ON BOTH SIDES EXPLODED. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD PUT A BOMB IN MY CAR. MY FRIEND FRACTURED HER STERNUM AND I HAD A SEVERE CLOSED HEAD INJURY, A HOLE IN MY EAR DRUM, AND THE MUSCLES IN MY NECK WERE MESSED UP. THE RAV HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME OUT AND DO A FINAL CHECK ON IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 19, 2010
BOUGHT '08 TOYO RAV4 NEW FROM SERRA TOYO IN B'HAM AL. NOW WITH 54K MILES AND NO PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW. ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND UPON BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AS WE CAME TO A NEAR STOP, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT 8-10 FT STOPPING ONLY INCHES SHORT OF THE CAR AHEAD OF US. I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENTIRE TIME AND THE CAR HAD DECELERATED TO A NEAR STOP, SO THIS IS NOT A STUCK ACCELERATOR. FLOOR MATS WERE NOT NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. EVEN SO, I DECIDED THAT I MUST HAVE ERRED IN SOME WAY AND MOVED ON. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A BUSINESS, WE HAD AN IDENTICAL REPEAT, THIS TIME COMING WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING THE FRONT OF THE BUSINESS. THERE WAS NO DOUBT THIS TIME THAT THIS WAS NOT OPERATOR ERROR. IT IS THE DISTINCT FEELING OF THE ACCELERATOR BEING PUSHED DOWN AND OVERRIDING THE BRAKE. EACH TIME, THE STOP WAS NOT AS A RESULT OF MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IT WAS SIMPLY RELATED TO THE FACT THAT THE ACCELERATION STOPPED BEFORE WE HIT ANYTHING. I CALLED FOR A FLATBED AND PAID $160 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED 60 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP AS DRIVING WAS NOT AN OPTION. SERRA ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AND WOULD HAVE INVESTIGATORS COME IN AND CHECK THE CAR OUT. THEY CALLED ME TODAY TO TELL ME THAT EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WE COULD PICK IT UP. I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. WE LIVE ON A MAJOR HWY AND IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY IT COULD HAVE PRODUCED TRAGIC RESULTS. I NEED HELP! WHAT DO I DO? I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERV. AND THEY SAID IF THE INVESTIGATORS SAY NOTHING IS WRONG, THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO. THE '08 RAV4 IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS AND I SUSPECT THAT TOYOTA IS SIMPLY GOING TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO ADDRESS YET ANOTHER MODEL YEAR. IF YOU HAVE OTHER REPORTS OF THIS IN A '08 RAV4, PLEASE TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY. PLEASE ADVISE! *TR