2011 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 287 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 44 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 20 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
Visibility/wiperSep 18, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 15V577000 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
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
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 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 bags, side/windowFeb 1, 2012
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAV4 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 24, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2011. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS, PROPELLANT WITH THE INCORRECT SPECIFICATION WAS USED FOR THE INITIATOR ASSEMBLED IN THE AIRBAG INFLATOR. IN THIS CONDITION, THE INFLATOR MAY NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, CAUSING ONE OR BOTH CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO IDENTIFY THE CURTAIN SHIELD ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THE ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 12V029000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
25 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Structure, Dec 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, there was a loud banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the subframe was severely rusted and the rear differential fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 23, 2021
when i driving around 50 miles the car is producing a grinding noise, stalling and reducing the speed, putting in danger the cars driving behind us. that kind of fail is on and off.
Power train, Sep 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking differential fluid. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contract was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the viscous coupling unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Power train, Dec 17, 2019
REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED DUE TO CLOGGED DIFFERENTIAL VENT. CAR HAS 93K MILES ON IT. THE VENT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH AND CAN'T BE CLEANED EASILY. ALSO IT COSTS $1300 TO FIX IT.
Steering, Power train, Jul 30, 2019
AT 79,000 MILES BOTH REAR OUTPUT SHAFT SEALS WENT OUT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. AN AIR REGULATOR ON THE TOP OF THE OUTPUT SHAFT CASE CAN GET CLOGGED EASILY AND IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO NOT ONLY THE SEALS BUT THE TRANSMISSION CASE. ALSO, AT 80,000 MILES THE ENTIRE STEERING GEAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WORSE IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING..
Power train, Jun 20, 2019
TRANSMITION HAS A GRINDING NOISE WHILE IN 3RD GEAR. THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE OTHER 3 RAV-4 THAT I HAVE. HAPPENING AT 90,000 TO 105,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER
Power train, May 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEISER TOYOTA (11301 W METRO AUTO MALL, MILWAUKEE, WI 53224, (414) 357-2100) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Power train, Apr 4, 2018
2011 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SOMETIMES SHIFT ERRATICALLY AND HARD. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JS
Power train, Mar 4, 2018
LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL ON DRIVER SIDE. ONLY 70000 MILES
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 28, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 2-3 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REVVED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE (2100 LEXINGTON RD, NICHOLASVILLE, KY 40356, (859) 887-4200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Power train, Oct 6, 2017
MY RAV4 HAS 66,000 MILES. I NOTICED AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. MY LOCAL DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR A PINION BEARING INSIDE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BUT AFTER ONLY LISTENING FOR NOISE OF A FAULTY BEARING THEY DETERMINED THAT MINE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER THE OIL LEAK IS COMING FROM THE PINION SEAL WHICH IS THE SAME SHAFT AS THE BEARINGS AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. ONE OF THE FIRST SIGNS OF A BEARING FAILURE IS A LEAKING SEAL. THE FAILING BEARING CAUSES A VIBRATION OFTEN TIMES NOT HEARD OR FELT BUT WHICH CAUSES AN OIL SEAL TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP DID INFORM ME HOWEVER THAT I HAVE A FRONT WHEEL BEARING THAT IS FAILING. I DO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE EVERYTHING FIXED WITH A TRUSTED LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP HOWEVER I AM CONCERNED THAT TOYOTA IS USING POOR QUALITY PARTS THAT COULD LEAD TO INCREASED ACCIDENTS.
Power train, Jun 30, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, IT ROLLED DOWN HILL INTO THE BACK YARD, THROUGH LAWN FURNITURE, AND STOPPED IN THE WOODS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Power train, Jun 5, 2017
AT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS TOLD THERE WAS A "TRANSAXLE LEAK" THAT REQUIRED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE LEAK IN THE DRIVEWAY, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER WARNING. SO WHEN THIS DEVELOPED IS UNKNOWN. TOLD NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIR WOULD BE $3000. TRANSMISSION AND DIFFERENTIAL HAD TO BE REMOVED TO SEAL LEAKING. THIS VEHICLE HAS 34K MILES ON IT. WAS TOLD THIS ONLY SEEN IN CARS OVER 100K. HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED--ALL SERVICE CHECKS AND RECALLS COMPLETED. TOYOTA ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY. NO SIGN OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Power train, Feb 8, 2017
AT APPROXIMATELY 67,000 MILES (OR LIKELY MUCH SOONER), THIS 4WD VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LEAKING SEAL IN THE LEFT REAR DIFFERENTIAL/AXLE. THE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED BY THE DEALER DURING A RECENT VISIT TO HANDLE SEVERAL OUTSTANDING RECALL ISSUES. FROM DOING EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 4WD RAV4S. IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR (AS MUCH AS $800 AT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER), SO I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE NTSB INVESTIGATE THE RAV4 REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL LEAKS FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL OR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. PLEASE NOTE THAT TOYOTA ALREADY ISSUED A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION (Z4F) WHICH EXTENDS THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY FOR A REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT SHOULD EXTEND TO THE REAR AXLE SEALS AS WELL. FAILURE OF THE REAR SEAL(S) CAN OF COURSE LEAD TO TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWERTRAIN AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE ATTACHED A PHOTO SHOWING THE LEAKING LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL.
Power train, Nov 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS LEAKAGE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS VERY DIRTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE FLUIDS TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,489.
Power train, Sep 28, 2014
AT 34,000 MILES I BROUGHT MY 2011 TOYOTA RAV 4 IN FOR SERVICE AT VICTORY TOYOTA OF CANTON, MI 48188 FOR A REGULAR SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER THE TWO YEAR WARRANT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AUTO TRANSMISSION SIDE COVER WAS LEAKING VERY BADLY AND EVERY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WAS STUNNED,AS THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THAT OCCUR SO EARLY IN ANY VEHICLE. THEY REPAIRED IT, HOWEVER I AM CONCERNED FOR THE FUTURE MANUFACTURING STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE TO HAVE SUCH A MAJOR ISSUE AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW FROM VICTORY TOYOTA OF CANTON, MI. I WILL ALSO BE FILING A SEPARATE COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2010 COROLLA WHICH HAS AN ISSUE THAT IS STUNNING , TO SAY THE LEAST. *TR
Power train, Air bags, May 12, 2014, crash
OUR 2011 RAV4 WAS TOTALED IN DECEMBER 2013 WHEN A BMW 5 SERIES CRASHED INTO US WHILE MY WIFE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE IMPACT WAS TO THE FRONT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT WAS SO SEVERE, THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS RIPPED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND ENDED COMPRESSED AGAINST THE PASSENGER DOOR; HOWEVER INCREDIBLY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY SON, WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT WAS UNHARMED, HOWEVER MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK WAS SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT AND FLEW ACROSS THE CAR SMASHING VIOLENTLY AGAINST THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, LOOSING CONSCIOUSNESS. AS SHE WOKE UP SHE VOMITED AND PER RECOMMENDATION OF THE EMERGENCY CREW ON THE SCENE, WE TOOK HER TO THE ER. I HAVE WRITTEN SEVERAL TOYOTA GROUPS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND THEY HAVE NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED MY REQUEST. I AM ENTITLED FOR A 100% REFUND ON THE ER EXPENSES AND MY DAUGHTER SHOULD BE PLACED ON A WATCH LIST, AS ANY REPERCUSSION OUT OF THESE TYPES OF ACCIDENTS SHOW UP YEARS AFTERWARDS. WHEN SHE DEVELOPS A BACK OR NECK CONDITION AS A RESULT OF THIS VEHICLE NOT FUNCTIONING AS ENGINEERED AND PROMOTED, TOYOTA SHOULD COVER ALL EXPENSES RELATED TO THEIR LACK OF QUALITY; WHICH IS EVIDENT SINCE THE ACCELERATION ISSUES AND THE MORE RECENT (AND PRECISELY) MASSIVE AIR BAG RECALL. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Apr 22, 2014
LOUD BANG WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A HAMMER HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM FIRST NOTICED AROUND 1000 MILES AND HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. IT HAPPENS TYPICALLY WHEN PASSENGERS ARE IN THE MIDDLE AND OR 3RD ROW SEATS AT SPEEDS USUALLY ABOVE 25 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE, 3RD ROW SEAT RAV4 NOW AT 73K MILES. IT CAN HAPPEN WITHIN A FEW MILES OF EACH INCIDENT OR GO HUNDREDS OF MILES BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. VERY ALARMING. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES YET EVERY TIME THEIR TECHNICIANS TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR TEST DRIVE, THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 25, 2014
ON 1/6/14 I WAS COMING TO AN INTERSECTION AND I WAS SLOWING DOWN. I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RAVING AND WAS TRYING TO PULL ME FORWARD. BECAUSE I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES THE CAR WAS ABLE ONLY TO JERK FORWARD. I HAD TO SWITCH TO NEUTRAL TO PREVENT CAR JERKING FORWARD. THEN THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL RPM. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER 2013. ON 1/9/14 I GAVE THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL TAKE THIS MATTER VERY SERIOUSLY AND THE TOYOTA ENGINEERS WILL COME TO READ THE COMPUTER DATA AND REVIEW THE VEHICLE. AFTER ONE WEEK IT APPEARS THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. I WROTE TO TOYOTA. THEY OPENED CASE #1401231137. AFTER THAT THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR ANOTHER WEEK BUT "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". THEY OPENED THE CASE #140230518. FINALLY, TODAY 1/25/14 THEY GAVE ME THE CAR BACK WITH A STUPID ADVICE "NOT STEP GAS AND BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME". THEY SAID THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR, BUT THE MILEAGE IN AND OUT IS THE SAME (6,085). I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT NEVER WAS IN ANY ACCIDENT. NOW I BELIEVE TO EVERY CLAIM OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATIONS OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. I HOPE THE FEDERAL AGENCY WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Power train, Feb 8, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVER FROM REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER SIGN BEFORE STOPPING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CLAMP THAT HELD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE FAILURE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
Power train, Jan 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FOR ASSISTANCE WITH DRIVING THROUGH A SNOWSTORM. UPON ACTIVATING THE SYSTEM, THE LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE DEACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Power train, Engine, Jul 17, 2012
THERE IS A HESITATION AT LOW SPEEDS, CAUSING ENGINE TO INTERMITTENTLY LOOSE POWER FOR 1.5-2.5 SECONDS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHERE CARS GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION ARE ALREADY TRAVELING 70-75 M.P.H. AND WHERE MAKING TURNS AT INTERSECTIONS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND OTHER SITUATIONS WHERE POWER IS NECESSARY TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS CONDITION HAS ALREADY RESULTED IN SEVERAL NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND NOT SUITABLE FOR NORMAL DRIVING. THIS HESITATION ALSO SEEMS TO BE NOTED IN THE RELATED NHTSA REPORT EXAMINING THE TOYOTA ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION AND AT THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED, THEY HAVE ADVISED ME THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE ONE THAT DOES INVOLVE THE PROGRAMMING OF THE ETC AND SELECTION OF A FORWARD GEAR. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 2, 2012
THIS IS AN INCIDENT INVOLVING SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATION. I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN THE WHERE GREAT MALL PARKWAY TURNS ONTO EASTBOUND MONTAGUE EXPWY IN MILPITAS, CA. DESPITE HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO CREEP FORWARD. I RESPONDED BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM TO ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED THROUGH THE RESISTANCE POINT AS IS TYPICAL WHEN THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGES. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE SO I QUICKLY MOVED THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR FROM DRIVE INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I REPORTED THE FAILURE TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA AND THE COMPLAINT WAS ASSIGNED CASE NUMBER [XXX]. I FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, PIERCEY TOYOTA, ON APRIL 13, 2012. THE SERVICE MANAGER COMPLETED AN INSPECTION AND SUBMITTED A REPORT TO TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICES. TODAY, MAY 2, 2012, I FOLLOWED UP WITH BOTH THE PIERCEY TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER AND WITH TOYOTA MOTOR SALES. ANTHONY OF TOYOTA TOLD ME, ESSENTIALLY, THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE AND REFUSES TO GIVE ME A FORMAL WRITTEN RESPONSE. ANTHONY CONTINUED BY SAYING THAT IF THIS RESPONSE WAS NOT SATISFACTORY TO ME, THEN I SHOULD GET AN OUTSIDE COUNSEL. I SUBMIT THAT THE SUDDEN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH TOYOTA--AT LEAST WITH MY VEHICLE--AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. IT IS MY OPINION THAT TOYOTA IS 'GIVING THE FINGER' TO THE PROBLEM AND TO THE UNITED STATES AND THAT TOYOTA'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WILL LIKELY KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE IF TOYOTA DOES NOT FIND A REAL SOLUTION. I AM PREPARED TO SUBMIT MORE DOCUMENTS AND DETAILS REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO BE PUT DIRECTLY IN TOUCH WITH AN OFFICER AT YOUR OFFICE SO THAT I CAN ENTER A FULL AND FORMAL COMPLAINT. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Nov 28, 2011, crash
MY RECENTLY PURCHASED RAV4 2011 ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE AND MY PASSENGER DOOR MIRROR CAUGHT THE EDGE OF MY GARAGE AND SHATTERED. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE. I WAS NOT TOLD BY THE SALESMAN, THE MANUAL ALSO DOES NOT STATE IT. THE REPLACEMENT OF MY MIRROR WILL COST ME $360.00 BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT COULD HAVE ROLLED BACK INTO MY WIFE AND SHE IS NOT REPLACEABLE. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. IT IS NOT EXPECTED TO HAPPEN WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND IF NO ONE IS MENTIONING IT TO YOU, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSE TO KNOW? SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT EVENTUALLY. IT WAS ALMOST MY WIFE. IT WILL SOON BE SOMEONE ELSE. *KB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY INCREASED SPEED ON ITS OWN, I APPLIED BRAKES, THE BRAKING DID NOT SLOW THE CAR, THE CAR CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN SPEED, I THEN SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE NOISE ROARED LOUDLY, AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE HARD, THE CAR STOPPED, WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ROAR LOUDLY FOR ANOTHER 30 SECONDS. *TR