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: service brakes
48 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Engine, Dec 21, 2014
AFTER DRIVING MY 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED EDITION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WAITING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN LEFT. I TURNED LEFT AND ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 15 MPH. I THEN NOTICED PEDESTRIANS ENTERING A CROSSWALK SO I HIT THE BRAKES A BIT HARDER THAN NORMAL, BUT NOT IN A PANIC MODE. AS THE CAR DECELERATED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE. I INCREASED MY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN THE SPEED WAS ALMOST ZERO SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THIS IMMEDIATELY CURED THE PROBLEM. THE DISTANCE FROM STOP TO STOP WAS LESS THAN 100 FEET. I BELIEVE THAT THE PAVEMENT WAS DAMP, BUT IT WAS NOT RAINING AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 40S. I DRIVE WITH ONE FOOT, AND MY FOOT DEFINITELY WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOT THE ACCELERATOR. THE FLOORMAT WAS SECURELY IN PLACE AND THERE WERE NO LOOSE OBJECTS ON THE FLOOR. I BROUGHT MY SUV TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THEY TESTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE COMPANY. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO "PEDAL MISAPPLICATION" (TAS CASE#-143510469). AS IT IS GEOMETRICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME IN A RAV4, I CONCLUDE THAT TOYOTA CANNOT FIND THE SOFTWARE/HARDWARE BUG IN THEIR PRODUCT. I FEEL THAT I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT COULD TURN ON ME AT ANY TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO SELL IT, BUT HOW CAN I PASS SUCH A SERIOUS DEFECT ON TO AN UNSUSPECTING BUYER? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 15, 2014
I HAD 3 INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (UA) WITH MY 2011 RAV4 WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER IN MAR/APR 2014, 1 RESULTING IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. A COMPLAINT WAS MADE WITH NHTSA AT THAT TIME. I WENT THRU TOYOTA'S COMPLAINT PROCEDURE, INCLUDING INSPECTION BY THEIR FIELD TECHNICIAN. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON DEC 4 & 12TH, 2014, I EXPERIENCED 2 MORE UA INCIDENTS. EACH TIME I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION & I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, BUT MY VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, AND I COULD HEAR THE MOTOR REVVING UP VERY LOUDLY. I HAD LEARNED FROM THE PREVIOUS 3 EXPERIENCES LAST SPRING TO KEEP A DISTANCE BEHIND VEHICLES WHENEVER POSSIBLE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, SO AS TO AVOID RAMMING INTO THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME BY VEERING TO EITHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IF POSSIBLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE AFRAID EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY RAV4, BUT I AM. MY RAV4 HAS ONLY 20500 MILES ON IT AND IS LIKE NEW. IT MAKES ME LIVID THAT TOYOTA CAN JUST IGNORE/DENY THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY AFTER SEEING ALL OF THE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING UA ON THE NHTSA SITE...KIND OF LIKE GENERAL MOTORS COVERING UP THEIR LITTLE IGNITION PROBLEM FOR 10 YEARS, WHILE SO MANY PEOPLE WERE INJURED OR DIED. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 11, 2014
WHILE TOYOTA WAS HAPPY TO SELL ME A 2011 RAV 4 IN DEC OF 2014 WITH 18,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER 3 MONTHS LATER WHEN I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM THEY WERE NOT AS FRIENDLY. WHILE WAITING AT A SIGNAL OR A STOP SIGN THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FADE TO THE FLOOR.THIS HAPPENED TIME AND TIME AGAIN. I CALLED THE LOCAL STEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE READ ON LINE OF NUMEROUS RAV4 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.WHY DOES TOYOTA REFUSE TO FIX THIS. *TR
Service brakes, Nov 25, 2014
2011 TOYOTA RAV4 BRAKES HAVE NOT MUCH STOPPING POWER. BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PRESSED VERY HARD. AT LOW SPEED AROUND 5-10 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES MAKE GRINDING NOISE. CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, MECHANIC TEST DROVE CAR, HEARD THE NOISE AND SAID COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKING POWER OF RAV4 IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE OTHER CARS. BRAKE FILLING AND PERFORMANCE IS INCONSISTENT. WHEN I DROVE 2015 TOYOTA COROLLA, 2014 HONDA CIVIC, 2012 HONDA CRV, 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA, 2013 MAZDA 3, 2014 CHEVY MALIBU, 2014 CHEVY MALIBU, 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON, 2015 CHRYSLER 300 AND OTHER CARS, WHEN START DRIVING MY 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 I FEEL THIS CAR CANNOT STOP. BRAKE PERFORMANCE OF 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 IS POOR AND INCONSISTENT. AS A SEPARATE ISSUE WHEN I PARK A CAR FOR A WEEK AT THE AIRPORT, THERE IS SO MUCH RUST ACCUMULATED ON BRAKE ROTORS, THAT THE CAR IS SHAKING DURING BRAKING. SHAKING TYPICALLY DISAPPEARS AFTER TWO DAYS OF DRIVING, BUT THE ROTORS ARE STILL PITTED. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 28, 2014
I HAD A BRAKE TO THE FLOOR EXPERIENCE THAT REQUIRED TAKING MY RAV4 BACK TO THE DEALER. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP WAS BY PUMPING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR ONE DAY AND WHEN I RETURNED THEY STATED THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, QUESTION: IS THERE A COVER-UP ON A BRAKE PROBLEM WITH RAV4'S ? THERE IS NO WAY THAT MY BRAKES FIXED THEM SELF'S BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I HAD ANOTHER PERSON DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. QUESTION: IS THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AFTER THE DEALERS CLAIM THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG, THEY DID NOTHING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM & NOW THE BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY? *TR
Service brakes, Sep 27, 2014, crash
BRAKE PEDAL WILL DEPRESS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR ALLOWING THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENTALLY PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THIS INCIDENT INVOLVED A SLOW SPEED CRASH ON AN ICY ROAD WHEN THE VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD NO MATTER HOW HARD THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 26,000 HIGHWAY MILES AND I EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES, PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 3, 2014
CAR FAILED TO DECELERATE WHILE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. CAR CONTINUED TO PUSH FORWARD WHILE I WAS BRAKING. CAR HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PHENOMENA OCCURRED. BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY CLAIMED THEY FOUND NO ISSUES WITH THE CAR OR ITS COMPUTER SYSTEMS. SINCE TOYOTA INSPECTED THE CAR AND CLAIMED THEY FOUND NO ABS EVENT IN THE CAR'S SYSTEMS AND CLAIMED THEY COULD DETECT NO COMPUTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, I ELECTED TO TRADE IN THE CAR. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I WANT ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE TO BE AWARE OF THESE EVENTS. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 28, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE FRONT BUMPER, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT, AND THE FRONT GRILL WERE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 18, 2014
WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A BUSY THOROUGHFARE, THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND AT THE LAST MINUTE I DECIDED AGAINST RUNNING THE YELLOW LIGHT AND APPLIED MY BRAKES VERY HARD. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT AS I APPROACHED THE STOP LINE MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MY BRAKES HAD FAILED, BUT THEN I HEARD THE WHINE OF THE ENGINE AND I REALIZED THAT I WAS FIGHTING AGAINST AN ACCELERATING ENGINE. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHICH I THOUGHT WOULD KICK THE ACCELERATOR BACK TO NORMAL BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING QUITE HIGH, BUT I WAS NO LONGER MOVING FORWARD. I THEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BACK UP EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. AT THAT POINT I PLACED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT PERFORMED NORMALLY. I DROVE 6 BLOCKS TO MY DESTINATION, PARKED THE CAR, CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THERE. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AS I THOUGHT TOYOTA HAD SOLVED THE PROBLEM OF UNATTENDED ACCELERATION. OBVIOUSLY NOT. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM AS TO WHAT THEY FIND. FROM THE REPORTS I HAVE READ, I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH. THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO CALL FOR AN INDEPENDENT ENGINEER TO ASSESS THE VEHICLE, AND THAT MIGHT TAKE UP TO A WEEK. I HAVE NO GRUDGE AGAINST TOYOTA, AS I ALSO OWN A 2002 CAMRY WHICH HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS. I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THAT ALL THE REPORTS OUT THERE ARE BECAUSE OF LOOSE FLOOR MATS, STICKY ACCELERATORS OR CON ARTIST TRYING TO GET MONEY OUT OF A BIG CORPORATION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ELECTRONICS OF THESE CARS AS SOMETHING IS NOT COMMUNICATING RIGHT. THANK YOU. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Apr 13, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED THE VEHICLE'S STABILITY, ANTILOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL FUNCTIONS STOP FUNCTIONING AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR ALL TURN ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY. I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKING APPEAR TO WORK PROPERLY BUT I AM UNABLE TO REENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS IN THE RECALL OF THE 2012 RAV4 BUT THE 2011 IS NOT INCLUDED. *JS
Service brakes, Jan 23, 2014
I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT THE END OF MY STREET, NOTHING HAPPENED, MY FOOT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK OF DOING WAS TO TURN THE VEH OFF AND COAST TO A STOP IT WORKED AFTER ABOUT 50 FEET, AFTER I STOPPED SHAKING I DROVE HOME EVEN SLOWER THAN BEFORE AND WHEN I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE BRAKES AGAIN DID NOT STOP, BUT THE PEDAL DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I TURNED OFF THE KEY AGAIN AND COASTED TO A STOP. I HAD JUST HAD THE FRONT BRAKES FIXED AT THE TOYOTA DEALER BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED IT, THE VEH WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS OLD. I QUESTIONED WHEY THEY HAD GONE OUT SO FAST I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WAY I DRIVE. IF THIS IS THE CASE I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON ALL MY VEH WITHIN 2 YEARS I NEVER HAVE, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE RAV4. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 2, 2014, crash
I LEASE A 2011 TOYOTA RAV 4 AND MY CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY INTO ANOTHER CAR. I WAS INCHING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT VERY SLOWLY IN REVERSE, WHEN I NOTICED A MAN TO MY RIGHT, TWO SPOTS AWAY FROM ME, PULLING OUT HEAD FIRST. I DEPRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO LET HIM GO AND THE MOMENT I DID THAT, I LITERALLY FLEW BACK INTO THIS MAN'S CAR WITH SUCH A FORCE THAT I WOULD HAVE MOST DEFINITELY RUN SOMEBODY OVER IF THEY WERE WALKING BEHIND MY CAR. THANK GOD THERE WAS NOT A HUGE AMOUNT OF SPACE (MAYBE 6 FEET) BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR I HIT BECAUSE I SURGED BACK WITH SUCH A FORCE THAT GIVEN THE TIME AND/OR SPACE, I CANNOT EVEN THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME OR SOMEONE ELSE IF THE CAR WAS ABLE TO GAIN MORE MOMENTUM. NOT TO MENTION HOW THANKFUL I AM MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND 6 MONTH OLD SON WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME! I MOST DEFINITELY HAD AN ACCELERATOR PROBLEM. I HAD NO ADDITIONAL MATS ON MY FLOOR. THERE WAS NO PEDAL MISPLACEMENT.' I AM TELLING YOU THAT I WAS SLAMMING ON THE BREAK AND IT DIDN'T WORK- I JUST PROPELLED BEHIND ME INTO THIS MAN'S CAR. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING EVERYONE AND EVERYONE TO TRY TO GET OUT OF MY LEASE. I AM NOT DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN AND WOULDN'T RISK MY LIFE OR THE LIFE OF MY TWO CHILDREN. I AM VERY SKEPTICAL OF ACCURATE FINDINGS IN AN INVESTIGATION AFTER READING MANY REPORTS FROM PEOPLE SWEARING THE CAR ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND BEING TOLD EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE WITH THEIR CAR BY THE INVESTIGATOR. THERE MUST BE A RECALL FOR THIS CAR. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEBODY. I WILL NEVER DRIVE ANOTHER TOYOTA! *TR
Service brakes, Mar 8, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAUSED HIM TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR ERRONEOUSLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WORK BENCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DISPATCHED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINEER DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PEDAL WOULD ONLY BECOME SLIPPERY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Service brakes, Jan 29, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP I HAD TO APPLY MY EMERGENCY BRAKES OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILL BECAUSE THERE WAS CARS COMING FROM MY LEFT AND FROM MY RIGHT. IT WAS LIKE A T AVENUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 16, 2012
I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN LOW SPEED AND LIGHTENING MY PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD. I PRESSED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING. I HAD TO VEER TO THE ADJACENT LANE SINCE I WAS GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THEN, THE CAR CAME TO A HALT. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 11, 2012
THERE IS IN ADEQUATE SPACING BETWEEN THE ACCELRATOR AND THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. I DRIVE 80 MILES A DAY, AND I HAVE TO ANGLE SO THAT I DON'T HIT THE TOP OF THE BREAK WHEN LIFTING IT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, THE BRAKES DON'T WORK THAT WELL, THEY'RE NOT STABLE. *TR
Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 2, 2012, crash
PROBLEM 1 - I HAVE BRAKE NOISE AND BRAKE DOES NOT STOP PROPERLY. SPOKE TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEN CREATED A CASE NUMBER WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. TOYOTA VERIFIED AND THEY SAY NO PROBLEM IN BRAKE. WHAT TOYOTA SAYS AFTER INSPECTION - *INSPECT BRAKE LININGS AND CHECK PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT ~|~*INSPECT BRAKE LININGS AND CHECK PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT ~|~ ~|~COULD NOT VERIFY BRAKE NOISE.FRONT BRAKES HAVE 5 MM REMAINING AND REAR BRAKES STILL HAVE 7 MM.ALL GOOD AND NO TSB PERTAINING PROBLEM 2 - THE VEHICLE HAS A WIND LIKE NOISE WHEN DRIVING THE FREEWAY, WHICH TOYOTA SAYS THEY FIXED AND THE PROBLEM WAS "SECURE LOOSE ROOF RACK BAR". *TR
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2012
I HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN OVER THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL WIDTH ON MY 2011 TOYOTA RAV. MY PROBLEM IS THAT MY DRESS SHOES AND RECREATION BOOTS ARE GETTING CAUGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I SWIVEL FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, I CAME CLOSE TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I AVOIDED THE ACCIDENTS BY QUICKLY SLIDING MY RIGHT FOOT TO THE RIGHT AND COMPLETELY LIFTING MY FOOT UP AND OVER TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING ONE OF THESE MANEUVERS, MOVING MY RIGHT FOOT QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT RESULTED IN THE LIP OF THE SOLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE HITTING THE GAS PEDAL AND CAUSING ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN I WEAR SNEAKERS, AS THE SOLE OF THE SNEAKER DOES NOT HAVE AN APPROXIMATE HALF-INCH LIP ON THE SIDES. ALSO AND MOST IMPORTANT, I DRIVE A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN. I ALSO DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAMRY, WHICH I TRADED IN FOR THE RAV. THE ABOVE VEHICLES HAS CLOSE TO A FIVE INCH WIDTH SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. I'VE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER. THEY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE OF MY CONCERN, FORWARDING MY COMPLAINT TO THE AREA MAINTENANCE MANAGER. I MET WITH THE AREA MANAGER EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM. HE PROCEEDED TO TAKE PICTURES OF MY SHOES AND THE 3 INCH WIDTH BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. THAT MEETING ENDED WITH THE AREA MANAGER OPENING A CASE AND THE PROMISE HE WOULD REFER MY PROBLEM TO HIS APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT. TO DATE, MY CASE IS STILL WITH TOYOTA. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER MAINTENANCE MANAGER HAS CONTACTED ME ADVISING THAT THE CASE IS BEING HANDLED AT A HIGHER LEVEL. *JS
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 23, 2012
I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATION EVENT ON APRIL 6TH. I FOLLOWED TOYOTA'S INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE AND EVEN MET WITH A TECHNICAL EXPERT AND WE AGREE ON THE FOLLOWING POINTS: THE EVENT WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP AS TWO SEPARATE EVENTS IN THE ABS HISTORY QUEUE. AN INITIAL VSC EVENT (SUDDEN ACCELERATION) CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY THE ABS EVENT (MY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER IN RESPONSE TO THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION) IF A CHECK OF THE ABS HISTORY QUEUE WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IMMEDIATELY, BOTH EVENTS WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN STORED IN THE ABS HISTORY QUEUE. THE SMALL CAPACITY OF THE ABS HISTORY QUEUE, COUPLED WITH THE RECORDING OF MANY FREQUENT TRACTION CONTROL (TRAC) EVENTS PUSHED THE RECORD OF MY ABS- AND VSC EVENTS OUT OF THE ABS HISTORY QUEUE. THE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR MOVING SLOWLY AS IN MY INCIDENT. SO, THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT REMAINS UNRESOLVED. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD NOT HAVE ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS EITHER STOPPED OR MOVING SLOWLY, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I THINK TOYOTA IS ENGAGED IN A COVER-UP REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. I REQUEST THAT THE US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ORDER TOYOTA TO DO THE FOLLOWING SINCE THEY REFUSE TO DO IT VOLUNTARILY OR AT MY REQUEST: INCLUDE AN IMMEDIATE EXAMINATION OF THE ABS HISTORY QUEUE IN THE HEALTH CHECK. CREATE, AND INSTALL IN MY RAV4, A NEW VERSION OF ELECTRONIC CONTROL SOFTWARE THAT IMPLEMENTS THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: A.SEPARATE QUEUES FOR EACH FOR EACH OF THE THREE TYPES OF ABS HISTORY EVENTS: ABS, TRAC, AND VSC B.INCREASED ABS HISTORY QUEUE CAPACITY TO ENSURE THAT 90 DAYS OF EACH OF THE THREE TYPES OF EVENTS ARE STORED. C.ALL ABS HISTORY EVENTS ARE TIME-STAMPED AND DATE-STAMPED. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50-55 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT LOOSE, BECAME STICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND ALL THREE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,991 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,613. ....UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY AND THE BAS DID NOT ENGAGE THE DISTANCE TO STOP VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Apr 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STOPPING, HIS FOOT WOULD HAPHAZARDLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE FLAW IN THE VEHICLE DESIGN. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5,000. UPDATED 05/11/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, HE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO PREVENT A COLLISION, AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. UPDATED 05/15/12
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Nov 17, 2011
THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO THE VEHICLE I LEASE, BUT I SUSPECT IT APPLIES TO ALL TOYOTA RAV4 MODELS OF THIS SAME DESIGN VINTAGE, AND MAY ALSO APPLY TO OTHER TOYOTA MODELS. THE BASIC PROBLEM, AS SHOWN IN THE ANNOTATED PHOTO AVAILABLE AT HTTP://JRGSPACE.HOMESTEAD.COM/RAV4_ENGINEERING_DESIGN_FAIL__1.JPG IS THE INADEQUATE SPACING BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS, WHICH ALLOWS EVEN RELATIVELY SMALL SHOES TO SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPRESS BOTH PEDALS DURING "URGENT", OR EVEN "NORMAL" BRAKING SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED BY THE FACT THAT THE POINT (OR PLANE) AT WHICH EFFECTIVE BRAKING IS ACHIEVED IS AT LEAST 1/2" BELOW OR "BEYOND" THE PLANE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ALMOST GUARANTEEING THE APPLICATION OF POWER DURING BRAKING. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE ENGINEERING DESIGN FAILURE AND WILL ALMOST ASSUREDLY LEAD TO ACCIDENTS IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY DONE SO, AS I HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS MYSELF ALREADY WHERE THIS INTERFERENCE WAS A FACTOR. I CONSIDER THIS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA AS A TOP PRIORITY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 12, 2011
HAVING JUST DESCENDED A HILL, I TRIED TO BRAKE WHILE APPROACHING A SHARP CURVE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING, THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AND THE ENGINE WAS REVVING. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AS I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF.