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: vehicle speed control
69 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Vehicle speed control, Nov 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY CONTINUALLY PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 ON OCTOBER 18,2012,AND UPON PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR BEGAN "ROARING" AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY TOWARD MY HOUSE. I PRACTICALLY STOOD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR STOPPED JUST SHORT OF CRASHING. IT TRAVELED A DISTANCE OF 60 FEET BEFORE STOPPING. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND IT HAS 6000 MILES ON IT. MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE TOYOTA FLOOR MAT AND IT WAS IN PLACE SECURED BY THE "FIX" TOYOTA HAS INSTALLED(TWO CLIPS). NO OTHER MAT IS IN OUR CAR. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO LAKEWOOD TOYOTA. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2012, crash
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN A PARKING LOT ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT TO POSITION MY CAR BEHIND A PICK-UP TRUCK (TOWING A TRAILER) WAITING TO TURN RIGHT. MY CAR SHOT AHEAD AND CRASHED INTO THE TRAILER. APPLYING THE BRAKE DID NOTHING. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SHOT BACKWARDS AT THE SAME HIGH SPEED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TACH READ--IT WASN'T A PRIORITY AT THE TIME. HAD THE TRUCK AND TRAILER NOT BEEN AHEAD OF ME, I WOULD HAVE SHOT ACROSS A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. LAST MARCH I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO MY FREEZER AND THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. I LIKE THE CAR BUT, FRANKLY, I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 24, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING FOR A TRAFFIC STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS BEGIN TO RACE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE NOR FIND A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THE MODEL VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,500.
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)
Vehicle speed control, Apr 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE ENGINE RPMS REMAINED HIGH FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE CEASING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT A SPECIALIST TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE SPECIALIST COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 14, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL WERE POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN A GARAGE, HE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. A POLICE A REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THEY COULD NOT ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 500.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 20, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER ABRUPTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE WITH THE ENGINE EXHIBITING AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND TO HAVE AN INVESTIGATOR FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE BY THE INVESTIGATOR WHO ENDED UP INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE, PREVENTING A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY REPLACED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WITH A NEW ONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
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
Vehicle speed control, Jul 31, 2011
I RENTED THIS CAR FROM HERTZ IN CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. HERTZ VEHICLE NUMBER 02298/5188636, RENTED FROM 7/21 TO 7/26, 2011. THERE WERE THREE INCIDENTS ON 7/25/2011 THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IN EACH INCIDENT I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SPEED UP AND I HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. IN ONE INCIDENT I COULD ONLY STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND WATCHING THE TACHOMETER RED LINE. THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED TO GREEN AND I WAS ABLE TO THROUGH THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I REPORTED IT TO HERTZ, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY DID ANYTHING.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 2, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION ON AFTER RUNNING AT NORMAL RPMS FOR ABOUT 1-1/1/2. THE ENGINE RPMS SUDDENLY BEGAN TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT LOOKED DOWN AT THE FLOOR MAT AND NOTICED THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT IN THE WAY OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE PEDAL HAD NOT MOVED WHEN THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY FOUND AN AFTER MARKET FLOOR MAT ON TOP OF THE FACTORY FLOOR MAT. THE DEALER REMOVED THE AFTER MARKET FLOOR MAT AND PLACED IT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND PROPERLY INSTALLED FACTORY CLIPS TO THE FLOOR MAT. UPDATED 07/22/11
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ONLY OFFERED TO FILE A REPORT AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,346 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,380. UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 12/23/11
Vehicle speed control, Apr 21, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWN A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A CURB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 31, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. SLIGHT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS UNTIL CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. UPON APPLYING SLIGHT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,000.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, HIS FOOT MADE CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE DESIGN COINCIDED WITH NHTSA STANDARDS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 16, 2011
ON DEC. 11, 2010, I PURCHASED MY 2011 RAV4. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO CONTACT TOYOTA AND THE DEALER AND TAKE MY RAV4 TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURS RANDOMLY WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND IS MORE POWERFUL WITH EACH EPISODE. WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVS VERY LOUDLY AND THE VEHICLE FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL SPEED IN WHATEVER GEAR I AM IN (I.E., DRIVE OR REVERSE). IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL, I HAVE TO KEEP THE BRAKE DEPRESSED, ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. ON THE LAST OCCURRENCE - JAN. 2, 2011 - THE ENGINE REVVED SO STRONGLY THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND WE COULD SMELL THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. ON JAN. 2ND, THE RAV4 HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR 2 WEEKS AWAITING TOYOTA TECH'S. WHEN THE TOYOTA TECH'S FINALLY MADE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY DOWNLOADED THE ONBOARD DATA AND TOOK IT TO THEIR LAB TO ANALYZE. ONCE I AGAIN, I WAS TOLD, 'NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THIS RAV4; IT DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM'. IT IS CLEAR TO ME EITHER TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY IN PLACE TO RECORD AND DIAGNOSE THIS REAL AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM OR THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THEIR VEHICLES HAVE A PROBLEM. I CANNOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, PUTTING MY LIFE AND THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC IN DANGER. THIS RAV4 NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO TOYOTA SO THEY CAN IDENTIFY AND CORRECT THIS DEFECT.