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
287 reports, newest first.
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.
Air bags, Aug 5, 2012
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTIFY THE INCIDENT, ON JULY 11TH 2012 I WAS DRIVING ON I-40 W HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH SPEED, THE RAVA 4 VEHICLE SIDE AIR BAG (DRIVER SIDE) COMPARTMENT OPENED BUT AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYED, IT'S LOOK LIKE A MANUFACTURER ASSEMBLY ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS INCIDENT WITH YOU, THIS MAY LEAD SERIOUS INJURY OR ACCIDENT ON ROAD WAYS. MY OBSERVATIONS : NO PATH HOLES, NO ACCIDENT, IT HAPPENED JUST LIKE THAT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALER, THE DEALER REPLACED SIDE AIR BAG PANEL WITH NEW ONE. *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
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
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Jul 17, 2012, crash
ACCORDING TO OUR INSURED, THE INSURED HAD PULLED INTO HIS DRIVEWAY, AND THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN INTO THE HOUSE, DAMAGING THE WALL, THE SLIDING DOOR AND THE TYPHOON SHUTTERS. *TR
Seats, Jun 19, 2012
THE THIRD ROW SEAT HEADRESTS ONLY HAVE TWO POSITIONS.(ALL THE WAY UP OR ALL THE WAY DOWN) NEITHER COVERS THE HEAD OF A CHILD. IN THE DOWN POSITION MY CHILD'S HEAD IS ABOVE THE HEADREST. IN THE UP POSITION, HIS HEAD IS BETWEEN THE TWO METAL BARS. THE THIRD ROW SEATS ARE VERY TIGHT AND CERTAINLY NOT DESIGNED TO HOLD ADULTS COMFORTABLY. HOWEVER THE HEADRESTS ONLY FIT AN ADULT SIZE BODY. *JS
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
Air bags, May 3, 2012, crash, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG FAILED TO PROTECT HIM WHEN THE IMPACT WAS HARDER THAN NORMAL AND CREATED A SMOKE THAT SMELLED LIKE FIRE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER INTERNAL BRUISING AND A CRACKED RIB. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, WHICH CAUSED BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 18,000.
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, 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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2012
FIRST INCIDENT I WAS SITTING AT A DEAD STOP AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN MOMENTARY OF ?BURNING RUBBER?. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK LATER WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS LEAVING AN ESTABLISHMENT AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED AND HE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. *JS
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
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2012
THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. IT SOUNDED/ROARED LIKE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED 6 DIFFERENT TIMES: 11/03/2011 WITH 1000 MILES, 11/05/2011 WITH 1110 MILES, 01/04/2012 WITH 2650 MILES, 02/26/2011 WITH 4606 MILES, 03/06/2012 WITH 4692 MILES, AND 03/19.2012 WITH 4932 MILES.
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 18, 2012
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD. THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS PUSHING CAR FROM BEHIND. ENGINE REVVED UP AND WE WERE MOVING INTO THE INTERSECTION AND THE LIGHT WAS STILL RED. PUSHED VERY HARD ON BRAKE AND QUICKLY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE REVVED TO ABOUT 6,500 RPM IN NEUTRAL, THEN BACK TO NORMAL.
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
Steering, Nov 27, 2011
WHEN EVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, IT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND A CLUNK CAN ALSO BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA RAV 4, ON 6 OR 4 CYLINDER MODELS. WHEN THERE IS NO STEERING INPUT, THERE IS NO NOISE OR CLUNKING FELT IN THE WHEEL AT ANY SPEED, ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. I HAD REPORTS OF THIS BY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR, BUT WHENEVER I DROVE IT, IT DID NOT OCCUR, AS IT WAS INTERMITTENT AT THAT TIME. IT NOW CLUNKS CONSISTENTLY WHENEVER THE WHEEL IS TURNED. *TR
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
Structure, Oct 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 . THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 500.
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2011
VEHICLE HAS EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN WHEN BEING DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE COMPLAINT WAS DISMISSED. TECHNICIANS SAY THEY TEST DROVE AND DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING. THE SMELL PERSISTS. *TT
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 17, 2011
WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WE GET AN OVERPOWERING SULFUR SMELL IN THE CABIN. *KB