I have owned the RAV 4 since 2010. It had approx. 26K miles on it when I purchased it. It has been well maintained since 2010. It showed evidence of leakage of coolant under my hood when I had the car in for a different repair. The car only had 68,200 miles on it when it was first noted. The car has mainly town mileage on it.
We had the water pump changed with an original Toyota Pump. This was in 2009, car had 48,000 miles. Again the water pump went out on 1 Feb., 2012 with an additional 40,000 miles on the car. Pump was covered by warranty, but cost of labor to remove and replace is over $600.00.
It is ridiculous how difficult it is to get to this pump. Labor is outrageous and tohave this happen twice in less than 2 1/2 years is crazy.
My wife uses this car in her work and this is a major inconvenience and expense.
We will be trading cars in the next year and I will be looking at GMC, Honda or Suburu for our next vehical.
I brought the car to a Toyota dealer for a recall repair and they informed me the water pump has been leaking somewhere in the waterpump bearing. I saw some stains sprayed around the engine but didn't know what it was. Dealer wanted $500+ for it. I am going to replace it myself (waterpump, coolant, thermostat, and gasket probably cost me $100 plus my labor). Only 63000 miles (just out of powertrain warranty) and the waterpump failed already. I am very disappointed with this Toyota and I am having a second though on my next Toyota.
"Buyers Beware" Since I purchased my 2007 (new) rav 4, I have had continual problems with it, all which have occurred after the manufacturer's standard warranty of 3yrs/36,000. I keep asking myself should all this be happening before 80,000 miles!?...
Here's a short list:
(Note: I perform all regularly scheduled maintenance according to my manual, and do take care of my car..)
I'm smart enough to know that calling Toyota will just result in an endless automated "we care about you at Toyota" telephone prompts and a "song and dance", so I won't waste my valuable time.
So, for readers at this site, take heed....
1. Stay away from this vehicle, problems emerge after the 3/36k mile marker.
2. Dealer (Wappenger falls in Poughkeepsie-NY) provides very little assistance....or
explanation..
If you are stuck with this four wheeled lemon, here some strategies to consider:
1. Inform others of Toyota's real reputation.
2. Write to the President of Toyota Motor Sales,
3. Inform others of Toyota's Rav 4, particularly the 2007.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have owned the RAV 4 since 2010. It had approx. 26K miles on it when I purchased it. It has been well maintained since 2010. It showed evidence of leakage of coolant under my hood when I had the car in for a different repair. The car only had 68,200 miles on it when it was first noted. The car has mainly town mileage on it.
- deeski57, Lexington, KY, US