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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,296 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Toyota RAV4 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2007 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Mar 312020

RAV4

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car is making the "growling" noise described in Toyota's warranty enhancement and Toyota will not honor the warranty enhancement. Because of the defect the car shakes at speeds more than 40 mph, sounds like it has a flat even though it doesn't (louder when making turns and switching lanes), and makes a banging noise in the rear (sounds like a car door slamming) when driving. Visor on driver's side will not stay up--falls and obstructs view while driving.

- Swampscott, MA, USA

problem #37

Jul 192019

RAV4

  • 76,500 miles
77000 mile lower control arms with bushings went bad, lower ball joints bad inner & outer tie rods bad, sway bar end links ball joints bad.alignment & re-balanced tires after replacement.began swaying in road fighting steering on every bump with dipping of front end & vibration badly of car especially steering wheel, worn new tires on outsides.complete records in Toyota vehicle repair service site.total cost so far for the above is $158 plus $44.95 plus 1 week down time, due to all joints bad and vibrations and swaying around has caused the cv shafts to get loose good shake and not in to out sideways direction - up to down they have slight play and hear a clunk both ways (to be replaced when have money will be another 150 to 195 bucks and another day or 2 down time, not sure of front wheel bearings yet or the rear sway bar all them links, this is how bad the swaying got so needs checked any back parts will cost me approx $240 -- replaced parts lower control arms with ball joints and bushings along with inner plus outer tie rods along with sway bar links were bought through amazon from detroit axel seller so may be able to get receipt if needed-- the tire re-balanced was done at lynn layton Ford of Decatur Alabama 256-350-2120 customer [xxx] invoice [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hartselle, AL, USA

problem #36

Jul 012019

RAV4

  • 108,000 miles
Takata recall car rumbles when in motion going over 55 mph sound comes from middle of car happens when turning or going straight sounds like car running over jesus lines

- Cedarburg, WI, USA

problem #35

Jan 022019

RAV4

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2007 rav 4, 110,000 miles and I backed out of my drive way began to drive and the transmission failed. I want to know if I can file a class action lawsuit against Toyota.. I just read in the past Toyota knew about earlier models that the ECM ruined the tran mission in rav 4S..

- Glenolden, PA, USA

problem #34

Jun 052018

RAV4

  • 1 miles
Steering wheel feels like lose and there is a thunder noise coming from rack and pinion according to mechanic, especially when drives in the city or over a hump.no matter how small is, also when driving and make right turn

- Hollywood, FL, USA

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problem #33

Jan 312018

RAV4

  • 60,482 miles
I took my Rav4 to the Toyota dealer for its regular check-up. I was told that the cars transmission blocks were broken and that they had to be repaired or car would shake and shudder. Also there was a safety issue. This car, a sport trim, only has a little over 60,000 miles. How could this happen unless it was faulty quality/work when assembling. I am being charged $1200 to repair these blocks. I have driven Honda for 30 years and this is my 1st Toyota. I have never heard of this. Never happened w/ a Honda (no documentation as yet as I do not pick up the car until tomorrow.)

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #32

Aug 022017

RAV4

  • 105,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Found by mail about rakata air bags, and my service for oil, filter was called by repair shop, time for service, finish the car service, before lived I ask a question about, the recall and he look the screen, took 30 seconds (flahs) and says, you car, don't have any recall, why? no im curious, what about the rear suspension arm 1, and heard about seat belts, safety recall, and most of info.still in chinese or japanes, and some one put new but como N they look cheap and have a Tacoma totally dif. Found 11 recalls, now trasmission aut, burn out, at 100000 miles, sorry but look like the repair shops don't care about "us" the want to sell carts, but make a ot of mistakes and we pay to get kill in car accident, cause defect of factury, they fixed the cars, but life and few thurs and dlls don't return wifes, sons, husband, gone so why cars companies are in so much in a hurry not easy to pay a loan of 60,000 in 5 years, and 3 years later want you to leave the car and again, and again, aain by T M, pas, ca #1

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #31

Oct 032016

RAV4

  • 180,000 miles
Transmission slips or jerks after vehicle slows down and speeds up. This is unsafe in traffic due to vehicles following behind and stops which could cause a rear end collision due to hesitation when vehicle should be excelerated but it slows then jerks back which can be felt when driving. Even felt during excelaration in normal driving conditions. This happens during pressing down on gas petal when the transmission gears should change smoother, it slips or jerks into place, then slows back down again after acceleration.

- Rockingham, NC, USA

problem #30

Nov 012016

RAV4

  • 141,000 miles
When I back up on any kind of an incline, the car jerks and the steering wheel shakes. It feels like I have "hit" something it jerks so badly. If I let off the gas pedal, it stops the jerking but the minute I press the gas pedal again, it jerks again and makes a terrible noise. I can still back up but it feels like the underside of my car is falling out. It's been going on since I purchased it used 2 years ago. I kept thinking it was me until I googled it today and saw several other people have the same issue. I feel it's unsafe and Toyota needs to take care of it. My vehicle already qualified for the oil consumption issue and was repaired earlier this year. Needs to be a national recall and fixed properly.

- Greenwood, MO, USA

problem #29

Jul 182016

RAV4

  • 109,000 miles
I was driving to fredericksburg on I-95 around midnight last Monday. All of a sudden all my warning lights came on. My engine made a loud noise, stalled and then died while I was driving. I was able to get my car to the right shoulder luckily or I would have been dead probably. Got the car towed to the nearest shop. They said I only had 1 quart of oil, and I told them I that is impossible because I change my oil on a regular basis. My oil sticker is in the right side of my windshield. They said due to the lack of oil, I blew a piston and a bearing and they had to take my engine apart. So now my warranty apparently won't cover this so I'm stuck with a car with no engine.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #28

Jan 252015

RAV4

  • 49,446 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil burning recall. My car Rav4 burns oil at least one quart per 1200 miles. The dealership refused to replace any part due to the 1200 miles test driving. Toyota sent me an enhancement warranty notice about the problem of oil burning. This is unacceptable to me. We paid so much yet what we get is a defect engine in a new Rav4. This should be a recall and Toyota is responsible to fix the rings and other parts that are required to replace in order to stop the problem.

- Alamedaalameda, CA, USA

problem #27

Nov 182015

RAV4

  • 1 miles
Oil pan leaking they replaced and charge me $ 470. Pan sub assy oil fipg oil pan plug w/head straigh gasket all the oil it was coming out and it was almost empty

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #26

May 172014

RAV4

  • miles
Excessive engine oil consumptions. 1st noticed around May 2014 at 95000 miles. Need to add 1 to 1.5 quart every 1000 miles of driving.

- Milford, CT, USA

problem #25

Sep 052015

RAV4

  • 70,000 miles
From parked, as the vehicle accelerated, vehicle response resembled having parking brake on, and a grinding noise emanated from the rear axle, center. Drove under 20 mph to Toyota dealer, which diagnosed the problem as the driveshaft/differential coupler, with metal shavings around the driveshaft where it enters the differential coupler. Told the vehicle is unsafe to drive, as the rear wheels could lock up, and cause an accident. Repair costs: Parts $1,300 plus tax; labor - 3 hours ($400). Toyota issued service bulleting tbs 0080-13, and special policy adjustment wab 2190.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #24

Jun 102015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
I was making a left hand turn on side street and I heard a loud thump (almost like I went over something) my car stopped going forward or backwards. I could not use the gears. I had no warning. The car just stopped moving in the middle of the street. This is a major safety complaint. I don't know if Toyota did not service the car correctly. I am not told the price will be anywhere between 2,500-4,500 car was towed and I was told it needs a new transmission. I have taken care of the car and serviced it mostly at the Toyota dealer.

- Bala Cynwyd, PA, USA

problem #23

Mar 132015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 93,246 miles
Transmission started to whine, . bearings.

- Auburn, NY, USA

problem #22

Mar 012014

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
I have a whining noise and vibration felt in my gas pedal which my mechanic has determined to be from the transaxle assembly. My research has shown that on August 8, 2012 Toyota sent out a service bulletin # T-sb-0130-12 which directly addresses this problem. I have been to my Toyota dealer since that time addressing other recall issues however they never mentioned this service bulletin nor did they check if this was an issue. It seems the remedy is to replace the entire transaxle assembly which I am sure they don't want to do because of the expense. Their warranty is for 60 months or 60,000 miles but since their service bulletin wasn't addressed until August of 2012, it would be unlikely under normal driving mileage that a vehicle that was 5 years old at the time would be included under this warranty and they never addressed this problem when they had my vehicle after this date. I think they should be held accountable at this time for neglecting to address this problem.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #21

May 142012

RAV4 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle lunged forward while in second gear. The failure recurred continuously over a period of nine months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 05/28/14

- North Smithfield, RI, USA

problem #20

Aug 012012

RAV4

  • 37,500 miles
After hearing about tsbs related to premature water pump failure, I noticed that my Rav4 was low on coolant. The dealer service department tested and found the pump was leaking, and replaced it under the power train warranty. Less than 15,000 miles and 2 years later I am noticing that the coolant level is beginning to run low again, and suspect the replacement water pump may again be defective.

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

problem #19

Apr 052014

RAV4

  • 30,000 miles
The car unexpectedly accelerated as I was approaching a red traffic light. My foot was on the brake to slow down when the car's engine revved up and the car kept moving forward with my foot on the brake pedal as far as it could go. The car finally stopped about 6 feet into the intersection. The next morning the car repeated the unexpected acceleration while I was trying to slow down prior to stopping for a stop sign. The driver's side floor mat was removed two or three years ago and was not present that evening or the next morning. I reported this episode to the Toyota dealer and I told him I was afraid to drive the car. The dealer told me the car was out of warranty, but if I wanted have to car towed to the dealership, he would have to technicians check it for historical record of the episode. I was also told I was responsible for towing charges and the cost of the diagnostic analysis. The computerized diagnostic check showed nothing had happened and nothing was wrong with the car. I told the dealer the I was not impressed with the diagnostic test device, as the acceleration did happen and the test set was obviously not checking the source of the problem. I called Toyota customer service telephone number is torrance California, told them my story and asked if Toyota had received any other such complaints. I was told that Toyota could not release that information. I asked what Toyota did with my report of the problem. I was told it went into a Toyota data base. I asked for a copy of Rav4 episodes in the data base. I was told Toyota could not furnish that to me. I then asked for a copy of my report that Toyota entered into the data base. Toyota told me it could not furnish that to me. Toyota seems to discredit reports of this acceleration/safety issue as if it could not possibly happen.

- Dallas, TX, USA

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