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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
21 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,745 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2007 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #91

Nov 082018

RAV4

  • 173,000 miles

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

I have owned a 2007 Toyota rav 4 for 10 years. I was leaving a Delaware, Ohio, hospital parking lot, backing out slowly, my foot on the brake, while turning the wheel to the left. Suddenly the engine roared and I shot backward, smashing into the car parked behind where my car had been. The car I hit was somewhat damaged in the rear driver's side fender. The impact shoved it out of its space and almost into a small truck to the right. My car's rear windshield shattered and the right back bumper and side were crumpled. This was the second time this happened to me. The first time, I again was backing from a tight spot, this time turning the wheel to the right, when the engine roared and the car lurched backward. That time, I hit nothing. It happened another time when my husband was backing, again from a tight spot while turning the wheel. Back at the hospital lot. I informed the front desk employee, who informed the ohiohealth hospital police. Two officers reported, took my information and began searching for the other car's owner. I also called the city police; an officer came but left after conferring with ohiohealth's police. I then took the car directly to my local insurance agent, who connected me with a claims adjuster. At first I theorized that my foot on the brake must have pivoted slightly as I turned in my seat to ensure I could back safely. My foot must have pressed the gas pedal. Pressed with considerable power, given the car's backward leap. Nov. 8 I tested this theory on my driveway, and saw immediately it was impossible. I would have had to lift my foot from the brake deliberately to press the gas firmly. This car's regular maintenance has been done at the local Toyota dealer. My car was not among those recalled for sudden acceleration problems, but I believe it should have been. The car is registered in my husband's name, (xxxxx). Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #90

Mar 122018

RAV4

  • miles
Takata recall, I have replace my tires least four times in a year, shakes when I get up to 45 miles per hour my back tires make this funny sound like my tires about to come off when I'm driving on the road my seatbelts release when they wanted releaser randomly, S sometimes I can't even get out my when I accelerate my car doesn't want to go when I am turning, I can only pick three box's from up top

- Washington, NC, USA

problem #89

May 082017

RAV4

  • 70,000 miles
I was turning my 2007 Toyota Rav4 South onto interstate 182 to head East, the car sudden out of my control and went off the road and hit a concrete barrier at 5:49 pm at 5/8/17. Two passengers were hurt.

- Richland, WA, USA

problem #88

Feb 232017

RAV4

  • 126,000 miles

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

Car had been using excessive oil.while I was driving on interstate, cruise control failed, warning lights came on, started flashing and then car quickly lost all power. Barely got off the highway onto the right side of interstate. Very dangerous condition exists with these vehicles. I consider myself lucky.

- Cambridge Springs, PA, USA

problem #87

Aug 132016

RAV4

  • 68,000 miles
I am the second owner on this car and it has been in for repair 7 times for various recalls. Does the lemon law apply to my car" you have recalled the electrical windows suspension seat belts cruise control what else is coming! claremont Toyota in California had a complete check on the car and I paid 1500 but I still see recalls. What is going on???" I have another appointment for the suspension on Monday 8/15/16

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #86

Jan 122016

RAV4

  • 60,000 miles
April, 2015 took Rav4 in for recalls. After receiving the vehicle back periodically it would fail to accelerate. I thought the computer would maybe adjust itself. It didn't. it periodically stalls or fails to accelerate. I have almost been run over several times. Called Toyota of denton today. They denied that anything they did would have anything to do with that, even though we drove the vehicle 60K miles and never had a problem. I have two Toyota and denial of a problem is first on the list it seems. This drive by wire should be outlawed.

- Aubrey, TX, USA

problem #85

Dec 182014

RAV4

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. While at a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact had to place the vehicle in neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the accelerator pedal was shortened, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Orange, VA, USA

problem #84

Nov 102014

RAV4

  • 73,700 miles
First noticed the problem on 11/10/2014 when approaching a stop light. The Rav4 took longer than normal to come to a stop with greater force required to stop. Once fully stopped, the vehicle was idling with low RPM's (~500) and the check engine light turned on along with vsc and trac lights. Was able to drive the vehicle home, but experienced the same symptoms at every stop light / stop sign. Contacted Toyota dealership in tucson immediately and scheduled emergency service for the next morning. The Toyota dealership diagnosed the problem with two error codes (P0171 and P0174 - lean air/fuel mix). Was told they suspected a bad tank of gas. Toyota addressed one open recall (service campaign BST - reflash brake control computer) on my vehicle but did not investigate the error codes, only cleared them. The following day while driving home, the same issue occurred. Almost no brake pressure and barely able to stop. Check engine light, vsc, and trac lights all illuminated again. Low idle speed as well. Contacted a different local mechanic for a second opinion. Was informed the brake booster needed to be replaced due to damage in the diaphragm causing loss of vacuum pressure (which helped explain the two error codes related to lean air/fuel mix). Total repair bill over $1000. Just lucky nobody was injured due to failing brake system on Toyota's part.

- Sahuarita, AZ, USA

problem #83

Sep 222014

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. While stopped, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning and crashed into a fence. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #82

Feb 152013

RAV4

  • miles
The gas pedal and brake can easily be stepped on at the same time with one foot. I have done this on several occasions, it's just been luck that has prevented me from causing injury damage to myself or others. It does give me a good scare.

- Moon Township, PA, USA

problem #81

May 122014

RAV4

  • 117,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav 4. the contact stated that the vehicle was stopped with the brakes depressed when it suddenly and erroneously accelerated forward, crashing into the rear of a second vehicle. The contact indicated that the failure had also occurred on a previous occasion. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #80

Apr 212013

RAV4

  • 50,000 miles
On March 21st the ABS, vsc, traction and brake warning lights came on while driving at 35 mph in dry weather condition. When the lights were on, the ABS system was triggered making difficult to brake to stop. Since then the warning lights have been on and off and so I've been having difficulties when slowing down at a higher speed rate 60 mph, slow speed 20 mph, and even stopping. On Tuesday, April 8 I brought the Rav4 to the dealer and they said that there is nothing wrong with the car and that the breaks were ok. Dealer said: It is just the a rear sensor that needs to be reset. So dealer technician reset the sensor the same day. On Wednesday, April 9, 2014 around 6:00 pm when turning left at a corner I heard a ticking noise then four warning lights appeared again and the breaks started to malfunction again. I'll bring the Rav4 to the dealer on April 12, 2014 and see what they have to say. The codes the dealer have initially were C0210 and C1223. My spouse and I don't want to drive the Rav4 without knowing that the sensor that the dealer talks about is either fixed or replaced. I don't want to be exposed nor expose my family to any possible accident due to the sensor/braking system failure.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #79

Oct 082011

RAV4

  • 118,564 miles
In the fall of 2011, the vsc and 4WD lights came on in my 2007 Rav4. At the same time my cruise control and 4WD stopped working. I took my car to teton Toyota in Idaho falls, id and was told that the charcoal canister was cracked and needed to be replaced at a cost of $1775. I could not afford to fix the car and eventually I purchased a used charcoal canister and had it installed by an independent mechanic. Then in Feb. 2012, the lights came on again so I took my car to stones Toyota in rexburg, id. The mechanic there confirmed that the charcoal canister was cracked again. I told him that I had replaced it with a used part and he stated that Toyota had redesigned the part so that it wouldn't crack, so if I wanted to fix the problem for good, I'd have to purchase the new part. I have not yet replaced the unit at this time. If Toyota knew that the original part was defective and have now redesigned it, why are they charging their customers over $1500 to replace it? besides not having any 4WD in rural Idaho in the winter, the emissions system is no longer working due to this defective part.

- Driggs, ID, USA

problem #78

Mar 032014

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 75,500 miles
I was stopped at a stop sign here in town. All of a sudden, without warning, the vehicle started to experience a high degree of acceleration. My foot was firmly planted on the brake pedal only. I could not stop the vehicle till I put it in neutral. The engine then started to rev itself up uncontrollably, until I turned it off with the ignition key. I was a good 15 feet into oncoming traffic when I had stopped. I then started it up again and drove home without incident. This was a total failure of the cars expectation to remain stationary while the brake is applied and the vehicle was not moving prior to the acceleration surge.

- Suffern, NY, USA

problem #77

Aug 182013

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 71,700 miles
I have just experienced sudden acceleration while pulling into a parking spot. I slammed on the brake and it didn't want to stop. I ended up bumping the car in front of me as I continued to brake. The engine was still surging and wouldn't go into reverse. I called mountain states Toyota here in denver and explained the problems to the service manager. He told me that he had never heard of such a thing. There are numerous complaints with the same issue on the internet. The service manager, of course, is telling me that if they cannot reproduce it and it is not showing error codes(which it isn't) there isn't anything they can do. I told him I wanted the acceleration system thoroughly inspected...which he wants to charge me for unless they do find an issue. By what I have seen on the internet, it is useless to take it in as Toyota is ignoring the issue, thinking they fixed it with the floor mats. I had the floor mats replaced on that recall well before this issue came up. I have also had many experiences with the engine surging and hesitating with the tach showing the surge. It is intermittent and cannot be reproduced, but it is getting worse over time. I now believe that this is related to the acceleration issue I described above. I am afraid to drive it now as it could happen on a busy street and really hurt someone and me.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #76

Oct 202007

RAV4

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph the fwd, engine and stability control warning indicators illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and the oxygen sensor was replaced. On a separate occasion while driving in reverse the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and the rpms increased. The gear lever was shifted into park and the engine was turned off. The vehicle was previously repaired under a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V113000 (vehicle speed control). The problem existed before the recall and persisted after the recall remedy repair was performed. The vehicle was repaired five times due to the unintended acceleration. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #75

Aug 022013

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 47,608 miles
As I was driving home, the check engine, the trac and vsc lights all came on at the same time. I also heard a hissing noise when I pressed down on the brakes. I went to a mechanic to see what the problem might be, but it was late in the day and everyone was closing. He told me it sounded like a vacuum leak in the brake booster and to bring it back first thing Monday (he seemed to think it'd be okay to drive over the weekend). On the drive home the brake light came on and there were a few times where I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stop the car at all. It was quite scary! I was pressing the brake pedal as hard as I could and then it finally grabbed, the car jerked, and the seat belts tightened up around me. I worked today (Saturday) and the same thing happened to and from work, only now I am using the emergency brake to slow the car and I put it in park at stop lights. My next trip will be straight to a mechanic! it seems it is not common for brake boosters to fail and I am learning that other Toyota Rav4 owners have had the same problem, several ending in accidents. This should definitely be addressed by Toyota, as it is a huge safely issue, and possibly be cause for a recall.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #74

May 072013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
The car sputters as though it will stall or break down. This occurs during acceleration. It is especially noticeable when driving up a hill, but it occurs randomly.

- Mattapan, MA, USA

problem #73

Jun 252013

RAV4

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact received three recall notices in the mail several months ago and stated the dealer did not have the parts for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #72

Feb 222013

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Unintended acceleration. My husband was driving our 2007 Toyota rav 4 out of a tollbooth area and accelerating normally, when the car started rapidly accelerating on its own. He stepped hard on the brakes but could not get the car below 40 mph. He shifted into neutral and gradually the car slowed and he moved to the breakdown lane. He removed the keys from the ignition, and the vehicle finally stopped. The entire incident from start to finish happened over the course of about 3 miles of highway. He gave a full account of this to our local Toyota dealer. They did not identify the cause of the problem, but acknowledged that it was not due to floor mats. The car's brakes--both pads and rotors--were destroyed during the incident. We were not comfortable driving it again. The dealership brought back the car back from us at kelly blue book value.

- Wellesley, MA, USA

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