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.
Rear differential is making a loud rumbling noise in the beginning of 1st, and 2nd gear. Brought it in to Toyota and they said it was not leaking and I went into the shop and also looked at it myself and it wasn't leaking. Did the rear dif service like Toyota recommended because the car has been super reliable and I would like to keep it that way. I have done 2 rear dif services before and had no problems. Right when they did the service a couple days later it started making the rumbling noise again and is now leaking and made a puddle in my driveway. I took a look at it myself and all plugs are tightened but it is now leaking from the coupling where the driveshaft connects and the drivers side axle seal. They want me to pay 1000 dollars for a whole new coupling assembley that is refurbished not including the ds axle seal and labour. I will post picture below of the problem.
Vehicle began brief hesitation at moderate speeds when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the idle seems to stay high RPM for longer than it did. Then just two days ago, the engine briefly quit completely while accelerating to climb a hill. All these issues seem to be related to the first use of the day for a 10 or 15 minute period. The vehicle is parked outside overnight.
Rav4 has been maintained per Toyota's recommendations. At approx 86K miles it started using up excessive amounts of oil. Oil is not leaking, nor burning (can't see anything in the tail pipes), and there's no burn oil smell anywhere. After researching, I found that in 2011, Toyota issued tsb-0094-11 that acknowledged excessive oil consumption in my year vehicle. Toyota also issued a lsc ZE7 which offered free repair for qualified vehicles during the campaign (11/24/2017 or 150K miles whichever came first). Unfortunately my car just hit 86K miles. I'm the 2nd owner and never got any notification. My car is burning about 1 quart per 1,000 miles. After speaking to Toyota cust no-svc, they're not willing to do anything. Even though they acknowledge there's an issue!!! my case with Toyota is 1912311193. From my online research I've seen many people impacted that have not been helped by Toyota. This is just not right. Toyota has kept this very quiet.
There is a problem with the rear differential coupling that may cause the car to lock up at high speeds. The repair cost is ridiculous and Toyota will not stand behind its product. The car makes terrible bumping noises at low speeds and sounds like it will lock up.
I have a 2008 Toyota Rav4 and at the time of the issue it had approximately 150K miles. While the vehicle was moving a growling/whirring noise started to come from the rear of the vehicle. It increased in frequency and volume over time. After replacing both rear wheel bearings it was determined by a Toyota dealership that the problem was with the rear differential coupler/bearing. I was notified that a warranty replacement for this exact issue expired in November of 2017. The problem with my vehicle was noticed in October of 2018. This is a very expensive repair that thousands of Rav4 owners have had to pay for out of pocket. The defective bearing needs to be replaced under a recall as they will not get any better and Toyota has already admitted the part is faulty by issuing the warranty replacement. Toyota must be held accountable for their defective parts and a recall must be issued.
- Creston, IL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact heard a really loud grinding noise emerging from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to downeast Toyota in brewer, Maine for diagnostic testing on July 6, 2017, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle back when the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the rear differential coupler failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was outside the nine year extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
I found out too late about the defective parts in the 2az-fe engine. My problem started after the warranty and they will not repair it. My car burns a lot of oil and I have to have an oil change or add oil frequently (every few weeks of adding oil). I never received notification of this problem and didn't find out that they were fixing this until I started looking online to find out if anyone else has the problem. I see class action suits and others that were never notified. I even have had my car into Toyota for repairs and was never told about this problem. So now I have a car with only 147,000 miles that needs frequent oil that Toyota won't stand behind. If it was just my car I might not bother reporting it, but its not
1. excessive oil consumption up to 1qt every 1200 miles, under normal driving conditions noticed December of 2013. 2. ECM fails to hold reverse gear. Gear frequently slips in reverse when gas pedal is pressed, won't back up hills. Noticed December of 2013, no power when first starting up for first 10 to 15 minutes of drive. October of 2013 immediately after purchasing 3. head gasket fail between number 2 and 3 cylinders due to faulty head gasket. Replaced head gasket June 2016 4. very low fuel economy December 2013. 5. no oil pressure very ruff idle oil pressure light on, with oil level reading full. September 2017
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle vibrated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (vic's auto service located at 3400 South park ave, buffalo, NY 14219; (716) 822-3404) where it was diagnosed that the entire drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.
Oil consumption problem. My Toyota rav 4 has 74,000 miles on it and is using a quart of oil every 400 to 500 miles. There is currently a lawsuit against Toyota for this problem. They do have a vehicle "oil consumption test." However Toyota's test seems biased in their favor, as they fill the crankcase and seal the dip stick and crankcase fill hole. You then bring the vehicle back after 1,200 miles. They then check the oil level and notify you if your vehicle passed the test. But, whose to say that you lost the oil over the entire 1,200 miles or lost it by 400 or 1000 miles. When I had the test done on my vehicle, it passed. Two weeks after the test I checked the oil. The oil problem seemed to disappear. Three weeks later the oil problem started again. I found out, according to the internet, that supposedly the Toyota dealers are overfilling the crankcase and using a heavier weight oil, so the oil consumption will be normal after the test is run. I also understand that the oil warning light doesn't come on when the oil is low, therefore it may be possible to damage your engine if you are not aware of the oil consumption problem.
2008 Toyota Rav4. 1006,000 mileage. Suddenly stalls while driving at any speed. Taken to newark Toyota dealership several times since June this year unable to fix the problem. Stalled several times while driving on highway and on a city street.
Vehicle in for service at my regular service location. Mechanic noted leaking rear differential and I was hearing a "whiring" noise while driving, told to contact Toyota. Contacted local dealership, vehicle was looked at by the dealership and they noted it was the differential coupler. Would not cover the $1400 repair even though tsb-0080-13 and special policy adjustment no 960 was in place at that date/time. Shortly thereafter, purchased part through Toyota dealership and had installed by regular repair shop due to safety concerns. Contacting Toyota customer service via letter to request reimbursement for the differential coupler that I had to have installed since so many Rav4 owners have had this same issue and others have had theirs repaired at no cost to them. I have attached a fellow Rav4 owners invoice that shows coupler replaced under the special policy adjustment that is also attached.
On October 5 and 6, 2015 my 2008 Toyota Rav4 was in for service at piercey Toyota in milpitas to replace all four tires, front/back brakes and front shock absorbers, a total of $2,000. On October 8, 2015, while I was driving my car back from stanford lucile packard over dumbarton bridge, I have noticed that my brakes would not engage and I could not slow down my car. Just before this event, the ABS, vsc, and slip warning lights all came on. The brake pedal felt very stiff and I was not able to do any repetitive pumping of the brake. I called 911 and requested assistance. When the front traffic came to a hold I had to use my emergency brake and my entire car slipped to the left. We almost got hit by the bus behind us. Some good samaritans saw what happened and helped me to get my car off the road. That day, my 9 yrs. Old son and I could have been killed. I request that Toyota investigates/recalls the brake actuator assemblies for Toyota Rav4 2008. In the subject vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. Within the actuator is an electrical terminal that connects the brake actuator motor and the circuit board of the skid control electronic control unit (ECU). Due to manufacturing variation, there could be a reduction in contact force between the two components of the terminal, causing oxide film to increase resistance. A larger than normal increase in resistance can cause the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the skid control (vehicle stability control or vsc) system, antilock brake system (ABS), and traction control system. Lfthis occurs, these systems could become inoperative, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Water pump has failed, despite timely and complete maintenance and normal operating conditions. A google search reveals widespread, premature water pump failure on 2008 V6 Rav4 vehicles at even earlier mileages.
While stopped at a light waiting to turn left the Rav4 engine began to rev and lurched forward with driver's foot still on the brake. Driver put car into neutral while holding down the brake pedal to prevent the car hurtling into the intersection. Driver then turned off the car and put gear shift to park. After 30 seconds restarted the car with foot on brake and the engine began to rev again with car in park. The engine noise was very loud. Car was again turned off. Car was restarted after about 2-3 minutes and engine behaved normally. Owners took car to Toyota dealer within an hour of the incident. Toyota dealership ran diagnostic and manager said driver had foot on the accelerator when it happened which is certainly not true. Dealer would not release a copy of the diagnostic report. Owners have had all recall work done on the vehicle and have done regular maintenance as required in the owner manual.
Just learned today that I need a new transmission for a 2008 Rav4 with only 74,000 miles on it. Had the car in for service at 72,000 miles where they did the 70K mi service to include multipoint/floor mat, replaced the water pump, brake fluid flush and "engine minor". I think something is wrong here. My 5 year or 100K prepaid warranty ended in June so no coverage available. Shouldn't a transmission last longer than 70K miles?
A little after its regular scheduled maintenance my 2008 Rav4 started to make an odd noise (rattling) when reaching 40 mph at 1500 RPM. Checked fluids and noticed that engine oil was dry (burnt oil on stick) and black atf. Immediately replaced fluids (engine and ws atf). Took car to dealer and they said they didn't noticed anything unusual. Drove with tech and showed him the noise at specified conditions. He said more tests needed to be done. Up until today they are not sure what the issue may be and suggested a bunch of different "fix" that I will have to pay for myself. Found a tsb online for a similar issue (T-sb-0094-11). Toyota should be held responsible and fix this issue at no cost to users.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Roselle, IL, USA