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8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$7,890
Average Mileage:
72,100 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace/rebuilt engine (3 reports)
2009 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #3

Aug 072013

RAV4 Limited 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

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

Stay away from the Toyota dealer in Grand Blanc Michigan. They fu**ed us over but good. While on vacation in US we had catastrophic oil pump failure and engine seized. Toyota would not honor warranty since it was over by 700 miles and they said we never had oil changed. Hey Toyota ass holes..

We live in Canada and had all service done at that dealer. Just because you are too lazy to link systems you couldn't see that ALL maintenance was done. Grand Blanc wouldn't run it through our extended warranty ... said it wasn't covered. When we got home and called extended warranty company they said it WAS covered but too bad .....you already had it fixed and didn't give us the option to inspect the car. NEVER AGAIN will I spend one dime on Toyota. Next US vacation I will rent a car and BEAT it ...

- silveradosam, Harrow, ON, Canada

problem #2

Mar 022015

RAV4 2.5L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,458 miles

Noise like it was the muffler, but the engine. 6000$ to replace the block.

- Éric S., St-Basile-le-grand, QC, Canada

problem #1

Feb 112015

RAV4 V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,725 miles

After stalling out at an intersection and taking hours to get a tow, I was told by Toyota dealer repair shop that my water pump needed replacement as well as a dirty air filter needing replacement for a total of $903.44 and it would be ready for pick up that afternoon. Not great, but acceptable/reasonable.

Three hours later, I get a call and email stating that after testing the water pump and engine: "We completed the initial repairs and started up the car to ensure there was no air in the system when we noticed coolant coming out the exhaust and engine, which it is not supposed to do. Best case scenario is that we need to basically rebuild the engine with gaskets and such but we won't know for sure if that will fix it 100% until we get a look inside the engine and examine the heads."

After a look inside, they tell me I need a complete new engine and they can offer me 2 engines, one w/ just about the same mileage as my original engine had (which was 80,725) or one with 16K, costing more than the higher-mileage engine, both with Toyota warranties. End result, with labor and tax looking at between 7,000-7,650K. And was told no matter what I decide to do, I am responsible for the initial repair for the water pump at $903.44! What the ##@!##?

Now I either buy a new car and am saddled w/ a car that doesn't run or I pay them this insane money to get my car back which isn't worth significantly more than that repair cost. I don't mind buying a new car at this time (but not a Toyota), but I can't accept that my 09 Rav 4 w/ 80,725 miles isn't worth a dime. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place, all the while paying a daily rental fee so I'm with a vehicle.

Decision needs to be made sooner rather than later.

- Judy M., Bellingham, MA, US

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