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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,066 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.

2009 Toyota RAV4 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2009 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments

problem #7

Aug 062023

RAV4

  • miles

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

Four incidents of unintended acceleration, in all instances foot was on break petal NOT on gas petal, 3 instances vehicle was stopped at traffic light, last incident was pulling into a parking space foot on brake, in all instances braked hard and shifted vehicle into neutral and turned vehicle off to avoid collisions, personal injury and property damage

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #6

Jan 132020

RAV4

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav-4. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the technician noticed that the canister was fractured and was leaking fuel and needed to be replaced to be able to pass inspection. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The contact called new country Toyota of saratoga spring dealer, (3002 NY-50 building #1, sagatoga springs, NY 12866, (518) 584-7272) and informed them of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Brant Lake, NY, USA

problem #5

Sep 202019

RAV4

  • 162,000 miles
Daughter was driving 65mph on interstate when large truck in front of her dropped their drive shaft. She tried to straddle the object due to no shoulder and another vehicle in next lane. Report stated it rupture gas tank and loss ability to steer vehicle sending get into and through guardrail. Totalled everyone front end of vehicle. No airbags deployed. She suffered significant concussion and whiplash.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 112018

RAV4

  • 108,000 miles

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

Just over 100,000 miles on the 2009 rav 4. without issue. Not original owner. This weekend it tried 3 times to accelerate us into the vehicles or people in front of is. After looking online I verified that our floormats are both secured and do not extend to the area of the pedal. Incident 1. while sitting at a complete stop at red light, heard and felt engine start to rev. Car lurched forward, and I applied left foot in addition to the right which was already on the brake in attempt to stop it. Had to hit shifter into neutral to regain control only a foot or 2 from the car in front. Mistakenly thought it was an isolated incident. Incident 2 today-- while slowing to a red light by application of brakes with right foot, engine revved up to approx. 3000 RPM and tried accelerating us into vehicles in front of us. Again- only shifting into neutral brought vehicle under control.. incident 3 - approx 20 min after incident 2 on way home ( Sunday afternoon)while braking to a stop at red light. No vehicles in front by people entering the crosswalk. Heard and felt engine start to accelerate. Immediate addition of right foot to the brake pedal was able to stop the car and the acceleration stopped without shifting to neutral this time. Vehicle is parked awaiting reply from Toyota. Checked Toyota website and it says there are no open recalls or service campaigns for this VIN.

- St. Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #3

Jan 082017

RAV4

  • 100,600 miles
The car suddenly accelerated while turning, right, into a parking spot. I applied the brakes fully, but it wasn't enough to stop the car. The car hit another parked car then I was able to turn it off.

- South Glastonbury, CT, USA

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problem #2

Sep 082014

RAV4

  • 38,364 miles
The brake was engaged in traffic when the car started to accelerate. I applied the brake more firmly and put the car in park. The engine began to rev uncontrollably in a cloud of white smoke. I switched the car off and restarted the motor and it then ran normally.

- Nantucket , MA, USA

problem #1

Jun 082014

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 70,500 miles
On June 8, 2014, while driving my 2009 Toyota Rav4, I began to slow for a stop light. Several cars were already stopped. Suddenly, and unexpectedly, my car began to accelerate causing me to crash into another vehicle, and forcing it into a second vehicle. After the initial impact; my engine continued to rev-up, even though my foot was off the accelerator and hard on the brakes. Finally, I shifted into park and turned off the ignition. All three vehicles were damaged, two significantly. A passenger in the second vehicle expressed personal anxiety due to a 'heart condition' and possible neck injury. Both drivers filed claims on my insurance, but no damage estimates or injury claims are available as yet. A police report was filed. During 2013, I had two previous accidents and several incidents while driving this Rav4, caused by sudden and unexpected acceleration. Damage of about $3,000 was incurred; however, no other vehicles were involved. One accident report was filed. On several other occasions, while driving on the interstate highways, the Rav4 suddenly and unexpectedly, accelerated. In each instance, I regained control of the vehicle and no accident or damage occurred. Prior to owning the Rav4, I purchased a new 2008 4-door Toyota Camry. On numerous occasions, during the eight months I owned the vehicle, I experienced sudden and unexpected acceleration, especially at cruising speeds on the highway. Becoming very uncomfortable driving it ' I traded the Camry on the then new 2009 Toyota Rav4. As a 68 year old single working widow, I am afraid of driving the Rav4 to work or on weekends. In January, 9013, a legal claims administrator for Toyota motor sales, advised by letter that based on their inspection of the 2009 Rav4; the 2013 accidents were 'not the result of any type of manufacturing or design defect.'

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

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