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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,416 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.

2010 Toyota RAV4 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2010 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Apr 022023

RAV4

  • miles

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

Transmission vavle body issue and not safe to drive

- Saint Augustine, FL, USA

problem #22

Mar 222016

RAV4

  • 63,355 miles
While changing the oil, I noticed a leak from the rear axle. I had the axle seals replaced at a local repair shop. Later I received a recall but the recall was only for a specific noise not for the faulty rear axle seals.

- Mountain View, MO, USA

problem #21

Jun 182019

RAV4

  • miles
Toyota vehicles experiencing problems with rear differential due to design problem. Mine has both rear seals leaking and will cost hundreds of dollars to repair at Toyota dealership. Breather plug gets clogged and pressure build up causes leaks. If not repaired, differential can potentially cease and cause an accident.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

problem #20

May 232019

RAV4

  • 103,000 miles

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

When driving the vehicle at approximately 40-50 mph, in 4th gear, a vibration or shudder is felt in the transmission. It is a slight loss of power. It can be felt intermittently as long as you are holding a constant speed. If you manually or automatically shift down it stops, but as soon as you maintain speed again it will come back. It doesn't necessary matter which roadway you are driving on. From my understanding there is a malfunction in the torque converter. A "lock-up clutch" design flaw in the damper plate and springs. This is already a known issue for some models and recalls have been issued. It is becoming a bigger, more wide spread issue and the recall needs to be expanded to include all models with this problem.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #19

Nov 182018

RAV4

  • 148,000 miles
Yesterday my car drove perfectly fine. Today, I am pulling out of my driveway trying to accelerate, there was a delayed reaction, then a thud and the car jumped forward at the time of the thud. It did it again when I pulled into a parking space, propelling the vehicle forward suddently after the thud was heard again. When I put it in reverse, the thud was heard again, not as loud. All of my driving was on city streets, but due to the sudden lerching forward after the thud sound, I kept a very wise distance from vehicles in front of me. This happened both in stationary and also while in motion. It feels like a transmission problem, although I have read about issues with ECM solenoids. This car has record of being serviced on a very regular basis. It has about 148K miles on it.

- Pleasant Hill, IA, USA

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problem #18

Jun 212018

RAV4

  • 99,150 miles
Whining sound, possibly transmission. The sound happens when I accelerate or maintain a certain speed (25-45 mph). When I remove my foot off the pedal the sound goes away so it's only temporary. I can't really hear it on the highway but when I'm on the small roads I sometimes do. The vehicle is only 8 years old with slightly less of 100, 000 miles. The vehicle should be able to run a few more years.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #17

Dec 192017

RAV4

  • 137,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (copeland Toyota, 1554 main St, brockton, MA 02301) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #16

Mar 152015

RAV4

  • 93,000 miles
The vehicle jerks visciously when shifting. This occurs when driving up a hill and the transmission down shifts from 3rd to 2nd or when accelerating from 1st to 2nd when turning a corner or when going in reverse while traversing up any type of in line. This is a sporadic problem that began occurring at around 93,000 miles. The vehicle now has 128,000. I initially thought that the transmission was failing but I thought the mileage was way too low for that type of problem to occur. I had the transmission fluid changed at 94,000 miles. This action made no difference. Recently I began researching on the web and have found information pointing to the ECM (electronic control module). Either solution is an extremely costly repair. I am interested to know if there are other people who are experiencing similar problems and if Toyota has any responsibility for repairs?

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #15

Jan 212017

RAV4

  • 30,000 miles
We were pulling out of a paralllel parking spot on a residential street very slowly. Then suddenly the car unintendedly accelerated very fast and hit another parked car on the other side of the street. It seemed like the car took control on its own as we were pulling out very slowly.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

problem #14

Aug 012016

RAV4

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the gears failed to shift properly and were slow to change over. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #13

May 262015

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. While the vehicle was parked, the contact was able to turn the vehicle off with the gear shifter in either the drive or neutral position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 07/13/16

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #12

Jun 262015

RAV4

  • 89,000 miles
While driving vehicle began to shake or "wobble". upon inspection was found to be tire which was uneven in wear. Replaced tire and after a short time was found not to be the problem. Upon inspection was found seals on rear differential leaking. Closer inspection found rear suspension, tie rod loose. This we believe is due to rear suspension parts being faulty. Parts are original. At this time we are being told that it is not covered under any vehicle warranty or recall. This is a major safety problem as it caused vehicle to loose complete control. At this same time vehicle rear differential also began to give off a "whine" sound. The tires have been worn unevenly due to rear suspension being loose causing this failure. Our concerns are that we are being told there is no warranty or recall to correct or protect anyone owning and driving without knowledge of this problem. It should be known that tires worn uneven were on & from rear of vehicle. No front tires had been worn unevenly with this incident.

- Houlton, ME, USA

problem #11

Jul 062014

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 40,055 miles
On 07/06/14 the car suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated at full throttle while stopped. Car moved toward motorcycle stopped ahead of me at the traffic signal even though I was pushing hard on the brake. If I had not turned the ignition off I would have hit the motorcycle. Today 08/06/14 at aprox. 20 mph the same thing happened. As I was slowing for a traffic light, the car accelerator went to full throttle uncontrollably running through a red light.

- Kenmore, NY, USA

problem #10

Nov 222012

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 36,500 miles
2010 Toyota rav 4. consumer writes in regards to vehicle drive gear issues. The consumer stated the vehicle was keyless. When he parked the vehicle, with the gear still in drive, he was able to turn the engine off, which meant, if parked on the slightest incline, the vehicle could possibly roll backwards. The consumer stated it happened once, but luckily no one was behind him. A technician from Toyota informed him, it was normal.

- Davidson, NC, USA

problem #9

Feb 162011

RAV4

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated when vehicle was parked on a slope, the vehicle rolled backward into a fence. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Pistton, PA, USA

problem #8

Nov 152011

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 18,200 miles
With the vehicle in park and the brake pedal depressed, the engine reved immediately to around 6000 RPM when started. I turned off the engine without shifting out of park, got out of the car, and visually checked the floormat. It was not touching the throttle pedal and the throttle pedal did not appear to be depressed. After approximately 1 minute I started the engine a second time and the same thing occurred. I then waited approximately 5 minutes, pumped the throttle pedal several times, then started the vehicle a third time. This time the vehicle started normally (engine idling). I then drove home without further reving issues and have not had any reoccurence since the incident date. I took the vehicle to a local Toyota dealership for service the next day and was told that it was a floormat issue, and my driverside floormat was removed by the dealership. I disagree with this assessment. It is important to note that before I had the reving issue upon starting the vehicle, my last interaction with the vehicle was to have my foot completely off the gas pedal as I was steering the car into a parking space, when I was using only the brake pedal to moderate my speed, with no throttle pedal pressure being applied by me, and with the engine idling, as is normal. Do not see how this could be a residual stuck throttle pedal issue when I returned to my automoble and started the engine to drive away. The only other factor which may (or may not) be relevent was that when I turned the engine off after parking, I did not first turn the radio off, which I usually do. I believe I was tuned to a satellite station at that time (xm).

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 032011

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 6,869 miles
On August 3, 2011 everything was normal. I stopped for fuel. I then started the engine and shifted into drive with my foot on the brake. The engine began racing and making loud strange noises. The steering wheel was shaking in my hands. I immediately shifted back into park and turned the engine off. I restarted the engine and everything was normal. On August 4, 2011, I took the Rav4 to quality imports, a dealer in fort walton beach, Florida. The dealer wanted me to see Toyota's side of the story. With considerable effort on his part, he uninstalled the very heavy semi rigid aftermarket rubber mat and reinstalled it to rest on the accelerator. He then said, "this is probably what happened." This very heavy semi rigid floor mat is precisely contoured to snugly fit in the exact Contour of the floor board. There is no room for this mat to move, because it fits so snugly within the confines of the molded Contour. The rubber mat has never moved in over 6,000 miles of driving. I have a clear soft vinyl mat on top of the heavy semi rigid mat; the vinyl mat that has never been any trouble. Also, the accelerator pedal hangs above the floor mat thus making it impossible for a mat to slide on top of the pedal. The dealer then instructed me leave and obtain instructions by calling the Toyota customer experience center. I called 800 331 4331; I was given case number 1108040789. The Toyota representative asked me how fast I was going. I told him I was standing still with my foot on the brake; he responded, "I guess you don't know how fast you were going." He instructed me to wait for a case worker to contact me.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #6

Apr 012011

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 13,800 miles
I leased a 2010 Toyota Rav4 in March 2010. The crossover has been okay. One problem being when I am on an incline, say at a stop light and take my foot off the brake and apply the gas the Rav4 rolls back like its a standard. I have asked several times when I have brought the Rav4 in for service. The service dept tells me the feather both the gas and brake until I am over the incline. I spoke to several Rav4 owners from 2006 thru 2011 and it seems to me its only the 2.5 litre 4cyl that has the roll back. Thank god I have not rolled into anyone, but feathering the gas all the time is to much.

- Fall River, MA, USA

problem #5

Dec 162010

RAV4

  • 8,500 miles
2010 rav 4 accelerator stuck going into reverse with the right foot securely on the brake pedal. Placed car in park and the car hit red line 7000rpm. Looking at the accelerator pedal, there is nothing touching the pedal. The only way to stop the acceleration problem is to shut engine off. Stuck ECM computer.

- Mathhews, NC, USA

problem #4

Aug 302010

RAV4

  • 39,000 miles
I was driving my 2007 Toyota Rav4 up a mountain dirt road in worlds end state park in sullivan county pa. I was traveling approx 15 mph. I hit the brake to slow down when the throttle suddenly went to full acceleration. I pressed hard on the brake, put the transmission into neutral, stopped the vehicle and shut off the engine. I pressed the gas pedal a few times and restarted the engine. Everything seemed fine. The same thing occurred on the way down the mountain. This time I was in low gear and the brake would not hold the vehicle. It took me a few seconds to shift into neutral and shut off the engine. The road took a sharp turn to the right, which is why I hit the brake to slow down, and I just managed to stop short of going off the road into the trees. I had no further problems on my trip home. I took the car to the Toyota dealer when I returned but they could find no problem. The only fault code in the system was for the battery which was ok when they checked it.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

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