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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
21 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,521 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.

2011 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #66

Jan 202024

RAV4

  • 193,751 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while stopped at a red light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated and rolled forward. The contact quickly put the vehicle in park and was able to pull over down the road. The contact stated that while pulling over and then shifting from park to drive with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated, and the contact quickly shifted back into park. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was left in front of an independent mechanic shop. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced and the throttle body needed servicing. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,751.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #65

Jun 132023

RAV4

  • miles
Sudden acceleration when braking caused crash of 2011 Toyota RAV4 and driver injury. Making a right turn into a parking space that faces a concrete wall, I had my foot on the brake to slow the car down to park, going about five miles an hour. Still riding the brake, never having moved my foot off it, when I was about two feet from the wall I pressed on the brake to ease into a stop. Instead, the car suddenly accelerated with a loud rev and crashed into the wall. The car was going so fast the airbag deployed and thrust me against my seatbelt. Airbag caused fracture of 5th metacarpal in my right hand. Was unable to drive for 12 weeks. When I got the car back from the Toyota Body Shop ($9000+ in repairs), I took it over to the dealer and began filing a case with the Toyota Customer Experience Center to have Toyota inspect the car. I am especially concerned about the brake sensor system. Case is pending

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #64

Jul 182023

RAV4

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle in front of her abruptly stopped for an animal that jumped onto the road, as a result, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the rear of a Toyota Prius. The brake pedal was continuously depressed. The "low tire" message was displayed. The driver sustained injuries to her knee, neck, and chest, and medical attention was provided. There was not a report of any fire, air bag deployment, or police report being filed. The vehicle was taken to her residence. The vehicle was towed to the collision center. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Princeton, TX, USA

problem #63

May 122023

RAV4

  • miles

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

When applying the brakes to stop at a stoplight, I noticed the brake pedal was very hard and was not stopping the vehicle as it normally did. The stop at the light was not a sudden stop. At the time this incident occurred, the brakes were being gradually applied as the vehicle was coasting to a slow stop. As the vehicle came to rest, the engine started to race with tachometer showing 4500 rpm. I placed the transmission into neutral fearing the car would accelerate through the stoplight. As I placed the car into neutral, the engine raced up to 6500 rpm. When the light turned green, I made a right turn into a parking lot, and the engine stopped racing and the brakes and engine began performing properly. Today was the first time this happened. The stop was being made on level ground at time of incident. The car's speed before the incident had been 35 mph and was at less than 5 mph when issue began happening. Prior to traveling in the 35 mph zone, the car had recently been on the highway traveling between 55-70 mph for 20 minutes. Mileage on vehicle is currently 141,295. The vehicle is available for inspection. Slow response braking and unintended acceleration place vehicle occupants as well as other vehicles at risk for collision and possible injury. Problem has not been reproduced nor inspected by a dealer or independent service station yet. No parties have inspected the vehicle yet. No warning lights or messages were generated at the time of the incident. There have been no prior symptoms or similar problems which would have indicated this brake/acceleration issue may occur.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #62

Jun 222022

RAV4

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and accelerated forward crashing into a parked van. During the incident, the airbags did not deploy. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. the vehicle was later towed to a collision center and repaired. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the same failure had occurred after the husband stopped at a red light. During the incident, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Grandville, VT, USA

problem #61

Nov 122021

RAV4

  • miles
when i driving around 50 miles the car is producing a grinding noise, stalling and reducing the speed, putting in danger the cars driving behind us. that kind of fail is on and off.

- Cathedral City, CA, USA

problem #60

Feb 112019

RAV4

  • 83,000 miles

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

Waiting at stop sign - car began accelerating, engine revving, racing (again, while at a complete stop). I braked and vehicle took full control seemingly pulling sideways first and then lurching out onto the roadway casing a devastating crash totaling my car and causing the other person's vehicle extensive damage. I could have been seriously injured or killed. It's the second time this happened. 1st time pulling into parking space - accelerated lurching forward no matter how much I braked striking curb and post - stalled out, thank goodness. A case has been opened with Toyota but I am told they'll deny anything wrong even though I have 10 pages of complaints in hand of people who have experienced this same nightmare I did. It's time for Toyota to take full responsibility and do something immediately. A class action lawsuit seems pretty obvious at this point concerning this dangerous safety issue since Toyota is not taking responsibility by issuing/sending out recalls on this dangerous mechanical failure which next time may cause a death.

- Gilmanton, NH, USA

problem #59

Jan 042019

RAV4

  • 138,719 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 5 mph approaching a red light, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. The contact shifted into neutral and the brake pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle finally came to a stop. The contact stated that the failure occurred two other times. The vehicle was taken to umansky Toyota (1357 richmond road, charlottesville, va 22911) to be diagnosed, but they were not able to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 138,719.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #58

Apr 092018

RAV4

  • 12,639 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 10 mph and slowing down, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to umansky Toyota (located at 1357 richmond rd, charlottesville, va 22911, (434) 509-4870) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to driver error. The contact was informed that he may have accidentally depressed the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,639.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #57

May 142018

RAV4

  • 90,608 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While the contact's spouse was parking the vehicle, it inadvertently accelerated. The driver attempted to stop the vehicle, but it crashed into a wall. There were no warning indicators illuminated. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to puente hills Toyota (17070 gale ave, hacienda heights, ca 91745, 877) 692-4047) where it was awaiting diagnostic testing and repairs. The contact stated that the front bumper was damaged. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,608.

- Hacindaheights, CA, USA

problem #56

May 112018

RAV4

  • 123,000 miles

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

When backing up, my 2011 Toyota Rav4 accelerated hitting another vehicle causing the man behind his vehicle to be thrown and almost ran him over. He was taken away in an ambulance. My car was totaled and license suspended.there was no way I could have stopped my vehicle. Websites I have looked at for that year seems to confirm braking and unintended brake and acceleration accidents.

- Duxbury, MA, USA

problem #55

Nov 102017

RAV4

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While driving 2-3 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact accelerated independently again. The contact stated that the engine revved excessively. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, excessive leaking underneath the vehicle, and an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact was able to place the vehicle in drive and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was towed to Toyota of nicholasville (2100 lexington rd, nicholasville, ky 40356, (859) 887-4200) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

- Danville, KY, USA

problem #54

Sep 142017

RAV4

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While driving 10 mph, the brakes failed to work and the vehicle accelerated. The contact shifted the gear into park and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (berlin city Toyota of portland, 191 riverside St #a, portland, me 04103; (207) 835-3452), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- South Portland, ME, USA

problem #53

Aug 082017

RAV4 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While parking the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward independently. The vehicle crashed into the front of another vehicle. The failure was persistent. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The local dealer (benardi Toyota 1626 worcester road, framingham, MA, 01702) was contacted and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Updated 10/18/17

- Holliston, MA, USA

problem #52

Apr 112016

RAV4

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While attempting to stop the vehicle at 30 mph, the engine began to rev while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to accelerate forward without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred randomly. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. The VIN was not available.

- Willaimsville, NY, USA

problem #51

Mar 032017

RAV4

  • 28,559 miles
Car sitting in parking lot. Started engine in park, engine suddenly accelerated had to turn ignition key off to stop engine from running at high speed. When restarted engine ran at normal idle speed. Checked floor mat and hoses on engine, all ok. Scheduled appointment with Toyota dealer for 3/6/2017. Car has 28,563 miles on odometer and I am the original owner. Car is garaged, no accidents and is regularly serviced by Toyota dealer. Outside temperature outside was 41 degrees. I checked the foot pedal (throttle) for free travel it was ok.

- Hayden, ID, USA

problem #50

Feb 062017

RAV4

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While in a parking area applying the brakes, the vehicle independently surged at a high rate of speed. The rpms raced and the contact's vehicle crashed into two other vehicles. A police report was filed. The driver sustained whiplash due to the failure, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a repair center to repair the damages and further inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was waiting for a response to determine if they may be able to investigate the unintended acceleration failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

- Rock City, IL, USA

problem #49

Nov 282016

RAV4

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. While approaching a red light at 5 mph, the vehicle began to accelerate independently although the brake pedal was being depressed. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was shifted into park to stop the vehicle from accelerating. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #48

Feb 162016

RAV4

  • 64,000 miles
I recently had the charcoal canister that filters gas fuels fail. This caused teh check engine light to come on. In addition though, this fault took out 2 safety systems due to this code. After the light came on my brake anti skid system and cruise control were inoperable. I complained to the dealer about this issue and was told this was normal. In my opinion, just because a check engine light comes on should not cause 2 safety systems to become inoperable! why no disable the airbags too. The anti skid system helps you maintain stability on wet road. I live in the pacific northwest where the roads are wet a lot. I see failure of the cruise control is also a safety issue. I use cruise habitually so keep me under the speed limit. I had to drive without these 2 systems for a month till parts were available.

- Ridgefield, WA, USA

problem #47

Sep 152015

RAV4

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the engine roared and the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to replicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall; therefore, they declined to help unless the dealer replicated the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

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