2009 TOYOTA RAV 4

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    unintended acceleration

    57 unsafe

    57
    incidents
    Typical range: 5,500–54,500 mi

    Median 17,000 mi, based on 85 reports (4% had no usable mileage)

    • "I PURCHASED A 2010 TOYOTAS RAVE 4 ON NOVEMBER 10, 2009. DROVE THE 400 400 MILES FOR THANKSGIVING. ON NOVEMBER 23, DID ERRANDS AND THE CAR SURGED WHEN I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. THAT EVENING THE NEWS HAD THE STORY OF THE LEXUS ACCIDENT IN CALIFORNIA. TOOK THE…"~500 mi, complaint #851806
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. SUDDENLY, EXTREME FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT…"~4,900 mi, complaint #763690
    • "ON 8-14-2011 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR RAV4. WE HAD JUST LEFT A RESIDENTIAL HOUSE AND HAD BEEN DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH (MAXIMUM). AS WE APPROACHED THE RED STOPLIGHT AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD EXIT, HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELER…"~15,000 mi, complaint #873922
    • "COMING TO A RED LIGHT I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR AND THE BRAKE FELT A LITTLE HARD AND WERE VERY SLOW TO REACT. BECAUSE I HAD ALLOWED ENOUGH DISTANCE TO THE LIGHT I WAS ABLE AFTER A MOMENT OR TO FEEL THE CAR BEGIN TO STOP. VERY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1134170
    • "I PUT MY RAV 4 2009 IN PARK WHILE RUNNING AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND TALKED TO MY MAIL CARRIER, WENT AROUND MY CAR TO MY MAILBOX AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR TOOK OFF ACCELERATING AND BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I TRIED TO GET THE CAR BUT IT WAS MOVING TOO FAST…"~146,483 mi, complaint #1315457
  2. #2

    throttle and pedal

    23 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    24
    incidents
    Typical range: 5,500–15,000 mi

    Median 9,500 mi, based on 25 reports (24% had no usable mileage)

    • "I PURCHASED MY 2009 RAV4 ON JUNE 19, 2009. WITH ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES (LESS THAN 1000) ON THE VEHICLE, I TRAVELED TO ANNAPOLIS, MD ON JULY 20, 2009. AFTER DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY FOR MOST OF THE AROUND 200 MILES, I EXITED AND UPN STOPPING FOR TRAFFIC, I…"~1,000 mi, complaint #762341
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH COMING TO A STOP, THE RPMS SUDDENLY BEGAN TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT HAD TO STAND UP IN THE VEHICLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SINCE THE VEHICLE SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPA…"~7,600 mi, complaint #781718
    • "TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REVVED UP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RPMS DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE…"~9,264 mi, complaint #784155
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 ON MONDAY APRIL 5, 2010 AND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN I FELT GAS SEEMED TO REV UP. I FELT LIKE THE CAR WOULD HAVE LURCHED FORWARD HAD NOT MY FOOT BEEN ON THE BRAKE. ALSO TODAY AFTER MOVING FOR…"~15,023 mi, complaint #781113
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ABNORMA…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1030555
  3. #3

    suspension arms and bushings

    20 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    21
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 71,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR "REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM NO. 1. I CALLED SERVCO TOYOTA LEAWARD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY SAID THE EARLIEST AVAILABLE WAS MARCH 30, 2015. NEXT YEAR!!! REALLY? *TR"~8,529 mi, complaint #1071377
    • "I BROUGHT MY 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4 INTO THE ROMANO TOYOTA (6400 BASILE ROWE EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057) SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE FOR POSSIBLE RUSTING IN THE REAR SUSPENSION BAR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD THOROUGHLY CHE…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1000320
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE A TOYOTA RAV 4 AND WAS APPROACHING THE ACCESS RAMP ON TO THE WV TURNPIKE, I WAS STRATING TO ACCELERATE AND HEARD A BANGING SOUND ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AREA I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK, THE TIRE WAS LAYING AT A 95 DEGREE ANGLE SIDW…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1075065
    • "IN 2013, TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL ON THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AND HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON 7/19/14. ONE ARM WAS REPLACED, AND ONE WAS COATED WITH AN EPOXY COATING. THE CAR BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AND WAS TAKEN TO…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1359756
    • "MY PROBLEM IS UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD A RECALL (16V596000) FOR MY REAR SUSPENSION ARMS WAS AVAILABLE AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT DONE AS THE BACK END NUTS COULDN'T BE ADJUSTED. I CALLED A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS TAKEN CARE OF 3 YEARS AGO…"~104,000 mi, complaint #1733756
  4. #4

    brake hydraulics

    17 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 21,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES AND THE POSITION OF THE BRAKE SWITCH IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEDAL INTERFERED IN BRAKING WHENEVER HE STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONTACT STATED HE ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE OPERATI…"~650 mi, complaint #737032
    • "ON 2 OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES ON MY TOYOTA RAV4 GO AWAY. I PUT ON THE BRAKE AND THERE IS NOTHING THERE. IT GOES DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. IF YOU REAPPLY THE BRAKES THEY COME BACK WITH THE PEDAL STRONGER THAN BEFORE. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY AP…"~2,200 mi, complaint #763509
    • "OUR RAV4 WAS APPARENTLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE LAST RECALLS BUT I NOW BELIEVE THIS IS INCORRECT. ON 2/27 I REAR-ENDED A TRUCK GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT I HAD MISSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BY THE TIME I REALIZED THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING I HAD TO SLA…"~10,000 mi, complaint #770379
    • "I WAS DRIVING UP MY DRIVEWAY, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND DID NOT STOP, BUT WAS FORCED FORWARD UNTIL I HIT MY HOUSE. I SEARCHED FOR THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT FIND THEM, BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHT ON. BEFORE THAT THE ODOMET…"~36,000 mi, complaint #881810
    • "BRAKE PEDAL GOES VERY LOW TO THE FLOOR BEFORE ENGAGING. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HEARD LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT FOR THIS MODEL. IN OTHER SIMILAR CASES TOYOTA HAS TOLD CUSTOMERS IS NORMAL. SINCE THIS HAS STARTED THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN BLED WITH N…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1591082
  5. #5

    other

    5 unsafe, 12 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I BOUGHT A TOYOTA RAV-4 SPORT IN JANUARY 2009. IT IS A V-6 WITH THE RUN FLAT TIRES. IN JULY, I PURCHASED A NEW, VERY EXPENSIVE COMPUTERIZED SEWING MACHINE--ONE THAT I HAD HOPED TO BE ABLE TO BUY FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. IT WAS JUST OVER $1400.00. I PLACED IT…"~8,000 mi, complaint #746929
    • "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 S…"~162,000 mi, complaint #1607995
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 38,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE ON 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4 WHILE STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES. DRIVER, STANDING ON BRAKES, QUICKLY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK AND ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED. *TR"~6,700 mi, complaint #758223
    • "I AM HAVING A SPORADIC, CONTINUING STARTING PROBLEM WITH A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO APPEAR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN PARKED. ON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE CAR, THE ACCESSORIES (RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC.) COME ON BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOTHING. TH…"~11,000 mi, complaint #809297
    • "VEHICLE FAILS TO START OCCASIONALLY, LIGHTS TURN ON WITH NORMAL BRIGHTNESS INDICATING IT IS PROBABLY NOT A BATTERY ISSUE,BUT NO CRANKING . DEALER CHECKED THE CAR, BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DATE BELOW IS THE APPROX LAST INCIDENT DATE. *TR"~24,500 mi, complaint #749481
    • "DRIVING ALONE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ON A MAJOR ROAD. ABOUT 6 PM. WARNING LIGHT APPEARED FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY WHOLE DASHBOARD THAT LIT UP. NO PREVIOUS WARNING. VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER. I MADE SPLIT-SECOND DECISION TO MAKE A QUICK RIGHT TURN INTO SMALL SH…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1174951
    • "2009 TOYOTA RAV 4, 2.5L V4, 4WD. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING LIKE NORMAL, AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. I TURNED IT OFF AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT MOVED AND THEN I HIT THE BRAKE AND IT DI…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1469733
  7. #7

    suspension struts shocks

    5 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "2009 TOYOTA RAV4 SAFETY ISSUES *GR THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL DEVELOPED A VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED. HOWEVER THE MECHANIC STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE TIRES WERE BALANCED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *JB"~2,300 mi, complaint #785079
    • "2009 TOYOTA RAV4 LEAKED FLUID. I LOST CONTROL OF CAR, STEERING, BRAKES & CAR ACCELERATED AT A RAPID PACE ON ITS OWN. I WAS TURNING LEFT AT ABOUT 20MPH HIT ANOTHER CAR ACCELERATED FAST WITH NO CONTROL WAS HEADED FOR A BUILDING WHEN RIGHT TIRE WENT OVER A CONCRE…"~22,922 mi, complaint #869546
    • "I NOW REGRETTABLY OWN A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER 2013 FROM A CAR MAX DEALER IN POMPANO BEACH FLORIDA. I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD TWO RECALLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. I BROUGHT CAR BACK TO CAR MAX SEVERAL TIMES, THEY DI…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1029856
    • "IT APPEARS THAT A SOUND, SUSPENSION OF THE RAV 4 NEED SOME REPAIR."~65,730 mi, complaint #1206974
    • "CAR HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEEL AREA WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING, TOOK IT BACK TO WHERE PURCHASED, PLANET TOYOTA IN MATTESON, ILL, WAS TOLD THE RIGHT STRUT WAS DAMAGED AND BINDED, ALSO CUP WAS DAMAGED ON BOTH STRUTS, I FIND THIS ODD SEEING AS HOW T…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1365346
  8. #8

    differential

    6 unsafe, 1 broken

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD UNKNOWN NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VISCOUS COUPLING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MA…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1147090
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1178684
    • "DIFFERENTIAL GEAR BOX STARTED TO SLOWLY LEAK FLUID JUST OVER 100,000 MILES AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR"~100,000 mi, complaint #1161609
    • "HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. HAD GROWLING NOISE IN REAR IN 2017. HAD REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER SUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. NOW 20000 MILES LATER IN NOVEMBER 2018 HAVE GROWLING NOISE AGAIN AND LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAYS COUPLER WOULD NEED TO B…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1523054
    • "GROWLING NOISE FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHILE DRIVING. 4 MONTHS PAST ENHANCED WARRANTY PERIOD. RECALL IS NEEDED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR."~140,000 mi, complaint #1473155
  9. #9

    paint and clearcoat

    3 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SHEETS OF THE PAINT STARTED TO COME OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY."~87,000 mi, complaint #1691553
  10. #10

    steering column

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS. LOOKS LIKE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. NO RECALL THAT I KNOW OF, BUT THERE SHOULD BE. NOTICED PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER 36,000 MILE…"~37,000 mi, complaint #914482
    • "STEERING STARTED CREATING OCCASIONAL MILD NOISE WHILE TURNING AT AROUND 49000. AT 53000 DURING MAINTENANCE SERVICE AT BURLINGTON TOYOTA, ONTARIO I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT ALONG WITH A METALLIC NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THEY MENTIONED NOT TO BE ABLE…"~49,000 mi, complaint #889905
    • "WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER DIRECTION AT LOW SPEEDS A CLUNKING NOISE WAS AUDIBLE. CAR HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES. LOOKED ON INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THE PROBLEM IN MULTIPLE MODELS AND OVER MANY YEARS. THE CAUSE IS THE STEERING COLUMN SHA…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1256718
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A STRANGE NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 40 MPH. THE VEHIC…"~66,000 mi, complaint #959111
    • "STEERING COLUMN CREAKS AND STICKS. AT TIMES IT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SERVICED MY CAR FOR TIRES TODAY ALMOST HIT A RETAINING POST DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE STICKING OF THE STEERING IN ONE POSITION AN…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1574693
  11. #11

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TOYOTA RAV 4 DESIGN DEFECT COMPLAINT: 1. FRONT PASSENGER MAY ACCIDENTALLY SHIFT THE GEAR STICK CAUSES IT TO MOVE TO NEUTRAL POSITION, SUCH RESULT IN THE CAR LOSE OF POWER. IF A PASSENGER ACCIDENTALLY PUSH THE STICK AND CAUSE IT TO REVERSE POSITION, THE CAR…"~600 mi, complaint #774970
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING AN ABNORMAL CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS BUT WAS…"~8,900 mi, complaint #829404
    • "IT TRANSMISSION GEARS SEEMS SLIPPING WHEN GOING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND. SOMETIMES IT WAS LIKE HORSE RIDING JUMPING. IT HAPPENED TWICE WHEN I WAS DOING A LEFT TURN AND ALMOST GOT INTO ACCIDENT WITH THE COMING VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE ECU AND TRANSMI…"~90,000 mi, complaint #739393
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTONATION TOYOTA WINTER PARK ([REDACTED ADDRESS], WINTER PARK, F…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1460733
    • "TOYOTA 2001 RAV4, TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, DOESN'T WANT TO GO WHEN YOU STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR"~195,000 mi, complaint #743141
  12. #12

    wheel or rim

    6 unsafe, 1 broken

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "2009 RAV4 1700 MI. HAD A TIRE PATCH REPAIRED AT A VERY REPUTABLE ,EXCLUSIVELY TIRES BUSINESS. WHEN THE SERVICEMAN ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE LAST LUG AT THE RECOMMENDED 80 FT LB TORQUE, THE WHEEL STUD SNAPPED OFF. THE AFFECTED STUD WAS/ IS NOT MIS-THREADED AND SHOW…"~1,730 mi, complaint #735933
    • "TIRES ROTATED. WHEEL STUD BROKE WHEN BEING HAND TORQUED TO FACTORY SPECS. NO AIR HAMMER WAS USED. BROKEN STUD WAS REPLACED. ALL OTHERS WILL BE REPLACED THIS WEEK. I HAVE HALF THE BROKEN STUD AND WILL KEEP THOSE REPLACED. *TR"~29,409 mi, complaint #867520
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1369816
    • "I WRITE THIS LETTER SEEKING FOR HELP. SINCE THE YEAR 2011 I AM HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE RIGHT WHEEL OF MY CAR WHERE THE TIRE STICKS CONSTANTLY. THE PANEL SHOWS THE LIGHT ON FOR ALL TIME. IN TWO YEARS ALREADY BOUGHT TWO TIRES, MY CAR IS THE YEAR 2009,…"~400,023 mi, complaint #967437
  13. #13

    airbag system

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE RAV 4 AND HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A CAR. SHE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF FRONT END DAMAGE, BUT AT NO TIME DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. *TR"~46,100 mi, complaint #965167
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND ONCE SHE WAS SAFELY OUTSIDE, THE AIR BAGS THEN DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECALL THE SPECIFIC EVENTS…"~50,000 mi, complaint #920138
    • "I WAS DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY WENT OFF, EXPLODING IN MY FACE. THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE, DUST, AND DEBRIS. BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE (AIRBAG IN MY FACE AND SMOKE/DEBRIS IN THE VEHICLE), I CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR"~57,668 mi, complaint #1152967
  14. #14

    engine internal

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "WE NOTICED THAT WE STARTED OUR 2009 RAV4 IN THE MORNING AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT, THERE WAS A RATTLING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS NOISE ONLY OCCURS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IT FROM (TOYOTA) AND AFTER…"~9,600 mi, complaint #791321
    • "10 MONTH OLD TOYOTA RAV-4 CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE SITTING IN PARKING GARAGE AND BURNED. *TR"~20,000 mi, complaint #801342
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE NOI…"~27,000 mi, complaint #943978
    • "I NOTICED A STRANGE RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE WHEN STARTING MY CAR 1ST THING IN THE MORNING AND WHEN STARTING IT AFTER IT HAS SAT FOR A FEW HOURS; I RESEARCHED ONLINE FOR OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS DISCOVERED AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM…"~49,000 mi, complaint #977665
    • "COLD START METALLIC RATTLE DUE TO FAULTY VVTI ACTUATOR(TSB-004-13 -A). BETWEEN $900 AND $1700 TO FIX AND IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER. ISSUE IS OCCURRING WITH MANY TOYOTA MODELS AND CAN BE TRACED BACK TO POOR QUALITY OF ENGINE COMPONENTS."~72,000 mi, complaint #1383451
  15. #15

    steering rack mechanical

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "AT 47,500 MILES, STEERING STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN WHEEL TURNED ALL THE WAY TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. USUALLY IT OCCURRED WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL BACK TO CENTER BUT NOT ALWAYS. TENDED T HAPPEN IN A PARKING LOT OR WHEN A SHARP TURN WAS REQUIRED. D…"~47,500 mi, complaint #1285517
    • "VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE AND NOTICEABLE SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED OF STEERING OR RELATED SUBCOMPONENT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDST O…"~55,000 mi, complaint #976877
    • "THERE IS A NOTICEABLE THUMPING, LIKE A BELT SLIPPING OR A GEAR MISSING, WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. THE FREQUENCY OF THE ISSUE BECOMES MORE PREVALENT THE LONGER YOU DRIVE. ON 12/22/14, YORK AUTO GROUP, MY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, DETERMINED THERE IS A F…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1144114
    • "STEERING: DURING NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC FAILED VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN WHEEL ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK. NOTE: VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DUE TO ROAD OR OF…"~107,480 mi, complaint #1037170
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD OR MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING FLUID AN…"~108,192 mi, complaint #1338712
  16. #16

    tire failure

    4 unsafe, 1 broken

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WE PURCHASED A NEW RAV4, IN MAY 2009. YESTERDAY WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLOSIVELY BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL, THE CAR HAS 2400 MILES ON IT. THE PERSON WHO WITNESSED THE FAILURE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST. I ALSO FOUND THIS IN OUR…"~2,400 mi, complaint #731519
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA G91 TIRES, SIZE 235/65/17(NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS PREMATURELY WORN ON ALL FOUR TIRES AND ALSO EXHIBITED SEVERAL CRACKS. THE FOUR TI…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1013820
    • "THIS IS TO NOTIFY YOU OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR G91 TIRES. ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2011, I HAD A BLOWOUT IN ONE OF THEIR TIRES LOCATED IN THE RIGHT REAR OF MY SUV. THE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IN A 2009 RAV4, WITH 32,900 MILES, AND A…"~32,900 mi, complaint #872260
    • "2009 RAV 4 YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR 225/65R17 35,680 MILES.TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY5K MILES MY WIFE WAS ON EXPRESSWAY GOING 65 MPH,WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT .SHE HAD SWERVE THREE LANES INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE,SHE CALLED AAA WHICH CALL THE STATE POLICE.AAA CH…"~35,680 mi, complaint #896438
  17. #17

    transfer case awd

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1038266
    • "MY VEHICLE IS LISTED AS [REDACTED ADDRESS] WHEN DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS THE CAR WILL KICK OUT OF [REDACTED ADDRESS] IF I REACH 25 MILES AN HOUR. WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY SNOW AND THE CAR WAS CONSTANTLY KICKING OUT AS MY TIRES WERE SLIPPING WHICH WERE NEW TIRE…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1433055
    • "ON MAY 20, 2015 MY 2009 RAV 4 DEVELOPED A WHINING NOISE IN REAR AREA THAT GOT LOUDER THE FASTER I WENT. VEHICLE HAS 78,385 MILES ON IT AND IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE VISCOUS COUPLER ASSEMBLY THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…"~78,385 mi, complaint #1187369
    • "I PURCHASED A USED 2009 RAV4 WITH ABOUT 78,000 MILES. IT WAS A ONE OWNER WITH A CLEAN CAR FAX. IT WAS GREAT DURING THE TEST DRIVE. ABOUT 2 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT, IT STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLE/RUMBLE/VIBRATION AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND 1500 - 1800RPM. IT SEE…"~78,555 mi, complaint #1105620
  18. #18

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE SMOKE MOSTLY APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPART…"~3,000 mi, complaint #721760
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WIRING WAS BEING DAMAGED BY ANIMALS BITING THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE F…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1219381
    • "EXTENSIVE RODENT DAMAGE TO WIRING HARNESS, PASSENGER AIR BAG, HEAT/AC DUCTS, HEADLINER, CARPETING FRONT & REAR, INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND MANY MORE MISC. PARTS. REPAIR COSTS - $10,257.91 BECAUSE TOYOTA CHOSE TO MAKE THIS CAR WITH A SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT USING E…"~27,788 mi, complaint #1035968
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE HEADLIGHTS WAS DEACTIVATED, THE RADIO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CON…"~46,000 mi, complaint #955041
    • "WAS DRIVING,SUDDEN LOST P/S, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON, DETERMINED FUSE ECU-IG1, BLOWN, DETERMINED, WHEN REAR VIEW MIRROR DISCONN. THE FUSE DOESN'T BLOW.TSB:IG1 RELAY NEEDS 2B UPDATED $1,000+ VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A COUNTY STREET.....UPDATED 12/03/15*BF…"~56,372 mi, complaint #1238892
  19. #19

    engine cooling

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP LEAKED FLUID WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF ORANGE ([REDACTED ADDRESS], ORANGE, CA 92867, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1488024
    • "LOUD IDLE COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE. OCCURS AT START UP AND AT OPERATING TEMPERATURES. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILING WATER PUMP; WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS PREMATURE FOR WATER PUMP TO BE FAILING GIVEN THE MILEAGE."~76,000 mi, complaint #1357871
  20. #20

    engine oil consumption

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "AUTO BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL AND COOLANT BOX STAYS FULL TO TOP CAR IS STATIONARY"~125,000 mi, complaint #1646647
    • "ENGINE HAS 164,000 MILES AND IS BURNING 1 QT. OF OIL PER 1000 MILES."~164,000 mi, complaint #1394327
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine at startup. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the…"~230,000 mi, complaint #2198659
  21. #21

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) AND FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS: I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT V6 4X2 ON MAY 09, 2009 IN HOUSTON TEXAS. IT WAS ON DEC. 13, 2009 THAT I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I-10 FROM HOUSTON TO NEW YORK CITY. I WAS IN THE…"~3,800 mi, complaint #773491
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH TURNING A CORNER AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN A JERKING MOTION. A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CONTINUED ACCELERATION. THE V…"~13,285 mi, complaint #776850
    • "I STARTED MY CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY - BUT IT STARTED THEN STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE - THE POWER STEERING EMERGENCY LIGHT HAD TURNED ON AND THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. I TOWED THE CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THE CO…"~33,000 mi, complaint #947398
    • "THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED I JERKED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET IT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING UP HILL WHEN THE CAR FINALLY DISABLED, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WHEN HE PUT IT ON T…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1651510
  22. #22

    alignment and pull

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "REAR SUSPENSION ARMS WERE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. IT WAS FOUND A YEAR LATER, THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DURING THIS TIME, THE HANDLING OF THE CAR ON TURNS AND IN WET WEATHER WERE IMPAIRED. ALSO, THE TIRES WORE UNEVENLY AND WERE BALD ON THE I…"~45,365 mi, complaint #1263718
  23. #23

    door latch and hinge

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "RUST ON THE LATCHES THAT HOLD THE REAR DOOR ON THE 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. ALTHOUGH NOT A MAJOR CONCERN AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER WHEN THE RUST DOES GET WORSE THE DOOR WILL NOT SEAL EXHAUST AND/OR WILL OPEN IN A ACCIDENT OR WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN BE A HAZARD. I CAN EMA…"~22,000 mi, complaint #920627
    • "STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF ALL WELD POINTS ON HOOD OF 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4 V6 LIMITED WITH 27,000 MILES. HOOD LATCH ALLOWED 1/2" OF UPWARD PLAY WHILE BEING LATCHED. HOOD BEING REPLACED. CONTINUAL PROBLEM UNNOTICED UNTIL 3 MONTHS AGO. VERY FLIMSY AND HOOD WAVERED AND…"~27,000 mi, complaint #786834
  24. #24

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WE HAVE A LOUD, INTERMITTENT GRINDING OR RATTLING NOISE THAT OCCURS USUALLY DURING ACCELERATION BUT OFTEN WHEN CRUISING AS WELL. WE CHECKED ONLINE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT DEALER CLAIMS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR"~74,000 mi, complaint #1033064
    • "AT 30-40 MPH THERE IS A NOISE WHICH WHEN TEST DRIVEN BY ME WITH A TOYOTA DEALER DESCRIBED IT AS A SHUTTERING NOISE. I AM SCHEDULED TO BRING MY RV4 FOR ANALYSIS TOMORROW 7/28/17."~172,000 mi, complaint #1395395
  25. #25

    stability and traction control

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "AN EMERGENCY STOP FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH) ON HOT (85+F) DRY PAVEMENT RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN EXPECTED BRAKING CAPACITY. BEST GUESS IS THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM THROTTLED BACK AVAILABLE BRAKING CAPACITY. BRAKE PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED TO…"~6,000 mi, complaint #737927
    • "I WAS TRAVELING ON I-94 FROM MADISON, WI TO MINNEAPOLIS, MN IN LATE DECEMBER. THE INTERSTATE WAS IN GOOD DRIVING CONDITION -- NO ICE, SNOW, OR RAIN. IT WAS A NICE DAY WITH LITTLE WIND AND TEMPERATURE IN THE MID-20'S. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE, PASSING A SLOWER…"~9,000 mi, complaint #760698
  26. #26

    sunroof

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "SUNROOF OF 2009 RAV 4 SPORT EXPLODED YESTERDAY WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AND NOWHERE NEAR AN OVERPASS. GLASS SHATTERED ON MYSELF AND PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE WHOLE IS THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL AND THE REMAINING GLASS IS BLOWN OUTWARD…"~21,500 mi, complaint #846876
    • "I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND TURNING RIGHT WITH MY GRANDSON IN THE BACKSEAT, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE NO OTHER CAR AROUND ME AT THE TIME PULLED OVER AND LOOKED ALL AROUND THE CAR AND IN THE BACK TO SEE IF SOMETHING FELL OVER NOTHING WAS IN THE BACK. STARTED DRIVING A…"~56,000 mi, complaint #932723
  27. #27

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A DOWNWARD TURN, THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…"~500 mi, complaint #1019040
    • "INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) THIS IS IN REGARDS TO COMPLAINT # 10325940 ON A 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE DETAIL IN THE REPORT IS CORRECT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN TO THE NEAREST…"~7,600 mi, complaint #782349
  28. #28

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I BOUGHT A 2009 RAV 4 WITH 12 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP WITH 1500 MILES BECAUSE OF GRINDING IN ROTORS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS RUST ON IT. I ASKED FOR PAPERWORK STATING THIS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT DO ANY. I THEN TOOK IT BACK WIT…"~1,500 mi, complaint #768702
  29. #29

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. AFTER THREE DAYS, THE NON-SKID, CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALSO…"~19,000 mi, complaint #828963
    • "TOYOTA 2001 RAV4, TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, DOESN'T WANT TO GO WHEN YOU STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, DUE TO A BAD ECM. *TR"~195,000 mi, complaint #743142
  30. #30

    corrosion and rust

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE ALLOY WHEELS OF MY 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 ARE RUSTED AND BUBBLING. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 10K MILES ON IT. I THINK THE RUSTING ON THE TIRES IS RUSTING THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. DESPITE HAVING LESS THAN 10K ON MY CAR, I'M TOLD THAT MY BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED TO…"~9,000 mi, complaint #1200646
  31. #31

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SPIDER SHARDS OF GLASS AND STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD EXPLODED. THE CONTACT CALLED…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1390201
  32. #32

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SPORADIC BURNING SMELL WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON. EVENT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES NOW AND IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON (VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED DEC 2008 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 12,200). IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN RUNNING AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS - VE…"~7,000 mi, complaint #757517
  33. #33

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE SHOULDER SEATBELTS IN ONE OF THE SECOND-ROW OUTBOARD SEATS WAS TOTALLY BROKEN BY THE FRICTION OF A METAL ON THE SHOULDER RETRACTOR END. I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR REPAIR THE LAP SEATBELTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT INCLUDE THE SHOULDER END. HE BROKE WHEN T…"complaint #1306785
    • "ON MAY 26, 2016, MY MOTHER WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-69 NEAR EDDYVILLE, KENTUCKY IN HER 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH MY SON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A DRIVER TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-69 CROSSED THE MEDIAN INTO THE NORTHBOUND LANE, AND COLLIDED WITH MY MOTHER'S VEHICL…"complaint #1554150
  34. #34

    timing belt or chain

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO…"~81,300 mi, complaint #1317240
  35. #35

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ON MY '[REDACTED ADDRESS] RAV4 I HAVE A RECURRING CYCLE OCCURRING APPROXIMATE EVERY 700 TO 1000 MILES. I HAVE TOO MUCH BRAKING. THE ABS SYSTEM FEELS AS IF IT GRADUALLY IS APPLIED TO A CERTAIN POINT. AT THAT POINT I HAVE THE WHEELS PULLED AND THE ABS INSPECTE…"~4,661 mi, complaint #772703
  36. #36

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET @ 70MPH. AND ENTERING A REDUCED SPEED AREA, I DISABLE CRUISE BY TAPPING BRAKES. AFTER TRAVELING A FEW MILES THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE AT A FAST RATE ON ITS OWN. I WOULD THEN EITHER TAP THE BRAKES AGAIN OR TUR…"~3,500 mi, complaint #758363
  37. #37

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ABOVE 25 MPH, A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE REAR-CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASES IN VOLUME AS THE VEHICLE INCREASES ITS SPEED. ONCE THE VEHICLE TRAVELS FAST ENOUGH, OR ENOUGH POWER IS FED THROUGH,…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1662890
  38. #38

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DROVE UP TO USE THE ATM AT BANK. PLACED CAR IN PARK AND USED ATM. WHEN I FINISHED, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. CAR ENGINE ACCELERATED AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD. A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE…"~5,000 mi, complaint #778934
  39. #39

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* 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 VEHI…"~137,000 mi, complaint #1637146
  40. #40

    interior trim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON ANY TYPE IF ROAD, FREEWAY, COUNTRY OR CITY THE DRIVERS SUN VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN TO ITS LOWEST POSITION BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW OF THE ROADWAY AND PEDESTRIANS.THE VISOR CAN NOT BE POSITIONED IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION TO BLOCK SUN. THE…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1388894
  41. #41

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION BUTTON FAILED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWA…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1057781
  42. #42

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAME INOPERATIVE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BOTH BRAKE CABLES HAD CORRODED SUCH THAT THEY NO LONGER HAD FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AT THE CABLE END WHERE THEY ENTERED THE BACKING PLATES. WHEN I PURCHASED REPLACEMENT CABLES TOYOTA SERVICE…"~225,000 mi, complaint #1253616
  43. #43

    seat mechanism

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • " THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS LOOSE TO THE POINT THAT IT MAKE SOUND WHEN I BREAK OR ACCELERATE. BECAUSE THE SEAT MOVES, IT MAKES ME OCCASIONALLY TO GET DISTRACTING WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE CAR IS UNDER GUARANTEE BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT IT , BUT THE DEALER REFUSE T…"~50,404 mi, complaint #834723
  44. #44

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TOYOTA NEW START AND START BUTTON ON MY 2009 RAV-4 LIMITED DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED. *TT"~35,629 mi, complaint #867365
  45. #45

    torque converter

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHENEVER WE ARE TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH AND 1500 RPM, THERE IS A RATTLE NOISE. THE VIBRATION HOLDS FOR AS LONG AS 1-2 SECONDS. AS SOON AS THE VIBRATION STARTS, YOU CAN LET OFF THE GAS OR STEP ON THE GAS TO CHANGE THE RPMS AND IT INSTANTLY STOPS. THE CAR HAS BE…"~87,500 mi, complaint #1220432
  46. #46

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM ON A 2009 TOYOTA RAV-4 DURING A STORM ON JANUARY 30, 2010. OWNER WAS DRIVING ON MARYLAND INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 695. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SYSTEM WAS TURNED ON TO CLEAR PRECIPITATION FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE BLADES WERE NOT FR…"~15,982 mi, complaint #793246

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA RAV 4 directly.