26 of the
418 complaints about the 2001 Toyota RAV4 are about the
braking system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
103,400 miles.
2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a Toyota Dealership in Wooster, Ohio and requested a complete examination. I have their full report, and they have determined this car to be unsafe to drive. The brakes had been adjusted when in fact, the brakes and brake lines need to be replaced, this was the used car dealer at fault. I feel the used car dealership bought car at auction and was unaware of the gas tank leak and the bearing plates being fragile, the engine cradle could break at any given moment, causing the engine to fall out. The car was purchased at and maintained by an Akron Toyota Dealership since it was brand new in 2001. After 23 years why did this dealership allow this car to be released into the general public? Frame Damage so bad, the bearing plates that hold the engine up are beyond fragile, the cradle that holds the engine integrity is grossly compromised, and the gas tank has a hole in it. Bad brakes + leaking gas tank. One spark and = Ka Boom. I would be dead. So many things wrong in this situation. Personally, my physical and emotional health suffered. I had chronic diarrhea, headaches, and went to the Dr several times. Please let me know how this matter should be resolved. I am upset and financially compromised all from this car. Documentation available.
NHTSA complaint #11553634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,219 milesDesert HOT Springs, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
MY 2001 RAV 4 REAR ENDED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND IT WAS DUE TO A MAJOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE ENGINE. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER WITH NO PRIOR ACCIDENTS AND MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE WRONG PEDAL WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN - APPLYING MY BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I WAS APPROACHING A BUMPER TO BUMPER CONGESTED INTERSECTION (AROUND 5PM). ALL OF A SUDDEN AS I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE ON MY BRAKE PEDAL DE-ACCELERATING FROM 20 MPH DOWN TO 10 THEN TO 5 MPH TO 2 MPH, MY 2001 RAV 4 ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (THE ENGINE STARTED TO RACE AND THE RPM WAS GOING CRAZY MAKING A LOUD ENGINE SOUND) I WAS ONLY 10-15 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT, AND THE IMMEDIATE ACCELERATION OF THE ENGINE (IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS REV VING AROUND 80 MPH IN LESS THEN 2-3 SECONDS) SUDDENLY SHOT MY CAR FORWARD (LIKE A ROCKET)! THE ENGINE HAD FULL POSSESSION OF MY ACCELERATION. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE FORCE OF THE INTENSE UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO COMPLETELY STOP MY CAR! MY RAV 4 REAR ENDED THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING, PUSHING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME,WHEN IT FINALLY STOPPED IT'S OWN ACCELERATION AND I HAD TIME TO TURN OFF THE MOTOR. THE ENGINE HAD FULL ACCELERATION POSSESSION OF MY RAV 4! I SIGNED AND SENT BACK A TOYOTA CONSENT FORM THEY SENT ME TO EXAMINE THE EDR AND OTHER RECORDING DEVICES TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE, EXPLAIN WHAT THE HELL WENT WRONG WITH THE ECU OR WHATEVER COMPUTER SYSTEM IS IN THE RAV 4. I TRUST TOYOTA WILL PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT MY RAV 4 DID TO THE OTHER CAR AS WELL AS MINE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEATH AND/OR MASSIVE INJURY TO OTHERS AND MYSELF AS WELL AS MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I WANT FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF MY ORIGINAL FULL PURCHASE PRICE I HAD PAID FOR THIS 2001 RAV 4 I HAD BOUGHT BACK IN 2001-2002 FOR THIS DEFECTIVE RAV 4.
NHTSA complaint #11182047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,882 milesMissouri City, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. I HAD TO USE BOTH BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND EXPERIENCED A HARSH SHIFT CONDITION WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT TO PARK. DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT OUT AND STATED THAT THE ECM HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED IN 2007 AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ANYTHING AT THIS TIME BECAUSE NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE INCIDENT EVEN THOUGH I REMINDED THEM ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR 2001-2003 MODEL YEAR RAV4S.
NHTSA complaint #10627223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,722 milesDerry, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTOR BROKE WHERE IT MOUNTS TO STEEL WHEEL RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL. UPON TAKING TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, FRONT DISK ROTOR WAS REMOVED AND SHOWED STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATION FROM ROTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS 2001 VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS WHICH TOYOTA DID A RECALL ON IN 2000. THE FRONT DISK ROTORS WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD NEVER BEEN MACHINED.
NHTSA complaint #10381932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,400 milesArlington Heights, ILCrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
POSSIBLE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH ABS BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10358164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesBreaux Bridge, LACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY TO WORK AND IT HAD BEEN RAINING WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKES TO STOP ( I BARELY PRESSED THEM) AND MY BRAKES LOCKED AND I COULDN'T STOP. I TRIED TO PRESS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND EVEN PUMPED THEM. I TRIED TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER AND MY STEERING LOCKED. I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH BEFORE I TRIED STOPPING, AND WAS NEVER ABLE TO STOP, AND WHEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY FRONT END WAS SMASHED END AND MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE LADY I HIT HAD JUST A DENT IN HER BUMPER. I DIDN'T HAVE MAJOR INJURIES BUT I HAD SOME BRUISING AND A KNOT ON MY KNEE. I NEVER WENT GET CHECKED OUT BUT I STILL HAVE PAIN SOMETIMES IN MY NECK AND BACK. THE POLICE DID FILE A REPORT AND EVEN THOUGH THE LADY I HIT TOLD THE OFFICER THAT I WASN'T CLOSE TO HER AND HAD PLENTY ENOUGH TIME TO STOP HE GAVE ME A TICKET FOR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE. IT TOOK ME WAY LONGER THAN 4 SECONDS TO HIT HER.
NHTSA complaint #10313278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Herndon, VA
PARKING BRAKE
I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER SEEMS TO HAVE COME DETACHED AND DOES NOT FULL KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #10267577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsor, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
SQUEALING, HOWLING BRAKES. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE "NEW" IN NOV, 2000, AND IT IS THE 2001 RAV4 L MODEL, I HAVE GONE BACK 3-4 TIMES, AND NOTHING THEY DO HELPS THE PROBLEM. THEY TELL ME THE CAR IS SAFE AND THAT SQUEALING IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL SQUEAL, OR SCREECH, ITS MORE LIKE "HOWLING".
NHTSA complaint #10020768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED.*JB,...
NHTSA complaint #10008698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2001 REGARDING A REAR BRAKE PROBLEM. CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD BEEN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS BUT DID NOT LEARN OF THE TSB UNTIL JANUARY 2002. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND REQUESTED THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE 36,000 MILE LIMIT.
NHTSA complaint #565159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Brunswick, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS THERE IS A GRINDING AND A HOWLING NOISE, ALSO EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8008640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
PREMATURE WEARING OF BRAKE PADS, MAKING VEHICLE HARD TO STOP. *AK THE VEHICLE MAKES NOISE. AT FIRST THE DEALER TURNED PADS, SECOND THE DEALER INSTALLED UPDATED FRONT BRAKE PADS, THEN REPLACED BOTH REAR DRUMS BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNSOLVED. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE A/C FAN ON THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN DASH AREA. THE ROOF RACK SCREW WAS LOOSE AND FELL OUT. THE CENTER SEAT BELT WAS MISSING TRIM PIECE. THE REAR DOOR RATTLES WHILE CLOSING.
NHTSA complaint #8008654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES WERE SQUEALING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD BRAKES REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.THERE WAS A TSB ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8003456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING 35MPH DOWN A HILL, HAD APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. VEHICLE JUMPED THE SIDEWALK, AND HIT A CEMENT WALL. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8002573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaumont, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES SQUEAL TOO MUCH. I BROUGHT IT BACK THREE TIME AND THE PROBLEMS IS STILL THERE.
NHTSA complaint #756073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norco, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR BRAKE DRUMS MADE A NOISE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES,THEY GRAB AND PULL, MAKING VEHICLE JERK. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES WOULD GRIND, AND STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON VEHICLE, BUT CONSUMER CAN'T GET ADEQUATE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norco, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR BRAKE DRUMS MADE A NOISE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES,THEY GRAB AND PULL, MAKING VEHICLE JERK. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES WOULD GRIND, AND STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON VEHICLE, BUT CONSUMER CAN'T GET ADEQUATE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metarie, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #754440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES SCREETCH WHEN APPLIED. THE SOUND IS PARTICULARLY STARTLING IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED QUICKLY. THIS SOUND IS NOT THE "WEAR SENSOR" SOUND (DEALER CHECKED BRAKES AND SAID THEY ARE FINE). THIS SOUND IS DIFFERENT THAN THE STANDARD SQUEKY BRAKES YOU HEAR ON SOME CARS AND IS VERY CONCERNING. THE WINDSHIELD WOULD RATTLE WHILE DRIVING (DEALER PUT IN A GASKET AND SOUND STOPPED).
NHTSA complaint #752835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springville, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE COMING TO COMPLETE STOP BY PRESSING ABS BRAKES, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A STONEWALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF VEHICLE/ WALL AND GROUND, SHOWING NO TIRE MARKS.
NHTSA complaint #895142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hacienda Heights, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
BRAKE SHOE OR DRUM GRIND WHEN COMING TO FULL STOP EVERYTIME. BRAKE MIGHT NOT BE WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER KEPT SAYING NO PROBLEM, GRIND SOUND IS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #750251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkeley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A CONSTANT BASIS, WINDSHIELD RATTLES AT LOW TEMPS LESS THAN 60 DEGRESS, REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOP
NHTSA complaint #750256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkeley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
FRONT BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A CONSTANT BASIS, WINDSHIELD RATTLES AT LOW TEMPS LESS THAN 60 DEGRESS, REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOP
NHTSA complaint #750256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livonia, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN STOPPING. REPLACED ROTORS, PADS. STILL NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #746141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Halifax, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
CONSUMER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF BRAKE PEDAL ONTO THROTTLE AND ALMOST RAN INTO SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOO SMALL. MANUFACTURER HAD NO PLANS OF CHANGING DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #881217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.