101 of the
1,240 complaints about the 2007 Toyota RAV4 are about the
throttle and cruise control — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
29,500 miles.
F
101
Complaints
21
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
9190.1%
Cruise Control
76.9%
Accelerator Pedal
33.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Toyota RAV4 year
I HAVE OWNED A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 FOR 10 YEARS. I WAS LEAVING A DELAWARE, OHIO, HOSPITAL PARKING LOT, BACKING OUT SLOWLY, MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE ROARED AND I SHOT BACKWARD, SMASHING INTO THE CAR PARKED BEHIND WHERE MY CAR HAD BEEN. THE CAR I HIT WAS SOMEWHAT DAMAGED IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER. THE IMPACT SHOVED IT OUT OF ITS SPACE AND ALMOST INTO A SMALL TRUCK TO THE RIGHT. MY CAR'S REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND THE RIGHT BACK BUMPER AND SIDE WERE CRUMPLED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME. THE FIRST TIME, I AGAIN WAS BACKING FROM A TIGHT SPOT, THIS TIME TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, WHEN THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE CAR LURCHED BACKWARD. THAT TIME, I HIT NOTHING. IT HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING, AGAIN FROM A TIGHT SPOT WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. BACK AT THE HOSPITAL LOT. I INFORMED THE FRONT DESK EMPLOYEE, WHO INFORMED THE OHIOHEALTH HOSPITAL POLICE. TWO OFFICERS REPORTED, TOOK MY INFORMATION AND BEGAN SEARCHING FOR THE OTHER CAR'S OWNER. I ALSO CALLED THE CITY POLICE; AN OFFICER CAME BUT LEFT AFTER CONFERRING WITH OHIOHEALTH'S POLICE. I THEN TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO MY LOCAL INSURANCE AGENT, WHO CONNECTED ME WITH A CLAIMS ADJUSTER. AT FIRST I THEORIZED THAT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE MUST HAVE PIVOTED SLIGHTLY AS I TURNED IN MY SEAT TO ENSURE I COULD BACK SAFELY. MY FOOT MUST HAVE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. PRESSED WITH CONSIDERABLE POWER, GIVEN THE CAR'S BACKWARD LEAP. NOV. 8 I TESTED THIS THEORY ON MY DRIVEWAY, AND SAW IMMEDIATELY IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. I WOULD HAVE HAD TO LIFT MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE DELIBERATELY TO PRESS THE GAS FIRMLY. THIS CAR'S REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE AT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. MY CAR WAS NOT AMONG THOSE RECALLED FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE CAR IS REGISTERED IN MY HUSBAND'S NAME, (XXXXX). PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11150693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE REPLACE MY TIRES LEAST FOUR TIMES IN A YEAR, SHAKES WHEN I GET UP TO 45 MILES PER HOUR MY BACK TIRES MAKE THIS FUNNY SOUND LIKE MY TIRES ABOUT TO COME OFF WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE ROAD MY SEATBELTS RELEASE WHEN THEY WANTED RELEASER RANDOMLY,S SOMETIMES I CAN'T EVEN GET OUT MY WHEN I ACCELERATE MY CAR DOESN'T WANT TO GO WHEN I AM TURNING,I CAN ONLY PICK THREE BOX'S FROM UP TOP
NHTSA complaint #11079511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesRichland, WACrash3 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS TURNING MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 SOUTH ONTO INTERSTATE 182 TO HEAD EAST, THE CAR SUDDEN OUT OF MY CONTROL AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AT 5:49 PM AT 5/8/17. TWO PASSENGERS WERE HURT.
NHTSA complaint #10984880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesCambridge Springs, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR HAD BEEN USING EXCESSIVE OIL.WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED ,WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON , STARTED FLASHING AND THEN CAR QUICKLY LOST ALL POWER. BARELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF INTERSTATE. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION EXISTS WITH THESE VEHICLES. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY.
NHTSA complaint #10958347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesWest Covina, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM THE SECOND OWNER ON THIS CAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 7 TIMES FOR VARIOUS RECALLS. DOES THE LEMON LAW APPLY TO MY CAR? YOU HAVE RECALLED THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS SUSPENSION SEAT BELTS CRUISE CONTROL WHAT ELSE IS COMING! CLAREMONT TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA HAD A COMPLETE CHECK ON THE CAR AND I PAID 1500 BUT I STILL SEE RECALLS. WHAT IS GOING ON???? I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR THE SUSPENSION ON MONDAY 8/15/16
NHTSA complaint #10895784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesAubrey, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
APRIL, 2015 TOOK RAV4 IN FOR RECALLS. AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK PERIODICALLY IT WOULD FAIL TO ACCELERATE. I THOUGHT THE COMPUTER WOULD MAYBE ADJUST ITSELF. IT DIDN'T. IT PERIODICALLY STALLS OR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN RUN OVER SEVERAL TIMES. CALLED TOYOTA OF DENTON TODAY. THEY DENIED THAT ANYTHING THEY DID WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT, EVEN THOUGH WE DROVE THE VEHICLE 60K MILES AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. I HAVE TWO TOYOTAS AND DENIAL OF A PROBLEM IS FIRST ON THE LIST IT SEEMS. THIS DRIVE BY WIRE SHOULD BE OUTLAWED.
NHTSA complaint #10819702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesToledo, IA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA complaint #10669321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesOrange, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SHORTENED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10669135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,700 milesSahuarita, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM ON 11/10/2014 WHEN APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE RAV4 TOOK LONGER THAN NORMAL TO COME TO A STOP WITH GREATER FORCE REQUIRED TO STOP. ONCE FULLY STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING WITH LOW RPM'S (~500) AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON ALONG WITH VSC AND TRAC LIGHTS. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, BUT EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AT EVERY STOP LIGHT / STOP SIGN. CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN TUCSON IMMEDIATELY AND SCHEDULED EMERGENCY SERVICE FOR THE NEXT MORNING. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WITH TWO ERROR CODES (P0171 AND P0174 - LEAN AIR/FUEL MIX). WAS TOLD THEY SUSPECTED A BAD TANK OF GAS. TOYOTA ADDRESSED ONE OPEN RECALL (SERVICE CAMPAIGN BST - REFLASH BRAKE CONTROL COMPUTER) ON MY VEHICLE BUT DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE ERROR CODES, ONLY CLEARED THEM. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. ALMOST NO BRAKE PRESSURE AND BARELY ABLE TO STOP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC, AND TRAC LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AGAIN. LOW IDLE SPEED AS WELL. CONTACTED A DIFFERENT LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DAMAGE IN THE DIAPHRAGM CAUSING LOSS OF VACUUM PRESSURE (WHICH HELPED EXPLAIN THE TWO ERROR CODES RELATED TO LEAN AIR/FUEL MIX). TOTAL REPAIR BILL OVER $1000. JUST LUCKY NOBODY WAS INJURED DUE TO FAILING BRAKE SYSTEM ON TOYOTA'S PART.
NHTSA complaint #10660548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesNEW York, NYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #10640407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moon Township, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE CAN EASILY BE STEPPED ON AT THE SAME TIME WITH ONE FOOT. I HAVE DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, IT'S JUST BEEN LUCK THAT HAS PREVENTED ME FROM CAUSING INJURY DAMAGE TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. IT DOES GIVE ME A GOOD SCARE.
NHTSA complaint #10596399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesAshburn, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN IT SUDDENLY AND ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD ALSO OCCURRED ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #10587775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,990 milesBeaver Falls, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WHILE BRAKING CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #10585218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesQuincy, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON MARCH 21ST THE ABS, VSC, TRACTION AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN DRY WEATHER CONDITION. WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE ON, THE ABS SYSTEM WAS TRIGGERED MAKING DIFFICULT TO BRAKE TO STOP. SINCE THEN THE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON AND OFF AND SO I'VE BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTIES WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A HIGHER SPEED RATE 60 MPH, SLOW SPEED 20 MPH, AND EVEN STOPPING. ON TUESDAY, APRIL 8 I BROUGHT THE RAV4 TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT THE BREAKS WERE OK. DEALER SAID: IT IS JUST THE A REAR SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE RESET. SO DEALER TECHNICIAN RESET THE SENSOR THE SAME DAY. ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 AROUND 6:00 PM WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A CORNER I HEARD A TICKING NOISE THEN FOUR WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED AGAIN AND THE BREAKS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AGAIN. I'LL BRING THE RAV4 TO THE DEALER ON APRIL 12, 2014 AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. THE CODES THE DEALER HAVE INITIALLY WERE C0210 AND C1223. MY SPOUSE AND I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THE RAV4 WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THE SENSOR THAT THE DEALER TALKS ABOUT IS EITHER FIXED OR REPLACED. I DON'T WANT TO BE EXPOSED NOR EXPOSE MY FAMILY TO ANY POSSIBLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SENSOR/BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10578937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,564 milesDriggs, ID
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IN THE FALL OF 2011, THE VSC AND 4WD LIGHTS CAME ON IN MY 2007 RAV4. AT THE SAME TIME MY CRUISE CONTROL AND 4WD STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK MY CAR TO TETON TOYOTA IN IDAHO FALLS, ID AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1775.00. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR AND EVENTUALLY I PURCHASED A USED CHARCOAL CANISTER AND HAD IT INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THEN IN FEB. 2012, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN SO I TOOK MY CAR TO STONES TOYOTA IN REXBURG, ID. THE MECHANIC THERE CONFIRMED THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS CRACKED AGAIN. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD REPLACED IT WITH A USED PART AND HE STATED THAT TOYOTA HAD REDESIGNED THE PART SO THAT IT WOULDN'T CRACK, SO IF I WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD, I'D HAVE TO PURCHASE THE NEW PART. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE UNIT AT THIS TIME. IF TOYOTA KNEW THAT THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAVE NOW REDESIGNED IT, WHY ARE THEY CHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS OVER $1500 TO REPLACE IT? BESIDES NOT HAVING ANY 4WD IN RURAL IDAHO IN THE WINTER, THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM IS NO LONGER WORKING DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10574275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,500 milesSuffern, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN HERE IN TOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A HIGH DEGREE OF ACCELERATION. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY. I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE TILL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE THEN STARTED TO REV ITSELF UP UNCONTROLLABLY, UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF WITH THE IGNITION KEY. I WAS A GOOD 15 FEET INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN I HAD STOPPED. I THEN STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS WAS A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE CARS EXPECTATION TO REMAIN STATIONARY WHILE THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING PRIOR TO THE ACCELERATION SURGE.
NHTSA complaint #10566731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,700 milesThornton, COCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. I ENDED UP BUMPING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS I CONTINUED TO BRAKE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL SURGING AND WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE. I CALLED MOUNTAIN STATES TOYOTA HERE IN DENVER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEMS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. THE SERVICE MANAGER, OF COURSE, IS TELLING ME THAT IF THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE IT AND IT IS NOT SHOWING ERROR CODES(WHICH IT ISN'T) THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO. I TOLD HIM I WANTED THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM THOROUGHLY INSPECTED...WHICH HE WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR UNLESS THEY DO FIND AN ISSUE. BY WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET, IT IS USELESS TO TAKE IT IN AS TOYOTA IS IGNORING THE ISSUE, THINKING THEY FIXED IT WITH THE FLOOR MATS. I HAD THE FLOOR MATS REPLACED ON THAT RECALL WELL BEFORE THIS ISSUE CAME UP. I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY EXPERIENCES WITH THE ENGINE SURGING AND HESITATING WITH THE TACH SHOWING THE SURGE. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED, BUT IT IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I NOW BELIEVE THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE ACCELERATION ISSUE I DESCRIBED ABOVE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW AS IT COULD HAPPEN ON A BUSY STREET AND REALLY HURT SOMEONE AND ME.
NHTSA complaint #10536181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE FWD, ENGINE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PROBLEM EXISTED BEFORE THE RECALL AND PERSISTED AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FIVE TIMES DUE TO THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10533617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,608 milesRichardson, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE CHECK ENGINE, THE TRAC AND VSC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. I ALSO HEARD A HISSING NOISE WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES. I WENT TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE, BUT IT WAS LATE IN THE DAY AND EVERYONE WAS CLOSING. HE TOLD ME IT SOUNDED LIKE A VACUUM LEAK IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND TO BRING IT BACK FIRST THING MONDAY (HE SEEMED TO THINK IT'D BE OKAY TO DRIVE OVER THE WEEKEND). ON THE DRIVE HOME THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WERE A FEW TIMES WHERE I WAS AFRAID I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AT ALL. IT WAS QUITE SCARY! I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD AND THEN IT FINALLY GRABBED, THE CAR JERKED, AND THE SEAT BELTS TIGHTENED UP AROUND ME. I WORKED TODAY (SATURDAY) AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO AND FROM WORK, ONLY NOW I AM USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR AND I PUT IT IN PARK AT STOP LIGHTS. MY NEXT TRIP WILL BE STRAIGHT TO A MECHANIC! IT SEEMS IT IS NOT COMMON FOR BRAKE BOOSTERS TO FAIL AND I AM LEARNING THAT OTHER TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, SEVERAL ENDING IN ACCIDENTS. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA, AS IT IS A HUGE SAFELY ISSUE, AND POSSIBLY BE CAUSE FOR A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10533450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesMattapan, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR SPUTTERS AS THOUGH IT WILL STALL OR BREAK DOWN. THIS OCCURS DURING ACCELERATION. IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL, BUT IT OCCURS RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint #10523095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THREE RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND STATED THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10521762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesWellesley, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 OUT OF A TOLLBOOTH AREA AND ACCELERATING NORMALLY, WHEN THE CAR STARTED RAPIDLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. HE STEPPED HARD ON THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT GET THE CAR BELOW 40 MPH. HE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND GRADUALLY THE CAR SLOWED AND HE MOVED TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. HE REMOVED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION, AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE ENTIRE INCIDENT FROM START TO FINISH HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT 3 MILES OF HIGHWAY. HE GAVE A FULL ACCOUNT OF THIS TO OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY DID NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS NOT DUE TO FLOOR MATS. THE CAR'S BRAKES--BOTH PADS AND ROTORS--WERE DESTROYED DURING THE INCIDENT. WE WERE NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP BROUGHT BACK THE CAR BACK FROM US AT KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE.
NHTSA complaint #10504336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shawno, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/9/13 *CN UPDATED 05/24/2013
NHTSA complaint #10502680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,710 milesRaleigh, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON JAN 9, 2013 WHILE BRAKING IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. AS I CONTINUED TO BREAK WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE CAR FINALLY CAME UNDER CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION IN EITHER DIRECTION NOR WERE THERE ANY POLICE PRESENT. THE FLOOR MAT WAS PROPERLY HOOKED IN PLACE. THE PEDAL HAD BEEN ADJUSTED ON JULY 7, 2011 BY ANDERSON TOYOTA OF RALEIGH, NC IN ACCORDANCE WITH TOYOTA'S RECALL AT THAT TIME.. THE NEXT DAY, JAN 10, 2013 I LEFT THE CAR WITH ANDERSON FOR REPAIR. (CASE # TAI30110070) ON JAN 17, 2013 I WAS INFORMED THAT KEVIN PILOTTE A TOYOTA TECHNICAL REP CLEARED THE CAR FOR RETURN TO ME. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE CAR TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I WAS INFORMED BY ANDERSON'S SERVICE MGR THAT THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THAT THIS WAS NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE REP. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY AT SOME POINT BY TOYOTA. PRIOR TO THE 2011 RECALL, I EXPERIENCED ONE SIMILAR INCIDENCE WITH THE PEDAL BUT DID NOT REPORT IT BECAUSE I RECEIVED THE RECALL PROCEDURE WHICH I THOUGHT TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM TWICE SINCE 2007, OBVIOUSLY IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS ONE THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE. I WILL APPRECIATE WHATEVER NHTSA CAN DO TO INFLUENCE TOYOTA TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATE REPAIR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10493450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRidgefield, CTCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FAIL AND THERE WERE EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE POLICE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10479725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesAvondale, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS WAS AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE FLOOR MATS. THE ACCELERATION HAD ENOUGH "G" FORCE TO PIN THE OCCUPANTS BACK IN THEIR SEATS. DRIVER WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO TRAFFIC WAS AHEAD. RAPID ACCELERATION APPEARED TO STOP AFTER PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL. TOYOTA APPEARS TO ATTRIBUTE ALL THESE INCIDENTS TO THE FLOOR MATS. AN ACCELERATION THAT PINS YOU BACK IN THE SEAT --FLOOR MAT DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH DENSITY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE 2 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. MOST OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN MORE SUBTLE THAN THE ONE DESCRIBED HERE.
NHTSA complaint #10479604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesCold Spring, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT. WENT TO APPLY BRAKES PRIOR TO APPROACHING TURN LANE AND COULD NOT STOP. BRAKES WERE THERE (PEDAL WAS FIRM AND DID NOT GO TO FLOOR) BUT ACCELERATOR SEEM TO OVERRIDE THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROCEEDED TO STAND ON BRAKES TO ATTEMPT TO STOP AS THERE WERE THREE LANES OF STOPPED TRAFFIC AND NO WHERE ELSE TO GO. SHIFTED CAR INTO PARK TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP TO AVOID HITTING 8+ CARS AND PUSHING THEM INTO A VERY LARGE INTERSECTION. CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 46000 MILES ON IT AND HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED 8 MONTHS PRIOR. CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED 1 MONTH PRIOR FOR GENERAL SERVICE POINT CHECKS. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAME DAY OF THIS INCIDENT - THEY COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. OFFERED TO SERVICE BASED ON A PREVIOUS RECALL TO REMOVE THE CURRENT FLOORMAT AND ADJUST ACCELERATOR. ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES DISPLAYING GARBLED TEXT ON THE RADIO DISPLAY.
NHTSA complaint #10477102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,455 milesYoungstown, OHCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS WAITING AT A STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE. SUDDENLY, WITH NO INPUT FROM ME, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED. ADDING MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. WITH FULL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SLOWLY MOVED INTO THE REAR PANEL OF A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, DOING FENDER DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, THAT IT HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I'VE HAD IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TWICE, AND BOTH TIMES THEY INFERRED THAT IT WAS MY ERROR. I KNOW THAT EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, I WAS NOT MOVING, AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE CAR'S ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP WITH NO ACTION TAKEN MY ME. SOMETHING IS DANGEROUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10476917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS RECALLED BY TOYOTA TO HAVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MODIFIED AND FLOOR MATS CHANGED IN ORDER TO AVOID INADVERTENT ACCELERATION. FLOOR MAT CHANGE APPLIED ONLY TO ORIGINAL TOYOTA SUPPLIED FLOOR MATS, WHICH ABOVE VEHICLE HAS, AT LEAST ACCORDING TO ACCESSORY WINDOW STICKER SUPPLIED AT PURCHASE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OURISMAN TOYOTA FOR COMPLIANCE, DEALER MARKED ON CUSTOMER YELLOW FORM THAT MATS WERE NOT ORIGINAL TOYOTA AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE CHANGED. HOWEVER DEALER STATED VERBALLY THAT MATS ACTUALLY WERE ORIGINAL TOYOTA, BUT THAT CUSTOMERS WERE NOT HAPPY WITH NEW MATS SINCE THEY WERE TOO THIN. THEREFORE DEALER DECIDED TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY DIRECTIVE BY MARKING ALL ORIGINAL MATS AS NON-ORIGINAL MATS, WHICH DID NOT HAVE TO BE CHANGED. NICE TO KNOW THAT THE DEALER IS CUSTOMER ORIENTED, BUT I AM LEFT WONDERING IF THAT JEOPARDIZES SAFETY. INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA ON THE SAFETY EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED ON THEIR WEB SITE, BUT NO REPLY RECEIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10471561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,575 milesBrighton, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY ACCELERATOR OPENED TO FULL THROTTLE. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE STRONGLY FOR BETWEEN 10 AND 15 SECONDS UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR CLICKED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WAS NOT SET. THE PEDAL WAS WELL CLEAR OF THE FLOOR MAT, AND LOOKING DOWN DURING THE INCIDENT I COULD SEE THAT IT WAS CLEAR OF ANY OBJECTS. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EVENT. UPON NOTIFYING A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THEY TESTED THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THEY DID NOT DISCOVER WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
NHTSA complaint #10466672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.