18 of the
708 complaints about the 2008 Toyota RAV4 are about the
glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
58,000 miles.
B
18
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Visibility/Wiper
738.9%
Visibility
527.8%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
211.1%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
211.1%
Windshield Wiper/Washer
15.6%
Glass, Side/Rear
15.6%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Toyota RAV4 year
VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY MAIN ROAD WITH LOTS OF TRAFFIC. AS IT CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND STOP. I TRIED TO START VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT SUCCESS BUT IT MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE. AFTER SHORT TIME I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND BUT WOULD NOT START. CALLED FOR TOW AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY AND TOWED VEHICLE TO MY HOUSE. PAINT PEELING OFF VEHICLE IN LARGE PATCHES. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK BUT NOT A RESULT OF LATEST INCIDENT. WIPER MOTOR HUMS BUT DO NOT WORK. CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING FEW MONTHS AGO. MAKES CLICKING NOISES BUT WILL NOT PLAY CD OR EJECT DISCS.
NHTSA complaint #11321287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCleveland, TNFire
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE IN PARK, THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10888674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,500 milesRichardson, TX
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR SUDDENLY DROPPING OUT OF THE CEILING MOUNT. OF COURSE THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING AND BECOMES A HUGE DISTRACTION WHILE TRYING TO GET IT BACK IN PLACE. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER RAV4 OWNERS AND NEARLY EVERYONE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE . IT SEAMS THAT THE VISOR STUB ARM THAT GOES INTO THE CEILING MOUNT WEARS OUR WHATEVER IS HOLDING IT INTO THE SOCKET . THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS AND DOES SEEM TO BE MORE OFTEN IN THE SUMMER TIME
NHTSA complaint #10872402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesUxbry, MA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10810960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesMiddleton, WI
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WHERE IT DOESN'T STAY WHERE I PUT IT. IT REGULARLY SLIPS DOWN AND AT TIMES BLOCKS MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN/RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL (BASED UPON INTERNET SEARCH OF THIS ISSUE). WHEN THE VISOR IS PLACED OVER THE DRIVER DOOR WINDOW, WHEN I GO AROUND A CORNER (TURN), THE VISOR WILL ROTATE AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD, AGAIN DISTRACTING ME FROM THE ROAD AND FORCING ME TO MAKE REGULAR VISOR ADJUSTMENTS AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM; A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10765182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLittleton, CO
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, SO IT NORMALLY STAYS IN A VIEW-OBSTRUCTED POSITION WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO BUDGE IN TERMS OF RECALLING THIS ITEM. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA A YEAR OR SO AGO AND THEY ASKED ME FOR A QUOTE TO FIX - I SENT THEM A COPY OF THE DEALER PRICE QUOTE (AROUND $150) AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GO AWAY. I WOULDN'T NORMALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS BUT I'VE NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET....AND EVEN FROM THOSE WHO HAD THE VISOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT [XXX] IF YOU'D LIKE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 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 #10763677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cerritos, CA
VISIBILITY
DRIVER'S VISOR IS LOOSE. IT WON'T FOLD UP. PLEASE KINDLY HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THANKS!
NHTSA complaint #10628595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesOzone, AR
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN THE VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE 8 RECALLS. UPDATED 09/11/2014
NHTSA complaint #10605234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesLittleton, CO
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. INSTEAD, WHEN NOT NEEDING TO USE IT, IT HANGS DOWN AT LEAST 3 INCHES FROM THE CEILING, CREATING A VISIBILITY AND SAFETY HAZARD! THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA BY MANY TOYOTA OWNERS, INCLUDING BOTH UNDER WARRANTY OR OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MIRROR VISOR, COSTING AROUND $150, WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10513497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,020 milesAlexandria,, VA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR WILL NOT SNAP BACK UP TO THE VEHICLE'S HEADLINER AND STAY THERE. IT REMAINS IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10501244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesLA Grande, OR
VISIBILITY
THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR STARTED SAGGING. FOR A WHILE I COULD PUSH IT BACK UP AND IT WOULD STAY. AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS, I COULD NOT USE IT ON THE SIDE WINDOW, IT JUST HUNG DOWN. IT FINALLY WAS UN-USABLE. TOYOTA HAS REPLACED IT, BUT IT TOOK 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO GET IT REPLACED. I HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT A VISOR FOR A WEEK WHILE THEY ORDERED PART.
NHTSA complaint #10498378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesLake Worth, FLFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW COULD NOT BE OPENED AND EXHIBITED A BURNING ODOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
NHTSA complaint #10451629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesWoodbridge, VA
VISIBILITY
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT NORTH ON I-95 IN VIRGINIA AT EXIT 161 WHEN WE HEARD AN EXPLOSION SOUND ON THE TOP OF THE CAR. I SLID BACK THE MOONROOF COVER ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND COULD SEE THE MOONROOF GLASS WAS BROKEN, IT HAD A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE REST WAS SHATTERED. WE WERE NOT NEAR A BRIDGE OR A TOWER OR A TRUCK WHERE SOMETHING COULD HAVE FALLEN ON TOP OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE ON THE TOP OF THE CAR. THE GLASS AROUND THE HOLE WAS PUSHED UP LIKE IT HAD EXPLODED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED IF THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. THEY SAID NO AND IT WOULD COST OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE. I TOOK IT TO WHERE MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD ME TO GET IT FIXED. I FOUND THIS LINK WHERE SOMEBODY ELSE REPORTED THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2007/TOYOTA/RAV4/?Q=&PAGE=7.
NHTSA complaint #10329475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CONTROL OPERATES IN THE UP MODE AND CONTINUES TO GO TO THE UP (CLOSED) POSITION AFTER YOUR FINGER IS REMOVED FROM THE CONTROL BUTTON..IN OTHERS AUTOS( US) MADE, THE WINDOW STOPS GOING TO THE CLOSE POSITION WHEN YOUR FINGER IS REMOVED FROM THE CONTROL BUTTON.
NHTSA complaint #10280460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,500 milesBoxford, MA
VISIBILITY
DEFROSTER SYSTEM IS WEAK. WHEN THERE IS ICE/SNOW BUILD-UP ALONG EDGES OF WINDSHIELD OR WINDOWS, SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE TURNED TO AND KEPT ON HIGHEST SETTING TO AVOID FOGGING ON THE INSIDE. EVEN AT THIS SETTING, IT HAS TROUBLE CLEARING FOG FROM REAR SIDE WINDOWS. SYSTEM IS PRETTY LOUD AT HIGHEST SETTING SO IT'S HARD TO LISTEN TO RADIO OR CARRY ON A CONVERSATION.
NHTSA complaint #10259228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,800 milesStillwater, MN
VISIBILITY
THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE AND WOULD NOT MELT ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD UNDER MODERATE TEMPERATURES AND A VERY LIGHT FREEZING MIST.
NHTSA complaint #10255493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesGrand Junction, CO
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
UNDER CERTAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS (WET SNOW, ICE & FREEZING TEMPS) THE DEFROST SYSTEM WILL NOT KEEP ICE FROM FORMING OVER ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER 10 TO 12 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT IS NECESSARY TO STOP AND SCRAPE ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND WIPERS. IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA TO STOP ON NARROW MOUNTAIN ROADS IN A BLIZZARD!
NHTSA complaint #10229620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milton, MA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WINDOW FOGGING - 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED WITH CLIMATE CONTROL. WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW A CERTAIN DEGREES, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT SHUT OFF. THIS CAUSES ALL THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP IMMEDIATELY WHEN DRIVING. THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER CONTROL IS INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS, INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD SINCE IT NO LONGER BLOWS "CONDITIONED" DRY AIR ONTO THE SURFACES.
NHTSA complaint #10216599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.