32 of the
397 complaints about the 2009 Toyota RAV4 are about the
braking system — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
21,500 miles.
My car was being seviced today for rear brakes and the Toyota dealer needed to unseal previous safety recall in order to perform the service. I'm being charged to undo the recall to perform the service and then to reapply the recall. I do not understand how this cost is not the responsibility of the manufacturer, Toyota. If there is a recall issued for an auto, shouldn't the recall correction allow for future auto maintenance where the recall doesn't need to undone and then reapplied?
NHTSA complaint #11492744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maidens, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
My mother had the exact same issue reported in Toyota Manufacturer case 1707311582 and NHTSA report 11396355 from Feb 15, 2021. My mother had not reported to me, until it happened while I was driving her around Dec. 24, 2021, that her Rav. rev'd and accelerated when she applied the brake while leaving a parking spot. Here's what I've reported to my Toyota dealership where we bought the vehicle. Until last month (Nov. 21), the vehicle had an immaculate operation and maintenance record. To the repair shop "Twice in the past month, we've had brake failure, accelerator failure issues. The first time, my mother was pulling forward at less than 5 miles per hour in a parking lot. She pushed the brake pedal when pulling forward, but the car did not slow, the brakes did not engage, and instead, the RAV revved and accelerated forward. She crashed into the parked vehicle and incurred damages that already have been fixed by USAA at a service location in Richmond. The airbag did not deploy. Dec. 24, here in Churchland, I was driving with her. While coasting to a stop light at less than 10 miles per hour, I attempted to stop by pressing the brake. The car revved and accelerated to the light, I pressed both feet again, and the car continued to accelerate and I ended up running a red light and luckily we did not have an accident or cause the person behind us to rear end us. It was not until after my driving on Dec. 24 that my Mom told me she had an accident a month earlier and it was because she couldn't get the car to stop. She assumed it was her. The vehicle has almost 90k miles. Looking for recalls, because this is not normal for brakes to malfunction this way, I found a consumer article describing to my Mom's and my description to almost exact detail captured in Manufacturer case number provided above. That vehicle had approximately 77k miles. I will be contacting USAA to report the issue, this is clearly a safety issue."
NHTSA complaint #11444982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesLayton, UT
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DECELERATING ON A FREEWAY OFF-RAMP AT APPROX. 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. GOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH, I LIFTED OFF SLIGHTLY THEN DEPRESSED THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR; THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE PROPERLY BUT FINALLY SLOWED THE CAR ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR KEPT WANTING TO GO FORWARD. I THREW THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #11396355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesLouisville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
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 NO IMPROVEMENT. ALSO (PROBABLY A SEPARATE PROBLEM) BOTH THE BACK BRAKE CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF LEAKING, FIRST THE RIGHT REAR AND LATER THE LEFT REAR. BRAKES WERE AGAIN BLED EACH TIME, LEAK WAS GONE BUT STILL A VERY LOW PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #11241696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesMarietta, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND LANDED INTO A NEARBY POOL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TAKEN TO THE C&C DODGE TOYOTA DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WERE INSTRUCTED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO TEND TO THE VEHICLE INVOLVING UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1707311582. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #11011968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prairie Village, KS
SERVICE BRAKES
BOTH REAR ROTORS CRACKED.65000 MILE
NHTSA complaint #10958567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 225,000 milesCopake, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
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 TECHNICIAN COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON RAV 4, TACOMA, AND OTHER (DON'T REMEMBER) TOYOTA VEHICLES. WHEN I PURCHASED & EXAMINED REPLACEMENT CABLES DURING REPAIR IT WAS APPARENT THAT NEW CABLE DESIGN WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT IN EXACTLY THE PLACE WHERE OLD CABLES HAD FAILED. THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM DURING TIME PERIOD WHEN BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE AND CLEARLY A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW. IT WAS ~ $400 IN PARTS + MY LABOR TP REPLACE THE CABLES AS PART OF REPAIRING THE EMERGENCY/PARKING.
NHTSA complaint #10820673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,730 milesHartford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
IT APPEARS THAT A SOUND, SUSPENSION OF THE RAV 4 NEED SOME REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10746969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesWashington, DC
SERVICE BRAKES
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 BE REPLACED. I COULD NOT STOP BY 4 WHEEL DRIVE GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH ON AN INCLINE WITH LIGHT ICE WHEREAS OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO STOP. THERE'S SOMETHING DEFECTIVE ABOUT TOYOTA'S MANUFACTURING OF THEIR WHEELS. LOTS OF PEOPLE ON VARIOUS FORUMS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE RUSTED WHEELS. I THINK ITS MAKING THE CARS LESS SAFE. PROBABLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT LED TO RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #10735499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBattyville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME LODGED TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 8/17/2015
NHTSA complaint #10641261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBattyville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME LODGED TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 8/17/2015
NHTSA complaint #10641261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesLester, WVCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND SUSTAINED NUMEROUS SEVERE TO MODERATE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT END WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE DISPATCHED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. ONE MONTH LATER, THE REPRESENTATIVE STILL HAD NOT PERFORMED THE INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEGUN, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 10/28/2014*LJ UPDATED 7/14/2015
NHTSA complaint #10510119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesGallatin, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED THREE TIMES WITH NO SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. ..UPDATED 04/11/12 *BF UPDATED 06/15/2012
NHTSA complaint #10450353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesSkokie, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE HA THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS BRAKE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL ,WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT AND WHEN BRAKING YOU FOOT CAN HIT THE GAS PEDAL THIS ALSO THE PEDAL WILL GO DOWN WHEN YOU ARE HOLDING AT A STOP,ALSO ITS NOT LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AS THE CAR WAS SERVICE AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10449266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesBurlington, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND HENCE DID NOT MAKE ANY FIX. THEY REFUSED TO DEAL TO BRAKE NOISE AND MENTIONED THAT MY BRAKE PAD WILL LAST FOR MUCH LONGER TIME AND REASON MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF RUST. THEY WILL HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR ANY FURTHER DIAGNOSIS EVEN THOUGH IT WAS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. LATER I HAVE ESCALATED THIS TO TOYOTA CANADA, AS ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER FOUND THAT THE SHAFT INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN IS CRACKED. TOYOTA CANADA CLAIMS THAT TO BE A WEAR AND TEAR AND REFUSED TO COVER THAT AS MY WARRANTY WAS OVER EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS WITHIN WARRANTY PERIOD. TODAY NOVEMBER 10TH, NEWSPAPERS PUBLISH THAT MORE THAN 500,000 RAV4 ARE RECALLED FOR STEERING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED, THIS RECALL IS ONLY FOR 2006 RAV4 AND NOT FOR 2009. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT TOYOTA RAV4 2009 HAS THE SAME ISSUE. I COULD NOT FIND AN ONTARIO SITE. SO I COULD NOT ENTER MY PROVINCE AND ZIP CODE BELOW.
NHTSA complaint #10435196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesBayville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STARTED THE KEY-LESS IGNITION WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LOCATION WAS DESIGNED EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH RESULTED TO UNINTENDED APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. UPDATED 12/07/11
NHTSA complaint #10433775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesADA, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 ODOMETER WAS JUMPING BETWEEN NUMBERS (20,17, 54, ECT.). I HAD MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. I HAD 5 BOYS IN MY HOUSE AND HIT MY SON'S BEDROOM, SOMEONE COULD OF BEEN INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10427030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesWeatherford, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 66,500 MILES ON MY VEHICLE; HOWEVER, WHEN I STOP, THE BRAKES MAKE A WHUSHING SOUND AS IF THEY ARE FULL OF AIR. AS WELL, THE TRANSMISSION/MUFFLER IS MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE AS WELL. I HAVE KEPT UP TO DATE WITH EACH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE LAST TIME I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE, THE BRAKES WERE MAKING THIS NOISE AND NOTHING WAS FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10422847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,900 milesWest Chester, OHCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE TRYING TO AVOID WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE PAPER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,900. UPDATED 08/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A SHOULDER INJURY TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/22/12
NHTSA complaint #10413368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesWest Hurley, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT IN THE EVENT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD POSSIBLY ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY, THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD BE APPLIED WITH THE FORCE OF TWO FEET TO PREVENT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE THE PEDAL WAS ENTIRELY TOO SMALL AND HE WAS UNABLE TO APPLY BOTH OF HIS FEET TO THE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE IF IT DID ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT COULD USE AN AFTERMARKET PEDAL TO INSTALL IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
NHTSA complaint #10403856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwin, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2009 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES WARE OUT EVERY 7000 TO 9000 MILES *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BRAKES WEARING OUT PREMATURELY WAS DUE TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS DUE TO POOR DESIGN WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10382314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesWhitehouse, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP . THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500. UPDATED 06/22/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR NUMEROUS TIMES, BEFORE REACHING THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES TO GO THE FLOOR WHEN STOPPING. THE CONSUMER STATED EVENTUALLY, THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE VEHICLE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEMS SINCE. UPDATED 07/14/10.
NHTSA complaint #10323942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,661 milesPewee Valley, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON MY '09 TWO WHEEL DRIVE 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 INSPECTED ALONG WITH THE MANUAL EMERGENCY BRAKE. USUALLY, NOTHING IS FOUND. HOWEVER, WHEN THE WHEELS ARE REMOUNTED AND THE VEHICLE IS BACK ON THE GROUND, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THE VEHICLE IS IN ALIGNMENT. WHILE THE PROBLEM EXISTS, ON COMING TRAFFIC PULLS AWAY FROM ME TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THEIR LANE. AND TRAFFIC GOING THE SAME DIRECTION AS I AM PULLS TO THE LEFT OF THEIR LANE. MY FAMILY HAS FOLLOWED ME AND TOLD ME THE VEHICLE TRACKS TO THE LEFT IN THE FRONT OR "DOGLEGS" DOWN THE ROAD. IT TAKES MORE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN THE SAME SPEED WHEN THE CYCLE OCCURS. WHEN YOU LIFT YOUR FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL (WHICH I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH) THE VEHICLE SLOWS QUICKLY. THERE IS A RUBBING IN THE WHEELS WHILE THE CYCLE IS OCCURRING. THE DELIVERING TOYOTA DEALER WILL NOT CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE; THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE YET THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WARRANTY REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE GIVEN UP AS THE PROBLEM IS SIMPLY OVER THEIR HEADS. IF OTHER DRIVERS CONTINUE TO SEE THE VEHICLE IS NOT TRACKING STRAIGHT WHY CAN REPAIRS BE MADE BY TOYOTA? THE VEHICLE HAS APPX 12,6010 AND THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE 4661 MILES. I NOW TAKE THE VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT TIRE & BRAKE CENTER DURING EACH CYCLE AND PAY MYSELF SINCE THE DEALER IS NO LONGER INTERESTED IN THE REPAIRS AND HAS INDICATED NEITHER IS THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10318740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,500 milesFanwood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TO BEGIN, MY CAR HAS ALREADY HAD THE TOYOTA RECALL "FIX" AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA RAV4 (2009) AND APPROACHING A FOUR WAY STOP. WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES, THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE. THE CAR SLOWED A BIT BUT DID NOT STOP AND KEPT ON MOVING THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. I ENDED UP GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION (LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING) AND COMING TO A STOP ALMOST 50 FEET PAST. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR HOME AND WE LATER TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (NO OTHER INCIDENTS THEN). THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATION BUT COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS BUT ENDED UP RETURNING IT TO US AND SAYING IT IS FINE, AS THEY COULD NOT FIND A SPECIFIC CAUSE TO THIS INCIDENT. I AM 8 MONTHS PREGNANT, AND CURRENTLY WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I CAN BE REASSURED THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10317813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,234 milesStamford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2009 RAV4 HAS AN INEFFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE, AT TIMES, RUNS AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL SPEED WHEN APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. OFTEN I FEEL THAT I MUST MOVE THE TRANSMISSION LEVER INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE REVS AT ABOUT 1500 OR 2000RPM WHEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. KEEPING THE SHIFT LEVER IN 'D' SOMETIMES CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVELY LONG STOPS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SOON AFTER, WITHIN A WEEK, OF DELIVERY OF THE RAV4. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW WITH 8 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL ADJUSTMENT TO CORRECT THE IDLE SPEED. I HOPED THAT THE IDLE ISSUE WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF IN TIME. IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE FROM THE FREQUENCY PROSPECTIVE. I AM A REALTOR AND NEED TO TAKE MY CLIENTS TO SEE HOMES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ANYONE WHO MAY IN THE VICINITY OF THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND HAVE STOPPED USING IT FOR MY REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE ACCELERATOR "SHIM" REPAIR ON 2/26/10 WITHIN 15 MILES OF THE SERVICE "FIX" THE EXCESSIVE IDLE SPEED PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10317429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,500 milesNEW Castle, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 WITH 3200 MILES ON IT AND THE SAME ANSWER TO RUST AND NO PAPERWORK AGAIN BECAUSE THEY GROUNDED IT OFF. IT NOW HAS 8000 MILES ON IT AND THE ROTORS ARE GRINDING SO BAD THAT METAL SHAVINGS ARE COMING OUT AND I AM AFRAID TO LET ME WIFE DRIVE IT. I CALLED PRESTON MOTORS THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT AT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PUT ME ON THE WAITING LIST BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY RECALLS THEY ARE HANDLING NOW. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE A SEVERE WRECK TO GET THIS FIXED?
NHTSA complaint #10315500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesFlushing, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
MY 09 TOYOTA RAV4 ( BOUGHT LAST AUGUST IN QUEENS NEW YORK) HAD THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEM THAT, THE CAR SPEED UP SUDDENLY AND ALMOST PUNCH THE FRONT CAR WHEN I WAS PUSHING BRAKE, STOPPING AND WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT FROM RED TO GREEN. IT WERE HAPPENED TWO TIMES LAST YEAR, AND ALSO, SOMETIMES, WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING ON THE WAY, THE SPEED SUDDENLY UP. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY IT'S CONTROL SYSTEM LIKE SOFTWARE POOR DESIGN IN ANTI-INTERFERING/ELECTRONIC NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #10313702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NEW TOYOTA ELECTRONICS PROBLEMS MY RAV4 SOMETIMES DOES HAVE INTERMITTENT ACCELERATOR 'STICKING' PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS FULLY RETURNED TO IDLE CONDITIONS. DURING THE WINTER I OFTEN WHERE SORELS. I THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE OF MY BOOTS I WAS HITTING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. ONE TIME I EVEN HAD TO PUSH THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL TO MAKE A STOP, CURSING THE TOYOTA DESIGNER WHO PUT THE BRAKE PEDAL SO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR (ANOTHER PEDAL DESIGN FLAW?). FROM THEN ON I WAS VERY CAREFUL TO KEEP MY FOOT ON JUST ONE PEDAL. HOWEVER, I STILL NOTICED PROBLEMS SOMETIMES, AND NOW THIS "PSEUDO RECALL" HAS SOLVED A DILEMMA I HAD. THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, IT IS WITH IMPAIRED DECELERATION. THE ENGINE IS FIGHTING AGAINST THE BRAKING SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE SOON ENOUGH. WITH THE OLD MANUAL ACCELERATOR LINKAGE SYSTEMS, YOU COULD FEEL WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS. NOW INSTEAD THE COMPUTER IS DECIDING HOW TO SLOW THE ENGINE. THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES. WHAT "BONE HEADED" TOYOTA ENGINEER ALLOWED BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME ON A "DRIVE BY WIRE" SYSTEM? THERE IS NO MECHANICAL LINKAGE TO UNDO, SO HITTING THE BRAKE SHOULD DEFEAT THE ACCELERATOR (I.E. QUICKLY RETURN THE ENGINE TO IDLE MODE). THAT IS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS AT LEAST ONE PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM. IT IS A TOYOTA 'MYTH' TO INSIST THERE IS(ARE) NO ELECTRONIC PROBLEM(S). WHAT OTHER MORE COMPLEX PROBLEMS ARE THERE IN THE ELECTRONICS, IF THIS BASIC PROBLEM WAS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR?
NHTSA complaint #10313319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,200 milesSpringfield, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 APPEAR TO KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT DISCOURAGED ME FROM PUTTING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR. FIRST THEY LOST MY "APPOINTMENT" THEN THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS. NOW I WORRY WHENEVER I HAVE TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10311175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North East, MDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HI, MY FRIEND HAS A 2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DRIFTS TO THE FLOOR IN UNDER 3 MINUTES AND UNDER 1 MINUTE IN MOST INSTANCES. IN NOVEMBER OF 2009 I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A 2009 RAV4 IN PHILADELPHIA, PA THAT HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE OTHER DRIVER CLAIMED HE WAS BRAKING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND HE HAD THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO SOUND OF SCREECHING TIRES BEFORE BEING REARENDED.
NHTSA complaint #10310462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.