Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2021)
510 consumer complaints on file.
- #11461952April 24, 2022FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Does not maintain cruse control speed that I set when traffic becomes heavier around the car for example….cruise control stops working and car slows down as vehicles are passing my car, or are driving in front of me or in back of me. It does not like traffic near by. If there’s no traffic it works and maintains the set speed.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11461731April 21, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. For two different occasions the high beams wouldn't turn on at night on a dark road and rainy day. Took the vehicle to Toyota but mechanic reported that he couldn't reproduce event. I had to drive very slowly with normal lights as I could. 2. For two different occasions the vehicle wouldn't start I almost had the vehicle towed but using the toyota app and the key fob was able to remote start and then start the vehicle. I can't imagine what would have happened if the car turned off in the middle of an intersection and wouldn't turn on. 3. The adaptive cruise control has a glitch that I have told Toyota. If you're going over 30 mph and the vehicle in front of you has been in a complete stop for a while, the car may not stop you have to manually stop or crash. This could be extremely dangerous.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11460403April 11, 2022VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield started cracking from the bottom (hidden by the hood line) upwards for no apparent reason. Started at 8500 miles 5 months after purchase. No chips or rocks at the point of the crack.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11460219April 8, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The component that failed was the glass of my sunroof. My sunroof somehow exploded on me while I was driving. There were no vehicles or other things that would have caused rocks to fly and hit the dead center of the sunroof. If you look at the images you can tell that the glass is pointing upward and not downward. I was lucky that I had my son shade cover closed., If it was not closed I would have had large pieces of glass fall in my vehicle and potentially cause cuts and lesions from the glass. This could not be heat related as it was at 6: 58am. This problem has not been identified by any dealer or independent repair center but it's very similar to many others who have had these complaints on your website and consumer reports. The components have not been inspected by the dealer or police and there were no warning signs of any kind no visible original cracks or anything that would have caused it to do what I did. I did attempt to contact Toyota but they refused to assist and told me to contact my insurance, the dealership crown toyota refused to assist and told me to contact my insurance and said that you rock must have hit. They also wouldn't repair it because they will not accept payment from my insurance company which is Mercury.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11459766April 5, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On our car, as well as many other new cars, unless the rear doors are unlocked, you cannot open them from the inside (or outside for that matter). It is not the child safety lock. There is no emergency egress. There is no cylinder for a key. Toyota says it's a normal function. My concern is: In an accident, and possible subsequent fire, if the electrical system is disabled (shorted battery, etc.) nobody will be able to open the rear doors from the inside nor the outside. Anybody in the rear seat will be trapped unless they can get out the window, or through the narrow opening between the seats. Even if the electrical system isn't disabled, if the passengers in the front seat are unconscious or unable to unlock the doors, the passengers in the back seat will be trapped unless they can reach the unlock button. We tested my friend's Honda today and it functions the same way. Please consider looking into this as it is a very dangerous design flaw. Thank you.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11459421April 3, 2022STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on the highway the sunroof spontaneously exploded outwards sending glass shards behind the vehicle and also down into the cabin. There was no impact with any objects and the vehicle was not passing under any structures. It was moderate temperature day ~60F so the roof was not especially hot or cold. There is dashcam footage available showing nothing abnormal happened at the time of glass failure.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11458344March 25, 2022TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the traction control warning light would illuminate upon starting the vehicle for the second time the same day. The contact stated that the warning light would turn off whenever he released the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front wheels were moving faster than the rear wheels. The dealer also informed the contact that the failure was due to a user error. The dealer stated that the contact could have the habit of depressing both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time while at a complete stop as the DTC codes showed that the vehicle was moving while at a complete stop. The dealer informed the contact that they could not assist with the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 810.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11458186March 24, 2022FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On March 19, 2022 I was attempting to make a left turn onto a five lane (including the center left turn lane) road. When the traffic cleared my car (a plug-in hybrid in EV mode) did not accelerate as it usually does, but slowly rolled into the first lane of traffic. I pushed the accelerator to the floor but it stopped in the traffic lane. I had to quickly select reverse and back out of the first lane of oncoming traffic. Luckily the car behind me had not moved up and I had room to avoid an accident. This seemed like it may have been a failure of the collision avoidance system. Our safety was definitely at risk as the oncoming traffic was moving at 40-45 mph. The problem has not occurred since and the Toyota dealer was unable to confirm or reproduce. My wife was also in the car and can verify what happened. There were no other warnings, messages or symptoms. In the three photos, the first shows the 2 motorcycles I intended to get behind when I completed my turn. The next two photos show how I needed to back up to clear the lane for oncoming traffic. I do have a 30 second video of the entire incident.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11457960March 23, 2022SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On Monday, March 21, 2022, at about 11:40 AM CT, I was at the Walgreens pharmacy drive-thru window. I used the brake-hold feature on the vehicle. I did not have my feet on any pedals or the steering wheel. I did not get any notifications, warnings, alerts, or beeps from the vehicle prior to the incident. As I reached my arm out to get my medications and payment from the pharmacy window, the vehicle sped off (accelerated) at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was on break-hold and I did not touch anything. I was able to bring my arm inside and stop the vehicle and put it into the park position. I then put it into reverse and returned to get my medications. When I went to put it back into drive, the brake-hold indicator was still on and so I pressed the button to disable it. I drove the vehicle home and parked it. The vehicle did not roll forward. The vehicle took off at a high rate of speed and my arm was sore afterward. Luckily, there was no one in front of me at the time of the incident. The pharmacy technician stated, "That was close!" The next day, I took the vehicle into service at the Toyota dealership in which the vehicle was purchased. I explained to them about the similar incidents reported I had found online and the outcomes. They kept the vehicle all day, only to get the same response as the previous complainant; they did not find anything wrong. The technician stated if any warning lights turn on to bring it in right away. He stated that it would have given you(me) the warning to keep the brake-hold on, otherwise, the e-brake would have engaged. I asked him, so how do you explain how it took off full speed ahead if it was supposed to stop, not accelerate? I am very afraid of how the vehicle accelerated during this incident. When I got the vehicle back I tried the brake-hold on my driveway; if you tap the gas pedal, it just starts to roll forward; this is not what happened on 21Mar22.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11457472March 20, 2022SERVICE BRAKES
While exiting an interstate and applying the brakes, the vehicle struck a small bump (pot-hole) in the roadway with the front passenger wheel. The car lurched forward and stopped slowing down. The brakes had disengaged on all wheels. After approximately 2 seconds, the car started braking again and I was able to regain control and stop. This momentary loss of braking ability could have caused me to rear end the vehicle in front had I not left excess room. The loss of brakes increased the braking distance required and could lead to the loss of control if the roadway is slick. I have been able to reproduce this issue. No ABS or TCS lights illuminated. No beeps or other warning messages materialized. The car is available for inspection upon request. It appears to be an issue with the regenerative brakes switching over to the mechanical brakes when the car believes there is wheel slip.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11457213March 18, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The fuel gauge reads "E" when there is still 5 gallons left in the tank.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11457214March 18, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is an issue with Toyota's Rav4 Prime fuel tank gauge incorrectly reading fuel left in the tank or prematurely stopping gasoline to fill the tank. My car is available for inspection upon request. No safety impact. Dealer confirmed issue by testing my car but says this is "working as intended". The fueling problem is consistent and not intermittent and started immediately after using my first tank of gas. Even when low fuel warning light is on, I am unable to fully fill the tank to the advertised 14.5 gallons. Inability to fill the fuel tank impacts the vehicle’s total available driving distance and forces me to make more frequent stops at the gas station. This issue could very well be due to the same design defect in the 2019-2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid class action lawsuit in which Toyota has admitted fault and settled the class action.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11457219March 18, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The gas gauge is inaccurate by up to 4.5 gallons of fuel, so even when the fuel gauge displays empty it still has a large amount of fuel still in the tank. Toyota should put a software patch to resolve this issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11457199March 17, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The RAV4 Prime's fuel system holds 14.5 gallons, however only between 10 - 11 gallons of that is usable per the digital "miles to zero" gauge on the instrument panel. When the gauge reaches "zero" and notifies the driver to fill up, the tank only fills 10 -11 gallons and keeps 3 - 4.5 gallons in reserve. This is a big issue because the "miles to zero" gauge reads the full tank when you fill it up (approximately 550 miles), but begins to swing drastically on miles left as you drive the car to accommodate for the 10 - 11 gallons that it actually uses. It is not an accurate gauge at all. There are two (2) potential fixes from Toyota for this issue: 1. Fix it so that the digital gauge reads the "miles to zero" correctly and isn't all over the place to compensate for the 4.5 gallon reserve, as the system currently uses 10 - 11 gallons as the read for "zero" instead of the 14.5 gallons . 2. Fix the gas tank to actually make the full 14.5 gallon tank usable to the driver.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11456314March 11, 2022VISIBILITY/WIPER
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, NO CRACKS OR CHIPS TEMPETURE WAS 64 DEGREES
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11455420March 6, 2022VISIBILITY/WIPER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1. 5th generation Rav4 LE Hybrid does not allow adjustment of intermittent wiper intervals that constitutes safety hazard. Every single vehicle on the road has had this feature for decades, its absence constitutes negligence on Toyota's part. 2. Traditional and intuitive industry standard cruise control lever with push-button switch has been replaced with counter-intuitive button controls that distract attention and can hardly be operated without having looked at them.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11455268March 4, 2022TIRES
Feb. 26th, 2022 driving I-5 (Tacoma)towards North with my Wife on our way home at approximately 05:00PM (Raining and Windy) Tire got puncture with some type of metal that cause our car swerved immediately slowdown and put my hazard light on at the same time did my best to take the closest exit as safety as possible till we made it to exit (S. 74th St.) Immediately evaluate my REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE (225/65R17 Michelin Primacy) and it was already flat and DAMAGE due to running flat towards our exit (safety location) Called my insurance Roadside Assistant and the same time calling our friends if someone can give us a hand/help. StateFarm Roadside Assistance says 1hr to 1.5hr… while waiting for Raodside Assistance and One of our friend I started looking for my “Spare Tire/Tools” sadly we only have the “Spare Tire and A Jack” it’s missing the the Tire Wrench so I called my salesman and ask what happen I bought a Brand New car and it didn’t came with a “Set of Tools” I didn’t bother checking the trunk of our car since we bought it Brand new I was confident bcoz I know my salesman since he’s been our salesman ever since. Contacted the Toyota Dealership the following day but they just keep putting me on hold. Now I’ve been missing work since we don’t have a car. Reason why I called dealership is to ask if they have a Warranty on my tire and that help us cut a lil of trouble/expenses if our tire is still under warranty. Tire has 12,000 miles that time. Feb 27th (Sunday) woke up early to get my tire fix but unfortunately Costco tire service told me that they can do or repair my tire anymore. Tried contacting Michelin but sadly still unlucky. Feb 28th I called out work to get my tire fix, while getting my tire fix I tried contacting Toyota Rodland again to ask about my Tire Warranty but no one answers. Texted my salesman but he answered my text late evening told me he couldn’t anything about the tire, all he can do is to give me a Set of Tire Wrench.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11454814March 2, 2022SERVICE BRAKES
Driving about 35 mph, I pressed break pedal approximately 50% in order to stop at the light ahead. When the car reached somewhere around 10-20 mph, the degree of deceleration sudden decreased (the car was still slowing, but the rate of slowing suddenly decreased) without any change in a degree of depression of the break pedal. The road had a couple of bumps on it, and I have noticed that this seems only reproducible when the car is going over bumps during the deceleration. I was able to find a forum that describes similar behavior related to other Toyota Hybrid vehicles https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/5357/toyota/highlander-hybrid/highlander-hybrid-brake-problems
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11454139February 25, 2022ENGINE
Car makes a startling loud noise like a fog horn a few seconds after starting. Noise is loud enough and unexpected it has caused me to accidently press on accelerator on occasion if I have started moving. Apparently a know problem but fix is only European focused. Fortunately nothing was in front of me when this happened. Happens frequently on first startup but never every time. TSB is BE-00612T-TME Need to force dealers to fix this before an accident does occur.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11453677February 23, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LED headlights do not emit heat and allow ice to cover entire headlight group, blocking illumination. Problem is exacerbated with road grime in the ice. LED headlights, also, do not provide enough light spectrum to identify objects in the dark—nearly all other lights provide better/friendlier illumination to the human eye at night. LED headlights are a safety issue in the dark… made worse in icy conditions.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0