Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2008)

575 consumer complaints on file.

#11730948April 13, 2026
AIR BAGS
My airbag light came on and I received a letter saying there was a recall but unfortunately I threw out the letter and when I called Toyota said there was a recall but it was fixed in 2012 when I didn’t own the vehicle and it seems like it didn’t last long because my airbags are not working so this will be the last time I buy a Toyota!! Thanks for Nothing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702965December 4, 2025
ENGINE
My daughter and I are leasing our Toyota Rav4 almost paid off. Our last 2 oil changes done by professional the engine has burned off the oil in between the oil changes. I seen multiple complaints for this same issue for other owners and that there's not been any recalls only investigations. I read 1 person their engine caught fire. I'm disabled if what happened to that person's family happened to my Toyota I might not be as lucky as I, my daughter and my oldest daughter who is disabled and needs help moving and I'd have to get my dog out of the car and we all get safely away from the car and pray we were in a safe area no one else gets hurt. This oil burning from these cars is a dangerous safety hazard and expensive. Instead of a investigation recalls are needed to get the malfunctioning pistons replaced before someone physically gets injured or killed. This is a known issue by the Toyota manufacturer and obviously more and more owners are finding and coming forward with complaints. As for me and my daughter the car is not a new model but it's a new vehicle to use and we didn't know about the pistons malfunctioning issues or oil burning off until it happened. Please do a recall so this issue will be resolved not just investigations because investigations aren't helping nor protecting the consumers/owners. Toyota knew/knows of the safety issues and won't step up to the plate to fix something they know is faulty. Oil is burning out of my car's engine in between oil changes, done by a professional, it really needs to be addressed and safety recalls sent out to hold Toyota accountable for something they know is faulty on their cars
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682181August 21, 2025
ENGINE
My engine recently start to burning oil. Toyota had an extended Warranty for this issue which had to do with piston rings failure. which has expired. Searching the internet this problem is popping up all over the internet. Calling you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667884June 19, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on my car is peeling all over. There has been a recall with other years of this vehicle but my specific year is not included in the recall. The paint peeling is the same color and issue as with the current recall. Please add my year into this recall so I can get some assistance from Toyota.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654725April 15, 2025
ENGINE
Issue started when I noticed the vehicle was burning oil, hence why I had to keep refilling the oil levels often. This is an issue many other RAV4 owners have reported. However, the problem was made worse when my mother used my vehicle to pick up some family from the nearest airport. On her way home, my engine blew a hole through itself, causing an engine fire. If it wasn't for the swift thinking of my stepfather, she, him, and my brothers could've been seriously injured or killed. I firmly believe this has to do with the reason why the engine was burning oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654273April 12, 2025
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The issue relates to the spiral cable assembly in my 2008 Toyota RAV4, which falls under Safety Recall 14V-168. According to the recall documentation, this part may fail, which could affect the vehicle’s safety features, including the airbag system. My vehicle is potentially affected by this recall, as it falls within the specified VIN range, but after contacting Toyota Customer Support, I was informed that my vehicle is not eligible for the recall, despite meeting the criteria outlined in the official recall notice. This inconsistency puts my safety at risk, as the failure of the spiral cable could lead to the malfunction of the airbag system. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, as I have not yet been able to have the issue inspected or repaired. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives at this time. There have been no warning lamps or messages related to this issue prior to my inquiry, as the recall issue was identified through the NHTSA database and Toyota’s recall records.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644098February 21, 2025
ENGINE
The Rav4 is burning oil and consumption of oil. The oil is gone out before the next oil change. This has been going on for a while. There are no leaks and the milage on the 2008 Rav 4 Limited is only 88153.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643081February 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased the vehicle on [XXX] after seeing the carfax report the dealer furnished. Now my car is no longer driveable due to the numerous repairs it needs. I looked at a real carfax report recently and found out thar dealer didn't give me the true report. It only showed 2 owners and mileage close to the odometer reading. However, there are 4 previous owners and the mileage is 172,000 just before it was sold and then purchased by dealer and then sold to me. Dealer hid the part of the report about the odometer tampering. I now have a very expensive lawn ornament that I still owe over $9,000 on. I can't afford to fix and now stuck with it since I can't sell it. I am having trouble uploading documents. I've tried calling but it just hangs up. I'm calling the number that's online but it doesn't work. Please contact me [XXX] Thank you! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621225October 22, 2024
ENGINE
See Attached Letter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541827August 31, 2023
ENGINE, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a toyota rav4 2008 2.4 the motor is no leaking oil, no blue smoke but i put 4 quarts oil on 1.000 miles,the comsuption oil is too much and the steering wheel column have problem and that is danger .i see on Google the problem on this car toyota rav4 2008 2.4 is came with factory problem on pistons and rings I call bernardi toyota framingham,ma on 08/27/2022 and i talk a service guy the problem and he say the recall for my car expires on 2018 but i read on Internet recall nver expires if the company o factory Still on ,I did call to service on toyota weslleyle,ma on 08/29/2023 and the service guy toll me the same My phone number [XXX] .. [XXX] my name Thank you.very much for help me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540959August 26, 2023
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2021 I was involved in a collision on the highway and my airbag did not deploy but airbag light remained on dash board even after repairing clockspring and attempting to reset airbag.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523360May 22, 2023
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Starting in June 2018, I have had seven episodes of unintended acceleration. (I have owned the car, purchased in private sale, since June of 2013.) There were common elements to each incident:1. gradually slowing; 2. foot on brake; 3. engine accelerates sharply, a moment before complete stop in first six, a moment after in seventh and last. In each incident able to maintain control as foot already was on brake; yet in three of the incidents, including the last two, the car bucked forward a few inches despite the pressure on the brake. Situation resolved when I turned off the ignition, a reflex developed after the first incident. This last incident was particularly upsetting as I was in a long line of slow moving cars on a relatively narrow road with pedestrians on each side of my car. Each incident has been reported to the local dealer with which I have been trading for many years. They did a thorough inspection when I reported the incidents to them in January of 2020 and again just today after the last incident that occurred on May 19, 2023. They could find nothing wrong and include on their report "TAS STATES SUSPECTED DRIVER ERROR, PEDAL MISS [sic] APPLICATION." I do NOT accept this conclusion. I note in the last incident I had come to complete stop momentarily before the engine accelerated and despite my heavy pressure on the brake bucked forward, with control established only when I shut the engine down. During the entire period of these incidents I also have been driving two other vehicles, a 2008 Camry and a 2023 Camry. I have had no such incidents while driving these two cars. I do NOT drive with two feet, always the first question asked when such an incident is reported. Finally, I believe my car dates from a period when Toyota was vehemently denying such a problem in their cars when they knew full well that such was the case, a deception for which they were found criminally liable. Such history does not instill confidence in corporate Toyota.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474920July 20, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband checked the oil level and noticed that the oil level was low. The contact stated that two weeks prior to the failure, an oil change service was performed. The contact stated that her husband added oil; however, two weeks later he checked the oil level again and the oil level was low. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed one quart of oil every two weeks or approximately every 200 miles. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the service manager stated that it was a known issue with the vehicle. The contact was notified of a TSB however, the vehicle was over the mileage. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468822June 11, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Severe rust on frame and undercarriage. Other 2008 Toyota models were recalled due to the same rust issues. Unsure of when rust first started.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463613May 6, 2022
ENGINE
Vehicle suddenly lose power while the cars are being driven, the engine shut off, and catch on fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457708March 21, 2022
STEERING
I was starting to back out of my driveway and my steering wheel made a loud clunking noise and became free floating. The plastic air vent fell on my right foot. I did not attempt to drive the car after this incident. I had it towed to Toyota Service. I was told that the steering bracket had come loose and that they had never seen anything like it before. I did some online research and found that this has happened many times with 2006, 2007 and 2008 Toyota RAV 4 vehicles. I believe there are even case numbers for some of them. It was determined to be a failed weld each time! If this had happened to me over the summer, when I was driving in the mountains it cold have caused a serious or even fatal accident. I don't understand why this hasn't been recalled?! This is very dangerous for the unsuspecting people driving RAV 4s! The repair estimate for this is over $5,000!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455696March 8, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and became aware that the alternator was smoking. The vehicle was turned off and towed back to the residence. The contact purchased the alternator and fixed the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455782March 8, 2022
STEERING
The driveshaft welds that held the power steering motor to the vehicle frame failed. This caused steering wheel to be loose and unstable and the power steering motor to slam against the floor vent. It caused it to fall to the floor near the pedals where it could have obstructed the brake or accelerator pedal
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449580January 31, 2022
ENGINE
The contact's daughter owned a 2008 Toyota RAV 4. The contact stated that his wife was driving with their daughter on the highway at approximately 65 mph. The contact stated that his wife said no warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife reported that the vehicle began to make a loud buzzing noise from the engine. The contact's wife was able to pull over on the road shoulder when she noticed smoke issuing from under the hood. The vehicle burst into flames from under the hood. The contact's wife and daughter jumped out of the vehicle, the daughter burned the palm of her right hand. The police and fire department arrived. The police attempted to extinguish the fire and called the fire department which extinguished the fire with water. The vehicle was undrivable and the police had it towed to an impound lot. The police nor the fire department issued a report. The daughter did not seek medical attention for the burn on her right hand. The contact said that the insurance company will inspect the vehicle this week. The contact said the vehicle was completely burned. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11445126December 27, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
This vehicle will not pass inspection due to unsafe frame/rotted frame. I've brought it to three different shops to see if it was just one area of the frame, but the whole framework has been declared unsafe. It has been well cared for and is in excellent condition otherwise and since it's well known that the Toyota frames have a long-standing bad reputation I feel I should get a frame replacement. Its scrap value is just $200! A massive rip-off to me!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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