Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2008)

575 consumer complaints on file.

#10311431February 17, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MOTHER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN HER 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 SUDDENLY VEERED LEFT AND ACCELERATED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. WITNESS STATEMENT THAT SHE WAS DRIVING NORMALLY PREVIOUS TO ACCIDENT. NO HEALTH ISSUES TO EXPLAIN EVENTS. *TR UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10311422February 17, 2010
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM AT APPROXIMATELY 20MILES/HR.THE ROAD HAD NOT BEEN PLOWED RECENTLY, SO THERE WAS SOME SNOW THAT HAD ACCUMULATED, BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY PASSABLE AND I WAS DRIVING A 4 WHEEL,TOYOTA, RAV 4, 2008, IN EXCELLENT UPKEEP. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT, WHEN I TRIED TO SLOWLY CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WOULD NOT WORK. I COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL, THE BRAKSE DID NOT WORK, EVERYTHING IN THE CAR FROZE. I WAS HELPLESS AND HAD TO WATCH AS THE CAR SLOWLY DROVE ITSELF OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A DEEP DITCH. HALF WAY THROUGH THIS HARROWING TIME SPAN A BEEPING NOISE CAME ON(THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM?), BUT ONLY AFTER THE CAR WAS INCAPACITATED FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE MINUTES. I WAS ON A STRAIGHT AWAY AND THERE WERE NO HILLS AT THIS LOCATION. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 300+ FEET, AS EVIDENCED BY THE TRACK MARKS LEFT IN THE SNOW. LUCKILY THE DITCH WAS FILLED WITH SNOW, SO I DID NOT CRASH INTO A TREE OR ROLL OVER. THE SNOWPACK STOPPED THE CAR AND IT ENDED UP TILTED ON ITS RIGHT SIDE, BURIED ALMOST TO THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER WINDOW. WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE RIGHT WINDOW TO CRAWL OUT, IT WAS INOPERABLE. I WAS TOWED OUT OF THE DITCH AND BECAUSE OF THE SOFT SNOW COVER THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO HAD 1 OTHER STEERING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WHEN IT DID NOT RESPOND AS EXPECTED(ALTHOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT FROZEN) AND I SUBSEQUENTLY SIDE SWIPED A CAR I WAS PASSING WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING GARAGE. I AM AN EXCELLENT NEW ENGLAND DRIVER WITH A STELLAR DRIVING RECORD. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A DISASTER THE INFREQUENT TIMES I IT. IT USUALLY SITS IN THE GARAGE, SINCE I PREFER MY 109,000 MILE, RELIABLE, 2001, MERCURY MOUNTAINEER; AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FIRST STEERING EVENT WITH THE RAV4, WHICH I KNOW WAS NOT MY FAULT. I DROVE THE RAV 4 DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SAFER, BEING A NEW CAR! HA *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311451February 17, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHENEVER HE DROVE THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE SPEED AND THE RPM'S WOULD NOT DECREASE FOR 10 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,754.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311457February 17, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 2008 RAV4 SUV SUDDENLY GOES TO FULL THROTTLE ON ITS OWN. I HAVE TO PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR OUT OF GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASING THIS SUV NEW. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT THEY NEED TO SEE THE CAR WHILE IT IS RACING UP, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AND I CAN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN ON WILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10310875February 16, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH WHEN SHE ACCELERATED TO GET ON TO ANOTHER LANE THE ACCELERATOR PETAL BECAME STUCK. SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN A BIT, THEN SHE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND THE PETAL CAME BACK UP. THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED 2 TIMES AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46628.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10310421February 15, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONTINUOUS BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS ON MY 2008 RAV4 THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. I'VE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308375February 10, 2010
STEERING
STEERING WANDERS - 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH ELECTRONIC-ASSISTED. STEERING WANDERS SLIGHTLY FROM THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307756February 9, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A TOYOTA 2008 RAV 4. IN OCTOBER OF 2009 I HAD THE FIRST OF SEVERAL INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENTS, ALMOST TAKING OUT A PARKING GARAGE GATE. AFTER ACCELERATING, THEN REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE GAS, THE CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY HAVE A BURST OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND LURCH FORWARD. I CONTACTED THE DEALER IN OCTOBER OF 2009- THEY SAID IT MUST BE USER ERROR OR THE FLOOR MATS. I REMOVED FLOOR MATS, STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM, BUT ADJUSTED THE ELECTRONICS. PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2010, THEY SAID THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM BUT IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL- THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. I RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER FROM THE TOYOTA HOTLINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308197February 9, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 NEW. IT HAS NEEDED BRAKES TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN UNDER 3,000 MILES. ONE ACCIDENT RESULTED BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307351February 8, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 2008. LAST YEAR JULY TO AUGUST WITHIN ONE MONTH, MY RAV4 (LESS THAN 2 YEAR DRIVING) HAD HAPPENED 2 TIMES ENGINE DEAD PROBLEM DURING DRIVING, WHERE MY VEHICLE DROVE DOWN TO THE HILL WITHOUT ANY POWER, SPECIALLY NO BRAKE AT ALL. IT WAS HAPPENED ONE TIME I WAS DRIVING, AND ANOTHER TIME MY WIFE DRIVING. WE SENT TO DEALER BUT I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE WAS FOUND, AND WAS TOLD THEY COMMUNICATED WITH TOYOTA FACTORY. NO SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND. WE WENT THROUGH ARBITRATION LAST YEAR. BUT THEY SAID THEY CANNOT REDUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO I CANNOT REPLACE THE CAR. BUT OUR FAMILY IS REALLY CONCERNING TO CONTINUOUSLY DRIVE THIS CAR SINCE IT IS SO DANGEROUS, AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL DIE AGAIN DURING DRIVING. IT BOTHERS US A LOT, AND NO PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND BY SERVICES. WE JUST WANT TO REPLACE THIS CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307416February 8, 2010
EQUIPMENT
I AM REPORTING AND ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY AS I AM APPROACHING AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN OR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE IS A SLIGHT SURGE IN THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS ON THE BREAK AS I AM SLOWING DOWN. I ESTIMATE THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AROUND 10 TIMES IN THE 19,000 MILES THAT I HAVE OWNED THE RAV4. I CANNOT DUPLICATE OR REPLICATE THE SURGE AT WILL, AS I SAID IT OCCURS RANDOMLY. THE EVENTS OF THE LAST MONTHS WITH TOYOTAS HAS PROMPTED ME TO REPORT THIS SITUATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307498February 8, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WAS PARKING THE CAR IN A SMALL CONGESTED COMMERCIAL PARKING AREA. I TURNED A CORNER AND SAW A SPACE, BUT HAD TO BACK UP TO PULL IN STRAIGHT. AS I PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY, I WAS ONLY A FEW FEET FROM THE PARKED CAR FACING MY CAR. SUDDENLY, AS I WAS ABOUT TO STOP MY CAR, THE ENGINE RACED AND MY CAR JUMPED FORWARD INTO THE FRONT OF THE OTHER CAR. AS I WAS ONLY A VERY SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE CAR, MY CAR DID NOT HAVE TIME TO ACCELERATE TO ANY GREAT SPEED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306925February 6, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EQUIPMENT
LAST AUGUST I EXPERIENCED A STUCK ACCELERATOR ON MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. IT HAPPENED ONLY ONCE AND HASN'T REPEATED. IT WAS WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION RED LIGHT FORTUNATELY WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME THE ACCELERATION BY STANDING ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN TOYOTA CAME OUT WITH THE RECALL FOR FLOOR MATS MY CAR WAS NOT ONE OF THE MODELS WITH THOSE TYPR OF FLOOR MATS AND THE MATS IN THE CAR ARE FASTENED DOWN. TOYOTA'S CURRENT RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS MODEL AND A CHECK OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONFIRMS THAT THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE CURRENT PEDAL REPLACEMENTS. MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCE IN JAPAN NOT THE USA. I SUSPECT THAT THIS WAS MORE OF AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM THAN A PEDAL PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE MY YEAR AND MODEL IS NOT ON THE RECALL HOW CAN I GET HELP BEFORE I OR MY WIFE EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN? *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10306727February 5, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATION INCIDENT PARKING. DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN CHELSEA MI, DOING A LITTLE UNDER 5 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKE EVEN HARDER AND THE ABS ENGAGED. FORTUNATELY I MISSED THE BMW PARKED IN FRONT. BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR 19 MONTHS AND NOTHING LIKE IT OCCURRED BEFORE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I HAD JUST BEEN TO FOR A LUBE CHANGE SAID THAT MY MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT TO BRING IT IN IF IT RECURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305593February 4, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4, WITH A VIN THAT BEGINS WITH A 'J', BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. THE MOTOR RACES AND I HAVE TO PRESS VERY FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, AND THEY DID A THOROUGH CHECK AND COULD NEITHER DUPLICATE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM NOR FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THE SYSTEMS THAT THEY CHECKED. THAT WAS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THAT PROBLEM SINCE, BUT IT HAPPENED INFREQUENTLY BEFORE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10305969February 4, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ACCELERATION STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304544February 3, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA RAV4 (2008 LS) IN THE SUMMER OF 2008. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION. I REPORTED IT THEN AND THE FIRST SEVERAL TIMES IT WENT IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN THE SAME - THAT'S JUST WHAT TOYOTAS DO. THE PROBLEM - WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN IDLING, THE CAR HESITATES. THERE IS A SECOND OR 2 DURING WHICH THERE IS NO POWER. THEN, THE POWER KICKS IN AND THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD, NOT BECAUSE THE PEDAL IS STICKING BUT BECAUSE THE CAR SUDDENLY "CATCHES UP" WITH THE GAS PEDAL. THE EXPLANATION GIVEN BY TWO DEALERS IS THIS: IN THE TOYOTA, THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN AND WHEN THE CAR'S COMPUTER SENDS THE INFORMATION TO THE CARBURETOR, OR WHATEVER PASSES FOR IT IN NEW ENGINES. THAT CAUSES THE SEQUENCE - PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, HESITATION, THEN SURGE. THIS IS MOST DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. OPENINGS IN THE TRAFFIC ARE USUALLY SMALL BUT ADEQUATE IF THE CAR RESPONDS. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR HESITATES, THEN SURGES, THE OPENING CAN BE MISSED AND THE CAR AND DRIVER ARE AT RISK FOR A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS ALSO INTERMITTENT SO THAT THE DRIVER CAN BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD, EVEN WHEN EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR. I'M FILING THIS BECAUSE I SEE THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS GONE PAST THE STICKING PEDAL TO LOOK AT POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN THE CARS. SO I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL. PS-I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN SITUATIONS WHERE A LITTLE LUCK AND A QUICK FOOT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALL THAT PREVENTED ONE. PSPS-I WILL GLADLY PROVIDE THE VIN # BUT I DO NOT HAVE IT AVAILABLE NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304672February 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 RELEASES ON IT'S OWN WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IN STOP-AND-GO-TRAFFIC. IT'S MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, BUT HAPPENS ONCE IN AWHILE IN WINTER. IF I HAVE TO STOP FOR ANY REASON, WITH MY FOOT RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT RELEASES ON ITS OWN AND GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I USUALLY HAVE TO START PUMPING THE BRAKE SO THAT IT DOESN'T START ROLLING INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. (A SALESPERSON ADMITTED TO ME THAT HER CAMRY DID THE SAME THING AND THAT SHE GOT RID OF THE CAR.) I WANT MY CAR REPAIRED AND SAFE TO DRIVE, OTHERWISE I WILL HAVE TO GET RID OF IT AND I CANNOT AFFORD THAT AT THE MOMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10304678February 3, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHEN SHE DEPRESSED IT ON TWO OCCASIONS. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SEEMED TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER MODIFIED THE FLOOR MAT. SHE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST HER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,510.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303835February 2, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF A TOYOTA RAV 4 ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, NO FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE GEAR SHIFT IN DRIVE - THE ENGINE INCREASED SPEED RAPIDLY. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THE OPERATOR SLAMMED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, THE OPERATOR PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED AT HIGH SPEED FOR ABOUT A WHILE, THEN WENT TO IDLE. AFTER THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE, THE OPERATOR KEPT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAUTIOUSLY SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFT TO DRIVE, PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE OPERATOR GOT OUT OF THE CAR. EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. AFTER MEDITATION ON THE PROBLEM, THE OPERATOR TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND DROVE OFF. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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