Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2004)

154 consumer complaints on file.

#10396928April 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2.4L ENGINE WAS LOOSING COOLANT AND OVERHEATING. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD WATER PUMP DUE TO THE LEAKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR GARAGE, I LEARNED THAT THE CAUSE WAS 3 STRIPPED OUT BOLTS HOLDING THE HEAD ONTO THE BLOCK. SOLUTION....NEW ENGINE AT $5500. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS MFG DEFECT AND A COUPLE DEALERSHIPS I TALK WITH INCLUDING THE ONE I BOUGHT IT FROM "NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE" THE EXACT SAME RESPONSE GIVEN LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT WAS WHAT TOYOTA TOLD THEM TO SAY ABOUT THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386502March 4, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND AS HE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, A RAPID ACCELERATION OCCURRED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 04/07/11*LJ
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10386226March 2, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND FINALLY WOULDN'T GET IN GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS AT FAULT (ERROR P0766- SHIFT SOLENOID D STUCK). THEY REPLACED THE ECM BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I SPOKE TO TOYOTA CORP BUT THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT SOLENOID IS A "WHOLLY" SEPARATE ISSUE. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE 2001-2003 EXTENSION OF WARRANTY THAT TOYOTA DID THE RAV4 BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CAN JUST DISENGAGE FROM THE MOTOR AND LEAVE YOU STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN YOU PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY OR ON THE RAMP ENTERING A HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380246January 27, 2011
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY ON THE HIGHWAY. THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 3000. HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 50 -55 MILES PER HOUR AND REMAIN IN THE SLOW LANE. REST OF THE TRAFFIC WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375808January 14, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2001 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE DEALER TO TWO DEALERS WHO GAVE HIM DIFFERENT STORIES AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLOW DOWN IN FIRST GEAR AND THEN ACTIVATE HARD IN SECOND GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A LETTER WAS MAILED REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER AND THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES AT THE DEALER AND NO ONE MENTIONED IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373842January 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE ANTI-SKID AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND WOULD REMAIN ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO SET ANY SPEED DURING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. ALSO, THE DEAD BATTERY FAILED TWICE AND REQUIRED A JUMP START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372477December 27, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE THE GEARS WERE CHANGED AND THERE WAS TROUBLE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLACK; THE FLUID WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372182December 23, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I DROVE MY 2004 (6 1/2 YEAR OLD) RAV4 SPORT AWD TODAY AS USUAL TO WORK (16 MILES). IT HAS JUST SHORT OF 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IS READY FOR THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IN MORE THAN 1000 MILES. I HAVE DONE THE MAJORITY OF MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DROVE THE CAR FROM MY OFFICE AT 169 AND 62, ON 62 THEN NORTH ON I35W TO MINNEAPOLIS AND THEN ON I94E TO ST. PAUL. SOON AFTER I GOT ON I94 I NOTICED SUDDEN FAILURE TO ACCELERATE WITH A JERKING AND HIGH REVS (TO ABOUT 4500) WHEN GOING FROM 55 TO 60. THE GEARS DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE AND RUMBLED AND DID NOT CHANGE OR DRIVE FULLY IN ANY GEAR. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION (MIKE'S BP IN ST. PAUL DOWNTOWN) THAT HAD DONE AN OIL CHANGE ON MY CAR. THE SERVICE PERSON CHECKED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID IT WAS "FILTHY" BUT FULL. HE SAID IT MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I CHOSE TO CANCEL MY TRIP OUT OF STATE FOR WORK, AND DROVE DIRECTLY HOME AFTER SETTING UP WITH MY REGULAR MECHANIC FOR NEXT TUESDAY, THE EARLIEST OPEN APPOINTMENT. I WAS SURPRISED TO HAVE THIS ISSUE COME UP SO SUDDENLY AND IT IS A CLEAR DANGER SINCE I MOSTLY WOULD DRIVE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR LONG DISTANCE FOR WORK AND IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAD NO ISSUES AT ALL SO FAR - ONLY REPLACED THE WIPERS A YEAR AGO. I AM CONCERNED TO HAVE FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AS THE CAR DROVE SO UNPREDICTABLY AND MAKES STRANGE NOISES NOW IF IT IS SHIFTING. I HAVE A TOYOTA PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY GOOD UNTIL END OF JUNE 2011 AND I'LL WORK ON GETTING THIS COVERED. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLE AS I DEPEND ON MY CAR FOR WORK TRIPS AND FOR COMMUTING. I'M GLAD I HAVE THE WARRANTY AND WILL HAVE THE WORK DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF THAT IS POSSIBLE. MY CAR GOES THROUGH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY RUN CHECKS FOR ANY RECALLS EVERY TIME IT IS IN THE SHOP. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING AT ALL ON THE VEHICLE THUS FAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352468August 28, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
8/23/2010 DEL TOYOTA IN PA, RENOUNCE PLATINUM WARRANTY ON RAV4. ON 8/23/2010 I TOOK MY RAV4 2004 TO DEL TOYOTA IN PA FOR SERVICE FOR AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK, UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVIEWED THE LEAK AND TOTALLY REJECTED THEIR OWN PLATINUM WARRANTY ON THE RAV4. THEY SAID THE LEAK IS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK THREADS AND MAY NOT BE FIXABLE. ENGINE BLOCK THREADS ? THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE AT MY COST, WHICH DEL TOYOTA HAPPENS TO HAVE ONE IN STOCK. SO WHY DID DEL TOYOTA IN PA REFUSE TO HONOR THEIR OWN PLATINUM WARRANTY ? THE PLATINUM WARRANTY IS GOOD TILL 2011 OR 100,000 MILES, WHICH THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351985August 26, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION ISSUES, NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY ALL THE TIME! DEALER TELLS ME TRANS NEEDS $3000.00 IN REPAIRS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339776June 23, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON JUNE 14, 2010, I NOTICED A PINKISH LIQUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AFTER MY SON BACKED IT UP. I CALLED MY AUTO SHOP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. THEY RIGHT AWAY TOLD ME DON'T DRIVE IT AND THEY WILL HAVE A TOW TRUCK COME AND TOW IT. AFTER THE MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK AT THE ISSUE HE FOUND THAT THE COOLANT LEAKED AND THEN FOUND THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED SINCE MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YRS OLD WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER I AGREED TO DO THE REPAIR, WHEN HE REMOVED MORE PARTS TO GET TO IT, HE NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER 2004 RAV4'S. I CALLED TOYOTA AND A REP TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE ISSUE DOESN'T HAPPEN TOO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS SO THEY WILL NOT RECALL OR HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I ALSO DID MORE DIGGING AND FOUND OUT THAT SOME OF TOYOTA OLDER MODELS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE HEAD GASKETS BLOWING AND THE BOLT WAS STRIPPED. I HOPE THAT IF TOYOTA DID USED SOME OLD PARTS IN THE 2004 RAV4, THEY SHOULD TELL THE CUSTOMER AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE BLOCK WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. UPDATED IVOQ 08/05/10.*JB *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331712May 24, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2004 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLES LURCHES FORWARD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED WHEN HE WOULD BRAKE, SUCH AS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND T\HEY FOUND THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS NOT PUMPING PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331256May 19, 2010
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AVOIDING DEER, HIT EMBANKMENT AND CAR ROLLED ONTO PASSENGER SIDE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324813April 10, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2004 TOYOTA RAV4 L - DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, NO DASH WARNING LIGHTS ON, SMOKE STARTED COMING INTO CABIN, WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE FIRE SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN LESS THAN 3 MINUTES. REGULAR SERVICE DONE AT TOYOTA DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319312March 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE EXITING A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE, I LIGHTLY TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AND THEN STARTED TO GO AT A RAPID SPEED. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR STOPPED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10316022March 3, 2010
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN THE SNOW, HE TRIED TO MAKE A TURN AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THE BALD TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE 30 MILES BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE SLIDE ACROSS THE ROAD AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE RENTAL AGENCY TOWED THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANOTHER RENTAL. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE RENTAL VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY INSPECTED BEFORE HE RENTED IT. THE MANAGER ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO THE RENTAL VEHICLE FAILURE. THE RENTAL VEHICLE INDICATED THAT IT WAS INSPECTED ON 2/11/10 AND THE INCIDENT OCCURRED 5 DAYS AFTER THE INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314334February 26, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2004 TOYOTA RAV4 ACCELERATED WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE*CW UPDATED 03/05/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313758February 24, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. ON OCCASION , WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF BY APPLYING THE BRAKES OR TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN RESUME IS ENGAGED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE BEYOND THE SET SPEED . HAVE TO TURN CRUISE CONTROL OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS OR THE CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO SPEED UP. HAPPENS ONLY OCCASIONALLY, NOT ALL THE TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312853February 22, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING NOISES. IT CRACKED REAL LOUD ONE TIME AND I HAD NO POWER. WHEN I CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND TRIED TO GO AGAIN IT WOULDN'T TAKE OFF. TOOK ME 3 HRS TO DRIVE 55 MILES TO GET MY RAV HOME. CONTACTED A GARAGE THAT SPECIALIZES IN TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD THEY JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING BUT THAT I HAD TO MANY MILES TO QUALIFY. THE GARAGE PUT IN A NEW COMPUTER CHIP (RECOMMENDED BY TOYOTA) AND IT DIDN'T COMPLETELY TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM SO THEY ENDED UP PUTTING A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION IN TO THE PRICE OF $4611. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311915February 18, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TOYOTA 2004 RAV 4 SUV WILL SURGE WHEN LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL TO TURN A CORNER. RESPONSE OF THE PEDAL IS ERRATIC AT TIMES WHEN BACKING UP OR WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP. WE HAVE A SERVICE TECH. REPROGRAM THE COMMUTER THAT LEARNS ARE DRIVING HABITS AND IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HENCE, THE 36 MO. WARRANTY EXPIRED AND SO WE JUST LIVE WITH THE SITUATION, BUT THE CURRENT RECALLS GOT US TO THINKING THAT THEY INCLUDE ALOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. STOPPED COMPLAINING AFTER THE WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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