Toyota RAV4 Complaints (1997)

54 consumer complaints on file.

#10013717March 31, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SUBJECT IS "IMPROPER CIRCUIT DESIGN CAUSED SELF IGNITED FIRE TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRIC ABNORMALITY WITHIN THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR" . THE TIME THAT HAPPENED THE MOTOR WAS OFF AND CAR IN PARK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. VEHICLE IS A 1997 TOYOTA RAV-4 MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 1997 BY THE TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION AT THEIR ASSEMBLY PLANT IN MOTOMACHI-THARA, JAPAN. AT THE TIME OF ITS FABRICATION , THE VEHICLE WAS ASSIGNED UNIQUE PUBLIC IDENTIFICATION NUMBER [XXX]. COMPUTERIZED SCRUTINY OF THIS NUMBER RELATIVE TO CHECK DIGIT"4" AND SEQUENCE NUMBER "056588" HAS CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE IDENTITY. THERE WAS INVESTIGATION BY THE HARD FACTS INVESTIGATIVE ENGINEERING REPORTED ON JANUARY 01, 2003. I WILL BE ABLE TO SEND COPY OF THE WHOLE REPORT. I FILED A COMPLAINT TO THE COMPANY AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:TOYOTA MOTORS SALES , U.S.A.,INC. 19001 S. WESTERN AVENUE,P.O. BOX 2722, TORRANCE,CA 90509-2722 TO [XXX]. , CLAIM ANALYST ,LEGAL DEPARTMENT, ON 12/23/2002. THE CASE ID #[XXX]. THE ANSWER WAS THE CAR IS OLD AND THE VEHICLE ODOMETER INDICATES A REGISTERED 49,851 MILES ROAD UTILITY. CASE IS CLOSED. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010158March 8, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY RAV 4 - 57348 MILES. IT STARTED MAKING A TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND IT HAS MAKES A METAL ON METAL VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I MAKE A GRADUAL LEFT TURN AND DECELERATE. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAY IT MAY BE THAT THE LIFTERS ARE A BIT WORN AND THAT THIS WILL NOT HARM ANYTHING. THIS IS ODD BECAUSE A NEW ENGINE WAS PLACED IN THE CAR AT 49,000 + MILES. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT THE VIBRATION NOISE WAS AND SAID THAT IT IS POSSIBLY A ROCK IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I KNOW WHAT THAT SOUNDS LIKE AND STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THEIR ANALYSIS. THE NOISE IS DEFINITELY COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *NLM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010157March 8, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY RAV HAS HAD 2 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS THE FIRST AT 16,000 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 49,000 MILES. THE FIRST ONE HAPPENED WHEN IT STALLED OUT GOING THROUGH AN EXTREMELY LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE ACCESS ROAD AND THE SECOND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#767577September 22, 2002
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH ALLOY WHEELS BUT THE SPARE TIRE HAS STEEL RIMS IN WHICH THE EXISTING LUG NUTS DO NOT FIT SO THE SPARE TIRE CAN NOT BE USED. I THINK THE COMPANY SHOULD PROVIDE A USABLE SPARE TIRE. I CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THAT BUT THEY SAID THAT YEAR, THEIR RAV 4 CAME WITH STEEL RIMS SO THEY GAVE ME SOME LUG NUTS TO USE BUT THEY ARE TOO SHORT AND CANNOT LOCK THE TIRE IN PLACE. THE EXISTING LUGS ALSO CANNOT LOCK THE TIRE IN PLACE AND THE TIRE RATTLES. ONE OF THE MANAGERS TOLD ME TO USE THESE IN AN EMERGENCY ONLY BUT I DO NOT WANT TO DAMAGE THE TREADS ON THE BOLTS WITH THE TIRE SLIDING ON THE BOLT. I THINK IF THEY SOLD THE TIRE AS A SPARE, IT SHOULD FUNCTION AS A SAFE SPARE AND I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PURCHASING ANOTHER RIM, LUG NUTS, OR TIRE JACK SO I CAN USE THE SPARE TIRE SAFELY. THIS SHOULD APPLY TO ALL '97 RAV 4 OWNERS. I DID NOT CATCH IT EARLIER BECAUSE I DID NOT NEED TO USE THE SPARE UNTIL NOW.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8017189August 26, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#763305June 20, 2002
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
EACH TIME YOU STOP AND THEN PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL IT STICKS. YOU MUST PUSH HARDER THAN USUAL TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE. BUT THAT MAKES THE CAR LURCH FORWARD AT A GREATER SPEED THAN YOU WOULD LIKE. IN TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTORS , BUT I THINK IT,S IN THE LINKAGE OR THE WAY THE PEDAL WAS MADE THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#785815December 13, 2001
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE FIFTH GEAR FAILED. *YD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746108May 30, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
IT WAS RAINING, NOT HEAVY, THOUGH. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO BRAKE BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE CAR STARTED LOSING CONTROL AND I COULDN'T BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AT ALL. THEN THE CAR STARTED MOVING TOWARDS THE LEFT QUICKLY AND SPINNED FOR ABOUT 2 OR 3 TIMES. THE REAR END ON THE RIGHT SIDE FINALLY HIT THE MIDDLE BARRIER ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR TURNED OUT TO BE FACING THE INCOMING TRAFFIC. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WASN'T HURT TOO BADLY BECAUSE I DIDN'T HIT ANY OTHER CARS (LUCKILY) AND IT WAS THE REAR END THAT GOT HIT. I GOT A BIG BRUISE ON MY THIGH AND MY WHOLE BODY WAS SORE FOR 3 DAYS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A DEFECT WITH THE BRAKE OR THE WHEELS OR NOT, BUT I THOUGHT I'D REPORT THIS FOR OTHER OWNERS TO BE AWARE OF. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#557563November 27, 2000
SEATS
THE SEAT DESIGN IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND NOT SUPPORTIVE TO THE CONSUMER, THE SEAT BACK ANGLES BACK AND THE HEADREST ANGLES FORWARD, THIS OFFERS THE CONSUMER NO HEAD SUPPORT. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#874720November 9, 2000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL NUT BECAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING, DAMAGING CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY WHICH CONTROL AIRBAG, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATED STEERING WHEEL NUT MUST HAVE COME FROM MANUFACTURER LOOSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#871972October 2, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COMING TO A RED LIGHT CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES AND PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE, CONSUMER SWERVED HITTING A SCHOOL BUS THAT WAS CROSSING IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO A MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW, A COVER THAT COVERS ACCELERATION CABLE ASSEMBLY, IT FELL INTO PLACE AND LOCKED ACCELERATION OPEN. *AK INVESTIGATION BY INDEPENDENT GROUP INDICATED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF FAILED/ STUCK ACCELERATOR. *YH
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#728359August 18, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
PROBLEM OF STALLING AND VEHICLE ACCELERATION ONGOING SINCE JUNE..NOW AUGUST AND BACK TO DEALER AGAIN AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#724176June 19, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
UPON START UP OF ENGINE, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL "LOCKED UP" AS PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR. TURNED OUT ENGINE WAS STALLING OUT. CAR ALSO WOULD TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN AFTER RESTARTING ENGINE AND PUT INTO DRIVE. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS IDLE CONTROL VALVE PROBLEM AND REPLACED PART. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#716967January 6, 2000
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THIS HAS CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS FOR MY TOYOTA TRUCK RAV - SINCE MY CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT TOYOTA IS CLAIMING THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. PARTS OF RAV HAVE BEEN RUBBING AGAINST MY A/C WHICH CAUSED BOTH UNITS TO FAIL AT SEPARATE TIMES, CAUSING A MAJOR HEADACHE FOR MYSELF. I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY RECALLS FROM TOYOTA ON ANY OF THIS MAJOR COMPONETS. PLEASE HELP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#715806December 8, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
I CANNOT FILL THE GAS TANK ON THIS VEHICLE; GAS GAUGE NEVER REGISTERS AS FULL. TOPS OFF SEVERAL TIMES, CANNOT TELL WHEN TANK IS FULL. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT NEEDS NEW SENDING UNIT, WHICH NEITHER THEY NOR TOYOTA WILL PAY FOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#852368November 2, 1999
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG SYSTEM DURING COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN HEAD, CHEST AND NECK INJURIES. INJURIES MAY NOT HAVE OCCURED IF AIRBAG'S WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. *YC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#713560October 19, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE CONTROLS THE IDLE SPEED BY METERING AIR AROUND THE THROTTLE PLATE, UNDER CONTROL OF THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE IAC VALVE ON MY VEHICLE STICKS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, REQUIRING ME TO HOLD A SLIGHT THROTTLE PRESSURE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING AFTER CRANKING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AS I WAS EASING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AT IDLE, THE IAC VALVE UNSTUCK AND CAUSED THE CAR TO SURGE AHEAD. THIS IS VERY ABRUPT AND DISCONCERTING, BUT IT HAS NOT (YET) CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE A TOYOTA FACTORY SHOP MANUAL, AND I MADE THE RESISTANCE AND VOLTAGE CHECKS CALLED OUT FOR THE IAC VALVE; ALL WERE SATISFACTORY. SINCE THE VALVE'S COILS APPEAR TO BE OKAY, AND THE ENGINE COMPUTER'S COMMANDS APPEAR TO BE OKAY, I CONCLUDE THAT THE IAC VALVE SIMPLY STICKS WHEN IT IS COLD. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY WITH A WARM ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, AND IT NOW OCCURS AT ALMOST EVERY MORNING START. I COMMUTE ABOUT 25 MILES PER DAY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#849111September 29, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND THE BRAKES WENT TO METAL TO METAL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#711787September 22, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CAR HAS A STALLING PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR INITIALLY JUST HAD A STARTING PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL START AND STALLS IMMEDIATELY. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT THE STARTER AND I HAD IT REPLACED, BUT IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS COLD OR WARM. I COULD JUST PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND IT WON'T START. IF I WAIT ABOUT TEN MINUTES, IT WILL START AGAIN. BUT, I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. YESTERDAY, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH THE CAR JUST STALLED. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER. I WAITED ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND IT STARTED AGAIN. THERE IS NO RHYME OF REASON TO THIS, THERE IS NO WARNING OF ANY KIND.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#609469September 8, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
AUTO CHOKE VALVE FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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