2008 TOYOTA RAV4 Power Train Problems

REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS MAKING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE IN THE BEGINNING OF 1ST, AND 2ND GEAR. BROUGHT IT IN TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT LEAKING AND I WENT INTO THE SHOP AND ALSO LOOKED AT IT MYSELF AND IT WASN'T LEAKING. DID THE REAR DIF SERVICE LIKE TOYOTA RECOMMENDED BECAUSE THE CAR HAS BEEN SUPER RELIABLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. I HAVE DONE 2 REAR DIF SERVICES BEFORE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. RIGHT WHEN THEY DID THE SERVICE A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT STARTED MAKING THE RUMBLING NOISE AGAIN AND IS NOW LEAKING AND MADE A PUDDLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK A LOOK AT IT MYSELF AND ALL PLUGS ARE TIGHTENED BUT IT IS NOW LEAKING FROM THE COUPLING WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT CONNECTS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AXLE SEAL. THEY WANT ME TO PAY 1000 DOLLARS FOR A WHOLE NEW COUPLING ASSEMBLEY THAT IS REFURBISHED NOT INCLUDING THE DS AXLE SEAL AND LABOUR. I WILL POST PICTURE BELOW OF THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 164,000

VEHICLE BEGAN BRIEF HESITATION AT MODERATE SPEEDS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE IDLE SEEMS TO STAY HIGH RPM FOR LONGER THAN IT DID. THEN JUST TWO DAYS AGO, THE ENGINE BRIEFLY QUIT COMPLETELY WHILE ACCELERATING TO CLIMB A HILL. ALL THESE ISSUES SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE FIRST USE OF THE DAY FOR A 10 OR 15 MINUTE PERIOD. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT.

Mileage: 47,000

RAV4 HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PER TOYOTA'S RECOMMENDATIONS. AT APPROX 86K MILES IT STARTED USING UP EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. OIL IS NOT LEAKING, NOR BURNING (CAN'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE TAIL PIPES), AND THERE'S NO BURN OIL SMELL ANYWHERE. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT IN 2011, TOYOTA ISSUED TSB-0094-11 THAT ACKNOWLEDGED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IN MY YEAR VEHICLE. TOYOTA ALSO ISSUED A LSC ZE7 WHICH OFFERED FREE REPAIR FOR QUALIFIED VEHICLES DURING THE CAMPAIGN (11/24/2017 OR 150K MILES WHICHEVER CAME FIRST). UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR JUST HIT 86K MILES. I'M THE 2ND OWNER AND NEVER GOT ANY NOTIFICATION. MY CAR IS BURNING ABOUT 1 QUART PER 1,000 MILES. AFTER SPEAKING TO TOYOTA CUST NO-SVC, THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE'S AN ISSUE!!! MY CASE WITH TOYOTA IS 1912311193. FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH I'VE SEEN MANY PEOPLE IMPACTED THAT HAVE NOT BEEN HELPED BY TOYOTA. THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT. TOYOTA HAS KEPT THIS VERY QUIET.

Mileage: 86,000

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING THAT MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE REPAIR COST IS RIDICULOUS AND TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT. THE CAR MAKES TERRIBLE BUMPING NOISES AT LOW SPEEDS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL LOCK UP.

Mileage: 148,000

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 AND AT THE TIME OF THE ISSUE IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 150K MILES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING A GROWLING/WHIRRING NOISE STARTED TO COME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND VOLUME OVER TIME. AFTER REPLACING BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS IT WAS DETERMINED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER/BEARING. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER OF 2017. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE WAS NOTICED IN OCTOBER OF 2018. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT THOUSANDS OF RAV4 OWNERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET. THE DEFECTIVE BEARING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED UNDER A RECALL AS THEY WILL NOT GET ANY BETTER AND TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ADMITTED THE PART IS FAULTY BY ISSUING THE WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. TOYOTA MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND A RECALL MUST BE ISSUED.

Mileage: 150,000

MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL. IT CONSUMES 4 QUARTS OF OIL UNDER 2000 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT HEARD A REALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DOWNEAST TOYOTA IN BREWER, MAINE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON JULY 6, 2017, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE NINE YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT HEARD A REALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DOWNEAST TOYOTA IN BREWER, MAINE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON JULY 6, 2017, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE NINE YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

I FOUND OUT TOO LATE ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN THE 2AZ-FE ENGINE. MY PROBLEM STARTED AFTER THE WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT. MY CAR BURNS A LOT OF OIL AND I HAVE TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE OR ADD OIL FREQUENTLY (EVERY FEW WEEKS OF ADDING OIL). I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS PROBLEM AND DIDN'T FIND OUT THAT THEY WERE FIXING THIS UNTIL I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THE PROBLEM. I SEE CLASS ACTION SUITS AND OTHERS THAT WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. I EVEN HAVE HAD MY CAR INTO TOYOTA FOR REPAIRS AND WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SO NOW I HAVE A CAR WITH ONLY 147,000 MILES THAT NEEDS FREQUENT OIL THAT TOYOTA WON'T STAND BEHIND. IF IT WAS JUST MY CAR I MIGHT NOT BOTHER REPORTING IT, BUT ITS NOT

1. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION UP TO 1QT EVERY 1200 MILES, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS NOTICED DECEMBER OF 2013. 2. ECM FAILS TO HOLD REVERSE GEAR. GEAR FREQUENTLY SLIPS IN REVERSE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, WON'T BACK UP HILLS. NOTICED DECEMBER OF 2013, NO POWER WHEN FIRST STARTING UP FOR FIRST 10 TO 15 MINUTES OF DRIVE. OCTOBER OF 2013 IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING 3. HEAD GASKET FAIL BETWEEN NUMBER 2 AND 3 CYLINDERS DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET. REPLACED HEAD GASKET JUNE 2016 4. VERY LOW FUEL ECONOMY DECEMBER 2013. 5. NO OIL PRESSURE VERY RUFF IDLE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ON, WITH OIL LEVEL READING FULL. SEPTEMBER 2017

Mileage: 154,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (VIC'S AUTO SERVICE LOCATED AT 3400 SOUTH PARK AVE, BUFFALO, NY 14219; (716) 822-3404) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

Mileage: 49,000

OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. MY TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT AND IS USING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 400 TO 500 MILES. THERE IS CURRENTLY A LAWSUIT AGAINST TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY DO HAVE A VEHICLE "OIL CONSUMPTION TEST." HOWEVER TOYOTA'S TEST SEEMS BIASED IN THEIR FAVOR, AS THEY FILL THE CRANKCASE AND SEAL THE DIP STICK AND CRANKCASE FILL HOLE. YOU THEN BRING THE VEHICLE BACK AFTER 1,200 MILES. THEY THEN CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND NOTIFY YOU IF YOUR VEHICLE PASSED THE TEST. BUT, WHOSE TO SAY THAT YOU LOST THE OIL OVER THE ENTIRE 1,200 MILES OR LOST IT BY 400 OR 1000 MILES. WHEN I HAD THE TEST DONE ON MY VEHICLE, IT PASSED. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE TEST I CHECKED THE OIL. THE OIL PROBLEM SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR. THREE WEEKS LATER THE OIL PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. I FOUND OUT, ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THAT SUPPOSEDLY THE TOYOTA DEALERS ARE OVERFILLING THE CRANKCASE AND USING A HEAVIER WEIGHT OIL, SO THE OIL CONSUMPTION WILL BE NORMAL AFTER THE TEST IS RUN. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE OIL WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN THE OIL IS LOW, THEREFORE IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO DAMAGE YOUR ENGINE IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND 4WD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V096000(SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

2008 TOYOTA RAV4. 1006,000 MILEAGE. SUDDENLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. TAKEN TO NEWARK TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES SINCE JUNE THIS YEAR UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ON A CITY STREET.

Mileage: 1,006,000

REAR U JOINT SEIZED AT 100519 MILES. NOTED VIBRATION AND REAR WHEEL INSTABILITY STARTING APPROX 30 MPH.

Mileage: 100,519

VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT MY REGULAR SERVICE LOCATION. MECHANIC NOTED LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND I WAS HEARING A "WHIRING" NOISE WHILE DRIVING, TOLD TO CONTACT TOYOTA. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTED IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER. WOULD NOT COVER THE $1400 REPAIR EVEN THOUGH TSB-0080-13 AND SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT NO 960 WAS IN PLACE AT THAT DATE/TIME. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, PURCHASED PART THROUGH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAD INSTALLED BY REGULAR REPAIR SHOP DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. CONTACTING TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA LETTER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER THAT I HAD TO HAVE INSTALLED SINCE SO MANY RAV4 OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIRS REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THEM. I HAVE ATTACHED A FELLOW RAV4 OWNERS INVOICE THAT SHOWS COUPLER REPLACED UNDER THE SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT THAT IS ALSO ATTACHED.

Mileage: 103,811

ON OCTOBER 5 AND 6, 2015 MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 WAS IN FOR SERVICE AT PIERCEY TOYOTA IN MILPITAS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES, FRONT/BACK BRAKES AND FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS, A TOTAL OF $2,000. ON OCTOBER 8, 2015, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR BACK FROM STANFORD LUCILE PACKARD OVER DUMBARTON BRIDGE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN MY CAR. JUST BEFORE THIS EVENT, THE ABS, VSC, AND SLIP WARNING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT VERY STIFF AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANY REPETITIVE PUMPING OF THE BRAKE. I CALLED 911 AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE FRONT TRAFFIC CAME TO A HOLD I HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MY ENTIRE CAR SLIPPED TO THE LEFT. WE ALMOST GOT HIT BY THE BUS BEHIND US. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HELPED ME TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. THAT DAY, MY 9 YRS. OLD SON AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I REQUEST THAT TOYOTA INVESTIGATES/RECALLS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLIES FOR TOYOTA RAV4 2008. IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM CONTAINS A BRAKE ACTUATOR THAT ADJUSTS THE FLUID PRESSURE OF EACH WHEEL CYLINDER. WITHIN THE ACTUATOR IS AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL THAT CONNECTS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR MOTOR AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE SKID CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). DUE TO MANUFACTURING VARIATION, THERE COULD BE A REDUCTION IN CONTACT FORCE BETWEEN THE TWO COMPONENTS OF THE TERMINAL, CAUSING OXIDE FILM TO INCREASE RESISTANCE. A LARGER THAN NORMAL INCREASE IN RESISTANCE CAN CAUSE THE ILLUMINATION OF VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS, INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE SKID CONTROL (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL OR VSC) SYSTEM, ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. LFTHIS OCCURS, THESE SYSTEMS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Mileage: 124,019

WATER PUMP HAS FAILED, DESPITE TIMELY AND COMPLETE MAINTENANCE AND NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALS WIDESPREAD, PREMATURE WATER PUMP FAILURE ON 2008 V6 RAV4 VEHICLES AT EVEN EARLIER MILEAGES. *TR

Mileage: 99,241

WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT THE RAV4 ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND LURCHED FORWARD WITH DRIVER'S FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. DRIVER PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE CAR HURTLING INTO THE INTERSECTION. DRIVER THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR AND PUT GEAR SHIFT TO PARK. AFTER 30 SECONDS RESTARTED THE CAR WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AGAIN WITH CAR IN PARK. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD. CAR WAS AGAIN TURNED OFF. CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES AND ENGINE BEHAVED NORMALLY. OWNERS TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER WITHIN AN HOUR OF THE INCIDENT. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGER SAID DRIVER HAD FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN IT HAPPENED WHICH IS CERTAINLY NOT TRUE. DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE A COPY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT. OWNERS HAVE HAD ALL RECALL WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE DONE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS REQUIRED IN THE OWNER MANUAL. *TR

Mileage: 70,733

JUST LEARNED TODAY THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR A 2008 RAV4 WITH ONLY 74,000 MILES ON IT. HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 72,000 MILES WHERE THEY DID THE 70K MI SERVICE TO INCLUDE MULTIPOINT/FLOOR MAT, REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AND "ENGINE MINOR". I THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. MY 5 YEAR OR 100K PREPAID WARRANTY ENDED IN JUNE SO NO COVERAGE AVAILABLE. SHOULDN'T A TRANSMISSION LAST LONGER THAN 70K MILES? *TR

Mileage: 74,200

THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND 65 MPH OR HIGHER THE THROTTLE CONTROL IS NOT RESPONDING VERY DANGEROUS . *TR

Mileage: 83,552

A LITTLE AFTER ITS REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE MY 2008 RAV4 STARTED TO MAKE AN ODD NOISE (RATTLING) WHEN REACHING 40 MPH AT 1500 RPM. CHECKED FLUIDS AND NOTICED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS DRY (BURNT OIL ON STICK) AND BLACK ATF. IMMEDIATELY REPLACED FLUIDS (ENGINE AND WS ATF). TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T NOTICED ANYTHING UNUSUAL. DROVE WITH TECH AND SHOWED HIM THE NOISE AT SPECIFIED CONDITIONS. HE SAID MORE TESTS NEEDED TO BE DONE. UP UNTIL TODAY THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE MAY BE AND SUGGESTED A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT "FIX" THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR MYSELF. FOUND A TSB ONLINE FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE (T-SB-0094-11). TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND FIX THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO USERS. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

WATER PUMP STARTING MAKING INCREDIBLE DIESEL / MECHANICAL GRINDING SOUNDS. COOLANT LEAKING FROM WATER PUMP. WATER PUMP BEARING OVERHEATING - ODOR CLEARLY DISCERNIBLE FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. CHECKED INTERNET - THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG RAV4 V6 OWNERS - MANY OWNERS HAVING REPLACED WATER PUMP ON THIS YEAR VEHICLE AT 25,000K MILES! DEALERS CHARGING ANYWHERE FROM US $325.00 - $900.00. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 RAV4 TOYOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HUMMING NOISE AS UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 114,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Mileage: 114,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 RAV4 TOYOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HUMMING NOISE AS UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 114,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Mileage: 114,000

REAR DIFFERENTIAL STARTED MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE NOISE INCREASED IN PITCH AND VOLUME WITH SPEED. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD MAGNETIC COUPLING BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND REPLACED IT. *TR

Mileage: 88,200

I TOOK MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND SHAFT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. RESEARCHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT MANY RAV4 OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME SITUATION. THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY RAV4S. A SO CALLED DEPENDABLE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE REACHING 100,000 MILES. CERTAINLY, TOYOTA MUST CLEARLY KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD ADDRESS IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAN DISRUPT THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES. *TR

Mileage: 48,155

2008 (STARTED AT 20,000 MILES, 1 YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY) TOYOTA RAV 4 STARTED A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT'S A CONSTANT SOUND! WHY THEY SAID THIS IS UNEXPLAINABLE. IT'S BEEN NON STOP SINCE AND GETTING WORSE. WE READ ON THE INTERNET THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM FOR RAV 4 OWNERS. WE WILL BE TAKING IT BACK IN AGAIN AND WILL PROBABLY BE TOLD THE SAME THING. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE IS A TAG ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BY TOYOTA ALSO. THE REPAIR IS AVERAGED TO BE $800 AND SOME DEALERS ARE WILLING TO SHARE IN THE REPAIR COST. THIS SHOULD BE TOYOTA'S 100% RESPONSIBILITY! *TR

Mileage: 20,000

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HANUKKAH! BOB BRIDGE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF MY AGE & BACKGROUND. THEY CHARGED ME $1280 OUT THE DOOR FOR TSB RECALL SERVICE. IT'S UNFAIR & ABSURD 4 ME PAYING TOYOTA'S DESIGN FLAWS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME GET IN TOUCH WITH PORTLAND REGIONAL OFFICE SO THEY CAN START REIMBURSEMENT TO ME? BOB BRIDGE IS MILKING BOTH ME & TOYOTA DISTRICT MANAGERS. THEY TOOK 14 DAYS TO PUT IN NEW STEERING SHAFT AND OFFERED ZERO IN-DEPTH REPORT ON FAILURE & STEERING SHAFT'S WARRANTY. RUSHED THROUGH THE JOB AND LEFT ME DYING BATTERY & ALTERNATOR. T-SB-0318-08 (STEERING SHAFT RECALL) STEERING NOW FEELS HARD SINCE THEY DIDN'T REFILL POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. MY ALTERNATOR & BATTERY WAS LEFT AS IS WITH DIMINISHING CAPACITY. I WILL ONLY PAY $150 OUT THE DOOR LABOR FOR THIS TSB SERVICE, THE REST WILL BE PAID BY TOYOTA'S DISTRICT OFFICE. WHEN CAN YOU SEND ME MY CHECK? *TR

Mileage: 48,255

FOR A WHILE I RECALL A LIGHT FLASHING ON MY DASH BUT IT WOULD DISPPEAR BEFORE I COULD ACTUALLY SEE WHAT IT WAS. ON MAY 31, '12, I WAS ABLE TO SEE IT WAS THE OIL LIGHT. APPARENTLY MY RAV4 WAS RUNNING "LOW" ON OIL AND I DIDN'T KNOW. SO ON JUNE 1 (61,469MILES) I TOOK IT IN AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR COULDN'T "ELABORATE" WHAT HAPPENED, SO THEY TOPPED OFF THE OIL UNTIL I WAS DUE FOR ANOTHER MAINTENANCE. (I DID HAVE ANOTHER SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE BEFORE MY NEXT INCIDENT) WELL, DURING THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF NOV '12 I NOTICED THE FLASHING AGAIN AND I COULDN'T CONFIRM WHAT WAS FLASHING UNTIL NOV 17 WHEN I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES AND BAM, THE OIL LIGHT AGAIN! WHEN WE GOT HOME & RAV WAS COOLED OFF WE CHECKED THE OIL.....AND GUESS WHAT, I HAD NO OIL AGAIN! I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEP'T (AFTER DOING RESEARCH AS TO THIS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY) AND SINCE A TSB DOESN'T MEAN CRAP TO THEM, I HAVE TO DO THIS OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BECAUSE I AM OVER THE 60,000MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE "LIFE TIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY" THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE LOT. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND OPENED A CASE, BUT THEY WILL NOT EVEN BEGAN TO REVIEW IT UNTIL THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST COMES BACK "ABNORMAL". SO IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE TO WORRY IS MY "ENGINE" GOING TO BLOW UP DUE TO LACK OF OIL. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. WHEN WILL TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND MAKE THIS A RECALL RATHER THAN A TSB....IS IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO FRONT THE BILL? DOES THE CONSUMERS SAFETY NOT MATTER TO THEM? AND DON'T FORGET THE TSB CAME OUT IN 2011 AND YET THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO TELL ME THAT THIS COULD "POSSIBLY" BE THE ISSUE! *TR

MY 2008 RAV 4 IS BURNING OIL AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RATE. THIS BEGAN LAST DECEMBER WHEN MY OIL LIGHT FLICKED ON WHEN I WAS BRAKING. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO A SERVICE STATION THEY SAID I HAD NO OIL. I HAVE SINCE BROUGHT IT BACK TO MY DEALER A FEW TIMES FOR THE LIGHT COMING ON AND BEING OUT OF OIL. I HAVE ALREADY DONE THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BACK IN MAY BUT TOYOTA FELT THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR TO HAVE LOST OIL IN 1569 MILES (PER THE OWNERS MANUAL). I JUST HAD IT BACK AT THE DEALER BECAUSE AFTER DRIVING ONLY 3,200 MILES SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE, MY OIL LIGHT FLICKED ON AGAIN. WHEN I CHECKED IT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. I KNOW THERE IS A TSB OUT FOR THIS ISSUE WITH MY CAR, AND SEVERAL OTHER MODELS OF TOYOTA, BUT SINCE I DON'T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE THE DEALER/SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME TO CONTACT TOYOTA DIRECTLY. TOYOTA DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE AN ISSUE AND CONTINUED TO QUOTE ME PAGE 314 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL AND THE OIL CONSUMPTION CRITERIA ON THE PAGE. FOR SOME REASON THEY COULD NOT SEE THE NOTES FROM MY DEALER FROM EARLIER IN THE DAY THAT I HAD RUN OUT OF OIL AFTER 3,200 MILES. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP ACTUALLY SAID TO ME "WHAT IS IT YOU WANT US TO DO?" I TOLD HIM I WANT YOU TO FIX MY CAR THAT YOU KNOW HAS A PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE TSB. I WAS TOLD TO ONCE AGAIN DO THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WITH MY DEALER. I AGREE WITH OTHERS, IF MY CAR IS SET TO GO 5000 MILES WITHOUT AN OIL CHANGE, BUT I ONLY WENT 3200 AND HAD NO OIL, HOW CAN THEY NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE OR BE FORCED TO FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE?!! TOYOTA, I FEEL, IS JEOPARDIZING MINE AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY BY NOT CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. WHAT DISTURBS ME GREATLY IS THAT THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON AND STAY ON, IT FLICKS ON WHEN YOU ARE BREAKING SO IF YOU MISS IT, YOU WILL NOT KNOW YOU ARE OUT OF OIL. A RECALL IS IN ORDER AND I HOPE IT OCCURS BEFORE MY ENGINE IS BLOWN!! *TR

CAR IS HAVING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 57,00 MILES WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHENEVER I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER(KEYES TOYOTA) WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE OIL PAN. DEALER CHANGED THE OIL BUT "NEGLECTED" TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS A TSB PUT OUT BY TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A FEW MORE TIMES AND EACH TIME I EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE OIL LOSS. DEALER DID NOT TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY TILL AFTER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WAS UP. THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT COULD DOCUMENT THE OIL LOSS, WHICH THEY ALSO "FORGOT" TO MENTION WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. MY CAR IS LOSING ABOUT 1.5 QUARTS PER 1000 MILES. TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE DEALER DELIBERATELY MISLEAD ME INTO THINKING THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR TILL AFTER IT WAS PAST MY WARRANTY PERIOD. POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WAS GOOD FOR UP TO 60,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS. DEALER TRIED TO BLAME POOR MAINTENANCE BUT WHEN I OFFERED TO SHOW PROOF THAT I DID ALL THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE, THEY STOPPED BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON THAT. *TR

SLIPPING BRAKES, REQUIRING FREQUENT CHECKUPS AND REPLACEMENT POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL ( WHICH AFTER TWO YEARS OF COMPLAINING, I WAS INFORMED IS A DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT ) SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCREASING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE JUMPING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACE IN REVERSE. *TR

Mileage: 17,000

THE VEHICLE, A 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4, WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT WITH OPERATOR'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. INEXPLICABLY AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGH RPM AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE REAR BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE COLLISION WAS LOW SPEED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO NOTICEABLE DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. WE IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. *KB

MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS RECENTLY. ONE INSTANCE TOOK PLACE ON OR ABOUT JUNE 30, 2011, THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED ON OR ABOUT MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011. THE FIRST TIME, TOYOTA CLAIMED THAT THE NON-BRAKING/UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY FLOOR MATS I PUT IN THE CAR. I BOUGHT THESE FOR THE CAR BECAUSE I FELT THE ONES TOYOTA ORIGINALLY PROVIDED WERE NOT SAFE (HEELS ON MY SHOES, THOUGH FLAT, KEPT GETTING CAUGHT IN THE DEEP RIDGES OF THEIR MATS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER). AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE TOYOTA 'S MECHANICS, I THREW OUT MY MATS AND REPLACED THEM WITH NEW TOYOTA MATS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN I APPLIED MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE, INSTEAD OF THIS ACTION STOPPING THE CAR, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND MOVED FORWARD. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, MY CAR WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL LEADING TO MY COMPLEX'S EXIT. AS I NEARED THE STOP SIGN IN FRONT OF A VERY BUSY ROADWAY, I STARTED APPLYING MY BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. ALTHOUGH I PUSHED DOWN HARDER & HARDER ON THE BRAKE IN A DESPERATE EFFORT TO STOP THE CAR, IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. MY RAV4 WENT ONTO THE ROADWAY, NARROWLY MISSING A TRUCK IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE SECOND TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING SIGNIFICANTLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND DO NOT BELIEVE IT TO BE SAFE. THE MECHANIC AT TOYOTA, BEFORE EVEN EXAMINING THE CAR, CLAIMED IT WAS "HUMAN ERROR." I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME BEFORE. IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT THE NHTSA & DOT WILL LOOK INTO THIS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS. IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS. I TRULY BELIEVE PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE IN DANGER. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTERS TRAVEL IN MY CAR! *KB

Mileage: 63,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN EITHER THE PARK POSITION OR THE DRIVE POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. THE PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED WHICH WOULD TAKE TIME TO ARRIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,397.

Mileage: 46,397

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

Mileage: 20,000

1ST OIL CHANGE MENTIONED WHINE IN TRANS. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND 15,000 OIL CHANGE SAID SOMETHING AGAIN STILL; NOTHING WRONGTHIS WHINE NOISE IS BETWEEN 38/47 MPH. MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN 10 MILES BY DISTRICT MANAGER AND DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER TO VERIFY CONDITION CONDITION HEARD IS NORMAL PLANETARY GEAR NOISE CONSIDERED NORMAL AND NO REPAIRS NECESSARY. 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4 THE WHINE IS VERY ANNOYING I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH THE OUTCOME. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE SOON BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE BEING RUPTURED. THE COOLANT DRIPPED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAUSED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TOYOTA IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS THE ONE WHO STRUCK THE DEER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Mileage: 7,000