2012 TOYOTA RAV4 Service Brakes Problems

While at the end of a car wash with the car in neutral, the car accelerated by itself. It reached 60 mph for over a half mile, and was unresponsive to steering and brakes. The left front wheel was severely damaged. Fortunately, there were no accidents.

Constant brake issues Sun visors won't stay in place (breaks) Massive oil consumption (not leaking) Oil on dipstick appears black & burnt quickly after adding or replacing oil

after stepping on the breaks the car the vehicle revs and moves forward

WHEN PULLING MY 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 INTO A PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED ROARING AND ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB THAT WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT, CROSSED THE ROAD, JUMPED ANOTHER CURB, AND LANDED IN A MUDDY RAVINE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED AND THE TECH COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA. THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR. THEY CLAIM THE EDR DETECTED NO DEFECTS IN THE VEHICLE AND BLAMED IT ON EITHER ME MISTAKING THE ACCELERATOR FOR THE BRAKES OR MY CUSTOM FITTED, LOCK-IN WEATHERTECH FLOOR MAT WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2012. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS AND I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY CAR BUT AM NOW TERRIFIED THAT IT WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

IN A PAVED PARKING LOT I ATTEMPTED TO PARK BY APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. IT ONLY STOPPED BY GOING OVER A CURB AND HITTING A TREE AT THE PERIMETER OF THE PARKING SPACE.

Mileage: 88,000

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND SEAT BELL IS FLASHING AND FRONT ROTORS EXCESSIVE RUST AND ONLY ABOUT 2 1/2 INCHES IN MIDDLE THE ROTORS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BALL TOYOTA OF CHARLESTON (1905 PATRICK ST PLAZA, CHARLESTON, WV 25387, (304) 513-3777) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TOYOTA CORPORATION SENT AN ENGINEER TO RETRIEVE DATA FROM THE VEHICLE DATA RECORDER, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,450. *LN *TP THE CONSUMER STATED INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED IN SEPT 2019 AND NO DEFECT WAS FOUND IN VEHICLE. AND LAST INCIDENT WAS ON DECEMBER 16TH AND BRAKES/TIRES WERE REPLACE A MONTH PRIOR. *PM

Mileage: 33,450

9/21/15 TN ACCIDENT REPORTED CASE #WC1523557 VECHILE TOWED, 04/05/216, AUTO AUCTION AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS TRUE MILEAGE UNKNOWN 901-480-4250 JUNE 7, 2018, PURCHASED FROM CARLOCK TOYOTA TUPELO, MS. AUTO CHECK REPORTED MULTIPLE OWNERS, , SCORE 68. DEALESHIP DID NOT REVEAL ANY OF THIS WHEN PURCHASED--ONLY FOUND OUT WHEN DIRECT GENERAL CANCELED POLICY BECAUSE OF AUTO CONDITION---DEALERSHIP ONLY USES CARFAX--FRONT BUMPER LOOSE AND CRINKLED, HOOD CRINKLED, BRAKES WERE NOT NEW AS WAS TOLD-A COVER UNDER HOOD MISSING WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Mileage: 34,049

PULL INTO PARKING PLACE STEP ON THE BRAKES .THE CAR SEAM S IF THE GAS WAS ENGAGE

Mileage: 58,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTRAL MAINE TOYOTA (15 AIRPORT RD, WATERVILLE, ME 04901, PHONE NUMBER: (207) 872-5444) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500. *TT *TR

Mileage: 66,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD, THE FLUID FAILED TO EXIT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE IN THE SNOW AT 5 MPH, THE ABS FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO REPEATEDLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

Mileage: 8,000

I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS 04/06/2015 WITH MY BRAKES GRINDING AND VIBRATING THE FRONT OF MY 2012 RAV 4. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT NEW BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS. 42,968 MILES ON THE CAR.. I WAS TOLD THESE NEW BRAKE PADS HAD A LIFE TIME WARRANTY ON THEM.. AGAIN DEC. 2016 I STARTED HAVING THE SAME ISSUES SO I HAD TO TAKE THE RAV 4 BACK IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE BRAKES UNTIL THE BRAKE PADS ARE WORN DOWN MORE. I CAN NOT DRIVE A CAR WITH MY BRAKES GRINDING AND VIBRATING THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WHEN I USE THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING DOWN INTO THE ROTORS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WHERE BLUE.. WHICH MEANS THEY ARE HOT. I'M NOT A MECHANIC BUT THESE PADS I'M BEING TOLD ARE TO HARD AND THEY ARE GRINDING INTO THE ROTORS. I WAS TO HEAR BACK FROM THE TOYOTA GARAGE BECAUSE THEY WHERE TO ORDER THESE NEW TYPE PADS FOR MY RAV4. I WAITED A WEEK AND NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THE GARAGE. SO I TOOK THE SUV TO ANOTHER REPAIR SERVICE TO HAVE THESE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED.. THE GRINDING AND VIBRATING HAS STOPPED. AND I FEEL SAFE TO NOW DRIVE MY RAV 4.. WHEN YOUR HAVING GRINDING // VIBRATING OF THE BRAKES ON YOUR CAR I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S A SAFE WAY TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE.. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO DRIVE OVER 35 MILES AN HOUR FOR THIS GRINDING// VIBRATING TO START. IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN 50-60% OF THE TIME I WOULD USE MY BRAKES.. BUT THAT'S 50-60% OF THE TIME TO MUCH. THE BRAKES ON A VEHICLE ARE VERY IMPORTANT. I MADE THIS REPAIR GARAGE GIVE ME THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS. SO I DID KEEP THEM.. I'M NOT GOING TO BE THE ACCIDENT THAT TAKES MY LIFE "THEN THERE"S A RECALL" ON THESE FAULTY BRAKE PADS.. BEING TO HARD AND GRINDING INTO THE ROTORS. THIS IS MY 5TH TOYOTA AND MY 3RD RAV4. SO I KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DRIVING LIKE. AND I NEVER HAD ANY OF MY BRAKES EVER REPLACED PRIOR TO THESE.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF INVALID VIN CONSUMER STATED DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 6/26/18*JB

Mileage: 40,000

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES: 3 TIMES GOING DOWN A BRIDGE, TWICE ON THE INTERSTATE, AND THE REST IS WHEN I'M GOING DOWN A HILL AND PUT MY BRAKES ON TO STOP. MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN WITH ME ON THREE OCCURANCE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SO FAR I'VE BEEN LUCKY AND NOT HIT THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR, BUT I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE.

WITHOUT CAUSE OR REASON, THE "BRAKE ACTUATOR" CIRCUIT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS, ANTI-SKID AND SPORADIC TAIL LIGHT PROBLEMS (LIGHTS WILL STAY ON OR COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED). I BROUGHT IT TO MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY, THE ROADS WERE SNOW COVERED AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, AFTER THE BODY WAS REPAIRED, THEY LOCATED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WOULD COST $2900 TO REPLACE. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, THE WIRING CAUGHT FIRE, PROBABLY BECAUSE THE TAILLIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES DURING THE NIGHT, AS THEY OCCASIONALLY DID (WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO ESTIMATES UPWARDS OF $10,000 FOR REPAIRS TO THE COMPUTER AND WIRING SYSTEM. THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDS WE SELL THE $19,000 CAR FOR "WHOLESALE." INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER THE DAMAGE AS IT WAS A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. TOYOTA CORP. IN CALIFORNIA, CONSUMER EXPERIENCES DEPARTMENT, WILL NOT GIVE ME ANY HELP AS THE CAR IS 21,000 OVER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. HOW OR WHERE CAN I GET A LAWYER OR CONSUMER ADVOCATE TO HELP ME?

Mileage: 50,000

NEW RAV4 PURCHASED 2/2013;BOUGHT EXTENDED PLATNUM WARRANTY. 5 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION 2/14/2015-5/25/2015-HAD PASSENGER IN CAR EACH TIME.1ST- TRAVELING S I-79 WARRENDALE PA 60 MPH SPEED DROPS TO 50 MPH CAR IN FRONT HIT BRAKES TO SLOW I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO SLOW RAV4 STARTED TO ACCELERATE ENGINE STARTED TO REV LOUDLY PASSENGER SAID SHIFT TO NEUTRAL THEN I HIT BRAKE AGAIN TO SLOW. 2ND-LOCAL TRAFFIC 30 MPH APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW INSTEAD CAR ACCELERATED PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW ENGINE REVVING. 3RD-DRIVING FROM OAKLAND-NORTH HILLS PA IN TRAFFIC 30 MPH HIT BRAKE TO SLOW FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT INSTEAD RAV ACCELERATED ENGINE REVVING LOUDLY PUT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP. 4TH-TRAVELING 20 MPH AT LOCAL PARK 3/7/15 APPROACHING STOP SIGN CAR IN FRONT APPLIED BRAKES, HIT MY BRAKES & CAR ACCELERATED PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL ENGINE REVVING LOUDLY THEN APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP-DROVE DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ADVISOR CHECKED FLOOR MATS STATED WERE PROPERLY PLACED. I MADE APPT AT DEALERSHIP ON 3/10. TOYOTA'S CONCLUSION-NOTHING WRONG STATED "POSSIBLE PEDAL MISAPPLICATION", SUGGESTED I BUY FLAT TOYOTA FLOOR MATS HAD WEATHERTECHS, I PURCHASED NEW DRIVER'S MAT & TOYOTA INSTALLED. 5TH-5/25/15 LEAVING GROCERY STORE 10 MPH WENT TO STOP BEFORE EXITING LOT RAV WOULD NOT STOP ENGINE LOUD THREW INTO NEUTRAL FINALLY STOPPED. 5/25/15 EMAILED CEO OF TOYOTA N AMERICA RECEIVED CALL BACK & MADE APPT FOR 5/29/15 TO HAVE RAV LOOKED OVER AGAIN AT DEALERSHIP FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES. RECEIVED CALL BACK ON 5/29/15 FROM NICKI @ TOYOTA EXECUTIVE OFFICE-STATED THAT TOYOTA STANDS BY THEIR MARCH 2015 ASSESSMENT THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY RAV & IF I HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP BY AAA, I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP, WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTIES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 40+ YEAR & POSSIBLE PEDAL MISAPPLICATION 5 X'S IS A BUNCH OF BULL.

Mileage: 10,600

ON THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER, MY WIFE AND I LEFT SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI TO DALLAS, TEXAS TO VISIT OUR FAMILY FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. WE WERE DRIVING OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED 2012 RAV4 WITH APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES WHICH WE PURCHASED IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2014. WE STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES DURING OUR TRIP TO REFUEL AND ALLOW MY WIFE, WHO IS 6 MONTH PREGNANT, A CHANCE TO STRETCH HER LEGS. FOR MUCH OF THE TRIP, I USED CRUISE CONTROL WHEN POSSIBLE AT VARYING SPEEDS FROM 65 MPH (IN MISSOURI) TO 75 MPH (IN PARTS OF OKLAHOMA). AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TUSHKA, OKLAHOMA WE APPROACHED A STOPLIGHT WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT DROPPED FROM 65 TO 45 MPH. THE LIGHT WAS RED, A SEMI WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, AND I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE CAR'S BRAKES. AS I DID SO, THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WAS FIGHTING MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT. I HAD TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, AND I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. AS I APPROACHED THE SEMI, I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP MY VEHICLE. FINALLY WITH LESS THAN A CAR LENGTH, MY CAR CAME TO A FULL STOP. WITH MY FOOT STILL PRESSED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKES, BOTH MY WIFE AND I HEARD THE CAR BEGIN TO MAKE A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR INTO 'PARK,' AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND I SAW THAT THE RPM GAUGE ON THE CAR ROSE TO 7-8,000 RPM. AT THIS POINT, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AT THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY INTENT WAS TO RE-START THE CAR AND SAFELY PULL OVER AFTER WE PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, AT THIS POINT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND, AS I RESTARTED THE CAR, WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ON FRIDAY, THE 19TH, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA OF LEWISVILLE (TX) WHERE THEY PROVED UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS CONTACTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE ON 12/29/2014 WHO INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS THE EVENT "REPLICATED" OR SOMEONE HAD BEEN INJURED. *JS

Mileage: 33,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THERE WERE REPAIRS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT RELATED TO THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 01/15/15*LJ

Mileage: 200

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,580. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,613.

Mileage: 51,580

SLOWING DOWN AT A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES PEDAL BECAME VERY SOFT AND THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHILE I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE JANUARY AND IT'S VERY SCARY. I'VE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH TOYOTA FOR TOMORROW 6/3. *TR

Mileage: 10,100

ROUGH ENGINE, CAR SPEED UP WITHOUT FEET ON PEDAL,SLOW BRAKING I TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER THE NEXT DAY(3/19/2014) THIS AM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO DUPLICATE WHAT I HAD EXPERIENCED. THEY STATED THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE COMPUTER DATA, BUT WILL TEST ON NEXT MORNING OF 3/20/2014 TO DRIVE IT.THE COMPLAINTS WERE THAT I WAS DRIVING IN A 70 MILE ZONE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 90 MILES THE CAR SHIFTED OUT OF D DRIVE TO 3D ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO ROUGH ENGINE WHILE ACCELERATING HIGHER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT, AND WHILE BRAKING,ISAW VERY LITTLE STOPPAGE.ALSO SAME DAY NEAR MY HOME,I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN,WHEN TAKING OFF THE CAR JERKS FORWARD TO 22 MILES.THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAD REPORTED TO THEM, WAS AFTER I HAD THE 2010 TOYOTA RAVA4 ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS, THEY OFFERED TO BUY IT BACK THE 2010 MODEL IN RETURN FOR THE 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT I GOT IN 2012.MY MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE ALSO.IT IS SCARY WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS, THANK GOD FOR NO ACCIDENT.UPDATE AS OF LAST NIGHT NO COMMUNICATION ON FINDINGS OR REPAIRS,I RECEIVED A CALL WHILE REPORTING THIS INFORMATION TO YOU(SAFER CAR), A REP [XXX],STATED THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR, THEY CHECKED ALL DATA DROVE THE CAR COULD NOT FINE ANYTHING,I ASKED ABOUT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, HE STATED THAT THEY CHECKED THE LEVELS,DATA COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, FOR ME TO COULD COME PICK THE CAR UP, I INSIST THEY DO A MORE INTENSIVE LOOK INTO THIS, THE GUY BECAME AGGRESSIVE, AND STATED HE HAS TO CHECK WITH HIS MANAGER TO CHECK AGAIN LATER TODAY.TONY MEYERS MANAGER OF GAINESVILLE TOYOTA CALLED STATED COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING,STATED HE DROVE THE CAR TO THE MALL OF GEORGIA , HE FOUND A DOWN SHIFT WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL,CAR WAS SAFE, AND THAT THE SHIFT WAS A NORMAL THING,AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO AND FOR ME TO COME AND PICK UP THE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 32,212

ON JANUARY 25 2014 I WAS DRIVING IN S SNOWY AND ICY CONDITIONS. I WAS ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN BRAKING, TURNING CORNERS, OR GENERALLY DRIVING ON THE BAD ROADS, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND TRACTION CONTROL FEATURES OF MY RAV4 DID NOT WORK, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIDE ALL OVER THE ROAD, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER; THE LIGHT FOR STABILITY CONTROL ON THE DASHBOARD GOES ON, BUT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, ESC, AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK AND THE RAV4 SLIDES ALL OVER. GIVEN THE BAD WEATHER WE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS WINTER, IT HAS CAUSED ME TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE FOR OUR FAMILY. I TOOK THE RAV4 INTO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE ON JANUARY 31, 2014. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN THEIR SHOP SO DISMISSED IT WITH NO ACTION AND NO REPAIR I READ A COUPLE OF WEEKS OTHER THAT TOYOTA HAS RECALLED RAV4'S FOR EXACTLY THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL, HE STILL INSISTS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY RAV4. SO FAR I HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING FROM TOYOTA ABOUT THIS RECALL, AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE RAV4 THIS WINTER, A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE IN COMMUTING TO WORK. I FEEL MY RAV4 IS UNDRIVABLE THIS WINTER. *TR

Mileage: 23,300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,350. UPDATED 02/11/2014*LJ

Mileage: 16,350

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT SPONGY BRAKES BEHAVIOR IN A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE PROBLEM I WAS EXPERIENCING WERE THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELING TO THE FLOOR AND REDUCED STOPPING POWER DURING APPLICATION. THE SPONGY BEHAVIOR OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALSO PRESENT WITH ENGINE OFF. I REPORT THIS EVENT TO TWO SEPARATE TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS WHICH TECHNICIANS CLAIMED THIS IS A NORMAL FUNCTION AND THIS IS A SOFT PEDAL DESIGN (ACCORDING TO THE FIRST DEALERSHIP). THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SHOWED ME ANOTHER SIMILAR VEHICLE (2011 TOYOTA RAV4) AND IT ALMOST DID THE SAME THING (ENGINE OFF - PEDAL WAS STILL SPONGY BUT WAS LESS THAN MY VEHICLE). SINCE BEING A ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN BEFORE BECOMING AN MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I BLEED THE BRAKES WHICH ONLY HELPED A LITTLE AND THERE WERE NO FLUID LEAKS. FINALLY, I RESEARCHED THAT THE ABS PUMP MIGHT NEED TO BE ACTIVATED USING A SCANNER TO CYCLE THE ACTUATORS THAT MIGHT HOLD AIR TRAPPED INSIDE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY PREVIOUS PLACE ON EMPLOYMENT WHERE I CONSULTED THIS ISSUE WITH THE SHOP MANAGER IN WHICH HE AGREED THAT THIS IS A POSSIBILITY. THE SHOP MANAGER PERFORMED THE ABS PUMP CYCLING PROCESS WITH THE SCANNER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD AND FIRM LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO BE (PROCEDURE TIME: 5 MINUTES!). I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA TRAINED TECHNICIANS AND ANY GOOD TECHNICIAN KNOWS THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SOFT PEDAL DESIGN ESPECIALLY WITH A VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER WITH ENGINE OFF (HYDRAULIC FLUID IS ONLY SLIGHTLY COMPRESSIBLE!). ONLY VEHICLES WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER CAN EXPERIENCE A BRAKE PEDAL FEELING SPONGY SINCE THE BOOSTER WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AFTER ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF (APPROX:10 ' 20 BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATIONS ' DIESEL & VERY FEW GAS VEHICLES). IT SEEMS TO ME TOYOTA IS SKIPPING A STEP IN THERE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. *TR

Mileage: 7,000

I WAS SLOWLY MANEUVERING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR REVVED UP, JUMPED OVER THE CONCRETE BARRIER, OVER THE CURB AND SIDEWALK. I WAS HEADED DIRECTLY TOWARD A BUILDING AND A LARGE PLATE GLASS WINDOW. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR, AND FELT SQUISHY WHEN I PUSHED THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, TURNED OFF THE KEY AND HIT A PARKED CAR IN ORDER TO STOP. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ANY TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. *TR

Mileage: 8,400

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR A NEW VEHICLE TO MAKE NOISES BUT PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES PAD AND SHIM KIT. ADDITIONALLY, ALL OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS WERE LUBRICATED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MINOR BURNS CAUSED BY THE SEAT BELT AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

Mileage: 500

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. WHEN TRIED TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND PRESSED THE BRAKE THEN INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE CAR WAS GOING FORWARD. IT ALMOST HIT THE CAR AT FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND RPM WENT UPTO 9000. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE NUMBER OF TIMES THEN THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT RESUMED AS NORMAL. IT WAS REALLY SCARY. *TR

Mileage: 9,500

2012 RAV4, SECOND INCIDENT, 1ST WAS DISMISSED. WAS DRIVING APPROX 20 MPH IN A 35MPH BUSINESS DISTRICT ON 4 LANE STREET. PRESSED BRAKE WITH RIGHT FOOT TO DECELERATE FOR STOP LIGHT & CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITH ENGINE REVVING. I DEPRESSED BRAKE FURTHER WITH MORE STRENGTH AND TOOK LEFT FOOT AND PLACE ON TOP OF RIGHT FOOT. HAD THE FEELING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS MOVING AS WELL BUT WASN'T TOUCHING IT. CAR CONTINUED TO JERK FORWARD, ENGINE REVVING, WITH BRAKES PARTIALLY ENGAGED FOR APPROX. 20 FEET. THEN ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED STOPPING THE CAR. WAS INCHES FROM CAR IN FRONT. RESTARTED CAR AND FINISHED DRIVE HOME. CHECKED CAR MATS BUT STILL IN PLACE ON BRACKETS. HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND NO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BUT DID FIND THAT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. SUGGESTED I MUST HAVE STEPPED ON BOTH ACCIDENTALLY. NOT A CHANCE. WAS WELL AWARE OF FOOT/FEET PLACEMENT. SERVICE MGR SHOWED ME WHAT TO DO "SHOULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN." EXCUSE ME?! TOLD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL FOR BRAKES TO ENGAGE OR ANOTHER GEAR TO STALL THE ENGINE AND STOP THE CAR. 1 WK LATER, REGIONAL INSPECTOR SPENT DAY W/CAR AND REPORTED NOTHING WRONG. DID SHOW BOTH PEDALS DEPRESSED AT SAME TIME LONG ENOUGH TO TRIP SENSOR BUT NOTHING WAS WRONG. DEALER SUGGESTED I REPORT TO TOYOTA. REPORTED INCIDENT TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER. NOT HAPPY. 2 INCIDENTS, OTHER REPORTS ONLINE, AND IT'S A 2012 THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THIS. FEEL LUCKY I DIDN'T REAR END SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY AS THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW VERY MUCH UNTIL IT DIED. SCARED SILLY FOR NEXT TIME. DO NOT WANT MY RAV. AM BEING TOLD CAR IS PERFECTLY SAFE BUT NO ONE AT DEALERSHIP WOULD SIGN STATEMENT SAYING I WAS SAFE AND THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. HMMM. WANT THEM TO TAKE CAR BACK! PURCHASED NEW IN OCT. 2012 W/LESS THAN 10 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 7,600

MADE A RIGHT TURN AFTER STOPPED AT RED LITE. COMING UP TO LINE OF TRAFFIC STOPPED AT ANOTHER LITE I STEPPED ON BRAKE AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING DOWN THREE TIMES WHILE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. POLICE REPORT FILED. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. TOOK CAR TO DEALER NEXT DAY THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT IT AND WAS TOLD TO CALL THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO WOULD ARRANGE AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION. THIS WAS DONE AND I'M WAITING FOR A CALL FROM THEM TO SET DATE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

Mileage: 6,900

I JUST READ ABOUT SOMEONE IN CANTON,ILLINOIS WHO SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE; WE HAVE A 2012 ( MANUFACTURED IN JULY 2012, PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2012, ) RAV4 LIMITED WITH A V-6, THE FIRST TIME I HAD A STOPPING PROBLEM WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENGINE RPM WENT TO ABOUT 3,000 AND I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE , SO PUSHED THE START BUTTON TO SHUT IT DOWN, ATTEMPTED TO REPEAT THIS PROBLEM WHEN STOPPED, WITH THE SELECTOR IN PARK I NOTED IF MY FOOT WAS SLIGHTLY AT AN ANGLE WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL , IT WOULD CATCH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, WOULD RUN THE RPM UP TO 3,000 OR MORE DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, I AM SURE THERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WEAR SIZE 12 SHOES, MY WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE MOST OF THE TIME; THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE 23RD OF FEBRUARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH A CAMERA, I OVERSHOT THE LIMIT LINE , MAY GET A CITATION IN THE MAIL? HAVE PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED THIS WITH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE, JUST TO GET THE STANDARD RESPONSE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ARE CONFIDANT THERE IS NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS DESIGN ; MY EXPERIENCE INDICATES THERE IS SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL EITHER BEING TOO CLOSE OR AT THE SAME HEIGHT , SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED AT SOME POINT , THE 269 HP ENGINE OVER RIDES THE BRAKE SYSTEM , MINE HAS SMOKED THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED .; I ALSO NOTIFIED OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN AURORA, COLORADO , THE SERVICE MANAGER IS LOOKING INTO THIS , MY THOUGHTS IN LIGHT OF ALL THE PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH STUCK GAS PEDALS , THIS SHOULD BE RESOLVED QUICKLY . *TR

Mileage: 6,800

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL THE VEHICLE FORWARD TO CLEAR A DOORWAY, THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD ABOUT 6 FEET. AT THAT TIME I PULLED MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOMENTARILY, THEN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE PICKING UP SPEED RAPIDLY AS EVIDENCED BY THE REVVING OF THE ENGINE. I CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKE SINCE HOLDING IT TO THE FLOOR WAS DOING NOTHING. BY THIS TIME I HAD GONE THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE, THROUGH A DITCH OVER A CURB AND CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED TO PASS THROUGH A CONCRETE BLOCK WALL AND INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED R.,THE VEHICLE IMPALING ITSELF ON THE STEEL PIPES OF A MOTORCYCLE CARRIER ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE R.V. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE ANY FURTHER BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE RAV4 WAS TOTALED AND AMAZINGLY I SUFFERED ONLY MINOR BUMPS AND BRUISES. AT NO TIME DID ANY OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. *TR

Mileage: 5,012

I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-70 AROUND MP 129. THIS IS JUST BEFORE GLENWOOD CANYON. THERE WAS A FLASHING ICY ROAD SIGN AT WHICH TIME, I SIGNALED MY INTENTION TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT LANE WHICH I DID. I SLOWED DOWN AND PUT MY CAR IN 3RD. THIS WAS JUST BEFORE A CURVE TO THE RIGHT WHERE THE ROAD AND VISIBILITY NARROW. THE RIGHT LANE WAS COMPLETELY ICED OVER AS I REALIZED WHEN I GOT AROUND THE CURVE. IN FRONT OF ME, I SAW A PILEUP, BOTH LANES OF TRAFFIC WERE BLOCKED. I TAPPED MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BUT BECAUSE OF THE ICE, I DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. I WENT AROUND ONE CAR STOPPED IN MY LANE TO AVOID HITTING IT FROM BEHIND. I WENT AROUND ON THE SHOULDER. I CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKE. IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME WAS A SIERRA 4X 4 THAT WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND IT WAS ALSO BLOCKING THE SHOULDER. I PLOWED INTO IT ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE TRUCK AT A RATE OF ANYWHERE OF 25 - 30 MPH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DOG AND I WERE BOTH RESTRAINED AND WE SUFFERED NO INJURIES. MY CAR IS IN ALL LIKELIHOOD TOTALED. *TR

Mileage: 27,000

DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND BRAKING FOR CAR IN FRONT OF ME BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. READJUSTED MYSELF AND PRESSED HARDER ON BRAKES BUT STILL ROLLING. BRAKES TO FLOOR BUT STILL MOVING. HAD BRAKE PRESSED TO FLOOR AND ENDED UP ROLLING INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MINOR SCRATCHES ON MY FRONT BUT NONE ON CAR AHEAD OF ME. GOT OUT BECAUSE I THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND BECAUSE COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY I COULDN'T STOP. NO DAMAGE TO REAR. GOT BACK IN CAR AND DROVE HOME. BRAKES WORKED FINE SINCE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM. UNSURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT I DID NOT SLAM ON BRAKES AND WAS ALERT AND PAYING ATTENTION WHEN BRAKES FAILED MOMENTARILY. DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME CAR WAS FINE. HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT SOMEONE FROM A RAV4 SITE SAID I SHOULD POST HERE. *TR

Mileage: 1,577

THIS IS A LEASED CAR. THIS DATE WAS THE FIRST EPISODE OF A RECURRING PROBLEM. EACH TIME IT TOOK PLACE ON A LOCAL STREET. EACH TIME AS THE DRIVER ( MY WIFE OR MYSELF ) WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE TO BRING THE CAR TO A FULL STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THIS FIRST INCIDENT WAS NOTEWORTHY BUT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE NEWNESS OF THE VEHICLE. THE THREE INCIDENTS THAT FOLLOWED WERE CONSIDERABLY WORSE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER FROM WHOM THE CAR IS LEASED AND WERE TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN . WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON AUGUST 23 AND PICKED IT UP ON AUGUST 30. AT THAT TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN TESTED AND NOTHING WA WRONG WITH IT. IN OTHER WORDS, TOYOTA HAS NO EXPLANATION OF WHY THESE FOUR INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED SO THAT WE COULD SAFELY TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN.THE LACK OF RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM LEAVES US WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT WE WOULD NEVER USE FOR THE ORIGINAL INTENDED PURPOSE.THE AUGUST 29, 2012, WALL STREET JOURNAL COLUMN 'ME AND MY CAR' HAS A LETTER DESCRIBING A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM ON A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER THAT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TWICE. EACH TIME THE LETTER WRITER WAS TOLD WHAT SEEMS TO BE TOYOTA'S STOCK ANSWER, "NOTHING IS WRONG'. THE WSJ COLUMNIST RESPONDS THAT ' COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC SPEEDCONTROL SYSTEMS ON TOYOTA (AND OTHER BRANDS )ARE FREQUENT'. HE GOES ON TO SUGGEST THAT FIGURING THE CAUSE WILL TAKE SEVERAL VISITS TO TOYOTA. NO ADDITIONAL VISITS WERE SCHEDULED OR EVEN SUGGESTED BY TOYOTA. *TR

Mileage: 85