2004 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY AND PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

HEAD GASKET BLEW. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC THE BOLTS THAT ANCHOR THE GASKET TO ENGINE BLOCK FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE OF COOLANT INTO ENGINE BLOCK SUBSEQUENTLY BLOWING THE HEAD GASKET. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 RAV4. $1800.00 REPAIR! UPDATED 11/23/15*LJ UPDATED 11/13/2017*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/16/15 UPDATED 11/10/15. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TOYOTA SENT OUT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON 13 MAY 2015 ABOUT THE FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR, UNTIL TODAY THE 25 JUNE 2015 THE REMEDY IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY OWN SAFETY DRIVING THIS CAR AND/OR THE ROAD SAFETY. SINCE IT IS THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG THAT HAS PROBLEM, I HIGHLY DEMAND TO HAVE ALL THE 2004-2005 MODEL YEAR RAV4 COLLECTED BACK TO TOYOTA FOR A FULL CHECK UP OR REPLACEMENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/20/15*LJ UPDATED 2/3/2016 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL SINCE MAY 13, 2006. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ UPDATED 02/17/16.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE PARTS WERE A LIMITED SUPPLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR THE RECALL PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/26/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS MADE ON 05/12/16. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JANUARY OF 2015. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CONTINUED TO ADVISE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PROVIDING THE PART. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN EXPERIENCED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH (PASSENGERS SIDE) IN 2014. HER CAR WAS TOTALED AS THE OTHER CAR ESSENTIALLY SPEARED HERS CAVING IN THE RIGHT SIDE. SHE WAS WEARING SEATBELT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MOM SURVIVED WITH NO INTERNAL INJURIES. HOWEVER SHE WAS LEFT WITH SEVERE LACERATIONS TO THE SCALP, FACE AND HEMATOMA TO THE HEAD WHICH NEEDED SURGERY. I SUSPECT THIS INJURY WAS FROM THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING VIOLENTLY. MY HUSBAND WHO IS A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER/MEDIC INSPECTED THE CAR AFTER THE WRECK AND HE FEELS THE SAME. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT HER HEAD HIT THE SIDE WINDOW OR WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS BLOOD ON THE AIRBAG AND ALL OVER HER SEAT. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA ON A HOT AUGUST DAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FL FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER STOPPING, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

THIS 10 YEAR OLD CAR HAD BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFE. IT WAS DRIVEN 4 OR 5 TIMES A WEEK IN NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION AND HOLDS THE WHEELS ON RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THERE WERE LARGE HOLES IN THE FRAME. TOYOTA OF BUTTE MONTANA AND TOYOTA OF WENATCHEE WASHINGTON BOTH REQUIRED THAT I SIGN A STATEMENT THAT I UNDERSTOOD THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAME MEMBER WAS TOO RUSTED. TOYOTA OF WENATCHEE DID NOT WANT ANYONE EVEN STANDING UNDER IT. TOYOTA OF WENATCHEE OFFERED $1000 TOWARDS $2900 IN REPAIRS BUT REQUIRED THAT ALL THE REPAIRS BE DONE THROUGH THEM. I HAD THE CROSS MEMBER REPLACED AND THE OTHER REPAIRS DONE ELSEWHERE FOR $1200. TOYOTA CORPORATE REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE AND SEES NO NEED OF A RECALL. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES IN HIGH SALT AREAS (LIKE NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE). I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CROSS MEMBER. *TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH ~1 CAR LENGTH BETWEEN ME AND ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE CAR AHEAD BEGAN TO MOVE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND MOVED IT TO THE ACCELERATOR AS USUAL. AT THAT POINT, MY CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. MY BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. I HAD TO SWERVE AROUND THE CAR I HIT WHILE MY CAR CONTINUED AT HIGH SPEED THROUGH TWO STOP SIGNS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. DURING THIS TIME, I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ONCOMING CARS. ALL THE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT THEY WOULDN'T ENGAGE AND MY SPEED DIDN'T DECREASE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE, THE BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT, PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE INITIAL LOW SPEED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SUSPENSION BEING UNSTABLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH AND UPON MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO PERMANENT REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF ANTIFREEZE THAT LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS OF BOSTON, MA AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED OUR LOCAL DEALER TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND I WAS TOLD THAT AS LONG AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT BLINKING IT WAS OK TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE THEN PROCEEDED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY TO GET TO OUR HOUSE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND WE LOST ALL OUR COOLANT. WHEN WE FINALLY WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO OUR DEALER WE WERE TOLD THE ENGINE WAS RUINED AND IT WAS GOING TO TAKE $5000+ TO FIX.

MY CARS CHECK ENGINE AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT SOMETIMES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. MY HUSBAND HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR AND I HAD TO FOLLOW HIM HOME B/C THE CAR WAS SO UNPREDICTABLE. HE WOULD HAVE TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WOULD HESITATE BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD THEN JERK FORWARD. HE WAS TERRIFIED THAT HE WOULD GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION! I FOUND AN ARTICLE ONLINE ABOUT HOW TOYOTA PROVIDED EXTENDED WARRANTYS TO 2001-2003 RAV4 VEHICLE OWNERS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE SEE ARTICLE: HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2010/02/18/TOYOTA-OWNERS-COMPLAIN-THIS-TIME-ABOUT-THE-RAV4/?_PHP=TRUE&_TYPE=BLOGS&_R=0 PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS! ITS NOT FAIR THAT PEOPLE WITH A 2004 OR LATER CAN'T BENEFIT FROM THIS! I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND LEFT A COMPLAINT. *TR

IN OCTOBER/2013 WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 START SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT IT WAS COOLANT FLUIDS ALL OVER THE ENGINE, TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND AFTER CHECK IT OUT, IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, RESULTS WAS THE HEAD BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND STRIPPED FROM THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE, AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED, REPLACED THE AFFECTED PARTS, NEW COOLANT, TOTAL COST $1874.00, THE VEHICLE IS BACK ON THE ROAD, NOTE TO THAT IS THAT THE CAR HAS ONLY 53000 MILES, PURCHASED NEW A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS ONLY WHAT IT WAS DRIVEN. TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS (3 CONTACTED), THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM AND THEY "HAVE NOT KNOWLEDGE OR RECALLS FOR THE PROBLEM", (LITTLE HARD TO BELIEVED TO ME) THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE IS A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, DRILL AND RE-TAP, INSERT NEW HEAD BOLTS, NEW HEAD GASKET, BACK ON THE ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY TOYOTA AS MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY OR HAVE THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROBLEM, ARGUING THE VEHICLE ALREADY IS OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN AS IS NOTED IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. *TR

I ENTERED MY CAR IN THE HOME GARAGE WHILE COASTING AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I APPROACHED ABOUT 5 FEET WITHIN MY PARKING SPOT. AFTER THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, IT WAS A MATTER OF SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR CRASHED INTO A FLOOR CABINET AND REFRIGERATOR THAT RESTS AGAINST OUR GARAGE WALL STOPPING THE CAR'S FORWARD MOVEMENT AND ALLOWING ME PUT THE CAR IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED. THE CRASH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR, BOTH FRONT SIDE FENDERS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, THE GARAGE WALL, FLOOR CABINET AND REFRIGERATOR. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL INTERNAL DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD BUT AT THIS POINT THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CAR DAMAGES ARE SO EXTENSIVE THAT IT MAY BE A TOTAL LOSS. OBVIOUSLY, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED BY THIS INCIDENT AND WILL NOT TRUST THE CAR IN THE FUTURE. I PROMPTLY REPORTED THIS TO MY INSURANCE CO. AND FILED AN INCIDENT WITH TOYOTA AND REQUESTED THAT THEY PERFORM A ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED AND THE WARNING CHIME BEGAN TO SOUND. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR

ON 02/27/2013, MY CAR WAS LEAKING COOLANT, SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE A CHECK. IT TURNS OUT THE COOLANT WERE LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET AND THE HEAD BOLT WAS LOOSEN AND STRIPPED. THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIX THE LEAK. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE. IT WILL COST ME $8,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I TURNED TO INTERNET FOR HELP AND FOUND OUT A LOOSEN HEAD BOLT CAUSE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS A VERY COMMENT ISSUE FOR TOYOTA ENGINE 2AZ-FE. IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THE STRIPED HEAD BOLT IS AN ENGINE DEFECT. THIS COULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IF TOYOTA HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB TO ENSURE THE HEAD BOLT WON'T STRIPED OVER TIME. I AM NOT SAYING THE BOLTS SHOULD LAST FOREVER. HOWEVER, THE BOLTS IN A CAR ENGINE SHOULD OUT LAST THE BOLTS ON MY OUTDOOR DECK. *TR

MY CAR HAD THE CHECK ENGINE AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. IF I START THE CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL SOMETIME NOTHING HAPPENS, SOMETIMES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO TOYOTA DEALER NEXT. THEY SAID IT WAS A ACCELERATOR PEDAL ERROR (P2121 ERROR) AND CARD WAS NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING. THE CAR IS STILL AT TOYOTA DEALER FOR FURTHER TROUBLE SHOOTING. *TR

WHEN I DRIVE MY AUTOMATIC AWD 2004 RAV4 (143,000 MILES, ONLY OWNER, MAINTAINED WELL THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE) ON THE FREEWAY AROUND SLIGHT CURVES, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON AND BEEPS LOUDLY. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED MY ENGINE STALLED, JERKED, AND THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SWERVED ME INTO THE NEXT LANE, ALMOST CAUSING A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT, I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKE OR TURNING THE WHEEL. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR, BUT THEY COULD NOT GIVE ANY SOLID ANSWERS ON WHY MY CAR IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE TECH ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR DURING THE TEST DRIVE. AFTER PAYING $100, THEY SAID IT COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO BLOWN REAR STRUTS THAT ARE CAUSING THE BACK WHEELS TO BOUNCE AROUND FREEWAY CURVES WHICH MAKE THE SPEED SENSORS THINK ONE OF THE WHEELS IS SKIDDING AND ACTIVATES THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT COMPLETELY SURE. THEY SAID THE SENSORS WERE ALL GOOD. THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING ELSE UNLESS I STARTED OUT BY SPENDING OVER $2000 TO TRY FIXING RANDOM THINGS THEY RECOMMENDED. THEY TOLD ME IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. BEFORE THE DIAGNOSTIC AT TOYOTA, I HAD ALREADY CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS AND SPEED RINGS, AND ALL THE SPEED RINGS ARE INTACT. THE CAR DOES NOT THROW ANY CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND ONCE THE CAR GETS BACK TO NORMAL (IE PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR OFF THE FREEWAY), THE LIGHT AND ALARM TURN OFF. I HAVE TRIED DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE ON THE CAR, YET IT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND MAKING MY CAR INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE! ALSO, I LIVE IN ARIZONA...THERE WAS NO RAIN, SNOW, ICE OR MUD WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY...THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON ITS OWN. PLEASE HELP! *TR

SUN VISORS KEEP FALLING DOWN. REMOVING THEM PERMITS TOO MUCH SUN GLARE & IMPAIRS VISIBILITY, EVEN WITH SUNGLASSES. LEAVING THEM ALL THE WAY FALLEN DOWN GREATLY RESTRICTS VISIBILITY. THIS IS A PROBLEM LONG-ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA OWNERS. THIS OCCURRED IN 2012 - PRESENT. NO RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN BY TOYOTA. NEED VISORS THAT WORK PROPERLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SLID FORWARD AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH OVER A CURB AND INTO A POLE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH, SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING AND PAIN TO THE LOWER BACK. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND WAS LATER DISCHARGED WITH NO MAJOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER ADVISED THAT THE CRASH DID NOT OCCUR IN BETWEEN BOTH DOORS SO THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINEER STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER PUSHED THE ENGINE BACK AND FRACTURED THE TRANSMISSION LINES, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. AS A RESULT, THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FIRE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. NOTICED THAT AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE RPM'S WERE VERY HIGH. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE CODE SHOWED THAT THE SOLENOID WAS BAD. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $750. THEN TOLD THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND ANOTHER $4300. I KNOW THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE 2001-2003 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSIONS, THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 2004 AS THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE THE SAME. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. BOUGHT A TOYOTA FOR RELIABILITY AND WHAT I THOUGHT WERE GREAT VEHICLES. VERY SAD WHEN I READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I KNOW WHAT MY NEXT CAR WILL NOT BE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM FOURTH GEAR TO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE COMPLAINTS ON THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 8/29/12 *CN

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FOR MY CAR WAS SHOT UP NEAR THE RED. IN ADDITION TO THIS, TWO WARNING LIGHTS (VSC TRAC AND CHECK ENGINE) ALSO CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, AND CALLED AAA, WHICH TOWED ME TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANAGER THERE TOOK A LOOK AT MY CAR, AND SAID THAT I WAS OUT OF COOLANT. HE THEN ADDED HALF A GALLON OF COOLANT TO MY CAR AND TOLD ME I SHOULD BE ALL SET. APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES LATER, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT UP TO THE RED AGAIN. I THEN PULLED OVER, AND SAW THAT ALL OF THE COOLANT THE REPAIR SHOP ADDED EARLIER WAS GONE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. ONE, THE HEAD GASKET WAS BROKEN. AND TWO, SOME OF THE STEEL BOLTS IN THE ENGINE WERE STRIPPED OUT. ALL IN ALL, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $7000 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. I'VE LOOKED AROUND ON THE WEB AND SAW THAT MANY OTHER 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AND TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE A RECALL OF THIS UNSAFE, AND POORLY DESIGNED MODEL. *TR

EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS A PERFECT MAINTENANCE RECORD AND HAS NO HISTORY OF OVER HEATING, THE HEAD BOLTS PULLED LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL FROM THE HEAD GASKET AREA. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY DESERT TOYOTA OF TUCSON. THE ENGINE GOT COVERED WITH MOTOR OIL AND WHILE IT WAS HOT IT SMOKED EXTENSIVELY TO THE POINT I FEARED IT WOULD CATCH FIRE. IT DID NOT IGNITE BECAUSE THE RAV4 WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF BEFORE IT COULD HAPPEN. TOYOTA CORP. WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT ISSUED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. DESERT TOYOTA PRESCRIBED A $6130 REPAIR. *KB

MY 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4 STARTED OVERHEATING/SMOKING WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND SAW LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND I HOPED IT WAS JUST A HOSE OR THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. I RAN TO THE STORE, BOUGHT ANTIFREEZE, FILLED THE RADIATOR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY, I DROVE IT TO A FRIENDS MECHANIC. THE ENGINE IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE DUE TO THE ENGINE BOLTS STRIPPING. APPARENTLY TOYOTA INSTALLED STEEL BOLTS INTO AN ALUMINUM BLOCK AND IF THE ENGINE HEATS TOO MUCH, THE BOLTS STRIP OUT, CAUSING THE LEAKAGE. THE SHOP SAID THE REPAIR WILL COST ME 5K AT A DEALERSHIP AND 3.5K AT A PRIVATE GARAGE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS: DISCUSSION THREAD RESPONSE ([XXX]) 10/11/2011 06:11 AM DEAR MS. _______________; THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. WE ARE SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE ENGINE OF YOUR RAV4, AND APOLOGIZE THIS ASPECT OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. WE DO NOT SHOW A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR RECALL FOR THE CONDITION YOU DESCRIBED, AND THUS DO NOT HAVE SPECIFIC INSIGHT TO PROVIDE. IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE A FAILED OR BROKEN COMPONENT, WE RECOMMEND CONTACTING THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AT YOUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR COMMENTS AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, WHERE THEY REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW FROM THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS. IT IS THROUGH FEEDBACK SUCH AS YOURS WE ARE ABLE TO MONITOR AND IMPROVE UPON THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCT. IF WE MAY BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT US VIA EMAIL OR BY CALLING 800-331-4331. WE ARE AVAILABLE FROM 5 AM TO 6 PM, PACIFIC TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM SATURDAY. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR COMMENTS AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS UNDER FILE #. IF TOYOTA HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS THEN WHY HAVE THEY CREATED A REPAIR KIT TO FIX THE THREADS IN THE HEAD? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ECM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

WENT TO GET A TIRE REPAIRED, THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT I HAD A FLUID LEAK. HE INDICATED IT WAS PRETTY BAD AND I NEEDED TO GET IT LOOKED AT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DROVE IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED I HAD A LEAK AND IT WAS COOLANT. I LEFT THE CAR FOR REPAIRS AND WAS CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS INDICATING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEFECTS REGARDING THE HEAD GASKET.

SUN VISOR WON'T STAY IN THE UP POSITION CAUSING A SAFETY PROBLEM BY RESTRICTING VISIBILITY. IT ALSO SOMETHING TO HIT YOUR FOREHEAD ON AS I DID RECENTLY DURING A QUICK STOP. THE VISOR ALSO CAN'T BE USED CORRECTLY FOR SUN SINCE IT WON'T POSITION CORRECTLY. IT A KNOWN DEFECT ON MY RAV4. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 WILL NOT STAY UP. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTS YOUR VISION WHEN IT DROPS DOWN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. THE VISOR IS CLIPPED IN AT THE TIME, BUT IT ROTATES INTO A DOWN POSITION ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE AWHILE, AND I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS TO KEEPING THE VISOR SECURED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE TOYOTA DEALER DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A DEFECT AND THEIR ANSWER IS TO BUY A NEW ONE. HOWEVER, SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ONLINE THAT THE NEW ONE FAILS AFTER AWHILE, TOO. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTAS, BECAUSE 2001-2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND TUNDRAS HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ON ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARDS. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR IN 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE BOLTS WERE DETERIORATED CAUSING THE GASKET TO OVERHEAT AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED TO COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2004 TOYOTA RAV4 DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO FOR NO REASON. DEALER STATES IT IS NOT A DEFECT SO NOTHING SHORT OF REPLACING IT CAN BE DONE. I HAVE TO PUSH THE VISOR UP AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD TO GET IT OUT OF MY SIGHTLINE. I HAVE READ THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THIS YRS. RAV4. *KB

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

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

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

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

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

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

VEHICLE DECELERATE, IGNORES THROTTLE INPUT WITH ESP LIGHT FLASHING AND SOMETIMES A 'BEEPING' SOUND WITH VIOLENT SEQUENTIAL BRAKE APPLICATION BY ITSELF OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WITH THE VIOLENT CONSEQUENCE THAT IT HAS ON STEERING WHEEL. MADE A 'RESET' OF STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR PROCEDURE BY TOYOTA STEPS. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. BY MY EXPERIENCE AS AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN I SUSPECTED OF AN ESP PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHTLY INCREASED INPUT OF STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO HAVE THE SAME EFFECT THAN BEFORE. BY VISUAL INSPECTION, WITH ANOTHER PERSON MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (PLAY) OF STEERING 'RACK AND PINION' FROM ITS MOUNTING BUSHINGS TO THE BODY. Y PAY TO HAVE THOSE BUSHINGS REPLACED, AND PROBLEM SOLVED. IT IS A COMMON ISSUE. NOW 135,000 MILES AND STILL NO PROBLEMS. THE ESP, BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR READING (CAUSED BY THE ADDITIONAL INPUT REQUIRED BY RACK AND PINION DEFECTIVE MOUNTING BUSHINGS) BEHAVES LIKE VEHICLE IS GOING STRAIGHT, SLIDING, INSTEAD OF TAKING THE TURN, SO THE ESP TRY TO 'CORRECT' A CONDITION THAT IT'S NOT HAPPENING. PROBLEMS COULD ALSO HAPPENS TO VEHICLES GOING STRAIGHT (DECELERATING, ESP LIGHT FLASHING, BEEPING SOUND AND/OR VIOLENT BRAKE APPLIED TO ONE OF FRONTAL WHEELS). *TR