2007 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 16,000.

I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT. SINCE IT WAS NEW WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA SAYS IT'S NORMAL AND IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST. UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER AUTO, THE THROTTLE DOES NOT RESPOND UNTIL IT SUDDENLY WILL ACCELERATE HARD. LEAVING A STOP IT CAN BE VERY FRIGHTENING AS WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT WILL ACCELERATE WHEN IT DOES. PASSING IS EQUALLY FRIGHTENING, IF NOT MORE SO. WHEN WE PULL OUT TO PASS AND STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND ACCORDING TO PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. WE'VE COME VERY CLOSE TO HEAD-ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. I KIND OF GAVE UP ON THE ISSUE AFTER BEING TURNED AWAY BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR UNTIL HEARING ABOUT OTHER TOYOTAS HAVING ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. OUR 2007 IS A THROTTLE BY WIRE SETUP ALSO. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER RAV4 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE PRETTY SCARY, ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE. THE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE RIG WAS NEW SO I DON'T HAVE A DEFINITIVE DATE. I'LL PUT IN TODAYS DATE FOR RECORD. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY PRETTY TIED UP WITH TOYOTA PROBLEMS. *TR

THERE IS A CLUNKING/KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING SHAFT. ONLY NORMAL USE ON THIS VEHICLE ON CITY STREETS. A FAILURE IN THE STEERING SHAFT COULD CAUSE DEATH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY ISSUING T-SB-0318-08, BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL OR PAY FOR REPAIR AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS BY THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED THE PART USED HERE (NEW PN 45221-42070). THIS IS SERIOUS AND AFFECTS ALL 06-08 RAV4 SUVS. JUST SEARCH FOR "STEERING CLUNK RAV4" IF YOU WANT EVIDENCE.

CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEED IN 2007 TOYOTA RAV4, WHICH STARTED AT 39,000 MILES AND REMAINS AT 51,000 MILES. *TR

I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY(ABOUT A WEEK AGO 3/1/10) AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND IT HAS BEEN DOING FINE SINCE THEN. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD! *TR

HEAR A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. ONLY HEAR IT WHEN TURNING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. *TR

WAS STOPPED IN DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME WAITING FOR GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN (REMOTE CONTROLLED.) THEN I SLOWLY PROCEEDED TOWARDS OPEN GARAGE. THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED AND SURGED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. I PUT ALL MY WEIGHT UNTO THE BRAKE WHICH SEEMED TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. ONLY THEN DID THE CAR SEEM TO NORMALIZE. I SHUT IT OFF AND HAVEN'T TRIED TO DRIVE IT SINCE. *TR

IN MARCH OF 2008 I HAD TWO OCCURRENCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH MY 2007 SIX CYLINDER TOYOTA RAV4. THE FIRST WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AS I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND PULLED ME THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR ONE COMING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION I WOULD HAVE CRASHED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT INCIDENT A MILDER LESS POWERFUL ACCELERATION EVENT HAPPENED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 26 08 AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR GIVE A REASON FOR IT. THE TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IF THE PROBLEM RECURRED. IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL 2/19/2010. AS IN THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, THE EVENT HAPPENED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IN THIS CASE I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE MOTOR, OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AS IN THE OTHER CASES AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR THE PROBLEM WAS OVER. OUR OTHER CAR IS A CAMRY AND I HAVE NEVER HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR OR ANY OTHER CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND AGAIN NO REASON FOR THE EVENT WAS FOUND AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY OFFERED EXCEPT POSSIBLY A GAS PEDAL OVER RIDE IF ONE BECOMES AVAILABLE. AFTER THE LONG GAP IN TIME BETWEEN THE FIRST TWO EVENTS I THOUGHT MAYBE THEY WERE A FLUKE. NOW I WORRY THAT I MAY BE IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I AM NO MECHANIC BUT I REALLY THINK THAT IT IS SOME SORT OF ELECTRONIC PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL EACH TIME THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENED. *TR

2007 RAV4 STEERING CLUNKING NOISE. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS LOUD CLUNKING NOISES AND "CATCHES" WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. SUPPOSED TO BE A STEERING ISSUE CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, BUT TOYOTA NOT WILL NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS THAT COST UPWARDS OF $1,000. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RESPOND TO COMPLAINANTS ABOUT IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. IF STEERING FAILS, WILL TOYOTA BE RESPONSIBLE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AND WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP AND SHE COLLIDED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER TWICE. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE, AND KNEE. SHE CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEY HAVE NOT INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE YET. NEWPORT NEWS POLICE REPORT NUMBER 1049316. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 30,000.

STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM WITH 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A STRANGE NOISE EVERY TIME HE TURNED THE WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED A NEW STEERING SHAFT WAS NEEDED. THE SEALS ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM HAD DRIED UP AND WAS CAUSING THE JOINT TO MAKE A NOISE. *JB UPDATED 03/08/10.*JB

I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, 6-CYLINDER 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED AWD, THAT SUFFERS FROM THROTTLE/TRANSMISSION LAG OF 1-2 SECONDS. I EXPERIENCE IT MOST COMMONLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR CHANGING LANES, WHEN I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO SPEED UP, THERE IS AN UNCOMFORTABLY LONG DELAY BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS. THE RESULT IS I AM LEFT HANGING OUT IN A LANE WITH NO POWER OR SPEED. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION OR THROTTLE FINALLY KICKS IN, THE CAR LURCHES VIOLENTLY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. I AND MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. BY THE WAY, I ALSO OWN A 2008 HONDA ACCORD AUTOMATIC AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN THE HONDA. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE LOOKED AT AND FIXED. *TR

AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS, MY WIFE AND I WERE RETURNING HOME FRIDAY AFTERNOON JANUARY 22, 2010 IN MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 (V6 ENGINE - 30,815 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) WHEN WE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING IN OUR SUBDIVISION. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 20-22 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE GATHERED SPEED (ESTIMATED 35 MPH) IN SPITE OF MY EFFORTS TO BRAKE HARD. AS THE RESIDENTIAL STREET WAS TO END AT A "T" WITHIN ABOUT 100 YARDS AND THERE WAS A CAR AHEAD OF ME, I HAD TO USE ANY MEANS POSSIBLE TO STOP MY RUNAWAY VEHICLE OR A COLLISION WAS SURE TO FOLLOW. ONLY AFTER SHIFTING, WHILE CONTINUING TO BRAKE, THROUGH "PARK", "REVERSE", TO "NEUTRAL" TO THE UNBELIEVABLE ROARING SOUND OF THE RACING ENGINE DID THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOP AND A COLLISION WAS AVOIDED BY A FEW CAR LENGTHS. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE, AND WAS ESPECIALLY SURPRISED IN THAT I HAD JUST HAD MY 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON DECEMBER 18, 2009. BADLY SHAKEN, MY WIFE AND I DROVE THE THREE BLOCKS TO OUR HOUSE AND I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. I WAS TOLD THAT, AS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO FOR ME AND HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE EXPERIENCE CENTER. SO I HUNG UP THE PHONE AND THEN CALLED TOYOTA AS INSTRUCTED. WHEN FINALLY GETTING THROUGH, I RELATED MY EXPERIENCE AND WAS TOLD THAT "TOYOTA TAKES THIS VERY SERIOUSLY" AND THAT MY INFORMATION WOULD BE PASSED ALONG IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HEAR BACK FROM A CASE WORKER ON MONDAY, JANUARY 25. I DID GET A CALL BACK ON MONDAY, BUT NOT FROM A CASE WORKER, BUT FROM THE SAME INDIVIDUAL I HAD TALKED TO ON FRIDAY. I WAS TOLD THAT MY ISSUE WAS NO LONGER A PRIORITY SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND I SHOULD CALL MY DEALERSHIP AND GET MY CAR INSPECTED AT MY EXPENSE. I INSTEAD LEFT MY CAR PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO CHANCE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF A 2007 TOYOTA RAV-4; HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, THIS IS THE LATEST INCIDENT; HAS HAPPENED AFTER GOING OVER A VERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT LESS THAN 10 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION AT ANY SPEED HE HEARD A NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT BOTH OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS BE REPLACED. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,025. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,100.

THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND RACED WHILE DRIVING INTO NEWPORT NH IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS AN EMPTY PARKING LOT TO TURN INTO OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IS A TOYOTA RAV 4 BOUGHT NEW IN JUNE OF 2007 AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, AND IT WAS BEFORE THE NEWS OF THE TOYOTA PROBLEMS SURFACING.. SINCE THEN IT HAS REPEATED THIS 8 TIMES THROUGH APRIL OF 2010, COMPLETELY RANDOMLY. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO NH DEALERSHIPS (ABOUT 20 HOURS OF INSPECTIONS/ DIAGNOSES) AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN FACT TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER THEY CAN DO AND IF THE CAR IS INDEED DANGEROUS OR AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT IS MY PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT I AM NOT SURE THEY BELIEVE ME BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE DEFECT IS VERY REAL AND THE LAST TIME IT OCCURRED ON APRIL 5 THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE IN THE CAR WHO SAW IT FIRSTHAND AS IT HAPPENED TWICE THAT DAY. ADDITIONALLY I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE CAR AS I CAN'T SELL IT WITH THIS KIND OF DEFECT AND MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IT. LOANING THE CAR TO ANYONE ELSE BECOMES A LIABILITY AND DRIVING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN OR ELDERLY FOLKS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. FRANKLY I HAVE BEEN HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S RESPONSE WHICH HAS BEEN SLOW OR NON RESPONSIVE UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THEY INFORMED ME THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY AND THAT ARBITRATION IS MY ONLY RECOURSE. THE CAR HAS 22000 AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

ACCELERATION INCIDENT. *TR

WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL IT HAS A TENDENCY TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY AND SOMETIMES PAST THE SET SPEED WHEN USING "RESUME." HITTING THE BRAKES OR TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL HAS ALWAYS STOPPED IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. USUALLY THE CAR IS GOING OVER 60 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED ONCE WHEN NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATION STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT IN BECAUSE IT WILL BE HARD TO TRACE AND THE WARRANTY IS OUT. WITHOUT CHANGING OUT ALL OF THE COMPONENTS ONE COULD NEVER BE SURE THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I NOTED THAT YOU HAVE NOW GONE DOWN TO 2009 RAV'S. I BELIEVE THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH EARLIER YEARS TOO. *TR

1. MY CAR USES AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF OIL (1 QUART BEFORE EVERY 1500 MILES). 2. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WARNING LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. I DISCOVERED THIS DEFECT WHEN I FIRST REALIZED MY CAR WAS BURNING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF OIL, AND I WAS THREE QUARTS LOW JUST PRIOR TO MY OIL CHANGE. *TR

PAINT "BUBBLING-UP" AND PEELING; PAINT FADING. LOSING OIL.

HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS WITH TOYOTA RAV4 2007 BEFORE RECALL. IN BOTH INCIDENTS THOUGHT I WAS PRESSING BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE.

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF STEERING AT VEHICLE STARTUP. STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION AND P/S INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED FOR STEERING TO FUNCTION. MORE FREQUENTLY - STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE SLIGHTLY AT STARTUP AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO LOCK, BUT CONTINUES TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. TOYOTA DEALER SAID CAUSE WAS LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE AND REPLACED BATTERY. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER. WILL RETURN VEHICLE - STILL UNDER WARRANTY - FOR ANOTHER REPAIR OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

MY FIANCE DRIVES A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE TOYOTA ACCELERATION PEDAL RECALL. IN DECEMBER, I WAS DRIVING HER CAR (SHE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT), FROM MASSACHUSETTS BACK TO OUR HOME IN CONNECTICUT. AS I MERGED ONTO RT 128 IN MA, I HAD TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. AFTER SAFELY MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AS I ALWAYS DO, HOWEVER NOTICED THE PEDAL DID NOT RELEASE AND WAS STUCK DOWN TO THE FLOOR. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO PUMP THE BRAKE, HOWEVER, THAT ONLY SLOWED US DOWN TEMPORARILY. I THEN TRIED KICKING AT THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF I COULD GET IT TO RELEASE, HOWEVER, THAT ALSO DID NOT WORK. I THEN TRIED PULLING THE GAS PEDAL UP WITH MY HAND AND IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. FINALLY, AFTER CONTINUING TO PUMP THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, THE GAS PEDAL RELEASED ON ITS OWN. I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT IT WAS STUCK FOR 20 SECONDS. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT REPORT THE INCIDENT RIGHT AWAY, HOWEVER, I CALLED TOYOTA THE DAY I FOUND OUT OF THEIR RECALL. THIS PAST WEEKEND, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR A COURTESY INSPECTION, HOWEVER, TOYOTA SERVICE TEAM SAID THERE WERE NO ISSUES. I HAVE CALLED THE TOYOTA HOTLINE MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET THROUGH TO SOMEONE ONCE. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT AND THE TOYOTA REP ON THE PHONE SAID THEY WOULD REPORT THE INCIDENT UP THE CHAIN... HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. I CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, HOWEVER, HAVE NOT MADE ANY PROGRESS THERE. MY FIANCE DRIVES THE CAR DAILY, BUT WE CAN'T TRUST THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. OUR ONLY OPTION IS TO TRADE-IN THE VEHICLE, AND WE MAY DO SO SOON, HOWEVER, THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE RESOLD IN THE MARKET. I AM VERY DOUBTFUL THAT TOYOTA HAS SOLUTIONED THE 'REAL' ISSUE. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL ON A SLIGHT INCLINE THE CAR WILL START SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEARS, BUCKING AND JUMPING AND I TURN THE CRUISE OFF IMMEDIATELY. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINES GOING TO BLOW. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON BLOG SITES COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR RAVS: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=199996 AND HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX/.F142EEE?DISPLAYRECENT&MKTCAT=ENABLER&AID=10364102&PID=3193631&KW=N&SYNPARTNER=EDMUNDS&MKTID=CJ260233. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV 4: ENGINETYPE V6 1) DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, STOPPED AT LIGHT, SMELLED OIL BURNING THOUGHT SMELL WAS FROM OTHER VEHICLES. CONTINUED TO DRIVE WHEN STOPPED AT NEXT STOP LIGHT SMELLED OIL BURNING, SAW LIGHT TRAILS OF SMOKE AROUND HEAD LIGHTS. WATCHED GAUGES AND GOT THE CAR HOME. 2) SHUT OF ENGINE RAISED HOOD AND REMOVED PLASTIC ENGINE COVER. SAW OIL WAS ALL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT OF ENGINE NEAR FIRE WALL AND WHEEL ON WELL COVER. HAD WIFE START CAR, SAW OIL SQUIRTING IN A SMALL STREAM FROM A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO METAL PIPE. THE PIPE THE HOSE WAS ATTACHED TO WAS ATTACHED TO ENGINES CYLINDER HEAD NEXT TO FIRE WALL AT THE FRONT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. 3) I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE DEC. 2007 WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW IT NOW HAS 80,000. MILES. I TALKED TO THE LOCAL DEALER ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. I GAVE THE DEALER MY VIN AND MILEAGE, I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST AND MY MILES WERE WELL OVER THE VEHICLES WARRANTY LIMIT OF 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD IF I WANTED A QUOTE I WOULD NEED TO GET IT TOWED IN AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME A QUOTE FOR THE WORK. AT THIS TIME BASED ON ALL THE INFORMATION STILL AM INVESTIGATING MY OPTIONS FOR THIS REPAIR TO ATTEMPT TO REDUCE MY COSTS. THE REPAIR OF THIS FAILED OIL LINE ENTAILS THE REMOVAL OF THE COMPLETE FAILED OIL LINE END TO END AND THE INSTALLATION OF A COMPLETE METAL PIPE ASSEMBLY. SO FAR I AM FINDING THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE A QUITE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL ENGINE WITH THIS OIL LINE CONFIGURATION. BASED ON THIS FAILURE AND THAT IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I'M STUCK WITH ALL THE COSTS. PLUS I COULD FOR SEE IN SOME FAILURES ONE MIGHT NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM THUS EXPERIENCING A FULL ENGINE FAILURE. I WOULD HAVE TO BELIEVE IF IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, YOU'LL NEVER RECEIVE A COMPLAINT ON THIS PROBLEM. FROM A CROSS SECTIONAL POINT, YOUR ONLY EXPERIENCING THOSE OF US TRAPPED WITH A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4. IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, BUT TWICE SINCE NOVEMBER 2009 MY GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN ACTING AS IT WAS DEPRESSED WHEN IT WAS NOT. THE LAST TIME MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND MY ENGINE WAS REVVING LIKE A RACE CAR. WHO DO I NOTIFY? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE. HER DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND BACK. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK REPORT 0912138057, AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVED A VERBAL RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

WE HAVE A 2007 RAV 4 TOYOTA. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN WE HAD A BOOSTER BLOW OUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING 100 MILES FROM HOME. THIS BOOSTER IS NEEDED TO OPERATE THE BRAKES. WE DID MAKE IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT WAS DANGEROUS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKES. WHEN THE COMPUTER PUT A WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE OUT, ALL WE GOT WAS A SWERVE LINE...NOTHING THAT WARNED THAT THE BOOSTER HAD GONE. *JB

FIRST ISSUE-WHILE BACKING UP SLOWLY, ATTEMPTED TO STOP BEFORE HITTING TELEPHONE POLE, INSTEAD OF STOPPING RAV-4 LURCHED BACKWARD HITTING POLE CAUSING $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. COST US $500 DEDUCTIBLE, PLUS OVER $1000 NEXT SEVERAL YEARS FOR LOSING NO-CLAIM CREDIT. SECOND ISSUE; CRUISE CONTROL WHILE CLIMBING A HILL WILL, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WILDLY, THEN CUT OUT, THEN LURCH BACK AND FORTH UNTIL YOU HIT THE BRAKE TO SHUT IT OFF. NO INJURIES FROM THIS YET, BUT DANGEROUS IF OTHER VEHICLES PRESENT. *TR UPDATED 02/17/10

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD V6 LIMITED THAT HAD A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT. IN EARLY 2009, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD "CLUNK" WHEN MY VEHICLE TURNED SLOWLY (FWD OR BACK FROM A STOP) OR WHEN I ENTERED OR EXITED MY DRIVEWAY. QUICK RESEARCH REVEALED OTHERS WITH THIS CONDITION ON 2006 AND 2007 RAV4S, IT WAS LIKELY A DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT..IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED AT THE JOINT, AND IT WAS WEARING/LOOSENING. TOYOTA HAD APPARENTLY ISSUED A T-SB-0318-08 TO REPLACE THE SHAFT WHEN OWNERS COMPLAINED. I TOOK MY RAV4 IN FOR SERVICE TO CHECK, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, MY MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, AND DESPITE NUMEROUS DIPLOMATIC ATTEMPTS ON MY PART, TOYOTA DENIED COVERAGE ON THE BASIS OF MILEAGE, DESPITE MY ARGUMENT OF A SAFETY DEFECT. I ARGUED THAT THIS LOOSENING/DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT COULD BREAK AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS IGNORED NUMEROUS TIMES THROUGH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TOYOTA "CUSTOMER SERVICE" CHANNELS. MY LOCAL DEALER WAS FRIENDLY, BUY UNABLE TO CONVINCE TOYOTA TO HELP. I FINALLY DECIDED TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE, FEARING FOR THE SAFETY OF MY STEERING, AND TOYOTA COULD NOT ASSURE ME THAT THE STEERING WAS SAFE WITHOUT THE REPAIR (THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT). I TOLD THEM I WOULD BE REPORTING THIS TO THE NHTSB, AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE. I SPENT OVER $500 TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT, AND I HOPE OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE ARE REPORTING THIS TO HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE FOR POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECTS. *TR

HEARING A CLUCKING NOISE FROM STEERING COLUMN FOR LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. IT WAS GETTING WORSE AND INCREASED FREQUENCY SO WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. SERVICE DEPT PERSONNEL SAID THEY HAD REPLACED OTHER STEERING SHAFTS BUT NO RECALL ON OUR RAV4'S YEAR. 2001 & 02'S AND OTHER YEARS HAVE RECALLS. SEARCHED ON-LINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER POSTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2006 & 07 RAV4S. WHY IS TOYOTA NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS PROBLEM. OTHERS HAVE STATED THE STEERING WILL EVIDENTLY GO OUT. DEFINITE MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. $800+ COST TO FIX. *TR

STEERING ISSUE WITH 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 SPORT. BIG NOISE AND SUDDEN SLIP FEELING IN STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WHILE TAKING OUT OF GARAGE OR GETTING IN OR WHILE TAKING TURNS ON BUMPY ROAD. *TR

UNINTENDED RAPID ACCELERATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE SUNROOF, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT SLIDE BACKWARDS AND WOULD ONLY MOVE IN THE UPPER TILT POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BURNING SMELL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE SUNROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CASE HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

I BOUGHT THE BRAND NEW 2007 RAV4 LIMITED V6 FROM CHICAGO GROSSINGER TOYOTA 2 AND 1/2 YEARS AGO. THERE WAS SOME BOILING WATER NOISE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE AT AROUND 28K MILES. I TOOK THE RAV4 TO THE CGT DEALER FOR REPAIR SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THAT THE REASON WHY THE ENGINE HAD SOME BOILING WATER NOISE BECAUSE THE CAMSHAFT WAS BENDED. HE LIED! HE DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME THAT THE OIL HOSE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE. THE NOISE PROBLEM WAS FIXED (HOPEFULLY) BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS STILL GOING OR NOT BECAUSE I FOUND THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD ONLINE. MOST COMPLAINTS SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE THE OIL PIPE WAS MADE WITH HALF RUBBER/METAL. THE RUBBER PART WILL SOON BE CRACKED DUE TO THE WEATHER OR SOMETHING. I CALLED THE CGT CUSTOMER REP TO VERIFY THIS PROBLEM AND THEN HE TOLD ME THAT MY CAR MIGHT HAVE THAT PROBLEM AND HE WAS AWARE OF THAT SO HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SWITCHED OIL PIPE TO METAL. HE LIED AGAIN! I CHECKED IT AND THE OIL PIPE IS STILL MADE WITH HALF RUBBER AND METAL. HE SEEMS LIKE COVERING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS HAD BEEN EXISTING FOR A LONG TIME BUT TOYOTA NEVER DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAS TO BE LIABLE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SAFETY IF THEIR PRODUCTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

POPPING NOISE IN STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS, INDICATING POSSIBLE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF STEERING FUNCTION. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NONRESPONSIVE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FAILURE THAT FREQUENTLY SHOWS JUST AS VEHICLE EXCEEDS WARRANTY. GOVERNMENT PRESSURE IS REQUIRED FOR TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE THIS NUISANCE ISSUE BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THUMPING/CLUNKING SOUND HEARD/FELT IN STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT. DIAGNOSED AS BAD INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. VEHICLE ONLY 9,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND FAILURE OF THIS PART AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE IS ABSURD. HAD IT REPLACED AS POTENTIAL SAFETY THREAT. SELLING DEALER INITIALLY ADVISED THAT REPAIR WOULD COST $839.00 BUT AFTER FURTHER DISCUSSION OF TOYOTA TSB'S AND INTERNET INFO THAT THIS PART HAS ALSO BEEN DEFECTIVE IN CAMRYS AND AVALONS TOYOTA AGREED TO PROVIDE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY-SAVING $517. I PAID LABOR OF $321.00. *TR

2007 TOYOTA RAV4 V-6 MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE OIL LINE OF THE VVT-I CAMSHAFT. POOR QUALITY OF RUBBER LINE HAS CAUSED MULTIPLE FAILURES WHICH HAS RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE, ENGINE FIRES. TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING VOLUNTARY RECALLS WITH CERTAIN VIN'S, HOWEVER THIS VOLUNTARY RECALL DOES NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HAS REDESIGNED OIL LINE ACCORDINGLY, BUT IS NOT OFFERING THIS REDESIGNED OIL LINE TO CUSTOMERS AFFECTED BY ORIGINAL DEFECT. *TR

2007 RAV4 W/4CYL ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE ACCELERATING INTO TRAFFIC, THROTTLE BECAME STUCK. THE PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND TO MY FOOT. IT WAS STUCK IN "DOWN" POSITION. I MANAGED TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND WITH ENGINE REVVING WIDELY SHUT THE MOTOR OFF. I AM VERY LUCKY THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. NOTE THAT I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED FOR FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH PEDAL AND THE MAT WAS NOT NEAR THE PEDAL. THIS THROTTLE STUCK AS IF MECHANICAL LINKAGE OR THROTTLE-RELATED DEVICE HAD HELD IT IN PLACE. *TR

WHEN PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGNS HEARD CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN MARCH 2015 NOISE IS THERE AGAIN. THERE IS A LITTLE OVER 80000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BAD ENOUGH IT WENT BAD ONCE.NO IDEA WHAT COST WILL BE TO REPAIR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING. *TR

I HAVE AN 07 TOYOTA RAV AND RECENTLY HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING ROD IS FAILING. THE SPLINES ARE HITTING THE BOTTOM ASSEMBLY. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS SAFE TO DRIVE. COST WAS $415.70 FOR PARTS AND 178.00 FOR LABOR. THE ISSUE IS NOT THE COST BUT CONCERN THAT SOMETHING (INTERMEDIATE STEERING ROD) IN MY STEERING IS FAILING (WHEN WILL IT FAIL COMPLETELY) AND ACCORDING TO SERVICE REP...THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. PERHAPS HE SHOULD BE TURNING THE WHEEL, LISTENING TO THE "CLUNKING SOUND OF THE FAILING SPINES" AND THEN THINKING, "THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE!" *TR

I 'D LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPAIR THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE PROBLEM, (PLEASE SEE T-SB-0318-08 OCTOBER 20, 2008). IF THE VEHICLE WERE UNDER WARRANTY, TOYOTA WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES AT NO COST. HOWEVER, THE COST IS NOT COVERED IF THE VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN 36,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM DID NOT SHOW UP ON MY CAR UNTIL AFTER 36,000 MILES. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST TO FIX THIS TOYOTA PART DEFECT WILL BE OUT OF MY POCKET, AND IT'S VERY SUBSTANTIAL ($890) . I'M AFRAID THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY CREATE POTENTIAL STEERING PROBLEM THAT WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE. *TR

UNCONTROLLED AND UNCOMMANDED AUTO ACCELERATION OF TOYOTA 2007 RAV4 WITH SUBSEQUENT IMPACT INTO RETAINING WALL, DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF $3000.00. *TR

CLUNKING IN FRONT WHEN TURNING; DEALER SAYS THE LINKAGE IN STEERING SHAFT (CONNECTING THE TWO PIECES THAT IT IS COMPRISED OF) IS LOOSE AND CREATING THE NOISE - BUT NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. $833 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR. PURCHASE AT 41,587 MILES - AT 45,442 WHENIT WAS CHECKED BY DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR (DO NOT HAVE FUNDS) AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN!!! SAME COMPLAINT FROM NUMEROUS OTHERS AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/TOYOTA/RAV4/2007/STEERING/INDEX.SHTML. *TR

ON OCT 2009 I HAD A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF MY 2007 TOYOTA RAV 4 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SEIZED COMPLETELY .THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING GEARS AND BRAKING PROBLEMS . *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE LEFT PORTION OF HER CHEST WAS BRUISED FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS WAITING FOR AUTHORIZATION FROM TOYOTA TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22000.

I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH PROBLEMS ARISE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE CONCERNS FOR MANY CUSTOMER WHO HAVE OWNED RAV 4 AND TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE OR EVEN LETTING THE CUSTOMERS BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT STARTS OFF AS A CLUNK SOUND WHEN YOU TURN RIGHT OR LEFT OR WHEN YOU ARE BACKING UP, IT STARTED FOR AROUND 32,000 BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNTIL I PUSHED THE ISSUE. BY THAT TIME IT WAS JUST PASTED THE WARRANTY (37000 MILES). *TR

THE BATTERY ON MY WIFE'S 2007 TOYOTA RAV4 WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, & SO ON THE ADVICE OF THE FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA GARAGE, I JUMP STARTED HER CAR TO GET HER HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I DID THE SAME, SO THAT SHE COULD DRIVE IT TO THE GARAGE TO GET FIXED. WHEN SHE STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOWEVER, THE STEERING LOCK WOULD NOT ALLOW HER TO TURN THE WHEEL & SHE ENDED UP DRIVING TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SHE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED, & TOLD ME, & SO AS I THOUGHT SHE MEANT THAT THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY WASN'T WORKING, I SAID THAT I WOULD DRIVE IT TO THE GARAGE FOR HER. WHEN I STARTED OFF HOWEVER, THE CAR STEERING LOCK STOPPED ME TURNING THE WHEEL, ALTHOUGH ONLY FOR A SECOND OR TWO, BEFORE THE STEERING BEGAN TO WORK CORRECTLY, & SO I VERY SLOWLY & CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE GARAGE. THE GARAGE CHECKED THE CAR & SAID THAT IT WAS JUST A FAULTY BATTERY, BUT WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IF A FAULTY BATTERY COULD CAUSE THE STEERING LOCK TO ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING, THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, THEY SAID THAT WHEN THEY ASKED TOYOTA, THEY SIMPLY SAID THAT IT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED, & SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CONSEQUENTLY, I CALLED TOYOTA, & THEY TOLD ME THAT AS THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE, THE STEERING LOCK COULD ENGAGE WITH A BAD BATTERY. WHEN I SUGGESTED TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICES REP THAT THEY NEEDED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS A SAFETY HAZARD, SHE WASN'T INTERESTED IN HELPING, & POINT BLANK REFUSED TO GIVE ME CONTACT DETAILS FOR HER BOSS, OR ANYONE AT TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA OR JAPAN, ONLY THE CUSTOMER SERVICES DEPT., I.E., PEOPLE LIKE HERSELF. I FIND IT INSULTING THAT TOYOTA NOT ONLY APPEARS NOT TO CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, BUT ALSO DOESN'T APPEAR TO WANT TO HEAR FROM THEIR CUSTOMERS, E.G., WHEN I TOOK A SURVEY AFTER MY CALL, & ENTERED SOME VERY LOW NUMBERS FOR SERVICE CARE, THE CALL WAS DELIBERATELY CUT OFF BY TOYOTA. SO MUCH FOR JAPANESE SERVICE! *TR