2008 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE ALIGNMENT WAS ADJUSTED AFTER EPOXY WAS ADDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TIRES BECAME WORN PREMATURELY AND DAMAGED WITHIN FIVE WEEKS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE EPOXY HAD TO BE REMOVED PRIOR TO MAKING THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED A GOODWILL REPAIR BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE REAR ARMS HOWEVER, SHE WOULD ASSUME THE REPAIR COST OF THE ALIGNMENT AND THE EPOXY KIT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL FOUR NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED. ALSO, NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE TO THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE EPOXY WAS REMOVED. A SECOND RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR ARMS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS EPOXY BEING ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,448.

CHANGE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. IN SEPT CHANGED OIL AND WAS TOLD OIL WAS LOW. TODAY HAD CAR INSPECTED ONLY 1500 MILES INTO OIL CHANGE AND MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I WAS TOLD THE DIP STICK WAS CLEAN. SEEMS THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL. I SEE MANY OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA DEALER BUT PLAN TO HAVE THEM CHECK THIS OUT, BUT I AM SENSING FROM THE OTHER SAME COMPLAINTS SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. HOPE THIS GETS INVESTIGATED. *TR

I HAD JUST ARRIVED TO WORK WAS IN THE EMPLOYEE PARK LOT GETTING READY TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR BUT IT WILL NOT. I PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE RIGHT BEFORE I HIT THE WALL AT THE PARKING GARAGE WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED FOR INSPECTION. WENT TO TOYOTA AND WROTE A STATEMENT ON 10/23/13 AT 0900, THEY CALLED AGAIN TO ASK WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY THEN CALLED AGAIN AT 418PM AND LEFT MESSAGE THAT CAR WAS READY FOR PICK UP. WENT THERE TODAY AND I ASKED WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL CORPORATE TO TELL ME. I CALLED CORPORATE AS TOLD AND THEY REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALER AS THEY DID THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY STATED MANAGER IS ON VACATION UNTIL MONDAY. I CALLED CORPORATE AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME TO SPEAK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I CALLED HIM AT 352PM AND HE ASKED ME WHAT HAPPENED AND I EXPLAINED MYSELF AGAIN. I ASKED WHAT TESTS WERE RUN ON THE CAR AND WHAT THEY FOUND. HE THEN TOLD ME THAT THE TECHNICIAN WHO TESTED THE CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE AND THEREFORE HE CANNOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION. I THEN CALLED CORPORATE AGAIN TO GET ANSWERS AND WAS TOLD SOMEONE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH ME IN 1 BUSINESS DAY. MY FEAR IS WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AS THEY ARE NOT TELLING ME ANYTHING. I HAVE A 5 MONTH OLD BABY AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GET ANSWERS TO ENSURE THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME GET ANSWERS FROM TOYOTA IN REGARDS TO THE TESTS THEY DID ON THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FAILURE WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

WAS PARKED AT A REST STOP, WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND HAS NEVER TURNED OFF. HAVE NOT RECEIVED A LETTER WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SENT IN APRIL, 2014 FOR THE MOST RECENT RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V383000(SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. DR

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON WHEN CAR STARTED. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET INDICATOR LIGHT OFF FAILED. CONTACTED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD TAKE ALL DAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BUT IT APPEARS THIS IS FREQUENT FAILURE WITH RAV4'S AND I NOW QUESTION SALES PERSON RELIABILITY AT DEALER. WILL UPDATE THIS AFTER DEALER APPOINTMENT. *TR

I WAS TURNING AROUND IN A PARKING LOT (360 DEGREE TURN) WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED...I HIT THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AND I TRIED TO PUT THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL. I WAS HEADING TOWARD A PARKED VEHICLE (I WOULD HAVE T-BONED IT BUT I SWERVED), FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, NOTHING ON THE ACCELERATOR, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AND WHILE I TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL I OVERSHOT, THREW IT INTO REVERSE (ENGINE STILL RACING), THEN PARK. ENGINE RACING, I SHUT OFF THE CAR. NOTHING WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ORIGINAL FLOOR MAT REPLACED BY A DIFFERENT STYLE. I HAD THE ORIGINAL RECALL ISSUE FIXED SO THE ACCELERATOR IS THE NEW, SHORTENED VERSION. APPARENTLY THAT FIX DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SO NOW WHAT DO I DO? I CAN NO LONGER TRUST THIS VEHICLE TO OPERATE SAFELY. NOTHING SHOULD OVERRIDE THE BRAKE!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V373000 (SUSPENSION) PERFORMED ON HER VEHICLE IN 2012. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ADVISED ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION ) ON THE NEWS. SHE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE FACT THAT TOYOTA FAILED TO FULFILL THE FIRST RECALL REPAIR AND THAT SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED A SECOND TIME DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS ERROR. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RECALL REPAIR BEING DRAWN OUT OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CHECK ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON; WENT O DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED; LOST 3 QUARTS OF OIL SINCE LAST SCHEDULES OIL CHANGE. DEALER SAYS IT WAS WITHIN THEIR ACCEPTABLE RANGE. TODAY CALLED AND SAID I NEED NEW ENGINE WHICH THEY SAY WILL COST ME THOUSANDS

AT AROUND 80K MILES MY MECHANIC NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS BURNING UP OIL TOO QUICKLY AND ADVISED I BRING IT IN MORE OFTEN FOR HIM TO CHECK THE OIL AND TO ADD IF NEEDED. HE DID THIS FOR ME UNTIL ONE DAY ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND HE TOLD ME MY ENGINE WAS SHOT. I PURCHASED A 100K WARRANTY AND WHEN I TOOK IT INTO TOYOTA THEY SAID THEY WOULD RUN A TEST AND TO COME BACK IN 1200 MILES. THE PARTS MANAGER EVEN ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 FLEET OF 4 CYLINDER ENGINES! AS SOON AS I LEFT THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. TOWED THE CAR BACK TO TOYOTA, THEY KEPT IT THERE A MONTH WAITING FOR THE WARRANTY TECH TO COME INSPECT THE ENGINE. HE CLAIMED I DID NOT MAINTAIN MY ENGINE AND THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER ANY COSTS. I ENDED UP SELLING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AT THE SHOP FOR 800$ THIS COVERED THE BILL TOYOTA SENT ME FOR HAVING THE VEHICLES ENGINE TAKEN APART, THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER BUT WAS OFFERED THE MONEY FROM AN EMPLOYEE TO TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2008 WITH THE 100K WARRANTY, I HATE TOYOTA AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE A VEHICLE FROM THEM EVER AGAIN AND I TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO STAY CLEAR FROM THESE JERKS. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP, SO IT NORMALLY STAYS IN A VIEW-OBSTRUCTED POSITION WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO BUDGE IN TERMS OF RECALLING THIS ITEM. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA A YEAR OR SO AGO AND THEY ASKED ME FOR A QUOTE TO FIX - I SENT THEM A COPY OF THE DEALER PRICE QUOTE (AROUND $150) AND TOYOTA REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GO AWAY. I WOULDN'T NORMALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS BUT I'VE NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET....AND EVEN FROM THOSE WHO HAD THE VISOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT [XXX] IF YOU'D LIKE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC

MY FAMILY AND I WENT ON A TRIP TO GEORGIA AND BEFORE I MADE THE TRIP I CHANGED THE OIL I ALWAYS CHECK THE OIL BEFORE I CHANGE IT AND IT WAS DOWN 1/2 A QUART. WHEN I GOT HOME AFTER PUTTING 1800 MILES ON THE CAR IT WAS DOWN 1/2 A QUART AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL FOR THAT ENGINE. I THEN RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINTS WITH THE TOYOTA 4.5 ENGINE. AS MILEAGE GETS HIGHER THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE, I AM AFRAID THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY MAY RUN OUT BEFORE IT GETS REPAIRED, AS A LOT OF TOYOTA CAR CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED. I AM A 100% DISABLED VETERAN THE VA GAVE ME A GRANT TO HELP PAY FOR THIS CAR AND A TRAILER HITCH TO CARRY MY SCOOTER WITH ME. IN THE YEARS PAST I HAVE WORKED ON CARS AND HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY MECHANICS AND THEY SAY THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I FEEL THIS CAR HAS TO BE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST STAGE, WE HAVE TO GO 2 1/2 HOURS TO THE DEALER JUST TO HAVE THE OIL CHECKED. OTHER PEOPLE SAY THIS IS TO PROLONG UNTIL EXTENDED WARRANTY RUNS OUT. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. OWNER TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP IS LEAKING. THE RAV4 ONLY HAS 86,000 MILES. OWNER HAS NOTICED THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTED COMPLAINTS ON THE AIRBAG SPIRAL CABLE DEFECT. HOW MANY MORE "DEFECTS" HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED? THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE REPAIRS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. OWNER USED TO THINK TOYOTA MADE A RELIABLE CAR!! *JB

POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT,DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN. PROBLEM WITH SENSOR LOCATED AT COLUMN. COST TO ME $1260.00. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4, 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, WHICH CURRENTLY HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ADVISING TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS THAT THE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE FOR THAT PARTICULAR YEAR IS DEFECTIVE. THE PISTON RINGS DO NOT PROPERLY REMOVE THE OIL AS THE PISTON TRAVELS UP AND DOWN, AND AS A RESULT THE ENGINE CONSUMES EXCESSIVE OIL. MY VEHICLE USES APPROXIMATELY A QUART AND A HALF OF OIL IN ONLY 1,500 MILES. TOYOTA SAID THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IF IT'S WITHIN 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICH MINE IS OVER THE MILES WITH 70,000+. SO, I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW PISTONS AND RINGS, BECAUSE TOYOTA DOESN'T WANT TO DESIGNATE THIS AS A RECALL FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINE. TOYOTA PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS REPUTATION AND RELIABILITY OF THEIR VEHICLES, BUT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE MOTOR, BUT WANT US TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OR IN SOME CASES A PORTION OF THE REPAIR, WHICH IS COSTLY......AROUND $5,000.00. *TR

IN AUGUST, OIL LIGHT FLASHES WHEN I MAKE A HARD STOP; TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY PUT A MONITOR ON IT AND TOLD ME TO RETURN AT 1200 MILES. I FORGOT AND ONLY REMEMBERED WHEN I STARTED TO SEE THE OIL LIGHT BLINK ON AGAIN WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. I CAME BACK IN TO DEALER IN NOVEMBER, THEY READ THE MONITOR AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO HAVE MY ENGINE REBUILT; THE SERVICE TECH. MET WITH A MGR, RECHECKED READINGS AND SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS 4000 ON THE MONITOR, THEY THOUGHT THE READINGS WERE SKEWED. SO, THEY RESET THE MONITOR, ADDED OIL TO THE CAR AND I WILL ENSURE THAT I COME BACK AT 1200 MILES TO FIND OUT THE STATUS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE (GOING ON A LONG DRIVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS). I AM SEEING MANY COMMENTS ONLINE SIMILAR TO MINE AND THEY RELATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RAV4 ENGINE. I CALLED TOYOTA USA AND REPORTED THE ISSUE TO THEM EARLIER THIS MONTH. THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT TO HEAR WHAT THE DEALER SAYS. I NOW DRIVE WITH 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN MY CAR AND WILL MONITOR MY OIL LEVELS THROUGHOUT MY TRIP TO AND FROM NY. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND BASED ON WHAT I SEEN WRITTEN ONLINE SO FAR, I EXPECT THAT THE DEALER IS GOING TO TELL ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ENGINE REPAIRS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE OCCURRING WITH THE VEHICLES THEY SERVICE. *TR

ENGINE IS BURNING TOO MUCH MOTOR OIL. HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING A LITER OF OIL IN THE CAR EVERY TWO WEEKS. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY TOYOTA THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE R&R PISTON AND RING SET. MY VIN ID IS IMPACTED BY THIS. *TR

I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER, LIKE A DIESEL. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE FAN IN THE WATER PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 25,000 MILES ON IT! THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND MUST BE A DEFECT. UNFORTUNATELY, MY DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED ONE MONTH AGO. NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME $800 TO REPAIR. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM ONLINE, WHICH PROVES THERE IS A DEFECT INVOLVED, BUT TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. IF THE WATER PUMP GAVE OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD, I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY WITH POOR CELL SERVICE. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE ON TOYOTA'S PART AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY DIED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER THOUGH THE BATTERY FINALLY TURNED ON. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOOK THE ENGINE APART AND SAID A VALVE SPRING BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE VALVE TO DROP DOWN AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE #4 PISTON, BREAKING IT COMPLETELY APART. (IT ENDED UP IN THE OIL PAN.) MY ENGINE IS RUINED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED A PRICE OF $7000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SPRING TO BREAK LIKE THAT OR CAUSE THAT KIND OF DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE IS 9,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY (THOUGH STILL WITHIN 6-YEAR TIME FRAME OF WARRANTY). MY CAR HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE HAD BUCKLED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ONE OF THE TIE ROD BOLTS WAS MISSING AND HAD CAUSED THE TIE ROD TO BECOME BENT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V373000 (SUSPENSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

SIMILAR TO SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL, MY VEHICLE IS ALSO EXHIBITING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, UP TO 1 QT. WITHIN 1,000-1,500 MILES, BASED ON MY OWN CONSUMPTION TESTS. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED THE OIL SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR BEGIN TO BURN OIL AT AROUND 66,000 MILES. MANY TIMES I HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS - DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS "NORMAL" CONSUMPTION AND WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS AS DOES TOYOTA MOTOR SALES. HOWEVER, TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (T-SB-0094-11) WHICH ACKNOWLEDGES A CONSUMPTION ISSUE ON MY MODEL AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHERS. I HAVE READ ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PISTON ASSEMBLY THAT IS CAUSING THIS, HOWEVER, TOYOTA REFUSES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM IF THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CONTEND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS LIKELY PRESENT WITHIN MY WARRANTY BUT, SINCE I DIDN'T DISCOVER IT UNTIL AFTERWARDS, I AM SIMPLY OUT OF LUCK WITH AN ENGINE THAT CONSUMES EXCESSIVE OIL. THE DEALER QUOTED ME $3,400 TO REPAIR. I PURCHASED A TOYOTA FOR ITS PERCEIVED RELIABILITY, BUT LIKE OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS, I TOO AM STUCK WITH A HIGH MAINTENANCE VEHICLE THAT I TOO WILL HAVE TO MONITOR CLOSELY AS LONG AS I OWN IT. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM WARRANTS A RECALL, DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM IN TERMS OF VEHICLES AFFECTED AND THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. SADLY, TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS! *TR

I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA RAV4 IN JANUARY 2008 AT TOYOTA OF FORT WORTH; MY WARRANTY EXPIRED ON JANUARY 19, 2012. THE CAR HAS AROUND 58,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I WOULD BRING IT IN, TO THE SAME AGENCY, EVERY 5,000 MILES FOR THE ROUTINE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. ON JUNE 9, 2011 I BEGAN TAKING MY TOYOTA TO FREEMAN TOYOTA IN HURST SINCE IT WAS CLOSER TO WHERE I LIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, I NOTICED THAT AFTER 2,500 MILES THE FLUID LEVELS WERE DANGEROUSLY LOW BEFORE THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS DUE. THEREFORE I WOULD BRING IN THE CAR EARLIER THAT EXPECTED. WITH EVERY VISIT THE RESPONSE THAT THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTING ME GAVE ME WAS, -DON'T WORRY, WE'LL TOP IT OFF. EVEN THOUGH MY RECORDS DO NOT EXPRESS MY CONCERN ABOUT THE FLUID LEVELS, I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE PROBLEM SINCE THEN. ON JUNE 27, 2013, I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO TOYOTA OF FORT WORTH DUE TO THE SAME CONCERN; I WAS TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE AN OIL LEAK THAT WOULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS SUGGESTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO CHECK THE ENGINE TO SEE WHY SO MUCH OIL WAS BEING ABSORBED, BUT THAT IT COULD COST ME UP TO $800. I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER AT THIS AGENCY STATING THAT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT NOT SUGGESTING A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR WITHIN MY WARRANTY TIME FRAME WAS COMPLETELY UNETHICAL AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS FAIR TO ASK ME TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED WHEN I HAD EXPRESSED THIS CONCERN WHILE I STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.I AM A TEACHER AND JUST LIKE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL, I EXPECTED TO HAVE A RELIABLE VEHICLE. I CANNOT AFFORD EXPENSIVE MAINTENANCE AND DO NOT SEE THAT IT IS FAIR TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL CHARGES THAT THE MANUFACTURER OR SERVICE AGENT DID NOT MAKE ME AWARE OF AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

OUR 2008 RAV4 OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD JUST HAD OUR OIL CHANGED SO WE THOUGHT THE BUSINESS DIDN'T ADD ENOUGH OIL WHEN THEY DID THE OIL CHANGE. WE TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM THAT THIS MODEL YEAR HAS. FIRST WE HEARD ABOUT IT. WE TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER IN OMAHA AND THEY IMMEDIATELY SAID WE HAD NO WARRANTY FOR THIS WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. RED FLAG. THEY THEN DID A TEST WHERE THEY DID ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND WE DROVE IT FOR 1000 MILES THEN TOOK IT BACK. THEY SAID WE DID NOT HAVE AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. FAST FORWARD TO AUGUST 2014 AND THE OIL LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. THE DIP STICK WAS DRY. WE TOOK IT AGAIN TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD WE DID HAVE AN OIL CONSUMPTION. HE DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT. MY HUSBAND WAS FURIOUS SINCE WE HAD BEEN TOLD WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM 13 MONTHS EARLIER. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WOULD TAKE $5000 TO $6000 TO FIX IT SINCE IT WOULD REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE. SINCE THEN WE HAVE FOUND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH THEY PUT THE FAULTY ENGINES IN THESE VEHICLES. THE ARE TRYING TO SHIRK THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THIS RECALL COST A LITTLE MORE. WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE CONSUMER? IF WE TRADE IT WE JUST LOST $5000 TO $6000 IN VALUE. IF WE DON'T WE ARE STUCK WITH A FAULTY VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAME RIGHT OUT OF THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY JUST ARGUED WITH HIM. NO HELP. *TR

INSURANCE CLAIM # [XXX]/PROGRESSIVE POLICY # [XXX]MY FATHER-IN LAW WAS DRIVING BACK FROM THE VET OFFICE WITH HIS TWO DOGS AROUND 9:15 AM ON JUNE 20, 2013. HE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH IN A 50 MPH DRIVE ZONE WHEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR FLEW UP HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD WAS BLOCKING HIS VIEW , HOWEVER HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD USING THE SIDE WINDOW. HE WAS ABLE TO SECURE THE HOOD AND DRIVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP "KENNYS COLLISION CENTER" LOCATED IN MONREVILLE, AL. 36460, AT 352 HWY 136 , PHONE #251-575-9241. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE HOOD,ROOF, AND SIDE FRONT PANELS, REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $2,778.09, I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ATHENS , GA. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT WHEN THE CAR HAD 70K MILES. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE MAINTENANCE SERVICE NEEDED FOR THE CAR HAVING 70K MILES. I LIVE IN NICHOLSON, GA AND WAS VISITING MY IN-LAWS IN AL WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A "SAFETY" DEFECT IN THIS CAR. I ALSO REQUEST A RECALL INSPECTION FOR THESE RAV 4'S - I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM MILTON MARTIN DEALERSHIP IN GAINESVILLE AROUND OCT 2010. I HAVE HAD THE CAR MAINTAINED AT THE ATHENS DEALERSHIP SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. INCLUDING OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE . UPDATED 7/31/13 *CN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE, AS STOPPED TRAFFIC WAS AHEAD. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 07/16/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED MOST OF THE DATA WAS DIFFICULT TO INTERPRET AS FAR AS IMPLICATIONS CONCERNING THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE TIME OF IMPACT. SPECIFICALLY, THE VEHICLE SPEED SHOWED VERY LITTLE REDUCTION IN MPH UNTIL LESS THAN ONE SECOND BEFORE IMPACT, ASSUMING TIME 0 REPRESENTS IMPACT. THE DATA SUPPORTED THE CONSUMERS CLAIM THAT THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT RESPONSE TO HIS BRAKING WHEN HE BECAME AWARE OF APPARENTLY STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD AFTER HE HAD COMPLETED A LANE CHANGE. ALSO, THE ACCELERATOR RATE AND ENGINE RPM DATA DID NOT SUPPORT THE COMMON EXPLANATION THAT HE WAS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. HIS REACTION AT THE TIME WAS TO BRAKE AS A PANIC STOP, BUT THERE WAS ENOUGH DISTANCE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP BEFORE IMPACT OR AT LEAST GREATLY REDUCE HIS SPEED BEFORE IMPACT. UPDATED 10/21/13

WATER PUMP REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY, I CAME TO A STOP, THE SUV BEHIND ME DID NOT REALIZE WE WERE STOPPED. HE HIT ME AT ALMOST FULL SPEED, THIS PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME, AND THEM INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM. BASICALLY A 4 CAR PILE UP, THE CAR THAT HIT ME AND THE CAR I WAS PUSHED INTO BOTH BLEW THEIR AIR BAGS. I WAS HIT THE HARDEST AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT BLOW, I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP TWO WEEKS BEFORE FOR WARRANTY WORK AND RECALLS, NOTHING WAS EVER SAID ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I'M NOT SURE WHY MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. *TR

THE ENGINE DIED ON OUR VEHICLE. DEALER SAID IT STOPPED WORKING BUT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE APART THE ENGINE TO FIND OUT WHY. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAKS BUT IT RAN OUT OF OIL & CEASED THE ENGINE. IT WAS ONLY 4 MONTHS SINCE OUR LAST OIL CHANGE. PEOPLE ARE TELLING US IT SHOULD NOT HAVE RAN OUT THAT FAST WITHOUT THERE BEING A LEAK. TOYOTA SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BY ONLY 525 MILES!!!! THIS IS OUR SECOND TOYOTA & WE LOVED THEM. WE WERE INTENDING ON BEING LIFE LONG CUSTOMERS. BUT NOW WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA! ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES!! WE NOW HAVE $13,000 LEFT TO PAY ON THE VEHICLE & CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT & HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE. *TR

I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY FIANCE AT WORK AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL DROPPED ROUGHLY 8 INCHES HITTING MY LEG. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE MOVED 8 TO 12 INCHES UP AND DOWN WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. IT CAN ALSO MOVE BE MOVED 6 TO 8 INCHES LEFT TO RIGHT WITH NO RESISTANCE. IT'S NOT GUIDED IN ANY WAY, YOU CAN MOVE IT AROUND IN A LARGE CIRCULAR MOTION. THE CAR AMAZINGLY ENOUGH STILL STEERS. THE STEERING ASSEMBLY IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS WELL AS THE RACK AND PINION. THOUGH WHEN YOU DO ATTEMPT TO STEER, IT MAKES A HORRIBLE POPPING SOUND, WHICH MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE SHAFT IS NO LONGER IN A FIXED POSITION. UPON INVESTIGATION IT LOOKS LIKE A FACTORY WELD HAS FAILED. FOR A 2008 RAV4, THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REINFORCEMENT BAR. THIS IS A LARGE BAR THAT RUNS THE LENGTH OF YOUR DASHBOARD. THIS BAR HAS A FEW WELDED MOUNTS ON IT THAT ALLOW YOU TO BOLT ON THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY, WHICH HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE, IT IS THESE WELDS WHICH HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE STEERING WHEEL HAD DROPPED 5 MINUTES EARLIER WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD 65,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF OIL AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE AIG BAG LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.LJ

REAR SUSPENSION ARM BROKEN WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 70 MPH. THERE WAS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF A ROLLOVER WITH THIS INCIDENT. THREE SEPARATE TIMES THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY SHARP JERKS TOWARD THE DITCH/MEDIAN. THE ONLY REASON WE DID NOT ROLLOVER WAS THE DRIVER AT THE TIME WAS VERY EXPERIENCED AND HAD TO FIGHT TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

MY ALTERNATOR WENT IN MY VEHICLE BUT WAS DISCOVERED WAS DISTURBING. I HAD JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED 4 WEEKS PRIOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST EMPTY OF OIL. IF THE ALTERNATOR HAD NOT FAILED MY ENGINE WOULD HAVE BLOWN DUE TO THE LACK OF OIL. THE LACK OF OIL IS DUE TO THE PISTON ASSEMBLY IN MY 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA SINCE THEY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON AUG. 11 KNOWN AS SB002411 AND SB009411. TOYOTA SAID THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE PISTON ASSEMBLY, YET I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL. THIS REPAIR IS ONLY COVERED FOR 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IN MY SITUATION, THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THIS REPAIR IS ON MYSELF ($4-$5K). THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH TOYOTA RAV 4 WHERE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. MY PRIOR ISSUE WAS THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WHICH WAS MAKING A CLUCKING SOUND AND IF NOT ADDRESSED THE I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THAT FINANCIAL BURDEN WAS $800. BOTH SHOULD BE A RECALL BY TOYOTA. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. INSTEAD, WHEN NOT NEEDING TO USE IT, IT HANGS DOWN AT LEAST 3 INCHES FROM THE CEILING, CREATING A VISIBILITY AND SAFETY HAZARD! THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA BY MANY TOYOTA OWNERS, INCLUDING BOTH UNDER WARRANTY OR OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MIRROR VISOR, COSTING AROUND $150, WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE REAR STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY (RH) BOLT DISCONNECTED FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM ASSEMBLY DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE BOLT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO EXPERIENCED A SECOND TIME AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE CYLINDER AND THE REAR PASSENGER CALIPER MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, BOTH PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,030. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON AND SCAN SHOWS THAT IT IS A "SPIRAL CABLE" THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UNKNOWN TO ME WAS THAT AIRBAG WOULDN'T DEPLOY WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON. CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND THIS APPEARS TO BE LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE THIS EVENT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND DUE TO HIGH FREQUENCY OF THIS EVENT BEING REPORTED...IT SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR

VAPOR CANISTER FOR CAPTURE OF FUEL VAPOR FROM FUEL TANK BECOMES DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN VEHICLES GO THROUGH SNOW OR WATER. CANISTER, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO SEVERAL HOSES EITHER DANGLES UNDER VEHICLE OR PULLS LOOSE. THE LOSS OF THE CANISTER CAUSES ENGINE LIGHT TO INDICATE MALFUNCTION OF EMISSIONS SYSTEM. TOYOTA HAS REDESIGNED MOUNTING SYSTEM ON NEWER MODELS WHICH INCLUDES A SHIELD UNDER THE CANISTER AND MORE CONNECTION POINTS, BUT HAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE A CORRECTION FOR OLDER MODELS. CANISTER HAS COME LOOSE OR OFF TWICE; ONCE DRIVING ON SNOWY ROADS AND THE SECOND TIME WHEN VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER ON HIGHWAY AFTER HEAVY RAIN. WITH CANISTER DISCONNECTED IT DISABLES 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND ALSO WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTS. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, UP TO 1 QT. WITHIN 1,000-1,200 MILES, BASED ON MY OWN AND A TOYOTA DEALER'S CONSUMPTION TESTS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS "NORMAL" CONSUMPTION AS DOES TOYOTA MOTOR SALES. HOWEVER, TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (T-SB-0094-11) WHICH ACKNOWLEDGES A CONSUMPTION ISSUE ON MY MODEL AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHERS. I HAVE READ ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PISTON ASSEMBLY THAT IS CAUSING THIS, HOWEVER, TOYOTA REFUSES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM IF THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CONTEND THAT THIS ISSUE WAS LIKELY PRESENT WITHIN MY WARRANTY BUT, SINCE I DIDN'T DISCOVER IT UNTIL AFTERWARDS, I AM SIMPLY OUT OF LUCK WITH AN ENGINE THAT CONSUMES EXCESSIVE OIL. THE DEALER QUOTED ME $3,400 TO REPAIR. I PURCHASED A TOYOTA FOR ITS PERCEIVED RELIABILITY, BUT AM NOW STUCK WITH A HIGH MAINTENANCE VEHICLE THAT I WILL HAVE TO MONITOR CLOSELY AS LONG AS I OWN IT. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM WARRANTS A RECALL, DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM IN TERMS OF VEHICLES AFFECTED AND THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 RAV4 TOYOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MY NORMAL OIL CHANGE IN SEPT 2013 AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK, RAV HAD 85,000 MILES AT THE TIME. NO LIGHTS HAD COME ON THAT ALERTED ME TO AN ISSUE. THEY NOTED IT ON THE RECORDS AND SAID THEY WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON IT. I WENT FOR MY NEXT OIL CHANGE NOV 2013 AND SAME ISSUE OF NO OIL ON DIPSTICK AND AGAIN NO WARNING LIGHTS. THEY NOTED IT AGAIN ON PAPERWORK AND SAID WE MIGHT NEED TO LOOK INTO WHY IT IS USING OIL. WE MADE A PHONE CALL TO A FRIEND WHO IS A TOYOTA MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED TO THE DEALERSHIPS ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. DEALERSHIP DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TO ME EITHER TIME. WE HAVE WATCHED THE OIL EVER SINCE AND HAVE TO ADD OIL BETWEEN CHANGES. IN JANUARY 2015 WE RECEIVED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. IN FEBRUARY WE HAD OIL CONSUMPTION TEST PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD THE RAV WAS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS OF OIL USAGE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOGGED A CASE. THEY TOLD ME TO GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP BETWEEN 1100-1300 MILES AND HAVE OIL LEVEL CHECKED AGAIN. IT WAS 1500 MILES LATER BEFORE I COULD GET BACK IN TO DEALERSHIP. THEY NOTED THE RAV HAD USED 1 QUART OF OIL IN 1500 MILES. I AM BEING TOLD THAT IS NORMAL USAGE AND AT THIS TIME MY VEHICLE WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE "FIX". THE RAV ONLY HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR WILL NOT SNAP BACK UP TO THE VEHICLE'S HEADLINER AND STAY THERE. IT REMAINS IN THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. *TR

WAS DRIVING 2008 RAV4 OUT OF TOWN WITH MY WIFE. CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND QUICKLY APPLIED BRAKES AND ENGINE STARTED REVVING UPWARD. HAD TO PRESS ON BRAKE WITH FULL FORCE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE CAR "BUCKED" AND ENGINE ALMOST RED-LINED AT 6000 RPMS. SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND WENT THROUGH RED LIGHT AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE. TRIED TO REPLICATE IN NEUTRAL AND COULD ONLY GET TO 5000 RPMS. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND MY WIFE WASN'T DRIVING AS I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD HAVE KNOWN HOW TO REACT TO SUCH AN UNEXPECTED AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY PERFORMED HEALTH CHECK ANALYSIS AND SAID "ALL OK AT THIS TIME". UNHAPPY WITH THE RESULT OF THE "CHECK", CALLED DEALERSHIP BACK AND WAS TOLD TO CALL 800-331-4331 (TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN CA) TO FILE A REPORT. REP TOOK DOWN ALL OF THE INFORMATION AND PUT ME ON HOLD TO CHECK INTO THE MATTER. CREATED A CASE NUMBER AND NOTIFIED CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A FIELD TECH REP LOOK AT THE CAR. HOPING THEY CAN RECTIFY THE SITUATION (COMPUTER GLITCH?) AS MY WIFE IS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF POSSIBLE DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. SINCE THE 2008 WASN'T PART OF THE RECENT ACCELERATION/FLOOR MAT RECALL, IF YOU'VE HAD A SIMILAR SCARE WITH YOUR 2008 RAV4, PLEASE CALL THE 800 NUMBER AND REPORT IT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND THE LIGHT NEVER WENT OFF AFTER THAT. I HAD THIS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL IN 2011. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE SPIRAL CABLE. THE COST TO FIX THIS WAS $500.00. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAG AND IS A FAULTY SYSTEM GIVEN THAT THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I SEE ON THE WEB THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS CAR ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS TOO. MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A CAR WITH THAT MILEAGE. PLEASE HELP IN GETTING THIS THROUGH AS A RECALL. *TR

EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. ADDING 1QUART EVERY 700 MILES AND GETTING WORSE. *TR

THE ONBOARD COMPUTER (ECM) PROGRAM IS DEFECTIVE IN THE 2008 RAV4, AND PROBABLY OTHER YEARS AND MODELS, CAUSING OWNERS TO UNNECESSARILY BRING CARS IN AND PAY FOR UNNEEDED SERVICE. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO BEGIN AN INTERSTATE DRIVE, 3 FAULT INDICATORS (CHECK ENGINE,VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, 4 WHEEL DRIVE) ILLUMINATED. FOLLOWING OWNERS MANUAL, MY WIFE CALLED THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER WHO TOLD HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY, AND TO DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY, TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL ROOM WHEN FOLLOWING OTHER VEHICLES, AND NOT TO ATTEMPT SUDDEN STOPS. ANOTHER FAULT INDICATOR (CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE) PRESENTED ITSELF ENROUTE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THE REASON FOR ALL 4 FAULT INDICATIONS WAS THE #6 CYLINDER MISFIRED 1 TIME A FEW SECONDS AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE. HE SAID THE ECM IS PROGRAMMED TO GIVE THESE 4 FAULT INDICATIONS FOR A CYLINDER MISFIRE, BUT HE DID NOT KNOW WHY. HE SAID THAT HE COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE SINGLE MISFIRE, BUT THAT HE FOUND AND TIGHTENED A SLIGHTLY LOOSE AIR INTAKE HOSE THAT COULD NOT POSSIBLY HAVE CAUSED THE MISFIRE. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE FOR ME TO MAKE MY INTERSTATE DRIVE WITHOUT COMING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER PROGRAMMING THAT PROVIDED THESE 4 FAULT INDICATIONS IS DEFECTIVE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS. 1. A SINGLE CYLINDER MISFIRE IS UNRELATED TO AND HAS NO EFFECT UPON THE THREE SYSTEMS POINTED TO BY THE FAULT INDICATIONS (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, 4 WHEEL DRIVE, CRUISE CONTROL) 2. A SINGLE CYLINDER MISFIRE AT STARTUP IS NOT AN EMERGENCY SITUATION REQUIRING IMMEDIATE SERVICE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WITH EXTRAORDINARILY CAUTIOUS DRIVING ENROUTE. 3. DURING THE 1 HOUR DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE CYLINDERS OF THE VEHICLE FIRED SUCCESSFULLY AROUND 360,000 TIMES, AND THE PROGRAMMING DID NOT RECOGNIZE THIS FAULTLESS OPERATION AND AUTOMATICALLY CLEAR THE FAULT INDICATORS.

WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOPLIGHT, I PULLED INTO THE OPEN LEFT HAND LANE SO AS NOT TO BE BEHIND A TANKER TRUCK, AND WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AT THE LIGHT, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND RATHER THAN COMING TO A FULL STOP AT THE LIGHT, I SLID THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. HAD I NOT BEEN IN A LANE WITHOUT TRAFFIC AND HAD THERE NOT BEEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ONCE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A FULL STOP. THEN I DROVE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION AND DROVE AROUND THEIR PARKING LOT TO TEST THE BRAKES AND THEY SEEMED FINE. I ALSO CHECKED TO SEE IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS FREE FROM THE CARPET AND IT WAS. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT ON...CODE B1801 SEE ITS A COMMON FAILURE ON TOYOTA NOT COVERED ON ANY RECALLS, DRIVER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. *TR