2009 Toyota RAV4 Complaint Log

DRIVING IN TO WORK IN THE MORNING, SPEED WAS 25 MPH ON A SUBURBAN ROAD, SOUTH STREET IN TEWKSBURY MA, AS I WENT OVER ROUGH AREA IN THE ROAD, I HEARD A THUMP FROM UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION STRUTS LET GO. I PULLED IN TO A PARKING LOT TO EXAMINE WHAT HAPPENED. PART OF THE STRUT WAS HANGING DOWN SCRAPING ON THE GROUND. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS SKEWED IN THE WHEEL WELL RUBBING ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE STRUT HAS AN EYE WITH A BUSHING IN IT, WHERE A BOLT IS USED TO BOLT IT TO THE CAR'S MAIN FRAME, THE BOLT WAS MISSING ALLOWING THE SUSPENSION TO FALL APART. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD IT IN TWICE AT THE DEALERSHIP, ONCE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, A SECOND TIME TO ENSURE IT WAS OK. A MONTH AGO IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION, ALL DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE "BOLT" LET GO, APPARENTLY THE ONE HOLDING THE STRUT TO THE MAIN FRAME OF THE CAR. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL CANNOT BE HELD IN PLACE AND RIDES UP IN TO THE WHEEL WELL. *TR

WOULD HEAR AND FEEL A POPPING SOUND WHEN TRUING RIGHT OR LEFT. HAD CAR SERVICED A 75000 MILE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BECK TOYOTA. THEY SAID THIS WAS CAUSED BY A BINDING OG THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND COST 544.68 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. I DID NOT HAVE THE SHAFT REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER ONE. I CAME HOME AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB. I SEEMS THAT OVER A 100000 PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. SOME HAVE HAD THE SHAFT REPLACED TO HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN IN A SHORT LENGTH OF TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE SHAFT WAS TO HARD BIND A PERSON COULD WRECK.

BOTH AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON. *TR

MALFUNTION WITH WATER PUMP AND THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS STOPPED WORKING ALTHOUGH THE BATTERY WAS IN GOOD CONDITION.*BF UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN

DRIVING ALONE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ON A MAJOR ROAD. ABOUT 6 PM. WARNING LIGHT APPEARED FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY WHOLE DASHBOARD THAT LIT UP. NO PREVIOUS WARNING. VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER. I MADE SPLIT-SECOND DECISION TO MAKE A QUICK RIGHT TURN INTO SMALL SHOPPING CENTER BUT ONLY MANAGED, WITHOUT POWER, TO MANEUVER VEHICLE ON A SLANT UP THE INCLINE. EMERGENCY FLASHERS STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY THEREAFTER, SO CAR NOT EASILY VISIBLE TO OTHERS. NO HEAT IN CAR DUE TO LOST POWER AND IT WAS A BITTER COLD AND WINDY NIGHT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AT COST OF $190 (INSURANCE REIMBURSED ME ONLY $25). COST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS PLUS LABOR AT DEALER WAS $1499.87. I COULD HAVE BEEN PLOWED INTO FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER DRIVER. I WAS VULNERABLE WITH NO POWER TO CAR. AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS TOYOTA HAS MANY IRATE CUSTOMERS RE WATER PUMPS FAILING ON THEIR RAV 4S FROM VARIOUS YEARS--NOT JUST THE YEAR OF MY MODEL. YET TOYOTA SENT NO RECALL NOTICE RE THIS DANGEROUS FLAW IN THEIR VEHICLES. AND THEY MAINTAIN THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO COVER MY COSTS. THEY HAVE OFFERED ONLY $522 47 TO ME. AN EXPIRED WARRANTY IS NOT RELEVANT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SUPPOSE I HAD BEEN ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH HIGH SPEEDS? *TR

THE ALLOY WHEELS OF MY 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 ARE RUSTED AND BUBBLING. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 10K MILES ON IT. I THINK THE RUSTING ON THE TIRES IS RUSTING THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. DESPITE HAVING LESS THAN 10K ON MY CAR, I'M TOLD THAT MY BRAKES AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I COULD NOT STOP BY 4 WHEEL DRIVE GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH ON AN INCLINE WITH LIGHT ICE WHEREAS OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO STOP. THERE'S SOMETHING DEFECTIVE ABOUT TOYOTA'S MANUFACTURING OF THEIR WHEELS. LOTS OF PEOPLE ON VARIOUS FORUMS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE RUSTED WHEELS. I THINK ITS MAKING THE CARS LESS SAFE. PROBABLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT LED TO RECALLS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CHECK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 6/22/2015*JS

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT ON OUR FRONT DRIVEWAY FACING THE GARAGE. WHERE IT ALWAYS PARKED EVERYDAY. THE WEATHER WAS WARM AND CLEAR MY WIFE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS PREPARING TO BUCKLE UP AND DRIVE TO CHURCH, I ENTERED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT AND BUCKLED UP. SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED THROUGH THE ROOF. I YELLED AT HER TO GET HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND SHE YELLED AT ME THAT SHE WAS NO WHERE NEAR IT. I THEN TOLD HER TO PULL THE FLOOR MAT / CARPET BACK AND IT WAS ALREADY BACK AND LOCKED DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I TOLD HER TO TURN IT OFF. THE CAR IDLED DOWN TO STOP ONCE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. WE SAT THERE FOR A FEW MOMENTS, I TOLD HER TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ONCE AND TRY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY WE LET IT WARM UP FOR A MOMENT AND DROVE AWAY. SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS GLAD I WAS IN THE CAR TO SEE THE EVENT BECAUSE IT HAD HAPPENED 3 OTHER TIMES IN THE LAST 45 DAYS. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN IT OCCURRED OR ON A BUSY ROADWAY OR SCHOOL ZONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD UNKNOWN NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VISCOUS COUPLING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

THERE IS A NOTICEABLE THUMPING, LIKE A BELT SLIPPING OR A GEAR MISSING, WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. THE FREQUENCY OF THE ISSUE BECOMES MORE PREVALENT THE LONGER YOU DRIVE. ON 12/22/14, YORK AUTO GROUP, MY LOCAL TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, DETERMINED THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE RACK AND PINION. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM MY RESEARCH THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE MANAGED TO GET THIS REPAIR COVERED BY TOYOTA SINCE IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND BECOMING MORE FREQUENT IN THIS MODEL. I DID CONTACT TOYOTA AND OPENED CASE # [XXX] TOYOTA WAS LESS RESPONSIVE IN MY CASE. IF THIS IS BECOMING A KNOWN ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO COVER THE REPAIR AND POSSIBLY ALERT OTHER RAV4 OWNERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY WENT OFF, EXPLODING IN MY FACE. THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE, DUST, AND DEBRIS. BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE (AIRBAG IN MY FACE AND SMOKE/DEBRIS IN THE VEHICLE), I CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

URGENT SAFETY RECALL ISSUED (NO DATE) BY TOYOTA FOR REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS (NO. 1). "IMPORTANT RECALL FOLLOW-UP NOTICE" I RECEIVED TODAY VIA USPS, OCTOBER 9TH, 2014. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, [XXX] IN DUBUQUE, IOWA TODAY, AND ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (OVER THE PAST YEAR) TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED, AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETED. EACH TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PART AND I WOULD BE CALLED WHEN AVAILABLE. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE ONLY RECEIVING 5 PARTS PER WEEK WHEN THEY NEED 300 PARTS. I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE NOTICES FROM TOYOTA TO HAVE THIS PART REPAIRED, YET AFTER A YEAR HAS PASSED, TOYOTA CONTINUES TO SEND URGENT NOTIFICATIONS, YET CANNOT SUPPLY ENOUGH PARTS TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE MORE FIRMLY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UNCONTROLLABLY IN A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE. I SWITCHED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND IT THEN RAN NORMALLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME LODGED TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 8/17/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000(SUSPENSION) WAS RECEIVED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

PAINT PEELING ON ROOF OF 2009 RAV4 TOYOTA, MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR.

REAR SUSPENSION ARMS WERE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. IT WAS FOUND A YEAR LATER, THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. DURING THIS TIME, THE HANDLING OF THE CAR ON TURNS AND IN WET WEATHER WERE IMPAIRED. ALSO, THE TIRES WORE UNEVENLY AND WERE BALD ON THE INSIDE. I FOUND OUT, THAT THE RECALL FIX REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ADJUSTABLE ARMS WITH NON-ADJUSTABLE ARMS AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE ALIGNED. TOYOTA WANTED $830 TO REPLACE THE ARMS AGAIN IN ORDER TO ALIGN IT. THIS WOULD MEAN EVERY TIME THE CAR NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT OF THE REAR WHEELS, NEW REAR ARMS WOULD HAVE TO BE PURCHASED. THAT CAR HAS BEEN ALTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL DESIGN TO THE ADVANTAGE OF TOYOTA. ..UPDATED 03/10/16 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE POPPING NOISES AND STARTED TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LOWER ARM TIE ROD HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION). HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I PURCHASED A USED 2009 RAV4 WITH ABOUT 78,000 MILES. IT WAS A ONE OWNER WITH A CLEAN CAR FAX. IT WAS GREAT DURING THE TEST DRIVE. ABOUT 2 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED IT, IT STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLE/RUMBLE/VIBRATION AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND 1500 - 1800RPM. IT SEEMS LIKE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION AREA. THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENED WHEN ON AN INCLINE. I TOOK IT INTO A DEALER AND THEY FLASHED THE ECU SINCE THERE WERE MULTIPLE TSBS OUT WITH THIS PROBLEM RELATED THE ECU. THIS HELPED WITH THE PROBLEM FOR A WEEK. THEN THE RUMBLE CAME BACK WITH A VENGEANCE. THE DEALER WORKED ON DIAGNOSING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE TOYOTA ENGINEERS ON THE TECHNICAL SERVICE LINE HAD THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN TAKING HEAT SHIELDS, PLASTIC COVERS OFF, ETC THINKING SOMETHING WAS JUST HITTING RESONATE FREQUENCY AND VIBRATING LOUDLY. NOTHING HELPED. EVENTUALLY THE TECHNICIAN USED LISTENING EARS AND ISOLATED THE NOISE TO THE TRANSFER CASE. THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS COMPONENTS IN THE TRANSFER CASE WERE FAILING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THINKING TOYOTA STILL WERE HIGH QUALITY. I'VE DISCOVERED RAV4S ARE BASICALLY TIN CANS ON WHEELS. IT MAKES AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF CREAKS AND RATTLES. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE I WAS BASICALLY INFORMED TOYOTAS ARE NOW DESIGNED TO GO THE 60,000 MILES (THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY). AFTER THAT IT'S ANYONE'S GUESS HOW LONG THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS WILL LAST. *TR

DIFFERENTIAL GEAR BOX STARTED TO SLOWLY LEAK FLUID JUST OVER 100,000 MILES AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

ON JUNE 8, 2014, WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, I BEGAN TO SLOW FOR A STOP LIGHT. SEVERAL CARS WERE ALREADY STOPPED. SUDDENLY, AND UNEXPECTEDLY, MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND FORCING IT INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT; MY ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV-UP, EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND HARD ON THE BRAKES. FINALLY, I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. ALL THREE VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, TWO SIGNIFICANTLY. A PASSENGER IN THE SECOND VEHICLE EXPRESSED PERSONAL ANXIETY DUE TO A 'HEART CONDITION' AND POSSIBLE NECK INJURY. BOTH DRIVERS FILED CLAIMS ON MY INSURANCE, BUT NO DAMAGE ESTIMATES OR INJURY CLAIMS ARE AVAILABLE AS YET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DURING 2013, I HAD TWO PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS AND SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING THIS RAV4, CAUSED BY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. DAMAGE OF ABOUT $3,000 WAS INCURRED; HOWEVER, NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. ONE ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, THE RAV4 SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, ACCELERATED. IN EACH INSTANCE, I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE OCCURRED. PRIOR TO OWNING THE RAV4, I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 4-DOOR TOYOTA CAMRY. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, DURING THE EIGHT MONTHS I OWNED THE VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY AT CRUISING SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. BECOMING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT ' I TRADED THE CAMRY ON THE THEN NEW 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. AS A 68 YEAR OLD SINGLE WORKING WIDOW, I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING THE RAV4 TO WORK OR ON WEEKENDS. IN JANUARY, 9013, A LEGAL CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR FOR TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, ADVISED BY LETTER THAT BASED ON THEIR INSPECTION OF THE 2009 RAV4; THE 2013 ACCIDENTS WERE 'NOT THE RESULT OF ANY TYPE OF MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT.'*JS

SAFETY RECALL #CSJ: I RECEIVED A LETTER 2 WEEKS AGO, STATING THAT MY CAR HAS TO BE BROUGHT A DEALERSHIP TO RE-INSPECT THE REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS. I DID THIS TODAY, AND WAS INFORMED AFTER 3 HRS THAT MY SUSPENSION ARMS HAVE DEVELOPED RUST AND THUS NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL LETTER. HOWEVER, I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE ARMS ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AND IT MAY TAKE A MONTH OR LONGER BEFORE THEY CAN BE EXCHANGED. TOYOTA HAD SET AS COMPLETION DATE FOR THIS PROCEDURE FOR MY REGION MARCH 2014, I.E. OVER 2 MONTHS AGO. I FIND IT UNREASONABLE THAT I NEED TO RETURN MY CAR AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 3HR PROCEDURE. IT IS INCONVENIENT AND I WILL MISS WORK AGAIN. ALSO, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY DEFINITE ASSURANCE THAT MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER 1 OR LONGER WITHOUT THE REPAIR. *TR

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR "REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM NO. 1. I CALLED SERVCO TOYOTA LEAWARD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY SAID THE EARLIEST AVAILABLE WAS MARCH 30, 2015. NEXT YEAR!!! REALLY? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V383000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

I RECEIVED URGENT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS (NO. 1) ON MAY 19, 2014. WHEN I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS SAFETY RECALL TAKEN CARE OF I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND WOULD BE 1-2 MORE WEEKS. I WAS PLACED ON A LIST TO BE CALLED WHEN THE PARTS COME IN. SINCE THEN I HAVE CALLED A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP JUST TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE PARTS. NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE IN. THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF PARTS TO FIX THIS URGENT SAFETY RECALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS UNTIMELY FOR THE TYPE OF SAFETY RECALL THIS IS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO MORE AND GET THESE PARTS IN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM NOW! I WOULD BUY A NEW CAR IF I COULD JUST TO GET RID OF THIS ONE. I BELIEVE MY LIFE (AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO OWNS A CAR UNDER THE RECALL) DEPENDS ON THIS SAFETY RECALL BEING DONE IMMEDIATELY. LOOKING THROUGH THE PAPERWORK ON LINE IT SHOWS ONLY 3.9% COMPLETION RATE WITH A RECALL THAT STARTED WELL OVER A YEAR AGO.... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE REMEDY PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.PM

ON MAY 14, 2014 IN THE AFTERNOON I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AND DROVE TO HOME DEPOT HERE ON ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS. UPON GETTING READY TO LEAVE HOME DEPOT, I OBSERVED THE TIRE LIGHT ON. I SAID MAYBE THE TIRE HAS A LEAK. I THEN DROVE TO BARBEL PLAZA AND OBSERVED THAT THE TIRE WAS AIRING DOWN. I THEN TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE TIRE SHOP NEXT TO SILVER DOLLAR. THE GENTLEMAN CHECKED THE TIRE AFTER THROWING SOAP LIQUID ON IT AND OBSERVED NO NAILS OR SCREWS STUCK IN THE TIRE. HE THEN TOOK OFF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND POURED WATER INSIDE THE RIM AND SHOWED ME THAT THERE IS CRACK ON THE INSIDE RIM. HE SAID THAT SOMEONE COULD'VE DROPPED TBE TIRE ON THE GROUND OR SOMETHING FELL ON IT. I CALLED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS ADVISED TO NOTIFY MY LOCAL TOYOTA SO THEY CAN ASSIST ME. I BROUGHT IT TO THE MANAGERS ATTENTION FOR TOYOTA AND I RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. HE IS GIVING ME A SIX FOR A NINE. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE CAR HASN'T MAKE FIVE YEARS OLD AND THE RIM FOR THE TIRE IS CRACKED. I NEED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH MY RIM TO MY VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE THE RIM WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY. ALSO THE LUG NUT ARE NO GOOD EITHER. POOR MATERIAL. THANK YOU HOPE I GET SOME SORT OF ASSISTANCE. *TR UPDATED 11/5/2014 *JS

RECEIVED NOTIFICATION LAST FALL OF RECALL FOR REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM. WHEN DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD BE IN THE SPRING BEFORE A FORMAL RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED. RECEIVED THE FORMAL RECALL AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND I WOULD BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST. *TR

MY DAUGHTER (5-YEARS OLD, 40 LBS) WAS IN A BRITAX FRONTIER CAR SEAT WHEN WE WERE STRUCK BY ANOTHER CAR IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CAR WAS THEN STRUCK A SECOND TIME AND PROPELLED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE PLASTIC PIECE HOLDING THE CAR SEAT TIGHTLY IN PLACE SNAPPED DURING THE ACCIDENT, AND THOUGH THE CAR SEAT WAS STILL FASTENED BY THE LATCH SYSTEM IT COULD MOVE FREELY. MY DAUGHTER HIT THE DVD PLAYER IN FRONT OF HER SEAT. SHE HAS A CONCUSSION AND MULTIPLE FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE CAR SEAT COMPLETELY FAILED TO HOLD HER IN PLACE IN THE ACCIDENT. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2009, MAKE=TOYOTA, MODEL=RAV4). *TR

2009 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER ON MARCH 17, 2014, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A NOISE IN THE FAN HEATER. THE TECHNICIANS ALSO ADDRESSED A RECALL FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RECALL REQUIRED REPROGRAMMING THE ECM WITH SMART STOP TECHNOLOGY. HOWEVER, ON APRIL 17, 2014, WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE RPM'S RACED HIGH AS IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. WHEN SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE RPM'S CONTINUED TO RACE, AND CONTINUED, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHE STOPPED, SHE SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND THE RPM'S WERE STILL RACING. THE ACCELERATING ONLY STOPPED WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. TOYOTA ENGINEERS CONCLUDED AND REPORTED, PEDAL MIS-APPLICATION. *JB

The rear lower suspension arms recall notice solution was replacement of arms if needed and than sealed with epoxy. Labels were applied stating the arm is no longer adjustable. The vehicle no longer can routinely get a wheel alignment at a market expense. The Toyota company suggests for further alignments go to a Toyota dealership and have a alignment done for 900.00 dollars every time you need a alignment. This is not a safe solution. This only makes owners go to their dealerships and give them thousands of more dollars for taking away a routine adjustable maintenance capability with this permanent one time fix.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS TAKING TOO LONG TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V383000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF JULY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST WITH AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE PART OF JUNE 2014. THERE WERE NO FAILURES.

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE A TOYOTA RAV 4 AND WAS APPROACHING THE ACCESS RAMP ON TO THE WV TURNPIKE, I WAS STRATING TO ACCELERATE AND HEARD A BANGING SOUND ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AREA I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK, THE TIRE WAS LAYING AT A 95 DEGREE ANGLE SIDWAYS, LOOK LIKE ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY THE TOP BY THE REAR BRAKE. FOUND OUT LATER IT WAS THE RIGHT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BROKEN. BASICALLY I LOST MY REAR WHEEL WHILE DRIVING MOST WHO SAW IT SAID I WAS LUCK TO BE ALIVE AND UNHARMED AND THAT PIECE WAS ON RECALL JUST FOR THAT REASON. *JS

STEERING: DURING NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC FAILED VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN WHEEL ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK. NOTE: VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DUE TO ROAD OR OFF ROAD DRIVING EXPERIENCED. REMEDY: REPLACE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK AND ACCESSORIES. OF THE THREE OTHER RAV4'S OWNED BY DRIVER, ALL DROVE OVER 200,000 MILES WITHOUT STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEELS: DURING NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC FOUND REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING. NOTE: VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DUE TO ROAD OR OFF ROAD DRIVING EXPERIENCED. REMEDY: REPLACE REAR AXLE SEALS. *TR

EXTENSIVE RODENT DAMAGE TO WIRING HARNESS, PASSENGER AIR BAG, HEAT/AC DUCTS, HEADLINER, CARPETING FRONT & REAR, INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND MANY MORE MISC. PARTS. REPAIR COSTS - $10,257.91 BECAUSE TOYOTA CHOSE TO MAKE THIS CAR WITH A SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT USING EDIBLE PRODUCTS (SOY FOAM, RICE HUSKS, ETC.) IN PLACE OF PETROLEUM FOR MUCH OF THE PLASTIC PARTS. THIS MATERIAL IS NOW ATTRACTIVE TO RODENTS AND THEY DESIGNED THE AIR INLET TO THE HEATER WITHOUT A SCREEN WHICH ALLOWS RODENTS ENTRY TO THE VEHICLE. IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WAS DAMAGED ENOUGH TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. MY TOYOTA HAS BECOME THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIRS WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A HUGE PILE OF SNOW THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V373000 (SUSPENSION) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SECOND NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) WHICH STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE SECOND RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THERE WERE NO FAILURES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION ) AND STATED THAT SHE WAS VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY SINCE THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) AND THE PART NEEDED WAS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ENGINE RACED AS THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,215. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V383000 (SUSPENSION ). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER INDICATED MORE THAN TWICE THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR MONTHS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASONABLE DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V383000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL AND OIL CHANGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $700. UPON RESEARCH, THIS EARLY WATER PUMP FAILURE APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH RAV4'S, ALTHOUGH NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED YET. *TR

WE HAVE A LOUD, INTERMITTENT GRINDING OR RATTLING NOISE THAT OCCURS USUALLY DURING ACCELERATION BUT OFTEN WHEN CRUISING AS WELL. WE CHECKED ONLINE AND OTHERS HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT DEALER CLAIMS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR