2008 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

My daughter and I are leasing our Toyota Rav4 almost paid off. Our last 2 oil changes done by professional the engine has burned off the oil in between the oil changes. I seen multiple complaints for this same issue for other owners and that there's not been any recalls only investigations. I read 1 person their engine caught fire. I'm disabled if what happened to that person's family happened to my Toyota I might not be as lucky as I, my daughter and my oldest daughter who is disabled and needs help moving and I'd have to get my dog out of the car and we all get safely away from the car and pray we were in a safe area no one else gets hurt. This oil burning from these cars is a dangerous safety hazard and expensive. Instead of a investigation recalls are needed to get the malfunctioning pistons replaced before someone physically gets injured or killed. This is a known issue by the Toyota manufacturer and obviously more and more owners are finding and coming forward with complaints. As for me and my daughter the car is not a new model but it's a new vehicle to use and we didn't know about the pistons malfunctioning issues or oil burning off until it happened. Please do a recall so this issue will be resolved not just investigations because investigations aren't helping nor protecting the consumers/owners. Toyota knew/knows of the safety issues and won't step up to the plate to fix something they know is faulty. Oil is burning out of my car's engine in between oil changes, done by a professional, it really needs to be addressed and safety recalls sent out to hold Toyota accountable for something they know is faulty on their cars

NHTSA ID

11702965

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

My engine recently start to burning oil. Toyota had an extended Warranty for this issue which had to do with piston rings failure. which has expired. Searching the internet this problem is popping up all over the internet. Calling you

NHTSA ID

11682181

Incident

Nov 13, 2024

Issue started when I noticed the vehicle was burning oil, hence why I had to keep refilling the oil levels often. This is an issue many other RAV4 owners have reported. However, the problem was made worse when my mother used my vehicle to pick up some family from the nearest airport. On her way home, my engine blew a hole through itself, causing an engine fire. If it wasn't for the swift thinking of my stepfather, she, him, and my brothers could've been seriously injured or killed. I firmly believe this has to do with the reason why the engine was burning oil.

NHTSA ID

11654725

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

The Rav4 is burning oil and consumption of oil. The oil is gone out before the next oil change. This has been going on for a while. There are no leaks and the milage on the 2008 Rav 4 Limited is only 88153.

NHTSA ID

11644098

Incident

Mar 21, 2024

See Attached Letter

NHTSA ID

11621225

Incident

Oct 21, 2024

I have a toyota rav4 2008 2.4 the motor is no leaking oil, no blue smoke but i put 4 quarts oil on 1.000 miles,the comsuption oil is too much and the steering wheel column have problem and that is danger .i see on Google the problem on this car toyota rav4 2008 2.4 is came with factory problem on pistons and rings I call bernardi toyota framingham,ma on 08/27/2022 and i talk a service guy the problem and he say the recall for my car expires on 2018 but i read on Internet recall nver expires if the company o factory Still on ,I did call to service on toyota weslleyle,ma on 08/29/2023 and the service guy toll me the same My phone number [XXX] .. [XXX] my name Thank you.very much for help me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11541827

Incident

Aug 20, 2023

Starting in June 2018, I have had seven episodes of unintended acceleration. (I have owned the car, purchased in private sale, since June of 2013.) There were common elements to each incident:1. gradually slowing; 2. foot on brake; 3. engine accelerates sharply, a moment before complete stop in first six, a moment after in seventh and last. In each incident able to maintain control as foot already was on brake; yet in three of the incidents, including the last two, the car bucked forward a few inches despite the pressure on the brake. Situation resolved when I turned off the ignition, a reflex developed after the first incident. This last incident was particularly upsetting as I was in a long line of slow moving cars on a relatively narrow road with pedestrians on each side of my car. Each incident has been reported to the local dealer with which I have been trading for many years. They did a thorough inspection when I reported the incidents to them in January of 2020 and again just today after the last incident that occurred on May 19, 2023. They could find nothing wrong and include on their report "TAS STATES SUSPECTED DRIVER ERROR, PEDAL MISS [sic] APPLICATION." I do NOT accept this conclusion. I note in the last incident I had come to complete stop momentarily before the engine accelerated and despite my heavy pressure on the brake bucked forward, with control established only when I shut the engine down. During the entire period of these incidents I also have been driving two other vehicles, a 2008 Camry and a 2023 Camry. I have had no such incidents while driving these two cars. I do NOT drive with two feet, always the first question asked when such an incident is reported. Finally, I believe my car dates from a period when Toyota was vehemently denying such a problem in their cars when they knew full well that such was the case, a deception for which they were found criminally liable. Such history does not instill confidence in corporate Toyota.

NHTSA ID

11523360

Incident

May 19, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband checked the oil level and noticed that the oil level was low. The contact stated that two weeks prior to the failure, an oil change service was performed. The contact stated that her husband added oil; however, two weeks later he checked the oil level again and the oil level was low. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed one quart of oil every two weeks or approximately every 200 miles. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the service manager stated that it was a known issue with the vehicle. The contact was notified of a TSB however, the vehicle was over the mileage. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11474920

Incident

Oct 17, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

Vehicle suddenly lose power while the cars are being driven, the engine shut off, and catch on fire.

NHTSA ID

11463613

Incident

Apr 24, 2022

The contact's daughter owned a 2008 Toyota RAV 4. The contact stated that his wife was driving with their daughter on the highway at approximately 65 mph. The contact stated that his wife said no warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife reported that the vehicle began to make a loud buzzing noise from the engine. The contact's wife was able to pull over on the road shoulder when she noticed smoke issuing from under the hood. The vehicle burst into flames from under the hood. The contact's wife and daughter jumped out of the vehicle, the daughter burned the palm of her right hand. The police and fire department arrived. The police attempted to extinguish the fire and called the fire department which extinguished the fire with water. The vehicle was undrivable and the police had it towed to an impound lot. The police nor the fire department issued a report. The daughter did not seek medical attention for the burn on her right hand. The contact said that the insurance company will inspect the vehicle this week. The contact said the vehicle was completely burned. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11449580

Incident

Jan 29, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF HER ENGINE, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL HAD COMPLETELY EMPTIED WITHOUT WARNING. SINCE THE DISCOVERY, THE CONTACT WOULD FREQUENTLY REPLACE THE OIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY MONTH DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MAGIC TOYOTA (21300 HWY 99, EDMONDS, WA 98026) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11399361

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

Mileage

95,000 mi

I PURCHASED THE 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 90,600 MILES ON DECEMBER 7/2020 FOR $ 7,000 . ON DECEMBER 13 COMING HOME ON SAWGRASS EXPRESS WAY THE VEHICLE GOT ON FIRE !! LUCKILY I HAVE HAD THE POLICE CAR FOLLOWED ME BECAUSE AND WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME AND NOTICE THE CAR HEAVILY SMOKING! I PULLED OVER AND WAIT FOR THE POLICE WITH THE TEXTINGUISHER TO LOCALIZE THE FIRE ! ISSUED A REPORT AND FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL FOR TOWING. CASE NUMBER FHPK20OFF058333 EMERALD TOWING ! NEXT DAY PAID FOR TOWING $400 ( RECEIPT IS PROVIDED) S.I.R.T 32962 DEC.13.2020 ON DECEMBER 14 PAID $ 125 AGAIN TO BE ABLE TO TOW IT TO PAULS TRANSMISSION LOCATED ON 4430 N. DIXIE HWY. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33334 REPLACE ENGINE WITH LKQ UNIT TOTAL COST $4,066 INVOICE PROVIDED. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE TO WORK SO I NEEDED A RENTAL CAR UNTIL JANUARY 6TH, 2021 $ 437.73 TOTAL COST !

NHTSA ID

11387032

Incident

Dec 13, 2020

Mileage

90,550 mi

MY ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL MORE THAN NORMAL AND I ONLY DRIVE LOCALLY AND VIBRATES IN IDLING AND WHEN YOU STOPPED THE CAR ALSO CONTINUOUSLY HAS A SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE LIKE CLICKING HARDER AT IDLING AND RUNNING IS VERY NOTORIOUS. I CONSULTED OTHER MECHANIC SHOPS AND THEY SAID THERE S A PROBLEM IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE BUT NOBODY WORKED IN MY CAR. IN THE PAST I TOLD THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY IGNORE IT

NHTSA ID

11385135

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

I OWN TOYOTA RAV 4 2008. I PURCHASED A USED CERTIFIED VEHICLE IN 2009. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR SUCH THAT ENGINE STARTED STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVE TO MY HOME. ON THE DASH BOARD I SAW THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO HOME SAFELY AND UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT ENGINE OIL LEVEL WAS WAY DOWN TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS NOT DETECTABLE AT ALL. THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK. I LOOKED AT THE SERVICE RECORD AND MY CAR WAS SERVICED ON OCT 15TH 2016 FOR OIL CHANGE AND OTHER OTHER SAFETY RECALL. ON OCTOBER 15, 2016 THE MILEAGE WAS 83406. THE NEXT SERVICE WAS DUE ON MARCH 15 OR AT 88406 MILES. I CALLED THE DCH TOYOTA OF SIMI VALLEY DEALERSHIP AND THEY ASKED TO COME IN THE MORNING FOR INSPECTION. THEN I WENT TO AUTOMOTIVE STORE AND PURCHASED 5W-20 OIL, IT TOOK 3 QUART OF OIL AND I WAS TO SEE THE OILS LEVEL AS NORMAL ON DIP STICK. THEN I ARGUED WITH DEALER THAT IT SHOULD NOT CONSUME 3 OR MORE QUART OF OIL. I WENT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HE CHECKED THE TAIL PIPE AND HE SAW BURNED OIL. HE CONFIRMED THAT ENGINE IS BURNING OIL. THEN I CALLED TOYOTA MOTOR AND COMPLAINED THAT ENGINE IS BURNING OIL. THEY AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO DO THE OILS CONSUMPTION TEST. THEY WILL INVESTIGATE ON HOW MUCH OIL IT BURNS? DCH TOYOTA OF SIMI VALLEY DID THE OIL CONSUMPTION STUDY AND REPORTED THAT MY CAR DID NOT CONSUME ENOUGH OILS TO DO THE WARRANTY REPAIR. THEY SAID IT ONLY CONSUMED 3/4 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES AND IT PASSED THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. STILL I HAVE THE SAME CAR I PUT ABOUT 2 OR MORE QUART EVERY 1500 MILES. THE ENGINE REPAIR WILL COST ME $5000.00 DOLLARS OR MORE. I THINK DEALER DID FLAWED STUDY ON OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO DO WARRANTY REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11366258

Incident

Apr 10, 2017

Mileage

88,851 mi

VEHICLE CONSUMES MORE OIL THAN THE NORMAL.HAVE FOUND OUT THAT 2007-2009 TOYOTA RAV 4,(2AZ-FE ENGINES) HAVE A FAULTY PISTON AND RINGS DESIGN.THESE ENGINES BURN OIL,BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY DESIGN.

NHTSA ID

11362070

Incident

Sep 29, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED AND SHUT DOWN WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN STREET INSIDE CITY LIMITS ON A STRAIGHT BUSY ROAD. PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN SO HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE. REPLACED BATTERY BUT STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11323305

Incident

Apr 15, 2020

Mileage

225,000 mi

THE ENGINE CONSUME TOO MUCH OIL, IT HAS AROUND 100,000 MILES ON IT. I CHANGE OIL EVERY 3K TO 4K MILES AND WHEN I'M READY TO DO OIL CHANGE THE OIL IS ALMOST EMPTY, NOW I HAVE TO REFILL AND CHECK THE OIL FREQUENTLY

NHTSA ID

11320615

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

99,000 mi

I'M CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE EXHILARATION OF GAS PEDAL. EVERY TIME I STAT THE TRUCK IT HAS A LOUD AND HIGH EXHILARATE IN AN STATIONARY POSITION. WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE IT TAKES OFF AT A FAST RATE

NHTSA ID

11316992

Incident

Nov 8, 2019

MY CAR IS BURNING OIL VERY QUICKLY. I HAVE TO CHECK IT WEEKLY AND NOW AM PUTTING 1 OR 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 2 OR 3 WEEKS. I TRAVEL 60 MILES DAILY AND THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE OF DISTANCE AND BECAUSE MY CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES, THAT THIS WAS THE REASON. NOW I AM READING ABOUT ALL THE MANY SAME COMPLAINTS OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING. IS THERE A RECALL OR SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM? I DIDN'T WANT TO BUY A NEW CAR YET.

NHTSA ID

11309676

Incident

Oct 2, 2019

Mileage

170,000 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ( 1 QT/400 MILES), CAR IS NOW AT 108K MILES. OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE AT 83K (USED ONLY 1/4 QT SO PASSED) AT ROSWELL, ATLANTA. AND I WAS ASKED TO TOP UP OIL DURING OIL CHANGES. NO NOTICE RECEIVED FROM TOYOTA FOR OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. HOW COME THE CAR CONSUMING JUST 1/4 QT/1000 MILES CONSUMING 1 FULL QT/400 MILES NOW? (ASSUMING TEST IS DONE CORRECTLY) I DONT KNOW. BUT FOUND ON INTERNET THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE. I WOKE UP LATE. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE 05/18 FOR ANY FIX. TOYOTA ACTED SO CHEAP BY NOT RECALLING THE CARS HERE DESPITE KNOWING THE ISSUE VERY WELL. I ALWAYS THOUGHT TOYOTA IS KNOWN FOR RELIABILITY BUT NOT ANYMORE.

NHTSA ID

11291173

Incident

Dec 25, 2019

HAVING TO PUT OIL IN IT WEEKLY

NHTSA ID

11283080

Incident

Nov 30, 2019

CAR CONSUMPTION MORE OIL IT HAVE ONLY 70000 MILEAGE AND SEAT BELT GETTING STUCK SHOULD BE ENGINE AND SEAT BELT SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ID

11269275

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

73,000 mi

2.4 LITER ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES EVERY 5000 MILES, 2 TO 3 QUARTS OIL IS BEING ADDED TO KEEP OIL LIGHT FROM COMING ON

NHTSA ID

11257178

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

MY 2008 RAV4 4-CYLINDERS 85K MILES CONSUMES ABOUT A QUART OF OIL EVERY 150 MILES. NO LEAKS, NO SMOKE, VALVE SOUNDS WHILE IN MOTION. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION!

NHTSA ID

11252746

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

Mileage

65,000 mi

I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 4 CYLINDER, I'VE NOTICED THAT IT'S BEEN LOSING AROUND 2QTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND THERE ARE NO OIL LEAKS. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS I SHOULD BE AWARE OF? SEEMS LIKE THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR SO ITS VERY FRUSTRATING. TOYOTA SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THIS MATTER, VERY DISAPPOINTED.

NHTSA ID

11241844

Incident

Aug 5, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi