2008 Toyota RAV4 Fuel system Problems

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

VEHICLE BEGAN BRIEF HESITATION AT MODERATE SPEEDS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE IDLE SEEMS TO STAY HIGH RPM FOR LONGER THAN IT DID. THEN JUST TWO DAYS AGO, THE ENGINE BRIEFLY QUIT COMPLETELY WHILE ACCELERATING TO CLIMB A HILL. ALL THESE ISSUES SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE FIRST USE OF THE DAY FOR A 10 OR 15 MINUTE PERIOD. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11316241

Incident

Mar 3, 2020

Mileage

47,000 mi

VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY DUMPED ALL OF OIL IN DRIVEWAY DUE TO DEFECTIVE AD RECALLED VALVE OIL HOSE. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE VEHICLE TO NEARBY MECHANIC. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO KINGS TOYOTA, CINCINNATI OHIO. HOWEVER, RECALLED OIL HOSE DAMAGED THE INTAKE CAM GEARS. KINGS TOYOTA STATED THEY WILL COVER THE RECALLED PART BUT REFUSE TO COVER THE DAMAGED ENGINE REPAIR. COST OF REPAIR IS $3340.78 + TAX. KINGS TOYOTA ALSO REFUSES TO REIMBURSE FOR TOWING FEE AND RENTAL CAR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE, RECALLED PART. THE RECALL IS CALLED THE EXTENSION OF LSK 090K CAMPAIGN TO DECEMBER 31, 2021.

NHTSA ID

11145382

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

53,000 mi

I OWN TOYOTA RAV 4 2008 LIMITED FOR 9 YEARS. I AM TIRED OF CHANGING OILS FOR THE CAR FOR LAST 2 YEARS. I GOT A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THAT THEY WILL FIX THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY MAINTENANCE. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS RUST ON THE CAR AND THEY WILL FIX IT ONLY IF I PAY THE COST THAT MIGHT BE RANGING FROM500 DOLLARS TO MORE THAN 1000 DOLLARS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA EXECUTIVE OFFICE TO DISCUSS THE MATTER BUT SORRY TO INFORM YOU ALL THAT I GOT A VERY HARSH TREATMENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE REP. SHE WAS NOT EVEN READY TO REPLY MY EMAILS AND INFORMED ME THAT SHE WILL ONLY TALK TO ME THROUGH PHONE, NOT THRU EMAIL. AFTER A SERIOUS DISCUSSION OVER THE PHONE, SHE FINALLY REPLIED MY EMAILS BUT SAID THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX MY ISSUES. I FEEL TERRIBLE NOW. I AM CHANGING MY CAR OIL EVERY 1000 MILES AND TOYOTA IS NOT READY TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX MY ISSUES. I AM SCARED THAT MY CAR WILL STOP RUNNING SOON. I EVEN COPIED MY MAIL TO THE PRESIDENT AND NEVER GOT A REPLY FROM HIM ALSO REGARDING THE HARSH TREATMENT FROM THE REP.

NHTSA ID

11001664

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE HOSE CONNECTING THE CANISTER FILTER TO THE CANISTER BROKE OFF DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND I DIDN'T SEE UNTIL NEXT DAY WHILE 8 HRS AWAY FROM HOME. CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWN.I GOT HOME AND HAVE THE CANISTER FILTER REPLACED WITH THE DEALER AND NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE, VSC AND 4WD LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER SAYS IT COST $1800 TO FIX IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND LOT OF 2006 AND UP RAV 4 OWNER HAVE SAME ISSUE. CANNISTER HOSE BROKEN OR FILTER DROPPED AND WATER GETTING INTO THE SYSTEM. I GOT TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN T-SB-0098-09 WHICH WAS UPDATED TO T-SB0161-11 ON OCTOBER 20,2011 FOR THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA HAD COVERED WARRANTY FOR 2GR-FE ENGINE FROM 2006-2011 SOLD ON CA, CT, ME, MD, MA, NJ, NM,VT,WA, RI UNDER CALIFORNIA LONG TERM EMISSION WARRANTY OF 64 MONTHS OR 70,000 MILES WHICH EVER OCCURS FIRST. TOYOTA KNEW THE ISSUE AND EVEN ADDED A NEW COVER (PART NO 77641-0R020) THE PROTECT THE CANISTER FILTER AND THE HOSES BUT THEY DIDN'T ISSUE THE RECALL. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUE. THE FILTER AND HOSE ARE UNPROTECTED UNDERNEATH THE CHASSIS AND IT CAN BREAK OR FALL DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING IN A RAIN OR SNOW. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY REVIEW MY CASE AND GAVE ME CASE # BUT THEY WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AND SOLD ON THE AFOREMENTIONED STATES. TOYOTA HAS COVERED THE WARRANTY ON THE STATES WITH HEAVY SNOW AND RAIN ONLY. BUT THESE THINGS ARE TRUE FOR THE STATE I AM IN TOO. REMAINING STATE STANDARD 36 MONTHS 36,000 WARRANTY. BUT THIS THING CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE AT ANY MILEAGE. TOYOTA KNEW IT AND HAD A FIX BY PUTTING THE NEW COVER BUT DIDN'T ISSUE A RECALL . THE SERVICE BULLETIN EVEN STATES THE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE CERTAIN VIN NUMBER AND MINE DOES FALL UNDER IT. I PAID $220 TO REPLACE FILTER AND $62.5 TO DIAGNOSE. NOW THEY WANT ANOTHER $1800 TO FIX IT. I WISH I COULD ATTACHED THE SERVICE BULLETIN. UPDATED 09/15/15*LJ UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10732681

Incident

Jun 26, 2015

Mileage

64,000 mi

VEHICLE STARTED PINGING WHEN GOING UP HILLS. CHECKED OIL AND IT DIDN'T EVEN REGISTER! HAD JUST HAD OIL CHANGED 2 WEEKS BEFORE. SINCE THIS TIME, I HAVE HAD TO ADD ABOUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL. NOW I'M TOLD TOYOTA CONSIDERS USING 1 QUART PER 1,000 DRIVING MILES IS "NORMAL". THE ENGINE COULD BURN UP BASED ON THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705499

Incident

Jul 19, 2014

Mileage

48,000 mi

EVAPORATIVE CONTROL (EVAP) SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW. THIS DESIGN FLAW ALLOWS WATER/DEBRIS/ETC TO ENTER THE EVAP SYSTEM, RESULTING IN THE NEED TO REPLACE PIECES OF THE EVAP SYSTEM SUCH AS FILTER EMISSION HOSES, CHARCOAL CANISTER, CANISTER VENT VALVE, OR ACCORDING TO MY LAST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP VISIT THE WHOLE EVAP SYSTEM! NEWER RAV4 MODELS HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE A COVERING UNDER THE CAR AS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SUCH AS RAIN WITHOUT RISKING AN EMISSION HOSE OR CHARCOAL CANISTER GETTING DEBRIS IN IT OR GETTING CAUGHT ON SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10609219

Incident

May 13, 2014

Mileage

84,253 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10598906

Incident

Mar 25, 2013

Mileage

74,500 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10525750

Incident

Jun 27, 2013

Mileage

57,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10500157

Incident

Feb 24, 2013

Mileage

56,340 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS I PASSED THROUGH A PUDDLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND DURING THIS EVENT, MY CHARCOAL FILTER ASSEMBLY WAS TORN OFF MY RAV4. IT WAS LEFT DANGLING BELOW THE CAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT TOYOTA HAS DESIGNED A SHIELD FOR THIS FILTER ASSEMBLY ON NEWER MODELS, SO I FIGURED I WOULD LODGE A COMPLAINT, AS THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL TO HAVE A PIECE OF YOUR CAR TEAR OFF DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10424760

Incident

Sep 8, 2011

Mileage

65,221 mi

PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AT WORK DOING ABOUT 5-10 MPH. SLOWED TO TURN INTO SPACE, GIVING CAR JUST ENOUGH GAS , WHEN CAR LAUNCHED FORWARD HITTING A CHAIN LINK FENCE. I DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES, SO I TRIED PUMPING BRAKES BEFORE IMPACT . BRAKE PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, SO I USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP CAR BEFORE IT CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO CAR AND FENCE. I DID NOT REPORT INCIDENT, BUT TOOK CAR TO LACEY COLLISION, AND THEY ESTIMATED DAMAGE AT $1500. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS..NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. THEY ONLY ADMITTED THAT YES, MY BRAKES WERE A BIT 'SOFT'. BUT CAR WAS NOT ON THEIR RECALL LIST.

NHTSA ID

10373078

Incident

Dec 21, 2010

Mileage

24,700 mi

DRIVING 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 (19K MI) IN RAIN ON NY STATE HWY AT 30 MPH. DRIVER IN FRONT SLOWED. APPLIED BRAKES WHICH SOFTENED THEN WENT TO FLOOR. PUMPING DID NOT RETURN PRESSURE. HAND BRAKE SLOWED VEHICLE TO BELOW 15 MPH. CRASHED INTO OTHER VEHICLE AT @ 12 MPH. CAR BURST INTO FLAMES BENEATH AND CONSUMED VEHICLE WITHIN 12-14 MINUTES; *CN

NHTSA ID

10322555

Incident

Mar 22, 2010

Mileage

19,700 mi

2008 TOYOTA RAV-4 SURGES. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2008, MY VEHICLE HAS SPORADICALLY SURGED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND ALSO WHEN DRIVING WITH FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. I WILL HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WILL SURGE AS IF I AM PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN I AM DRIVING, IT SURGES AS IF I AM PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL UP AND DOWN, ALTHOUGH MY FOOT REMAINS STEADY. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS THE FIRST TIME THAT I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN AND EACH TIME I HAVE AN OIL CHANGE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM. I THINK THAT THERE MUST BE MORE TO THE TOYOTA RECALL BECAUSE MY VEHICLE THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL APPEARS TO BE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS LONG BEFORE THIS RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10319414

Incident

Nov 30, 2008

Mileage

1,000 mi

I HAVE ALREADY MADE A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH MY RAV4 THAT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY JUMP WHILE BARELY PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME BUT WILL DO SO RANDOMLY WHICH IS EVEN WORSE BECAUSE ONE DOESN'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. IT IS SCARY DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT FROM MINUTE TO MINUTE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. IT DID IT AGAIN JUST YESTERDAY AS I WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN INTERSECTION, I BARELY MISSED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WISHED TOYOTA WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SITUATION AS SERIOUS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. I KNOW OF THE RECALL WITH FLOOR MATS BUT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE MY CAR. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY IS TOYOTA NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS SITUATION? ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10285763

Incident

Sep 28, 2009

Mileage

9,333 mi

I WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, I STARTED MY RAV 4, PUT IT IN GEAR AND GENTLY, DUE TO EXPERIENCE WITH ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. IT SUDDENLY JUMPED AND ACCELERATED CAUSING THE SUV TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HAD I NOT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND USED THE BRAKE. TOYOTA TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT IT WAS THIS TIME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. HAD MY DAUGHTER NOT MOVED 2 MINUTES PRIOR,SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED BETWEEN CARS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO SERIOUSLY GET HURT IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10262220

Incident

Mar 7, 2009

Mileage

3,000 mi