RoadVitals

2011 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Dec 4, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 287 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
9
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Toyota RAV4 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2024

A lot oil consumption from oil change to 1000 miles 4 quarts of oil consumption no warning light until car stops I’m been charging oil every 4 k miles now I have to check oil every day is been almost 4years with this problem

NHTSA ID
11628893
Incident
Dec 1, 2019
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 23, 2024
Fire reported

I understand there is a recall on Rav4 starting fire from 2013. Our vehicle is a 2011 and started on fire in our driveway and is a total loss. May need to include other years.

NHTSA ID
11615978
Incident
Sep 18, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 26, 2024

After pressing the accelerator pedal, I released the pressure on the pedal because of traffic and the accelerator continued to accelerate. had to hold the brake pedal down and then shifted to Park and shutoff engine. When restarted the car operate normally. This has happened in the past and is very scary and unsafe. My internet research on problem shows that there have been two problems associated with this occurrence. One, accelerator trapped by floor mats and the second was because the accelerator pedal could "stick". The floor mats are secured by manufacture securing systems so it must be the in the sticking pedal. I am contacting Toyota but not optimistic...is there anything the NHTA can do for Toyota at least checking my car for a sticking accelerator pedal sticking. Finally, has there been any other reports of this happening?

NHTSA ID
11596966
Incident
May 29, 2024
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while stopped at a red light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated and rolled forward. The contact quickly put the vehicle in park and was able to pull over down the road. The contact stated that while pulling over and then shifting from park to drive with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated, and the contact quickly shifted back into park. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was left in front of an independent mechanic shop. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced and the throttle body needed servicing. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,751.

NHTSA ID
11567309
Incident
Jan 20, 2024
Mileage
193,751 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2022

The car had 115,000 miles on the engine and was just at 3,000 miles post oil change. Making a left turn over oncoming traffic the car died. Barely missed having an accident. As the car sat it did restart. No lights on the dash for engine issues. Drove 2 miles directly to my mechanic. The car had half a quart of oil remaining! Car now closely monitored burns 1/2 quart every 500 miles and more if highway driven.

NHTSA ID
11454050
Incident
Dec 15, 2021
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2021

Making a left hand turn across traffic and the car completely shut down. Restarted car. A mile later making a right turn and the car completely shut down. Took the car to my mechanic and they had it fail 3X while turning. Only 2000 miles since last oil change I had less than a quart of oil remaining. Oil burning / consumption put me and others at serious risk for a car accident.

NHTSA ID
11443878
Incident
Dec 15, 2021
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 6, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION, ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GARY FORCE HONDA (2325 SCOTTSVILLE RD, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104) WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE TRACTION, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SENSORS. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND FLIPPED OVER, LANDING UPSIDE DOWN. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR MINOR CUTS TO HER FACE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY FOR CHECK UP, DESPITE BOTH THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER EXPERIENCING SORENESS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, NO MAJOR INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT JUNK YARD. THE MANUFACTURER NOR A TOYOTA DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. *DT*LN*JB*JB

NHTSA ID
11343634
Incident
Jul 31, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 2, 2020

JUST PURCHASED 2011 RAV4 WITH 104K MILES AND SOON FOUND OUT IT HAS A BAD CAM GEAR! APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR THIS YEAR! OF COURSE IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS MILEAGE! SHOCKED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE TO FIND OUT THIS WASN'T RECALLED BY TOYOTA. THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS KNOWN FAULTY PART! NOT HAPPY WITH MY FIRST TOYOTA!

NHTSA ID
11306606
Incident
Dec 30, 2019
Mileage
104,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2019

SEVERAL CARS HAVE HAD A CAMSHAFT TIMING GEAR ASSEMBLY PROBLEM SINCE DAY 1. SO MANY PEOPLE BACK 10 YEARS AGO HAD THE PROBLEM AND STORIES OF ENGINEERS BEING CALLED IN TO DIAGNOSE IT FILL THE NET. HOW DO WE NOW 11 YEARS IN KNOW THAT WHILE THE CAMSHAFT GEAR WAS IN NEED OF R/R THAT ENGINE DAMAGE OF ANY KIND DIDN'T OCCUR? T-SB-0041-13 HAS BEEN REVISED SO MANY TIMES IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THIS HAS NOT BECOME A FULL FLEDGED RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11244998
Incident
Aug 17, 2019
Mileage
90,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 15, 2019
Crash reported

THE COMPLAINT SPECIFIED DOES NOT SEEM TO HAPPEN FREQUENTLY OR CONSISTENTLY, HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY 2 TIMES IN A 6 WEEK PERIOD. SPECIFICALLY, CAR WAS ENGAGED IN THE DRIVE GEAR ON AUTO TRANSMISSION AND WAS STOPPED AT THE MOMENT, ONCE AT THE PARKING SPOT AT LOCAL WALMART, BROUGHT TO COMPLETE HALT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND READY TO SHIFT LEVER TO PARK, BEFORE I COULD DO THAT, BRAKE WENT SOFT AND CAR MOVED/SURGED FORWARD, HITTING THE SAFETY POLE IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE SAFETY POLE SAVED FROM HEAD ON HITTING THE CAR ALREADY PARKED IN THE OPPOSITE PARKING SPOT. THE PICTURE OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AGAINST THE SAFETY POST IS ATTACHED. ANOTHER TIME, WAS STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WAITING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, AT THE LOCAL HYVEE STORE, SUDDENLY BRAKING WAS GONE, ENGINE SURGED WITHPOWER AND THE CAR JUMPED INTO THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS AT STANDSTILL, IN DRIVE GEAR, FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IN FORTY OR MORE YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAVE THIS HAPPENED BEFORE I DID FILE A CLAIM WITH STAE FARM, BECAUSE THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. A PICTURE IS ATTACHED. I HAVE NOT YET DRIVEN THIS CAR, AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE BODY SHOP, DUE TO PROFOUND FEAR THAT THIS INCIDENCE CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. TOYOTA COMPANY SAYS THEY HAVE FOUND NOTHING WRONG, JUST LIKE THEY HAVE DENIED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR OTHER CARS IN THE PAST. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ID
11187171
Incident
Sep 19, 2018
Mileage
73,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2019
Fire reported

FIRE UNDER THE HOOD

NHTSA ID
11183825
Incident
Mar 3, 2019
Mileage
67,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+1 more
Filed Feb 15, 2019
Crash reported

WAITING AT STOP SIGN - CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING, ENGINE REVVING, RACING (AGAIN, WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP). I BRAKED AND VEHICLE TOOK FULL CONTROL SEEMINGLY PULLING SIDEWAYS FIRST AND THEN LURCHING OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY CASING A DEVASTATING CRASH TOTALING MY CAR AND CAUSING THE OTHER PERSON'S VEHICLE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. IT'S THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. 1ST TIME PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE - ACCELERATED LURCHING FORWARD NO MATTER HOW MUCH I BRAKED STRIKING CURB AND POST - STALLED OUT, THANK GOODNESS. A CASE HAS BEEN OPENED WITH TOYOTA BUT I AM TOLD THEY'LL DENY ANYTHING WRONG EVEN THOUGH I HAVE 10 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS IN HAND OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME NIGHTMARE I DID. IT'S TIME FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SEEMS PRETTY OBVIOUS AT THIS POINT CONCERNING THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY BY ISSUING/SENDING OUT RECALLS ON THIS DANGEROUS MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH NEXT TIME MAY CAUSE A DEATH.

NHTSA ID
11180213
Incident
Feb 11, 2019
Mileage
83,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUSED THE SPARK PLUGS TO BURN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA CARLSBAD (6020 AVENIDA ENCINAS, CARLSBAD, CA 92011) WHERE THEY TESTED THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA HAS DIAGNOSED YHIS VEHICLE AS HAVING AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. IT FAILED THE TEST 1/23/19 ON THE 3RD TESTING USING 1 QUART OF OIL FOR 598 MILES. AT 107,000 MILES I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CONSUMPTON. THEY TOLD ME I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THEY EXAMINED THE CAR. LATER I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS TOLD INCORRECT INFO. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN A THIRD TIME. BOTH VISITS I WAS TOLD THE CAR PASSED THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE.*JB

NHTSA ID
11173588
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 30, 2019

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED WHEN RUNAWAY ACCELERATION TRIED TO TAKE OVER THE VEHICLE AND MAKE IT INCH FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON HWY 90. DUE TO MY QUICK ACTIONS OF CONTINUING TO PRESS BRAKE, I PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL THEN PARK, THEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED ON FLASHERS. A POLICEMAN IMMEDIATELY DROVE ONTO HIGHWAY AND STOPPED TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO ESCORT ME TO MY CHURCH PARKING LOT ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY. WE THEN TOOK IT TO A RELATIVES HOME NEARBY. IT COULD BE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE, THROTTLE POSITION ON PEDAL, THROTTLE BODY MOTOR, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING ISSUE ETC.

NHTSA ID
11173088
Incident
Jan 25, 2019
Mileage
105,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 22, 2018

VVTI GEAR..WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE AS IF THERE IS NO OIL GETTING TO THE PISTONS

NHTSA ID
11121613
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 11, 2018

CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD WITH 123,000 MILES. RECENTLY STARTED BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE TOYOTA TSB RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. HAD IT TESTED AT TOYOTA DEALER & IT FAILED. LITERALLY RAN OUT OF OIL & DIDN'T KNOW IT; CAR JUST STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME.

NHTSA ID
11093422
Incident
May 1, 2018
Engine
Filed Feb 6, 2018

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. AT LEAST ONE QUART OF OIL NEEDS BE ADDED EVERY 600 MILES. PROBLEM STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES. OIL SLUDGE BUILT UP IN A VALVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA ID
11067207
Incident
Sep 6, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 23, 2018

RAV4 -CEL, 4WD, TRAC OFF ALL THREE LIGHTS CAME ON. I HAD THEM READ 4 TIMES BY 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD REAR OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS TO CONFIRM IT WASN'T A FAULTY SENSOR. THE ALL 3 LIGHTS CAME BACK ON IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS. FYI: THE OTHER SENSOR WAS REPLACED AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
11064498
Incident
Jan 12, 2018
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2016

I HAVE A DEFECTIVE VVT-I GEAR ON MY 2011 RAV4. UPON RESEARCHING THE DIAGNOSIS FROM MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (DAVID MAUS TOYOTA), I DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ENGINEERING FLAW SINCE 2010 AND HAD PUT OUT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (T-SB-0146-10) SO THAT DEALERSHIPS WOULD KNOW HOW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. MY VEHICLE'S VIN # IS SPECIFICALLY LISTED ON THIS TSB AS AN EFFECTED VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE ARE MANY OF FORUMS, ONLINE, OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS FOR OWNERS. THIS IS NOT A WEARABLE PART. IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (APPROX. $2,000) WITH NO DISCOUNTS. I SHOULD MENTION THAT I HAVE BEEN DILLIGENT WITH MY CAR'S MAINTENANCE AND CAN PULL MOST (IF NOT ALL) OF MY OIL CHANGES, IF NECESSARY. APPARENTLY, THE SAME ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED WITH CERTAIN LEXUS MODELS, BACK THEN, AND THEY DID A RECALL FOR THOSE VEHICLES BUT NOT THE TOYOTA MODELS (CAMRYS, HIGHLANDERS, RAV4S, SIENNAS, AND VENZAS WERE ALL AFFECTED FROM THIS PARTICULAR FACTORY FROM THE YEARS OF 2009-2011). I FILED A CASE WITH TOYOTA'S CORPORATE OFFICE (CASE # 1606011778) AND THEY OFFERED A $400 REFUND AFTER I PAID FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE, IN MY VIEW. YES, THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BACK IN 2010 WHEN THEY DISCOVERED IT AND DITRIBUTED THE TSB. I OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART (AT TOYOTA'S COST) IF THEY COVERED THE LABOR (THAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE COST TO THE REPAIR), BUT THEY WOULD NOT BUDGE. IT IS A TIME SENSITIVE ISSUE, AS WELL, BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOTHER. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH A MALFUNTIONING VVT-I GEAR IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I AM ATTACHING THE TSB WITH THE LISTED AFFECTED VIN #S.

NHTSA ID
10874501
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Mileage
135,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY DECLINED TO HELP UNLESS THE DEALER REPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ID
10861584
Incident
Sep 15, 2015
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 27, 2016

WHEN BRAKING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED- SEEMS TO RESET BY LETTING UP ON BRAKE AND REAPPLYING. HAS HAPPENED ON VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND TYPES OF ROADS. WHILE OUT OF STATE DEALERSHIP REPLACE PURGE VALVE- SEEMED OK, BUT THEN ON 1/25/16 WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND FELT ENGINE RACING, PUT INTO PARK WITH RACING ENGINE, TURNED KEY OFF RESTARTED AND SEEMED OK HAD GARAGE CHECK COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING NO CODES SHOWING CURRENTLY BACK AT DEALERSHIP TO PUT ON THEIR COMPUTER. THIS IS AN ON-GOING ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT DOES NOT HAPPEN ON ANY REGULAR BASIS SO IT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED BY ANY GARAGE YET. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ID
10822500
Incident
Jan 25, 2016
Mileage
67,259 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 11, 2015

FOUR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENTS HAS OCCURRED WITH MY TOYOTA RAV4. RECENT INCIDENTS ON 9/1415 (COLLEGE PARK, MD WHEN BRAKE APPLIED AT A RED LIGHT WITH VEHICLE AHEAD; PASSENGER/WITNESS IN CAR). HIGH RPM AND ENGINE REV OCCURRED; BOTH FEET ON BRAKE IN ATTEMPT TO KEEP CAR FROM ADVANCING; PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK AND ENGINE STOPPED REVVING. AND ON 10/5/15 (DAMASCUS, MD WHEN BRAKE APPLIED AT STOP SIGN WITH VEHICLE AHEAD). BOTH FEET ON BRAKE, CAR TO NEUTRAL THEN TO PARK. ACTIONS DID NOT STOP ENGINE RPS. TURNED KEY TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. RUBBER MAT (ON TOP OF TOYOTA CARPET MATS) WAS REMOVED BEFORE LEAVING THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER ON 9/15/15. PROVING ON 10-5-15 THAT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM IS NOT A RESULT OF FLOOR MATS WHICH TOYOTA WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO BELIEVE. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DARCAR FREDERICK MD TO FILED SECOND INCIDENT REPORT ON MONDAY, 10/12/15 (DELAY BECAUSE I LEFT ON TRAVEL 10/5/15). INTENT WILL BE TO DETERMINE TRADE-IN VALUE OF CAR AND MOST LIKELY PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT'S TIME THAT TOYOTA RECOGNIZE UNINTENDED ACCCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH THEIR RAV4S.

NHTSA ID
10781294
Incident
Oct 5, 2015
Mileage
55,500 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 15, 2015

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I PACKED MY CAR TO GO ON VACATION. I PUT THE DOG IN THE CAR AND RETURNED TO MY HOUSE TO GET SOMETHING. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR, IT WAS LOCKED. I ASSUMED I HAD INADVERTENTLY PUSHED THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE SO IGNORED IT. OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY. ON JULY 6, 2015, MY MOTHER AND I WENT TO WALMART. I WENT IN AND SHE STAYED IN THE CAR. WHEN I RETURNED THE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT OPEN IT WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE DOOR, SO I HAD TO USE MY REMOTE. TODAY, I WAS TAKING THINGS OUT OF THE REAR COMPARTMENT AND THE KEYS WERE HANGING IN THE DOOR TO THE HOUSE. I HEARD THE CAR DOOR LOCK ITSELF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE COULD OPEN THE DOOR AND WATCH IT LOCK ITSELF IN LESS THAN ONE MINUTE OF BEING OPENED. DURING THAT TIME, THE INSIDE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK TO OPEN THE DOOR, IT WOULD ONLY OPEN WITH THE REMOTE OR THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION TOMORROW, BUT TOYOTA CORPORATE WILL NOT ASSURE ME THAT I WON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE RAV4 AND THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO DIAGNOSE THIS FOR FREE. IF THEY DON'T, I WILL NOT TAKE THE CAR IN. I TOLD THEM I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE AND COULD INVOLVE CHILDREN GETTING LOCKED IN A CAR WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR (IF THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THE MANUAL LOCK). ...UPDATED 09/11/15 *BF UPDATED 10/13/15*JS

NHTSA ID
10734399
Incident
Jul 6, 2015
Mileage
117,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 30, 2015

ON 4/22/2015, I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 LIMITED EDITION AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. AFTER LEAVING THE INTERSTATE I WAS BRAKING AND COMPLETING A COUNTERCLOCKWISE U-TURN GOING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE UNCONTROLLABLY. BASED ON MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM (THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED) I THREW THE SHIFTER INTO PARK WHILE CONTINUING TO BRAKE. THIS QUICKLY BROUGHT THE ENGINE SPEED DOWN TO IDLE. I HAD MY WIFE CONFIRM THAT I HAD MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY. THERE WAS NO ?PEDAL MISAPPLICATION.? THE FLOOR MATS WERE SECURELY IN PLACE AND THERE WERE NO LOOSE OBJECTS ON THE FLOOR. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS PROBABLY IN THE 50S. THE ODOMETER WAS ABOUT 51,000 MILES. THIS WAS THE FIRST RECURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 12/26/2014. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY TOYOTA DEALER. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE ME IF I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN FOR A RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10713699
Incident
Apr 22, 2015
Mileage
51,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 6, 2015

I WAS DRIVING DOWN SUBURBAN ROAD AT APPROX 20-25 MPH BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THE BRAKES LOST POWER AND ENGINE QUICKLY REDLINED TO 6000 RPM. IT WAS ONLY BY IMMEDIATELY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL THAT I AVOIDED RUNNING A REDLIGHT AND PLOWING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I PLACED IN PARK AND SHUT OFF ENGINE WITHIN 3-5 SECONDS TO AVOID ENGINE DAMAGE. I WAITED ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS STUCK AT A RED LIGHT BEFORE RESTARTING ENGINE AND LIMPING IT BACK HOME LESS THAN HALF A MILE AWAY. *JS

NHTSA ID
10681838
Incident
Feb 5, 2015
Mileage
38,620 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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