RAV4 4WD

• Manual transmission
• 71,500 miles

While driving to work in the morning, my RAV4 suddenly locks out cold turkey in the middle of the highway, thank god no accidents like a big whammed from behind.. got a Tow truck to haul it because it won't move at all, only to find out that even the wrecker truck can't tow it. The rear wheels are locked.

Call the Toyota gurus and they came and left. Paid the Tow TRUCK, THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO HELP ME AND HE LEFT That's $55.00 off my pocket. Toyota gurus came back and decided they had to removed the rear axle shaft on the spot to Tow it to their Shop, another tow service this time with Toyota, now they got me in their pockets. They couldn't diagnose the problem that day because their schedule was filled for the day. Tomorrow they say. Well, came back the next day to see if there are any findings but It was to early in the day. Well, so they say.. but I really need a car, my daughter needs her car back for the weekend; I've driven it for the past 24hrs.

Toyota didn't get back to me and they had to close shop. The service Advisor tells me it might be a good idea to find transportation for the weekend. There were no courtesy cars.. I had to rent one. So it is the weekend, I am stuck with a four day rental at ridiculous price and even perhaps and arm and a leg for a problem that is common in RAV4's.

Within the first year of purchasing the RAV4, I complaint about a rattling noise the RAV makes especially in the morning's when warming up. The problem would go away when the clutch is engaged or after the vehicle has ran for a few miles. Trips to TOYOTA GHURUS resulted in replacement of pulleys and bearing in the engine compartment, the second complaint resulted in the replacement of the Throw out bearing in the transmission, and finally at about 50 plus thousand miles and complete transmission replacement under warranty... Thank gracious. Those Gurus are having a training program on my RAVVY 4.

My comfortable driving didn't last long thought, as the rattling noise came back only this time worst because it doesn't stopped. I gave up and monitor it hoping for a cure. My warranty is out and I can afford the luxury service anymore in toughen economic times of today. Worst yet my 2008 Stimulus Check has been exhausted.

Out here in the Tropics were I lived the price to fix this kind of car problem doubles what it cost in the good old mother country. The cost of residing out here is four times higher than over there. This the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, The newest member of the American Political Family. Hail USA! Hooray!

Hope someone can share or provide solution at an affordable prize. And Yes Sign me up for the Class Action Suit. We deserve a better customer service than it is being practiced by the Toyota Service Centers Worldwide. After all "We Are Driven!"... Or does that actually connotates a different note like Driven out of our Minds and Dollars for Driving A Toyota...

Cheers and Peace from the Saipan, CNMI in the Pacific Ocean...

James Bodig
jampetdik@yahoo.com