10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,699 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Toyota RAV4 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #110

Oct 012018

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I noticed that I was losing oil between oil changes. The dealer that has always changed my oil found no leaks. They told me that my engine had a recall covering loss of oil but that the warranty had expired six weeks prior. I was never notified about this warranty. If Toyota manufactured a defective engine, why is the recall time sensitive? the dealer never notified me that my year model vehicle had this issue.

- Fairport, NY, USA

problem #109

Dec 102018

RAV4

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the oil level was low right after an oil change was performed. The vehicle was taken to C.F. schwartz Toyota (1536 N dupont hwy, dover, de 19901, (302) 734-5748) and the oil was changed. The dealer informed the contact to watch and check the oil level after fuel was added to the vehicle. One month later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed of a warranty enhancement program that required an engine replacement at the cost of $4,000. The warranty had special qualifications, but the expiration date had passed; therefore, the dealer would not cover the repairs. The manufacturer stated that they could not honor the warranty and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- Dover, DE, USA

problem #108

Nov 232018

RAV4

  • miles
An excessive oil consumption, 1 quart every 1500 miles. No oil leaks identified. It's a known issue related to 2az-fe engines due to design issues related to pistons and rings. It's a safety issue which can cause a stall of engine due to low amount of oil. Toyota dealer refused to repair the engine due to just expired warranty (10 years/150K miles).

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #107

Sep 022018

RAV4

  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Started to use a quart of oil every few hundred miles. Took it to my local Toyota dealer and they confirmed that it needs the new pistons and rings. Unfortunately, they will not do it under warranty because my vehicle is 4 months past the warranty extension Toyota issued. That policy was for 10yrs or 150,000 miles, my vehicle only has 123,000 miles on it but as mentioned before it is 10 years and 4 months old.

- Muncie, IN, USA

problem #106

Nov 012018

RAV4

  • 53,000 miles
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.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #105

Oct 222018

RAV4

  • miles
2008 Toyota Rav4 - excessive oil consumption on 2az-fe engine lsc ZE7 my daughters Toyota Rav4 was consuming an unusual amount of oil. We originally thought the car was burning oil. After doing more research, we discovered it was a known issue. Toyota has an extended warranty for 10 years and/or 150,000 miles for an oil consumption issue (ZE7). The car was purchased August 2008. We purchased the car in 2017 from a family member. The previous owner had no idea that this was a known issue. They thought that the car just burned a lot of oil. We took the car into the Toyota dealership September 2018, one month before the warranty expired. Toyota agreed to start the oil consumption test which required them to ceil the engine and oil stick. We were told to drive the car for 1100 to 1300 miles. The car had the be towed back to Toyota at 1600 miles due to the oil light flashing on and off. They acknowledge the car most likely has the oil consumption issue, but since the car was driven approximately 318 miles over the limit, Toyota claims that they must restart the test and refuse to honor the warranty. A tune up was done by Toyota a few months prior. When we discovered that the oil leak was potentially related to a known oil consumption issue, we took the car in to start the phase 1 test. The service department marked the oil as severely low. Under no circumstances should the car run low on oil, when the oil was filled by Toyota and was driven only 1600 miles. Sincerely, [xxx] more complaints: Https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/excessive-oil-consumption-on-2az-fe-engine-lsc-ZE7.362/page-2 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #104

Aug 012018

RAV4

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Rav4 is now burning oil. I am putting oil into it before I get to the date of my next service. I've heard about an enhanced warranty that went out to dealers that told about this being a problem with pistons and rings but the dealers chose not to tell customers about it. How do we fix the problem now?

- Sugar City, ID, USA

problem #103

Sep 202018

RAV4

  • 110,000 miles
Have excessive oil consumption. Engine light kept going on. Took it to the Toyota dealer that I bought the car and serviced at. They recommended an oil consumption test. Performed the test and it failed. Dealer and Toyota corporate said there is nothing they would do. Claimed they sent a recall letter that I never received. I don't believe there was a recall just a major defect in their powertrain. The vehicle is now in my daughters procession and have grave concerns the engine could seaze or catch fire leading to a crash. In researching I found that this is a common defect amongst various Toyota modals and modal years. If there was a recall them I believe the Toyota dealer servicing the vehicle was negligent to for prescribing an oil consumption test and not telling me of all recalls for my vehicle. If there was no recall then Toyota is negligent for knowingly avoiding a defect and not standing by their product. I would like them to replace the defective engine or repair it so the excessive oil consumption is eliminate. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated

- Fitchburg, WI, USA

problem #102

Jul 192018

RAV4

  • 124,481 miles
Engine is using excessive oil at the rate of.9 quarts per 1200 miles. Dealer said this is normal and Toyota will not cover any work under warranty.

- Greeneville, TN, USA

problem #101

Jan 082018

RAV4

  • miles
Burning motor oil

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #100

Jun 212018

RAV4

  • 118,121 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It was recommended by my technician that I have an oil consumption test because I go through a lot of oil. I took it to nalley Toyota of roswell ga on 11/7/17 and my car "passed" the test, however my car still consumes oil at rates not healthy for the car. I went to another dealer; marietta Toyota in Georgia on 6/21/18. They tested the car, added 2 quarts of oil and said that I have an issue, however 10 years has passed since 6/6/06, the first use of the car. I do not believe the oil consumption issue manifested itself in that amount of time between dealer visits. I believe that I was improperly diagnosed by the first dealer because they did not want to have to rectify the problem.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #99

Aug 012017

RAV4

  • 100,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption

- Powell, TN, USA

problem #98

Nov 132017

RAV4

  • 100,000 miles
2008 Toyota Rav4 excessive oil consumption. After reaching 100,000 mile on my vehicle, it began to use 1 quart of oil every 1,200-1,500 miles. Toyota knew of this problem (tsb to dealers) but refuse to offer any restitution to customers if the vehicle has passed the 60,000 mile power train warranty. This is a manufacture problem and Toyota should have to make these repairs free of any charge to the customer.

- Ocean Isle Beach, NC, USA

problem #97

Jan 042017

RAV4

  • 150,000 miles
It has excessive oil consumption and has for at least a year that I have been aware of. I have to add at least a quart of oil every 1000 miles or less. I feel I have to carry oil everywhere and that I need to check the dip stick frequently. The dealer has charged a fair amount of money for things that have not fixed it yet and now is quoting me $3800 for engine diagnostic/repair. They never once mentioned to me that there is a known consumption problem with this engine type on any of my other expensive visits to them back when my mileage was uner 150,000 miles. It's know over 167,000 miles and so is not covered by their so called warranty enhancement program.

- Tahlequah, OK, USA

problem #96

Dec 202016

RAV4

  • miles
Ecsessive oil consumption over last year increasing over time now using 5-6 quarts between oil change... Toyota acknowledges oil consumption problem but will not repair'

- Atascadero, CA, USA

problem #95

Jan 032018

RAV4

  • 213,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact could not pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and it returned to normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator, battery, and ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the failure recurred several other times after the repair. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-331-4331 and asked the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. A case number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 213,000. The VIN was not available.

- Leesville, SC, USA

problem #94

Oct 102017

RAV4

  • 146,000 miles
I have a Toyota rav 4 (2008), which I love. It has been a wonderful car. No real problems to speak of. But at around 146,000 miles I was surprised to see my oil light come on 1/4 of the way through my regular maintenance schedule. I added oil and made a mental note to bring it up to my mechanic. Another 1/4 of the way the oil light comes back on. I had to add more oil. My car has 149,000 miles on it now. I have had my car in for maintenance every 5,000 miles since I bought it new. It is now burning about 1 quart every 1200 miles. This just happens to be the amount that Toyota calls a problem and excessive, but my car is out of warranty. I was hoping to keep my car for several more years. This is very disappointing, especially since people have always said 'get a Toyota, they last forever'.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #93

Jan 012015

RAV4

  • 130,000 miles
My car has been needing oil changes more frequently. I am in getting oil change today and my car wasn't due for 1000 more mile and 1/18 (whichever came first). I have no leaks, haven't damaged a anything and its always done professionally.. its been changed at Toyota, good year, oil change shops.no smoke or burning od oil. Car gets regular maintenance.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #92

Sep 052017

RAV4

  • 154,000 miles
1. excessive oil consumption up to 1qt every 1200 miles, under normal driving conditions noticed December of 2013. 2. ECM fails to hold reverse gear. Gear frequently slips in reverse when gas pedal is pressed, won't back up hills. Noticed December of 2013, no power when first starting up for first 10 to 15 minutes of drive. October of 2013 immediately after purchasing 3. head gasket fail between number 2 and 3 cylinders due to faulty head gasket. Replaced head gasket June 2016 4. very low fuel economy December 2013. 5. no oil pressure very ruff idle oil pressure light on, with oil level reading full. September 2017

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #91

Jul 012017

RAV4

  • 170,000 miles
My 2008 Toyota Rav4 goes through excessive amounts of oil. I have to add upwards of a quart a week, after 300-600 miles in that period. It's been an ongoing problem, but I started noticing something was off in the last six months, and tracking it religiously in the last two months or so.

- Port Hadlock, WA, USA

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