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.
On 12/18/2013 started car in the morning and and engine started knocking(4 cylinder). Checked oil and added 2 quarts. Then on Friday 12/20 drove 4 mile engine and valves started knocking and rattling. From other complaints it seems that the engine in blown. I bought the car new and have served it religiously. How can an engine with 75000 miles on it lose that much oil? I have had cars with over 125000 miles on them and they didn't lose that much! apparently there has been multiple complaints about this engine and so far Toyota has done nothing about.
Was driving on highway when loud sound and vehicle started to reduce speed. Got off at closest off ramp and fortunately made it to Firestone. Had to have Rav4 towed to the Toyota dealership I purchased the vehicle from. They checked it over and informed me that the engine was cracked. There was no oil in it. I purchased the vehicle brand new from haley Toyota. Service manager recommended that I contact Toyota corporate. Made the call. They were able to learn from all my service records that I have made sure to always have my car serviced on time. Corporate informed me that they would pay for the engine (a short block), but I would be responsible for the labor and rental car (at a discount) - but still paid out $1,505.67. On Saturday Dec. 7, 2013 - drove my car less than 2 miles to my job and chugging sound started. No lights or warning came on. Drove home that night - no sounds. Sunday Dec. 8, 2013 drove to work again (less than 2 miles) and this time chugging starts again and this time engine light, vsc light come on. Parked and turned off car. Drove home later that night - no lights this time, but chugging started entering my garage. Monday Dec. 9, 2013 Monday morning had aaa tow vehicle to haley Toyota. Btw - my Rav4 was at 90,200 miles. After an hour plus waiting I was informed (written) "that number 2 coil and spark plug saturated with coolant. Also found oil mixed with coolant. Cylinder head is cracked and needs to be replaced. Aftermarket cylinder head and labor - $2,700" called tues. 12/10/13 to Toyota Corp. Called again 12/11/13 to follow up. Was informed "upper management will not approve any assistance". called and spoke with a Toyota supervisor on Friday - again - was told that Toyota could not do anything to assist me. Was told "its not our problem. There is nothing we can do."
I purchase my 2008 Toyota rav 4 in 2012 with 39,739 miles, currently it has about 56,000 miles. The engine is burning oil. I noticed that over the last 6 months that the oil light will suddenly go on (car is not due for an oil change, under mileage and under date range needed) and I will pull into a gas station and I am told that there is barely any oil in the engine. This is shocking...as the warning light only went on when it was practically empty. This is also concerning as the car is usually way under the need for an oil change. It is not leaking oil, it is burning it. I plan on bringing it to the dealership on 12/21. Hopefully I will have some answers; however, this is very concerning and very dangerous.
- Weymouth, MA, USA
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In August, oil light flashes when I make a hard stop; took it to dealer and they put a monitor on it and told me to return at 1200 miles. I forgot and only remembered when I started to see the oil light blink on again when I came to a stop. I came back in to dealer in November, they read the monitor and told me I needed to have my engine rebuilt; the service tech. Met with a mgr, rechecked readings and since the mileage was 4000 on the monitor, they thought the readings were skewed. So, they reset the monitor, added oil to the car and I will ensure that I come back at 1200 miles to find out the status. I was told that the car is safe to drive (going on a long drive for the holidays). I am seeing many comments online similar to mine and they relate that there is a problem with the Rav4 engine. I called Toyota usa and reported the issue to them earlier this month. They told me to wait to hear what the dealer says. I now drive with 2 quarts of oil in my car and will monitor my oil levels throughout my trip to and from NY. I am very concerned about this and based on what I seen written online so far, I expect that the dealer is going to tell me that I will have to pay for engine repairs because right now they are saying they are not aware of this issue occurring with the vehicles they service.
Engine burns oil. No oil light warning comes on when there is very very little oil in the pan. Terrible rattle noise coming from engine. Tsb 0094 for 2az-fe engine.
Change oil every 3000 miles. In Sept changed oil and was told oil was low. Today had car inspected only 1500 miles into oil change and my engine light was on I was told the dip stick was clean. Seems the engine is burning oil. I see many other people complaining of the same issue. I have not taken it to Toyota dealer but plan to have them check this out, but I am sensing from the other same complaints something is not right. Hope this gets investigated.
My family and I went on a trip to Georgia and before I made the trip I changed the oil I always check the oil before I change it and it was down 1/2 a quart. When I got home after putting 1800 miles on the car it was down 1/2 a quart again. I called the dealer where I bought the car, and explained the problem, they told me it was normal for that engine. I then research on the internet and found that people were having the same complaints with the Toyota 4.5 engine. As mileage gets higher the problem gets worse, I am afraid that my extended warranty may run out before it gets repaired, as a lot of Toyota car customers have reported. I am a 100% disabled veteran the va gave me a grant to help pay for this car and a trailer hitch to carry my scooter with me. In the years past I have worked on cars and have spoken to many mechanics and they say this is not normal. I feel this car has to be recalled for this issue. My vehicle is now in the oil consumption test stage, we have to go 2 1/2 hours to the dealer just to have the oil checked. Other people say this is to prolong until extended warranty runs out.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that upon inspection, the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of oil and the oil pressure warning light was illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic stated that the problem was normal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 74,000.
Check engine oil light came on; went O dealer to have checked; lost 3 quarts of oil since last schedules oil change. Dealer says it was within their acceptable range. Today called and said I need new engine which they say will cost me thousands
Similar to several other complaints on this model, my vehicle is also exhibiting excessive oil consumption, 1 qt. Within 1K miles. Perhaps even more.( im currently doing the oil consumption test), based on my own consumption tests. The dealer has changed the oil since I purchased this vehicle. The car begin to burn oil at around 60K miles. Many times I have complained of this - dealer claims this is "normal" consumption and within specifications. However, Toyota has issued a technical service bulletin (T-sb-0094-11) which acknowledges a consumption issue on my model as well as several others which I never received notice of this. I found doing my own research due to being frustrated. I have read online message boards of other Toyota owners with the exact same issue. There is a known problem with the piston assembly that is causing this, however, Toyota refuses to remedy the problem if the vehicle is out of warranty.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota rav 4. the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated the vehicle was burning oil to empty every three thousand miles. The manufacturer recommended that the oil be changed every five thousand miles. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a oil consumption test. The dealer stated the vehicle was burning oil at a normal rate. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 74,000.
My alternator went in my vehicle but was discovered was disturbing. I had just had my oil changed 4 weeks prior and the vehicle was almost empty of oil. If the alternator had not failed my engine would have blown due to the lack of oil. The lack of oil is due to the piston assembly in my 2008 Toyota Rav4. This is a known problem with Toyota since they issued a technical service bulletin on Aug. 11 known as SB002411 and SB009411. Toyota said the problem was traced to the piston assembly, yet I have not received any notification from Toyota regarding this issue. There isn't any recall. This repair is only covered for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first. In my situation, the financial burden of this repair is on myself ($4-$5K). This is the second issue with Toyota rav 4 where it should be a recall. My prior issue was the steering intermediate shaft which was making a clucking sound and if not addressed the I could lose control of the vehicle, that financial burden was $800. Both should be a recall by Toyota.
I have a 2008 Toyota Rav4, 4 cylinder engine, which currently has a technical service bulletin out advising Toyota dealerships that the 4 cylinder engine for that particular year is defective. The piston rings do not properly remove the oil as the piston travels up and down, and as a result the engine consumes excessive oil. My vehicle uses approximately a quart and a half of oil in only 1,500 miles. Toyota said that they would fix it under the power train warranty if it's within 5 years or 60,000 miles, which mine is over the miles with 70,000+. so, I have a 5 year old vehicle and I have to pay for new pistons and rings, because Toyota doesn't want to designate this as a recall for their defective engine. Toyota prides itself on its reputation and reliability of their vehicles, but they acknowledge that they have a defective motor, but want us to pay for the repair or in some cases a portion of the repair, which is costly......around $5,000.
I was driving down a street when my car suddenly died. The engine would not turn over though the battery finally turned on. My car was towed to the local Toyota dealership. The service department took the engine apart and said a valve spring broke which caused the valve to drop down and make contact with the #4 piston, breaking it completely apart. (it ended up in the oil pan.) my engine is ruined and must be replaced. They quoted a price of $7000 to replace the engine. The service department manager said there was nothing I could have done that would cause the spring to break like that or cause that kind of damage. My vehicle is 9,000 miles outside of warranty (though still within 6-year time frame of warranty). My car has 69,000 miles on it.
Engine is burning too much motor oil. Have to keep putting a liter of oil in the car every two weeks. There has been a technical service bulletin released by Toyota that it is a problem with the R&R piston and ring set. My VIN id is impacted by this.
Similar to several other complaints on this model, my vehicle is also exhibiting excessive oil consumption, up to 1 qt. Within 1,000-1,500 miles, based on my own consumption tests. The dealer has changed the oil since I purchased this vehicle. The car begin to burn oil at around 66,000 miles. Many times I have complained of this - dealer claims this is "normal" consumption and within specifications as does Toyota motor sales. However, Toyota has issued a technical service bulletin (T-sb-0094-11) which acknowledges a consumption issue on my model as well as several others. I have read online message boards of other Toyota owners with the exact same issue. There is a known problem with the piston assembly that is causing this, however, Toyota refuses to remedy the problem if the vehicle is out of warranty. I contend that this issue was likely present within my warranty but, since I didn't discover it until afterwards, I am simply out of luck with an engine that consumes excessive oil. The dealer quoted me $3,400 to repair. I purchased a Toyota for its perceived reliability, but like other Toyota owners, I too am stuck with a high maintenance vehicle that I too will have to monitor closely as long as I own it. I feel that this problem warrants a recall, due to the extent of the problem in terms of vehicles affected and the potential severity of engine problems. Sadly, Toyota should stand by their products!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Raleigh, NC, USA