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.
Rear hatch strut seized and broke causing rear hatch door to not close completely, remote and door release in car inoperable. I had my car serviced and advisor explained that water (from weather) caused rust and left strut broke. The right strut is corroded badly and recommended to replace as well. Total cost would be $1386 included left strut part (427.00), right strut part (739.00) and about $200 in labor. I called Toyota corporate for complains and they said that there was no recalls and their warranty was 3yr/3000 miles which did not apply to my situation. I called multiple Toyota parts depts, some out of state to compare prices and they remained the same. One parts employee informed me that this part I needed to provide my VIN number because these struts supply is sparse and they needed to supply local customers. I asked why there wasn't a recall and he agreed that there should be one. Agreed that the design is poor and expectation to lubricate joints to prevent water damage ( which was not in any of my maintenance manuels.). I have the extended warranty when I purchased my new Rav4 and advisor called and presented pictures, the claim was denied.
Numerous times over the last couple of months my cars eps light will come on after putting my car into reverse the car does not connect and goes into neutral instead causing the car to roll forward creating hazards because it happens on hills and flat areas. I then have to put my car into park, turn it off and restart the car to get the car to go into the correct gear. I have taken the car to Toyota but they won?T do anything because my VIN is not under recall. Starting in 2019 I started noticing flakes of paint in cracks of doorways and creases of the car. Last month a big piece of paint started coming off the top of my car in front of my sunroof.
Shortly after driving with no issues, the parked car started to smoke from underneath the hood. Within seconds, a large fire had started which completely consumed the car and also spread to my wife's car and the house's carport. Insurance investigator informed us that the fire likely started in/near the engine towards the drivers side based on where the hottest parts of the fire appeared to have been. However, no conclusive determination was made regarding the cause. The car was in good condition and had not had any maintenance work performed on it recently. There were also no signs of intrusion by rodents or other animals. This happened with no warning. I've also since learned this had happened only one month before to the parents of one of our childrens' friends. They also had a Rav4, although not the same model year (I believe it was a 2013). I have also seen many other reports while researching this issue. If there is a defect or design flaw contributing to these fires, it should be addressed quickly!
Two doors (front driver and passenger side doors) no long lock and unlock using the key fob or the automatic buttons on the driver side door. According to our mechanic, this is a known issue (the lock actuator) with Toyota, especially SUVS around 2015 like Rav4S and highlanders. On a couple of occasions, the door lock itself got stuck and I had to fiddle with it simple to open the door manually. Surprised this hasn't been recalled since it has the potential for a safety hazard. Cost to repair each door's actuator (by mechanic) is over $500.
Driving down the interstate when there was a loud explosion. When we were able to stop, we saw that our sunroof had exploded. We were very lucky that the shade was closed on the window. There was nothing around us (vehicles, bridges, etc) to cause debris to hit the sunroof to cause the incident. This was an extremely scary thing that I have found out is not uncommon.
- Billings, MT, USA
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The power stick shift moves to easily out of gear. It requires only a light depressing of the break to disengage it. On May 17 2019, I had been parked with the car on. I had dropped something on the floor and went to pick it up. My foot was lightly touching the break as I bent down. The break was depressed just enough to allow my shoulder or back to hit the stick shift and push it into reverse. Unbenounced to me, as I was still bending over to pick something up, the car was pushed into reverse and moved backwards into two cars behind me. This could have been a really tragic situation had someone been behind me in the parking lot. Or worse, if I had a child in the car and I had gotten out to get something from the trunk and the child jumped into the drivers seat. I am not very tall, and so a child could easily depress the brake just enough to release the stick shift and could have run me over. There should be a secondary release button on all stick shifts or the brake peddle should need to be depressed all the way. This incident damaged three cars. And while not my fault as it was a defect or saftey issue with the car, my insurance has now been dinged for it. I have reported it to Toyota but they do not seem to care.
Myself, my daughter and my daughter's father were traveling southbound on interstate 89 towards burlington, vt. We heard an extremely loud bang. It sounded like an explosion or a gun shot. The sunroof had exploded, not from any debris or rock'just exploded. It was a terrifying experience. Luckily we only got minor cuts from the glass. This happened on a busy highway. Thankfully I maintained control of the car despite the explosion and pulled to the side of the highway. We could have been killed or killed someone else in another car. Now I am finding out how often this type of thing happens and why is nothing being done about this. Sunroofs need to be recalled. It is horrifying that this has not been addressed. In all honesty, this probably won't change until someone dies as a result of this.
I notice warm air coming from the air vents even when I dont have the air on. It concerns me that it may be exhaust. I also have a 2014 corolla that does the same thing. You cant stand the warm air on semi warm days. You can feel the warm hair come through vents without the fan on. Its on going.
Four incidents of damage to wiring by rodents. Mechanic believes the rodent to be a rat. One rat has been caught in a live trap. Yet two more incidents of eaten wiring.the rat eats the insulation on the wiring and bites through the wiring. The rat drags tissues into the H/a vents. Even tried to eat a package of foil wrapped hand wipes. The rat has left scat under the seats. The rat was observed playing under my car while parked downtown. He managed to get back in the car and rode 'home.'
We purchased a Toyota Rav4 with a 100% O.K. from Toyota dealer four weeks and 200 miles after parking in the garage the next morning it would not start several try's later it barley started, I am a retired mechanic, the headlights were normal bright with horn honking, the dealer told my wife the battery had 0 cranking amps they installed a new 80 month Toyota battery, . my problem is safety issues going to the internet and searching Toyota problems battery's, electrical shorts, electrical fires, stopping unexpectedly loss of steering, electric wire burn smell, I could go on my point is everything is tied together electrical issue with wiring shorts ! I don't want to sound like an alarmist but it might sound that way, something is causing all the issues with early battery failure, as a mechanic 50 years I have seen this before and almost always it is a electrical short some ware in the system, and in some vehicles you no longer have throttle cables or linkage you have electric assist meaning a motor or some kind of pressure sensitive device that can short and inadvertently cause the vehicle to stop or cause the vehicle to advance full throttle with no way to stop! I'm hoping some one will read this that can help put our minds to rest or please look into this issue, I am afraid for my wife and all loved ones driving these vehicles.
Sunroof exploded while driving 45 mph on a one lane country road - no car was in front of me at the time. Occurred at 11:00 am and outside temps were 43 degrees.
I would like you to consider the navigation system as a safety device. Toyota sells vehicles with outdated maps and charges over $200 for upgrades, which dealers are reluctant to provide. I consider accurate maps a safety concern and I suggest that map updates should be provided on at least an annual basis at a nominal (,$25) fee. The garmin policy would be a benchmark. Right now, my gps is useless; cannot be trusted, and may lead me astray as it is not current. Tis is a safety item.
When using air conditioning mold accumulates on the condenser due to water not drying out and that mold/mildew is then blown thru vents when turning air conditioning on and I am inhaling toxic mold. Toyota is aware they've had thousands of internet complaints and at deal on HVAC and refuse to call it a defect despite the health hazard effect. Apparently Camry has class action law suit started re: This. I fear for my health with this and others in my car smell this as well. This has been ongoing problem since I purchased car and bcd and forth to dealer.
Sunroof exploded. Driving down paved highway. 51 degrees outside. Glass shattered. No rock or other object found inside the car. Washington state patrol on scene.
I have a mildew/mold smell coming from my air vents in the cabin every time I turn on my car air conditioning unit. Started at 4000 miles. Went to the dealer to resolve this issue however they would not be able to fix it. I'm not the only one who has this problem. Many ac mold/mildew issues were found in many Rav4 forum. Exposure to such smells and mold is extremely dangerous and can lead to sickness and other health related issues. Toyota hit with class action with defective ac unit before.
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- Glenshaw, PA, USA