What 287 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota RAV4 Hv

There has not been an incident yet. The problem is that the steering is slightly stiff and what I would call jerky. It kind of sticks as you turn and you have to exert a little more pressure on the steering wheel and it lets go and moves on to where you wanted. It is not intermittent and it is getting worse all the time. The car has 74,000 miles on it. Is there a danger of this locking up some day to where a person would loose control of the car, or is it just an aggravating nuisance ? The exact date this started is not known but it has probably been at least 18 months. It is the worst at slow speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11525735

When applying the brakes to stop at a stoplight, I noticed the brake pedal was very hard and was not stopping the vehicle as it normally did. The stop at the light was not a sudden stop. At the time this incident occurred, the brakes were being gradually applied as the vehicle was coasting to a slow stop. As the vehicle came to rest, the engine started to race with tachometer showing 4500 rpm. I placed the transmission into neutral fearing the car would accelerate through the stoplight. As I placed the car into neutral, the engine raced up to 6500 rpm. When the light turned green, I made a right turn into a parking lot, and the engine stopped racing and the brakes and engine began performing properly. Today was the first time this happened. The stop was being made on level ground at time of incident. The car's speed before the incident had been 35 mph and was at less than 5 mph when issue began happening. Prior to traveling in the 35 mph zone, the car had recently been on the highway traveling between 55-70 mph for 20 minutes. Mileage on vehicle is currently 141,295. The vehicle is available for inspection. Slow response braking and unintended acceleration place vehicle occupants as well as other vehicles at risk for collision and possible injury. Problem has not been reproduced nor inspected by a dealer or independent service station yet. No parties have inspected the vehicle yet. No warning lights or messages were generated at the time of the incident. There have been no prior symptoms or similar problems which would have indicated this brake/acceleration issue may occur.

NHTSA ODI 11521792

I have replaced the front suspension and the back suspension. I have replaced the driveshaft and the muffler and tail pipes. Now they say the entire undercarriage and the brake lines are all rusting out. This car is 2011 and has just 34,607 miles on it and has been keep in a garage its entire time. Now it is unsafe to drive. Drive Shaft fell off in December.2022.

NHTSA ODI 11510495

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and accelerated forward crashing into a parked van. During the incident, the airbags did not deploy. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. the vehicle was later towed to a collision center and repaired. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the same failure had occurred after the husband stopped at a red light. During the incident, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11508747

Spare tire rear mount cover. The cover is made out of metal and fabric. After a few years the thread holding the material that holds the cover on deteriorates causing the metal cover to fall off. This happens while driving the car having the paint matched metal disk to fall off while driving leaving a tire sized metal disk bouncing around in traffic endangering other cars and drivers. Thread and zipper need to be made out of a better material or a hard latched metal band could be used to hold it on like many other manufacturers do.

NHTSA ODI 11482746

Steering : Steering is tight to a point where it takes effort to get the steering wheel to turn . I tried adjusting the column up and down . It may ease the problem temporally , but it returns .

NHTSA ODI 11476742

I have discovered that my 2011 rav4 is part of the NHTSA Recall No. : 16V-596 even thought my vin doesn't list it as being part of the recall. As I recently tried to get a rear wheel alignment done due to misaligned rear tires (bowing out). The 3rd party mechanic stated that doing a rear wheel alignment was impossible due to NHTSA Recall No. : 13V-383 repair/fix done by a Toyota dealer where epoxy resin was used to seal the right and left Rear Suspension Lower Arm No. 1 (“arm”) for looseness. The only way to complete the alignment safely would be to completely replace the right and left Rear Suspension Lower Arms. Which perfectly matches the required fixed from the newer NHTSA Recall No. : 16V-596 which remedies the improper temporary repair/fix done by the Toyota dealer to fix the earlier NHTSA Recall No. : 13V-383. As such the VIN range and manufacture date for the NHTSA Recall No. : 16V-596 likely need to be extended to cover all rav4 2011 models.

NHTSA ODI 11473424

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 ODI 11454050

I was Driving down the road, and the engine quit. At that time smoke started pouring out of the hood and into the car, through the vents. I pulled over, the power breaks no longer worked but I was able to stop. I got out of the car quickly to avoidmore smoke inhalation. Flames were already starting to come out. Within a few minutes the entire car was engulfed in fire. Possibly the fuel line had a problem. Car was a total loss. Police were present. there were no warning lights or symptoms before hand. It was the best car I ever had and was working perfectly.

NHTSA ODI 11452183

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 ODI 11443878

when i driving around 50 miles the car is producing a grinding noise, stalling and reducing the speed, putting in danger the cars driving behind us. that kind of fail is on and off.

NHTSA ODI 11441495

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking differential fluid. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contract was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the viscous coupling unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11432508

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota RAV4 equipped with Kelly Tires (Brand Unknown), Tire Size: 225/65/R17 DOT NUMBER: (Unknown). The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, her tire pressure warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact stated that she would frequently add air to her front, driver side tire as the air pressure would frequently run low. The tire had yet to be replaced. The tire was a replacement tire. The tire failure mileage was approximately 3,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431315

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 ODI 11343634

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON ENTIRE OWNERSHIP ALONG WITH SEATBELT LIGHT FLASHING FOR PASSENGER SEATBELT. WHETHER BUCKLED OR UNBUCKLED. OR EVEN WHEN NOBODY IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. CONSTANT ISSUE WHETHER STATIONARY, IN MOTION, AND ON HIGHWAYS/CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ODI 11322182

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2013. SINCE THEN, I HAVE REPLACED 3 BATTERIES AS THE SHOP'S ADVICE THAT MY INTERMITTENT NO-START MUST BE CAUSED BY THE BATTERY. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO DELAERSHIPS AS WELL AS A PRIVATE SHOP. NO ONE CAN DIAGNOSE WHY MY CAR WILL BE OPERATING FINE AND THEN INTERMITTENTLY GO TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING. ALTERNATOR AND STARTER ALSO HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND STATED ARE FINE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN SEARCHING ABOUT MY CAR, ISSUES WITH INTERMITTENT BATTERY ISSUES, I AM NOT LEAVING ANYTHING PLUGGED IN, MAKING SURE LIGHTS ALL GO OFF. CAR WILL START FINE, WILL GO TO A STORE OR SOMETHING. COME BACK OUT AND DEAD. I CAN'T EVEN LEAVE MY DOORS OPEN FOR 10 MINUTES SAY IF I AM CLEANING IT OUT WITHOUT IT GOING DEAD. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD THIS KIND OF ISSUE, IF I EVER DID HAVE A BATTERY ISSUE WITH OTHER VEHICLES IT WAS BECAUSE SOMETHING GOT LEFT ON. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT NO ONE CAN DETERMINE WHY THIS OVER YEARS HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN INTERMITTENTLY AN ISSUE. IT HASN'T THANKFULLY HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING, IT IS LITERALLY MORE JUST LEFT ME STRANDED UNTIL HELP COMES TO JUMP START IT. IT WORKS FOR A WHILE, THEN LIKE IN THIS RECENT CASE, TWICE, IN ONE WEEK'S TIME, HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING IT, MAKING EITHER A LONG TRIP OR SHORT TRIP, AND GO TO START TO GO ON TO NEXT DESTINATION AND NO START.

NHTSA ODI 11321789

REPLACED BOTH REAR CONTROL ARMS AND ADJUSTMENT BOLTS. TECHNICIAN SAID I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING. SUPPOSEDLY WHEN ALIGNING MY TIRES - THE SCREWS SHOWED RUSTY AND BROKE OFF. PAID $900 TO HAVE REPLACED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN A CAR LIKE TOYOTA. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11310280

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 ODI 11306606

I HAVE FIXED MY REAR SUSPENSION MORE THAN 4X AND IT CONTINUES TO GO BAD, IT WORKS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS BUT STILL NOT RUNNING WELL THEN IT SHOCKS AND GOES BACK TO BOUNCING WHENEVER IT HITS A BUMP OR ANYTHING NOT SMOOTH ON THE ROADS. IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AND YOU FEEL IT A LOT MORE WHEN IT'S RUNNING ON LOCAL ROADS. THE VISIBILITY IS BAD, THE DEFOGGER DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 15-20 MINS OR OPEN THE WINDOW. WHEN I PUT MY HANDS ON THE VENT FOR THE DEFOGGER THERE IS NO AIR COMING FROM IT.

NHTSA ODI 11299767

FACTORY ORIGINAL SUPER WHITE PAINT IS DELAMINATING FROM THE BODY OF THE FRONT PANEL RIGHT PANEL (PASSENGER SIDE) AS WELL AS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER RIGHT OF WINDSHIELD, CURRENTLY, EXPOSING THE GREY METAL. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF A PROBLEM, BUT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED ON A SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI 11292504

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS & PUT IT ON THE BRAKE 2 SLOW DOWN BECAUSE I WAS APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT & THE BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK. I REPEATEDLY TRIED THE BRAKE WITH NO LUCK, I ENDED UP HITTING A UTILITY BOX ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI 11291196

REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED DUE TO CLOGGED DIFFERENTIAL VENT. CAR HAS 93K MILES ON IT. THE VENT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH AND CAN'T BE CLEANED EASILY. ALSO IT COSTS $1300 TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11289644

DURING THE PAST SIX WEEKS MY 2011 RAV4 HAS ACCELERATED AFTER LIFTING MY FOOD OFF OF THE BRAKE. I DID NOT ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY WHEN I STOPPED AT A CROSSWALK WITH PEOPLE CROSSING. SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME. THIS IS EITHER THE THIRD OR FOUR TIME THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED, ONLY TODAY IT WAS MORE SEVERE.

NHTSA ODI 11278906

THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR NO LONGER STAYS UP SECURELY. IT WILL SOMETIMES REMAIN PROPPED UP UNTIL IT FALLS DOWN JUST GOING OVER A SLIGHTLY UNEVEN ROAD SERVICE. IT STARTLES THE DRIVER AND SOMETIMES BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VISION DEPENDING UPON THE GRADE OF THE ROADWAY. TOYOTA CHARGES A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT TO REPAIR IT

NHTSA ODI 11271178

SINCE 2015 THE PAINT STARTED PEELING, MY RAV4 HAS BLIZZARD PEARL WHITE COLOR, EVERYTHING THATS METAL HAS BEEN PEELING AND LIFTING. THE PROBLEM BEGAN IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS SPREAD ALL OVER THE VEHICLES, EXCEPT FOR THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPER.

NHTSA ODI 11270639