Home · 2011 Toyota RAV4 Hv · Complaints

What 287 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota RAV4 Hv

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (287)Crash / fire / injury (49)Speed control (69)Visibility & wipers (50)Brakes (47)Engine (33)Seat belts (30)Transmission & drivetrain (25)Airbags (20)Electrical system (19)Body & structure (16)Suspension (16)

49 of 287 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Sep 23, 2024Electrical systemEngineFire

I understand there is a recall on Rav4 starting fire from 2013. Our vehicle is a 2011 and started on fire in our driveway and is a total loss. May need to include other years.

NHTSA ODI 11615978

Oct 29, 2023AirbagsCrash2 injuries

Side curtain airbag failed to deploy in side-impact crash. Passenger suffered significant concussion and broken ribs.

NHTSA ODI 11552442

Sep 24, 2023SteeringBrakesFuel systemCrash

To begin with, the 2011 Toyota Rav4 in question was a loaner provided to me by Fiore VW AUDI (1000 S. Logan Blvd in Hollidaysburg, PA 16648) at @ 10:45 AM on 9/16/23. My 2018 Toyota Sienna was being serviced at this location on 9/18/23 and they provided me the 2011 Rav4 in the meantime. The brakes failing, the steering wheel locking up, and the sudden acceleration of this 2011 Rav4 occurred later that afternoon @ 4 PM in a Sheetz parking lot at 3261 W. College Ave. State College, PA 16801. As I was turning left into an open parking space at the rear entrance of this Sheetz, I began to turn the steering wheel to the right, straighten out, and park properly in the parking space; I also began to press down on brake to stop the car. As I pressed down on the brake pedal, the brakes quickly locked up and became unresponsive. Simultaneously, the steering wheel locked up becoming unresponsive with the front wheels still slightly turned to the left. I was still coming out of my turn when this vehicle failure began. I quickly took my foot off the brake, then the car suddenly burst forward with an intense acceleration. I immediately put my foot back down on the brake, but the car still proceeded forward towards the building; moving slightly to the left due to the steering wheel still locked in place and unresponsive. I slowly rolled into a metal obstruction at the end of the parking space, hitting it at an angle. I had my seat belt on and no air bags were deployed. No injuries to me, but some cosmetic damage to the front of the Rav4. There were no warning lights or audible warnings prior to this vehicle failure. I didn't notice any warning lights or alarms during the failure. Prior to this incident everything seemed fine. After the incident, I drove the car home, drove it to my insurance agent on 9/18/23, and I drove it back to the dealer on 9/20/23. That was it. I would believe Sheetz has this complete incident recorded w/security cameras at that back entrance way.

NHTSA ODI 11546268

Sep 1, 2023Speed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

Sudden acceleration when braking caused crash of 2011 Toyota RAV4 and driver injury. Making a right turn into a parking space that faces a concrete wall, I had my foot on the brake to slow the car down to park, going about five miles an hour. Still riding the brake, never having moved my foot off it, when I was about two feet from the wall I pressed on the brake to ease into a stop. Instead, the car suddenly accelerated with a loud rev and crashed into the wall. The car was going so fast the airbag deployed and thrust me against my seatbelt. Airbag caused fracture of 5th metacarpal in my right hand. Was unable to drive for 12 weeks. When I got the car back from the Toyota Body Shop ($9000+ in repairs), I took it over to the dealer and began filing a case with the Toyota Customer Experience Center to have Toyota inspect the car. I am especially concerned about the brake sensor system. Case is pending

NHTSA ODI 11542024

Jul 24, 2023Service Brakes, AirSpeed controlCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle in front of her abruptly stopped for an animal that jumped onto the road, as a result, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into the rear of a Toyota Prius. The brake pedal was continuously depressed. The "low tire" message was displayed. The driver sustained injuries to her knee, neck, and chest, and medical attention was provided. There was not a report of any fire, air bag deployment, or police report being filed. The vehicle was taken to her residence. The vehicle was towed to the collision center. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA ODI 11534092

Feb 23, 2023AirbagsSpeed controlCrash

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

Feb 16, 2022Fire

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

Aug 6, 2020Electrical systemEngineCrash1 injury

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

Dec 25, 2019BrakesCrash

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

Jul 23, 2019AirbagsCrash5 injuries

MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 35+ MILES PER HOUS WHEN I INADVERTENTLY HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHO HAD SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY TO 25 MPH OR LESS. BOTH VEHICLES SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGES AS SEEN IN PHOTOS

NHTSA ODI 11234036

Mar 15, 2019BrakesEngineCrash

THE COMPLAINT SPECIFIED DOES NOT SEEM TO HAPPEN FREQUENTLY OR CONSISTENTLY, HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY 2 TIMES IN A 6 WEEK PERIOD. SPECIFICALLY, CAR WAS ENGAGED IN THE DRIVE GEAR ON AUTO TRANSMISSION AND WAS STOPPED AT THE MOMENT, ONCE AT THE PARKING SPOT AT LOCAL WALMART, BROUGHT TO COMPLETE HALT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND READY TO SHIFT LEVER TO PARK, BEFORE I COULD DO THAT, BRAKE WENT SOFT AND CAR MOVED/SURGED FORWARD, HITTING THE SAFETY POLE IN THE PARKING SPOT. THE SAFETY POLE SAVED FROM HEAD ON HITTING THE CAR ALREADY PARKED IN THE OPPOSITE PARKING SPOT. THE PICTURE OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AGAINST THE SAFETY POST IS ATTACHED. ANOTHER TIME, WAS STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WAITING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, AT THE LOCAL HYVEE STORE, SUDDENLY BRAKING WAS GONE, ENGINE SURGED WITHPOWER AND THE CAR JUMPED INTO THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS AT STANDSTILL, IN DRIVE GEAR, FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IN FORTY OR MORE YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAVE THIS HAPPENED BEFORE I DID FILE A CLAIM WITH STAE FARM, BECAUSE THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. A PICTURE IS ATTACHED. I HAVE NOT YET DRIVEN THIS CAR, AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED BY THE BODY SHOP, DUE TO PROFOUND FEAR THAT THIS INCIDENCE CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. TOYOTA COMPANY SAYS THEY HAVE FOUND NOTHING WRONG, JUST LIKE THEY HAVE DENIED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR OTHER CARS IN THE PAST. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI 11187171

Mar 3, 2019EngineFire

FIRE UNDER THE HOOD

NHTSA ODI 11183825

Feb 15, 2019Body & structureSpeed controlBrakesEngineCrash

WAITING AT STOP SIGN - CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING, ENGINE REVVING, RACING (AGAIN, WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP). I BRAKED AND VEHICLE TOOK FULL CONTROL SEEMINGLY PULLING SIDEWAYS FIRST AND THEN LURCHING OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY CASING A DEVASTATING CRASH TOTALING MY CAR AND CAUSING THE OTHER PERSON'S VEHICLE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. IT'S THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. 1ST TIME PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE - ACCELERATED LURCHING FORWARD NO MATTER HOW MUCH I BRAKED STRIKING CURB AND POST - STALLED OUT, THANK GOODNESS. A CASE HAS BEEN OPENED WITH TOYOTA BUT I AM TOLD THEY'LL DENY ANYTHING WRONG EVEN THOUGH I HAVE 10 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS IN HAND OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME NIGHTMARE I DID. IT'S TIME FOR TOYOTA TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SEEMS PRETTY OBVIOUS AT THIS POINT CONCERNING THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY BY ISSUING/SENDING OUT RECALLS ON THIS DANGEROUS MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH NEXT TIME MAY CAUSE A DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 11180213

Dec 31, 2018AirbagsBody & structureBrakesCrash

TRAVELING 30 MPH SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE. CAR'S ENGINE SELF ACCELERATED. PUMPED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. CAR CONTINUED TO SELF-ACCELERATE AND BRAKING WAS INEFFECTUAL AND I RAN INTO BACK OF AN 18 WHEELER FLAT BED TRUCK. *DT

NHTSA ODI 11164251

Dec 17, 2018BrakesCrash

THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN HAVING TO BRAKE SUDDENLY DRIVING ON A STREET IN THE RAIN. TRAFFIC WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND I HAD ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT TO BRAKE. THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT WORK AND BRAKING HAD ZERO AFFECT ON SLOWING DOWN MY CAR WHICH MADE ME HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI 11162097

Jun 30, 2018Crash1 injury

UP UNTIL LAST SUNDAY, MY MOTHER HAD DRIVEN A 2011 RAV 4. ON SUNDAY, AS SHE WAS DRIVING, THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR USING THE BRAKE, OR BY TRYING TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. SHE WAS ON A 2 LANE ROAD, WITH TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. IN ORDER NOT TO INJURE ANYONE ELSE, SHE DROVE OFF THE ROAD AND SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A TREE. SHE SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES RY, AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI 11104870

Jun 28, 2018Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT IT CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PUENTE HILLS TOYOTA (17070 GALE AVE, HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA 91745, 877) 692-4047) WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,608.

NHTSA ODI 11104514

Jun 11, 2018Speed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

WHEN BACKING UP,MY 2011 TOYOTA RAV4 ACCELERATED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING THE MAN BEHIND HIS VEHICLE TO BE THROWN AND ALMOST RAN HIM OVER. HE WAS TAKEN AWAY IN AN AMBULANCE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND LICENSE SUSPENDED.THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD HAVE STOPPED MY VEHICLE. WEBSITES I HAVE LOOKED AT FOR THAT YEAR SEEMS TO CONFIRM BRAKING AND UNINTENDED BRAKE AND ACCELERATION ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI 11101092

Nov 28, 2017Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 2-3 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REVVED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE (2100 LEXINGTON RD, NICHOLASVILLE, KY 40356, (859) 887-4200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI 11051045

Aug 14, 2017Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (BENARDI TOYOTA 1626 WORCESTER ROAD, FRAMINGHAM, MA, 01702) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. UPDATED 10/18/17*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI 11015191

Jun 30, 2017Transmission & drivetrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, IT ROLLED DOWN HILL INTO THE BACK YARD, THROUGH LAWN FURNITURE, AND STOPPED IN THE WOODS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11002463

Feb 7, 2017Speed controlCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE IN A PARKING AREA APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE RPMS RACED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH DUE TO THE FAILURE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR CENTER TO REPAIR THE DAMAGES AND FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 10950154

Apr 18, 2016AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A DEER CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE HOOD WAS DAMAGED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER COLLISION LOT WHERE THE HOOD WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 10860077

Feb 13, 2015Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/19/15*CN

NHTSA ODI 10683384

Feb 4, 2015AirbagsBrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NEITHER THE CONTACT NOR THE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 10681099

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Working with the data? Download all 287 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Toyota RAV4 Hv verdict →