What Problems Do Toyota RAV4 Have? [3 Common Problems]

Toyota has been producing the RAV4 compact SUV since 1994.

It first appeared in the United States in 1995 and has since been produced for five generations.

The RAV4 is a tiny SUV that combines the advantages of both an SUV and a compact vehicle.

This translates to more cargo space, 4WD capability, and exceptional fuel economy and handling.

It has received positive reviews from critics and has received good reliability ratings across a variety of platforms.

We’ll look at the most prevalent problems with the Toyota RAV4 Model like Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Toyota Rav4 Prime, as well as the reasons and best treatments, in this article.

Which year Toyota RAV4 should I stay away from?

If you’re looking to buy a newer Toyota vehicles like Rav4, I’d advise you to stay away from the 2019 and 2020 models.

This 2019 and 2020 has a lot of problems reported by the consumers.

The Rav4 was remodeled again in 2019, and it’s had a rocky start.

Toyota RAV4 Problems

A collection of RAV4 problem or common problems customers faces and car complaints.

1. Transmission and Powertrain Issues

RAV4 EV owners have reported up to 1,148 powertrain-related issues on Carproblemzoo, making it the most common.

Automatic transmission issues, transmission solenoid issues, and transmission noise issues are just a few of the issues.

Let’s take a look at each one individually.

Problems with Automatic Transmission

There were 354 complaints about the automatic transmission in the Toyota RAV4.

Many owners claimed that their vehicles jerked or hesitated when attempting to accelerate.

Owners who brought their vehicles in for diagnosis confirmed that the fault was with the transmission and the ECM unit.

We also discovered that this issue was more prevalent in RAV4 versions from 2001 to 2003.

Problems with Slipping Transmission Gears

A number of RAV4 customers have also complained about the transmission sliding gears without notice.

Various lawsuits have been filed in response to this, forcing the manufacturer to admit the problem.

Toyota has also extended the warranty on this issue to ten years and one hundred thousand miles.

Problems with the Transmission Solenoid

The RAV4’s solenoid is another regularly reported transmission issue.

A check engine light that came on randomly while driving has been reported by several RAV4 owners.

This is in addition to the vehicle stalling on occasion.

Our investigation revealed that this issue is frequently caused by a malfunctioning solenoid that has to be replaced right away.

Transmission Noise is an annoyance.

Several RAV4 customers have also expressed dissatisfaction with an uncomfortable grinding noise that might occur during acceleration or deceleration.

Others have observed that this occurs when the vehicle is put in reverse or switched from FWD to 4WD.

This issue has been documented in both new and older Toyota RAV4 models.

Causes and Potential Solutions

Some of the powertrain and gearbox difficulties noted above have causes and solutions indicated below:

Faulty Needle Roller Bearings:

Needle bearings prevent the torque converter’s gears from grinding excessively.

Your Toyota RAV4 may make grinding noises if the needle bearings wear out.

Low or contaminated transmission fluid:

Vehicles with manual or automatic transmissions require adequate and clean transmission fluid to function properly.

Your gearbox could overheat if you don’t have enough clean transmission fluid, and your gears could start slipping or surging out of control.

Clogged Transmission Fluid Filter:

The transmission fluid filter in the Toyota RAV4 is responsible for allowing the proper amount of clean fluid to pass through.

A blocked filter will obstruct its operation and finally cause the transmission to stop working.

What Should You Do?

When managed incorrectly, transmission problem can render your car utterly worthless.

As a result, we recommend that you take your vehicle to a reputable auto specialist for an examination, diagnosis, and proper repair.

If your warranty still has a few miles/years left on it, you can try contacting your dealer.

2. Engine Issues in Automobiles

On Carproblemzoo, RAV4 owners have reported 980 engine-related issues.

Let’s take a look at some of the most typical issues with engines.

Engine Oil Consumption Is Too High

Toyota RAV4 owner have expressed their dissatisfaction with the vehicle’s high oil consumption.

Every 800-1,000 miles, some of these owners claim to use up to two quarts of oil.

Vehicles with more than 90,000 miles on the odometer are more prone to this issue.

Illumination of the Check Engine Light

While traveling between 10 and 35 mph, some RAV4 owners reported their check engine lights coming on.

Aside from the engine light illumination, some people observed that the car appeared to lose power.

Leaking Water Pumps

The Toyota RAV4’s water pump leak is another regularly reported engine issue.

The water pump leaked fluid without notice, according to several owners, and this was occasionally accompanied by a loud noise from the engine.

Water pump problems appear in the Toyota RAV4 as early as 25,000 kilometers.

Problems with Engine Exhaust

The engine exhaust of the Toyota RAV4 has also been the subject of numerous complaints.

A strong burning odor and exhaust fumes were noted coming from the cabin by several RAV4 owners.

This issue is most widespread in pre-2010 Toyota RAV4 vehicles, according to our research.

Causes and Potential Solutions

Piston Rings That Are Damaged or Worn Out:

If your piston rings are damaged or worn out, engine oil will seep through and enter the internal combustion chamber.

The oil will be burned, and carbon deposits will form on the rings and cylinders.

Worse yet, you’ll have to refill the oil much more frequently than before.

A faulty crankshaft seal or valve cover gasket:

It could be one of the reasons your vehicle is leaking oil.

To avoid damage, you’d have to top off the engine oil every now and then.

One of the most common causes of coolant leaks from your vehicle’s water pump is a damaged crankshaft seal or gasket.

A failing oxygen sensor is the most likely cause of your check engine light coming on intermittently or staying on for an extended period of time.

Fuel Cap That Isn’t Tight:

The gasoline cap is critical to the efficient operation of the fuel distribution system.

A loose fuel tank cap could be the cause of your check engine light.

Catalytic converters are anti-pollution components that assist in the conversion of poisonous exhaust emissions into less harmful ones.

A foul, sulfuric odor will emanate from the exhaust if the catalytic converters are worn out or overheated.

What Should You Do?

Piston rings, catalytic converters, gaskets, and other components can be replaced to fix engine problems.

However, for a proper diagnosis and viable remedies, we recommend taking the automobile to your dealer or a competent repair.

3. Problems with the steering of the vehicle

A number of RAV4 owners have also expressed concerns about the vehicle’s steering.

Let’s take a closer look at a few of these concerns.

Unpleasant clicking noises emanating from the steering column have been reported by a large number of RAV4 owners.

This usually occurs when the motorist makes a low-speed turn or tries to reverse.

Steering Wheel Failure Is Dangerous

Some RAV4 owners have also experienced complete steering wheel failure while driving, which has resulted in near-fatal crashes.

The failure mileage was frequently in the high 50,000s, and it was common in pre-2010 Toyota RAV4 vehicles.

On/Off Power Steering Light

Another common steering issue is the power steering light turning on suddenly.

Furthermore, customers stated that maneuvering the steering wheel had become extremely difficult.

We discovered that this issue happened even in RAV4 cars with only 4,000-5,000 kilometers on them.

Causes and Potential Solutions

Some of the possible reasons of steering-related issues are listed below:

• Power Steering Fluid Contamination
• Steering Belts That Have Been Worn Out
• Fluids that are leaking
• Tie Rod Ends That Aren’t Working
• A faulty column bearing
• Steering Racks That Aren’t Working
• Ball Joints That Don’t Work

What Should You Do?

Driving with a faulty steering wheel is extremely dangerous, and we strongly advise against it.

Instead, you should hire a reputable mechanic to assess the vehicle, make recommendations, and find a long-term solution.

Other Toyota Models

• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota 4runner
• Toyota Tundra
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota Tacoma
• Toyota Prius

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)