TroubleCAR
77
Trouble

2011 Toyota Rav4

Complaints: 285Avg mileage: 52,820 miSince: Jan 2011
CrashFire20 injured

Problem Areas

Vehicle Speed Control
68
Visibility/Wiper
48
Service Brakes
43
Engine
33
Seat Belts
30
Power Train
23
Air Bags
19
Suspension
16
Steering
15
Electrical System
15

Complaints Over Time

Recent Complaints

STEERING
Apr 14, 2014HOSCHTON, GA
CrashFire1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGS
18,000 miMay 3, 2012GOFFSTOWN, NH
CrashFire2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG FAILED TO PROTECT HIM WHEN THE IMPACT WAS HARDER THAN NORMAL AND CREATED A SMOKE THAT SMELLED LIKE FIRE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER INTERNAL BRUISING AND A CRACKED RIB. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, WHICH CAUSED BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 18,000.

ENGINE
56,000 miJul 17, 2013BUCHANAN, NY
CrashFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT VERY LOW IMPACT. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ON SCENE TO ASSIST AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE HOOD AND THE BATTERY WERE MELTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

AIR BAGS
Oct 29, 2023Spokane, WA
Crash2 injured

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

SERVICE BRAKES
Sep 1, 2023SOUTH BEND, IN
Crash1 injured

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

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
143,000 miJul 24, 2023Princeton, TX
Crash1 injured

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
130,000 miAug 6, 2020TOMPKINSVILLE, KY
Crash1 injured

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

AIR BAGS
80,000 miJul 23, 2019NEWBERG, OR
Crash5 injured

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

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
80,000 miJun 30, 2018CUMBERLAND, RI
Crash1 injured

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.

SERVICE BRAKES
123,000 miJun 11, 2018DUXBURY, MA
Crash1 injured

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
76,000 miFeb 7, 2017ROCK CITY, IL
Crash1 injured

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 5, 2014PENFIELD, NY
Crash1 injured

2011 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON AUGUST 15, 2013. SHE STATED THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF HER AT A LIGHT, AND SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT DUE TO THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, SHE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. SHE SUFFERED A FRACTURED PELVIS. REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED $8,000 AND THOUSANDS MORE IN MEDICAL CARE. ON FEB 2, 2014, HER HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE, BUT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE INSTEAD ACCELERATED, AND HE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT COSTLY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND $2,000 DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER FOR HELP, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER REPLICATED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM FOUR SEPARATE TIMES IN THE PARKING LOT. HE STATED THERE WAS A SOFTWARE PROGRAM CALLED "SMART STOP" AVAILABLE FOR THE 2006-2010 MODELS AND THE SAME SOFTWARE WAS ON THE 2012-2014 MODELS. AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE, AND HE STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THE ACCIDENTS, WERE SIMPLY THEIR FAULT. *JB

AIR BAGS
44,000 miMay 12, 2014BOCA RATON, FL
Crash1 injured

OUR 2011 RAV4 WAS TOTALED IN DECEMBER 2013 WHEN A BMW 5 SERIES CRASHED INTO US WHILE MY WIFE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE IMPACT WAS TO THE FRONT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT WAS SO SEVERE, THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS RIPPED OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND ENDED COMPRESSED AGAINST THE PASSENGER DOOR; HOWEVER INCREDIBLY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY SON, WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT WAS UNHARMED, HOWEVER MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK WAS SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT AND FLEW ACROSS THE CAR SMASHING VIOLENTLY AGAINST THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, LOOSING CONSCIOUSNESS. AS SHE WOKE UP SHE VOMITED AND PER RECOMMENDATION OF THE EMERGENCY CREW ON THE SCENE, WE TOOK HER TO THE ER. I HAVE WRITTEN SEVERAL TOYOTA GROUPS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AND THEY HAVE NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED MY REQUEST. I AM ENTITLED FOR A 100% REFUND ON THE ER EXPENSES AND MY DAUGHTER SHOULD BE PLACED ON A WATCH LIST, AS ANY REPERCUSSION OUT OF THESE TYPES OF ACCIDENTS SHOW UP YEARS AFTERWARDS. WHEN SHE DEVELOPS A BACK OR NECK CONDITION AS A RESULT OF THIS VEHICLE NOT FUNCTIONING AS ENGINEERED AND PROMOTED, TOYOTA SHOULD COVER ALL EXPENSES RELATED TO THEIR LACK OF QUALITY; WHICH IS EVIDENT SINCE THE ACCELERATION ISSUES AND THE MORE RECENT (AND PRECISELY) MASSIVE AIR BAG RECALL. *TR

AIR BAGS
19,000 miJun 11, 2013CHLOE, WV
Crash1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, ELBOW, NECK AND A STRESSED COLLAR BONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *TR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2,000 miMar 31, 2011WOLLASTON, MA
Crash1 injured

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. SLIGHT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS UNTIL CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. UPON APPLYING SLIGHT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,000.

SERVICE BRAKES
Sep 24, 2023State College, PA
Crash

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
85,000 miFeb 23, 2023Grandville, VT
Crash

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.

SERVICE BRAKES
103,122 miDec 25, 2019MARSEILLES, IL
Crash

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.

SERVICE BRAKES
73,000 miMar 15, 2019KIRKSVILLE, MO
Crash

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
83,000 miFeb 15, 2019GILMANTON, NH
Crash

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.

Other Rav4 Years

Other Toyota Models