2001 Toyota RAV4 brakes problems

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · Brakes, Fuel system · OH

2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a Toyota Dealership in Wooster, Ohio and requested a complete examination. I have their full report, and they have determined this car to be unsafe to drive. The brakes had been adjusted when in fact, the brakes and brake lines need to be replaced, this was the used car dealer at fault. I feel the used car dealership bought car at auction and was unaware of the gas tank leak and the bearing plates being fragile, the engine cradle could break at any given moment, causing the engine to fall out. The car was purchased at and maintained by an Akron Toyota Dealership since it was brand new in 2001. After 23 years why did this dealership allow this car to be released into the general public? Frame Damage so bad, the bearing plates that hold the engine up are beyond fragile, the cradle that holds the engine integrity is grossly compromised, and the gas tank has a hole in it. Bad brakes + leaking gas tank. One spark and = Ka Boom. I would be dead. So many things wrong in this situation. Personally, my physical and emotional health suffered. I had chronic diarrhea, headaches, and went to the Dr several times. Please let me know how this matter should be resolved. I am upset and financially compromised all from this car. Documentation available.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Body, Brakes · 111,219 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

My 2001 rav 4 rear ended a car in front of me, and it was due to a major unintended acceleration of the engine. I am an experienced driver with no prior accidents and my foot was not on the wrong pedal when I was slowing down - applying my brake pedal when I was approaching a bumper to bumper congested intersection (around 5pm). All of a sudden as I applied more pressure on my brake pedal de-accelerating from 20 MPH down to 10 then to 5 MPH to 2 MPH, my 2001 rav 4 engine suddenly accelerated (the engine started to race and the RPM was going crazy making a loud engine sound) I was only 10-15 feet from the car in front, and the immediate acceleration of the engine (it sounded like it was rev ving around 80 MPH in less then 2-3 seconds) suddenly shot my car forward (like a rocket)! The engine had full possession of my acceleration. I immediately applied more pressure to the brake pedal but the force of the intense unexplained acceleration wouldn't allow me to completely stop my car! My rav 4 rear ended the back of the car in front of me, and the engine was still racing, pushing the car in front of me,when it finally stopped it's own acceleration and I had time to turn off the motor. The engine had full acceleration possession of my rav 4! I signed and sent back a toyota consent form they sent me to examine the edr and other recording devices to further investigate, explain what the hell went wrong with the ecu or whatever computer system is in the rav 4. I trust toyota will pay for the damage that my rav 4 did to the other car as well as mine. This could have been worse and could have caused a death and/or massive injury to others and myself as well as major property damage. I want full reimbursement of my original full purchase price I had paid for this 2001 rav 4 I had bought back in 2001-2002 for this defective rav 4.

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 177,882 miles · TX

Vehicle accelerated by itself while driving at 45mph. I had to use both brakes to stop the car and experienced a harsh shift condition while trying to shift to park. Dealership checked it out and stated that the ECM has been reprogrammed in 2007 and they were unable to duplicate anything at this time because no warning light came on during the incident even though I reminded them about the class action lawsuit for 2001-2003 model year rav4s.

Filed Feb 6, 2011 · Brakes · 93,722 miles · NH

Front disk brake rotor broke where it mounts to steel wheel resulting in the loss of braking action on that wheel. Upon taking to local toyota dealer, front disk rotor was removed and showed stress fractures and separation from rotor assembly. This 2001 vehicle is equipped with steel wheels which toyota did a recall on in 2000. The front disk rotors were original equipment and had never been machined.

Filed Sep 28, 2010 · Brakes · 103,400 miles · IL · crash · 3 injuries

Possible brake system failure 2001 toyota rav4 with ABS brake system.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Airbags, Brakes · 90,000 miles · LA · crash

I was traveling on a highway to work and it had been raining when I pressed my brakes to stop ( I barely pressed them) and my brakes locked and I couldn't stop. I tried to press a couple of times and even pumped them. I tried to get onto the shoulder and my steering locked. I was traveling 55 MPH before I tried stopping, and was never able to stop, and when I hit the car in front of me my airbags never deployed. My front end was smashed end and my vehicle was totaled. The lady I hit had just a dent in her bumper. I didn't have major injuries but I had some bruising and a knot on my knee. I never went get checked out but I still have pain sometimes in my neck and back. The police did file a report and even though the lady I hit told the officer that I wasn't close to her and had plenty enough time to stop he gave me a ticket for following too close. It took me way longer than 4 seconds to hit her.

Filed May 3, 2009 · Brakes · VA

I have a 2001 toyota rav4 (manual transmission). The parking brake lever seems to have come detached and does not full keep the car from moving.

Filed May 30, 2003 · Brakes · CA

Squealing, howling brakes. Since I bought the vehicle "new" in nov, 2000, and it is the 2001 rav4 l model, I have gone back 3-4 times, and nothing they do helps the problem. They tell me the car is safe and that squealing is normal. This is not a normal squeal, or screech, its more like "howling".

Filed Feb 19, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · MN

Brakes were applied vehicle suddenly accelerated.*jb,...

Filed Apr 25, 2002 · Body, Brakes · CA

Premature wearing of brake pads, making vehicle hard to stop. *ak the vehicle makes noise. At first the dealer turned pads, second the dealer installed updated front brake pads, then replaced both rear drums but the problem remains unsolved. While driving with the A/C fan on there was a vibration in dash area. The roof rack screw was loose and fell out. The center seat belt was missing trim piece. The rear door rattles while closing.