2004 Toyota RAV4: engine overheating

Filed Dec 8, 2017 · Engine · 156,000 miles · NC

While driving, the check engine and vsa lights came on at once. The temperature gauge immediately began to rise, indicating that the car was starting to overheat. Took the car to a local mechanic. Apparently, the cylinder head bolt threading has become stripped due to strain from the aluminum cylinder block. This has lead to the engine leaking coolant. The engine is now prone to overheating. Seems to be a design defect. Only solution is to replace the engine.

Filed Apr 23, 2016 · Engine · 76,968 miles · NY

Feb 2016 - while checking fluids I noticed the antifreeze level was low. Sansone automall nj was notified and told me what to buy and fill it until my appt on 2/27. During service check they found nothing wrong. Now, april 2016, my car overheated and I was able to drive it back to sansone with the heat on high on to keep it from overheating. Now I'm being told I need the headgasket replaced along with the engine ($1950 for headgasket and $4500 for used engine) oh and they made it a point to tell me that the 25 point inspection was free the last time I was there. Since I refused service, they asked us to leave the car, think about it and come back saturday to speak to the mechanic and director. We showed up but no one who inspected the car was there. We refused service and had the car towed home. Very disappointed with their service and for toyota for not been proactive in dealing with this issue which seems to be growing as I have been researching and found many others this has happened to. I have a 2004 toyota rav with only 76,970 miles which really was a great car- never any issues. I purchased this 'certified used' car in 2007 at sansone automall which can not be driven...cost to fix it will be used towards the purchase of a new non toyota vehicle. In conclusion, toyota needs to work on this issue and they are losing loyal customers and we are spreading the word.

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Engine · 133,000 miles · IL

The seals on the head gasket are leaking coolant. This is due to several of the metal bolts being stripped. This has rendered our car useless. Our mechanic, being an honest person, is hesitant to begin a several thousand $ repair, since he is unable to guarantee that he will be able to repair it for the long term. The car was overheating so coolant was added but this leaked quickly with a 18 mile ride from the chicago suburb of woodridge into the city.

Filed Dec 5, 2011 · Engine · 139,000 miles · NJ

My 2004 toyota rav 4 started overheating/smoking while driving at 20 MPH in a parking lot. I pulled into a parking space and saw leaking antifreeze and I hoped it was just a hose or the temperature gauge. I ran to the store, bought antifreeze, filled the radiator and was able to get it home. The next day, I drove it to a friends mechanic. The engine is leaking antifreeze due to the engine bolts stripping. Apparently toyota installed steel bolts into an aluminum block and if the engine heats too much, the bolts strip out, causing the leakage. The shop said the repair will cost me 5k at a dealership and 3.5k at a private garage. I contacted toyota in california and their response was: discussion thread response ([xxx]) 10/11/2011 06:11 am dear ms. _______________; thank you for contacting toyota motor sales, u.s.a., inc. We are sorry to hear of your concerns with the engine of your rav4, and apologize this aspect of the vehicle did not meet your expectations. We do not show a special service campaign or recall for the condition you described, and thus do not have specific insight to provide. If you feel you have a failed or broken component, we recommend contacting the customer relations manager at your local toyota dealership. We have documented your comments at our national headquarters, where they remain available for review from the appropriate departments. It is through feedback such as yours we are able to monitor and improve upon the quality of our product. If we may be of further assistance, please contact us via email or by calling 800‑331‑4331. We are available from 5 am to 6 pm, pacific time, monday through friday, and from 7 am to 4 pm saturday. We have documented your comments at our national headquarters under file #. If toyota has no knowledge of this then why have they created a repair kit to fix the threads in the head? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 11, 2011 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NE · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota rav4. The contact was driving 50 MPH when all of the warning lights illuminated and the engine began to smoke. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and they advised her that the bolts were deteriorated causing the gasket to overheat and the entire engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered to cover fifty percent of the repair costs. The failure and current mileages were approximately 90,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 20, 2011 · Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

2.4l engine was loosing coolant and overheating. I thought it was a bad water pump due to the leaking on the right side of the engine. After taking it to my local repair garage, I learned that the cause was 3 stripped out bolts holding the head onto the block. Solution....new engine at $5500. Toyota refuses to acknowledge this mfg defect and a couple dealerships I talk with including the one I bought it from "never heard of this problem before" the exact same response given leads me to believe that was what toyota told them to say about this recurring problem.

Filed Jun 23, 2010 · Engine · CA

On june 14, 2010, I noticed a pinkish liquid on the garage floor after my son backed it up. I called my auto shop and told them about it. They right away told me don't drive it and they will have a tow truck come and tow it. After the mechanic took a look at the issue he found that the coolant leaked and then found that the head gasket was blown. He didn't know why this happened since my car is only 6 yrs old with 65,000 miles on it. After I agreed to do the repair, when he removed more parts to get to it, he noticed that the bolts were stripped. I did some research and found out that this happened to other 2004 rav4's. I called toyota and a rep told me that they were aware of this issue but it was not considered a safety issue and that the issue doesn't happen too a lot of customers so they will not recall or help with the cost of the repair. I also did more digging and found out that some of toyota older models have this same issue with the head gaskets blowing and the bolt was stripped. I hope that if toyota did used some old parts in the 2004 rav4, they should tell the customer and pay for the repair. The mechanic informed the consumer that the entire engine block will need to be replaced due to the extensive damage. Updated ivoq 08/05/10.*jb

Filed Jan 14, 2010 · Engine · 134,000 miles · NC

On dec.6,2009, my rav4 overheated and the check engine light came on. Took it to the local dealer the next day and the diagnosis was that the head gasket had blown. The course of action was to grind the valves and replace. When this was attempted, 4 bolts that attach to the engine could not be secured. The only option was a new/rebuilt engine. The cost -$3700. I have learned that other 2004 rav owners have experienced similar problems and toyota will not stand behind their product and replace the defective parts nor help with labor costs. I have contacted their california customer service center and was told they could do nothing because I was no longer protected by a warranty. In addition to taking over 5 weeks to reach this conclusion, my car is still not repaired as I ponder what I should do. Customer satisfaction appears not to be a major concern of local dealer nor toyota corporate.

Filed Dec 28, 2009 · Engine · 104,000 miles · 00

I noticed a coolant leak between 2nd & 3rd cylinder coming from head gasket.the leak and the cause was confirmed by my mechanic.

Filed Jun 30, 2009 · Engine · 80,250 miles · CA

Car was serviced may 28, 2009, then driven across country, from new york state. About two hours outside of austin, texas, the car began to overheat, was found to be completely empty of coolant. Car brought to toyota dealership where no radiator or other cooling system leaks were detected, but the head gasket was blown. When they tore down the engine to replace the head gasket, they stated that "the bolts are stripped" and now the engine had to be replaced -- at a cost of $7000 +. The mechanic stated that he had seen other toyotas with this problem and there might be a tsb out on it -- but it was past warranty and so were "stuck". No one can explain why the bolts would have spontaneously "stripped". The car has been sitting at the dealership for three weeks while we try to figure out what to do with it. The head mechanic says it isn't worth anything but he'll take it off our hands for the cost of the partial repair bill ($600). We're not getting the straight story, toyota refuses to cover the repair, but there are postings all over the internet with very similar stories, including that toyota has selectively "participated" in the repairs. There is no tsb for this car apparently -- but there are for cars with the same engine.