2005 Toyota RAV4: check engine light

Filed Jun 6, 2019 · 255,000 miles · CA

My check engine light has been on for approximately 50,000 of the 255,000 miles on my rav4. It has been on it seems mostly because of oxygen sensors and related emissions "issues" and this has cost me thousands over the years in diagnostics, troubleshooting, and masking other problems that really were occurring. The check engine light is on so much that it's hard to tell when there really is a problem. Recently my check engine light was on for about 9 months. The mechanic codes revealed that it was running too "rich." I put it on "non-operable" for registration purposes while I again tried to figure out why. One day (on a temporary moving permit) I went to get gasoline and filled the tank halfway. A few miles later the check engine light went off, for no apparent reason. I went to get a smog check, and when I asked about the fail policy at the station, the attendant said, "these toyotas always pass the emissions, as long as the check engine light isn't on." he was right, and my rav4 passed with perfect emissions compliance. In the past I have replaced my catalytic converter, all the oxygen sensors, and eventually the entire exhaust manifold in order to get the check engine light to go off and pass a ca smog check. Some years ago my check engine light was on for about a year and a half. It was leaking oil, and my mechanic said just to make sure it had enough oil in it until I could afford to fix the "leaky gaskets." but the problem was really a faulty oil pump, and the engine seized. I had a rebuilt engine put in, and the check engine light went off. The toyota ran fine for 6 months. Then the check engine light came on again. In all of this, toyota customer service accepts no fault. They say I should complain to the federal safety agency, and they don't have any recalls. I haven't had such an unreliable car since my 1984 chevy chevette. My next car won't be a toyota.

Filed Jul 13, 2018 · Engine · 115,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dan cava toyota world llc. (2510 white hall blvd, fairmont, wv 26554, 304‑366‑2720) where it was diagnosed that the vapor canister needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. The VIN was not available. *tt

Filed Sep 28, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 97,464 miles · CO

1) excessive oil consumption started earlier this year when oil indicator light came on well before scheduled maintenance was due. Initially, the mechanic was not concerned and just topped off the oil, and I had the oil changed at the next scheduled date (mechanic did note that the oil was again low, but not low enough to engage the oil light). About a 1000 miles after that change, the light came on again, and the mechanic did the same thing. When it happened again, I took the car to a different repair shop and had the oil changed (earlier than scheduled), and personally verified the oil level. Same thing again, and this time had the shop run a diagnostic ($250 tyvm) and was told the repair (remove and replace the cylinder head valve stem seals, head gasket, and valve cover gasket) would cost in excess of $3,400.00. 2) check engine and vsc trac indicator lights engaged and mechanic initially indicated that an new gas cap was needed, however this did not resolve the issue, and had a diagnostic ran ($250 tyvm) and was told the repair (remove and replace the evac canister) would cost in excess of $875.00. Kind of disappointed in the "toyota quality" at this point.

Filed May 4, 2016 · Engine, Visibility · 80,858 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota rav4. While driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated continuously. In addition, the sun visor was rusted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,858.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Engine · NJ

The oil light and check engine light came on in my car. I was very surprised since my car is maintained on a regular. I bought my car used. When I went to get it looked at they told me I have engine sludge and my engine needs to be replace. This is a problem the manufacture should pay for.