2007 Toyota RAV4: whining or grinding noise

Filed Mar 13, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 93,246 miles · NY

Transmission started to whine,. Bearings.

Filed Mar 10, 2015 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · NJ

I have a whining noise and vibration felt in my gas pedal which my mechanic has determined to be from the transaxle assembly. My research has shown that on august 8, 2012 toyota sent out a service bulletin # t-sb-0130-12 which directly addresses this problem. I have been to my toyota dealer since that time addressing other recall issues however they never mentioned this service bulletin nor did they check if this was an issue. It seems the remedy is to replace the entire transaxle assembly which I am sure they don't want to do because of the expense. Their warranty is for 60 months or 60,000 miles but since their service bulletin wasn't addressed until august of 2012, it would be unlikely under normal driving mileage that a vehicle that was 5 years old at the time would be included under this warranty and they never addressed this problem when they had my vehicle after this date. I think they should be held accountable at this time for neglecting to address this problem.

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 23,000 miles · FL

Transmission developed an annoying whine from 40 to 60 MPH. Very distracting while driving because of the high pitch noise it makes inside the cabin. Big disappointment!

Filed Feb 26, 2010 · Acceleration · 53,000 miles · ME

About 8 or 9 months ago, I was doing maybe 45 miles per hour when all of a sudden the rpms went wild, the engine howled, and my 2007 toyota rav4 limited sped off as if someone had dumped a boulder on the accelerator pedal. My heart was in my throat as I tried to stop the car. Pressing the brake hard didn't do it. I then stuck my foot underneath the accelerator pedal and pushed up with the toe of my shoe a few times. That worked and subsequently I could depress the brake and the car responded normally. I assumed at the time that maybe the driver's-side floor mat had somehow crept up and impeded the free operation of the pedal, a theory that toyota headquarters also seemed to find plausible (though not for the rav4, apparently). So I threw out the mat and didn't replace it with anything. We have dirty carpeting now, but we are alive. Of course, in recent weeks, the world has learned that millions of toyotas are potentially afflicted with a sticky accelerator pedal. Two weeks ago, we drove our car to the dealer, downeast toyota in brewer, maine, when it was time for its 60,000-mile service anyway, and we insisted that the accelerator be replaced. We discovered later that they hadn't done so, even though we advised them clearly that we?d had a potentially life-threatening incident involving the accelerator. The reason they will not replace the accelerator, they told my wife, is because toyota believes that the 2007 rav4 has no accelerator problems. In other words, our car is not part of the recall, so we're out of luck no matter what I've personally experienced.

Filed Jul 18, 2008 · Fuel system · VA

I bought my 2007 rav4 in november 2006 and took the car back to the dealer after a couple of months because of this humming/whistling/whining noise that others have complained. However, my humming noise is intermittent which makes it hard to find, and it seems to be more prevalent in the warmer months, not the colder months. I asked my mechanic about it, but he couldn't recreate the noise the day my car was in the shop. However, I intend to take it back there if I'm ever driving it in the area and the noise crops up again. To me it sounded like some kind of vapor pressure noise and I was initially thinking that it might be coming from my gas tank when vapor pressure built up if my tank was low on gas. But, that wasn't the case either. It will happen whether I have a full tank or almost empty tank...just not consistently. It is very annoying and I hope others write in to complain about it as well.

Filed Jan 24, 2008 · Brakes · 6,000 miles · WI

All 2007 rav4 v6 engines have a whistling noise coming from the brakes vacuum boost line either at idle or especially louder when applying the brakes on and off at idle speed. My toyota dealer is aware of this problem and have only noted that they have filed a case# with toyota to help resolve this issue. Only until 100's of other 07 toyota rav4 v6 owners complain, will toyota dealers fix the problem by coming up with a part in the brakes vacuum boost line to silent this annoying whining noise at idle/start up while applying brakes on and off.

Filed Jan 24, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 6,000 miles · WI

All 2007 rav4 v6 engines like mine purchased new have a whistling/whining noise at idle, especially when cold out due to more air intake needed, from the brakes vacuum booster lines very noticeable when at idle at initial cold startup when applying brakes off and on. I have even heard this same loud whistling noise coming from in front of the instrument panel when accelerating from a stop sign in very cold (below 32 degrees) weather which is all due to the vacuum lines/check valve in the brakes vacuum system. Dealer is aware of the problem and have no resolution except to file a complaint with toyota rep. To address this issue. All new 07 rav4 v6 owners need to complain to their dealers about this issue for they will not repair this annoying loud whistling noise in the brakes vacuum booster lines without 100's of complaints. Also, I have read several complaints about the cruise control flooring the engine up even a slight hill and shifting in and out of gears repeatedly like it does not know what gear the engine should be in. Even with my 268 hp v6, it will do this and is not only annoying, but is a distraction and possible safety issue in slippery winter driving since the cruise control floors the engine up a hill and can cause swerving on icy roads. Speak up consumers, and let toyota know they have issues which I am 100% correct on!

Filed Oct 20, 2007 · Acceleration · CA

The loud whining sound appear when going from 30 to 45 MPH. Loudest at 40mph. While press gas pedal, the sound appear clearly, when release the gas pedal, the sound seems to disappear, press the gas pedal again, the sound come back. It really gives me headache.