I was pulling into my garage. I took my foot off the accelerator and went for the brake and the car suddenly lurched forward and struck a folded deck chair which was pushed through the garage wall.
2008 Toyota RAV4 acceleration complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 92, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2008 toyota rav 4. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. *smd the consumer stated 2 service recalls were performed. After the services were performed, the consumer stated a friend pickup up the vehicle, and experienced the following events: when the vehicle was started, the engine began to idle very rough with considerable vibration, as if the vehicle was running on 3 cylinders. The dealer claimed with a little driving the software update would work itself out and no longer be an issue. The service representative said the rough idle would sometime happens after the recall software update. Over the next 3 weeks, the consumer drove the vehicle daily and it continued to run rough. As she approached a red light, she took her foot off the accelerator and placed her foot on the brake pedal to stop. However, the vehicle instead accelerated, and she began quickly pumping the brake pedal. Eventually, the vehicle did come to a stop with the engine running at a lower rate, but still running rough.
I do own a toyota rav4 2008, it does have a whining noise which comes in to play from 20-30 miles an hr. I have brought it to toyota many times for check up and they cant find the issue they are insisting it is the brakes, I did replace the brakes but the noise is still there. Is there any resolution on this I am afraid of this noise. I want to know if toyota will have a recall on this noise. If I press the acceleration pedal the noise starts at 20 miles per hr and it stops after 30 miles per hr but if I let go of the acceleration the noise will stop even at 20-30 miles per hr. I wonder what it could be? Will this noise cause any accident while driving? Please help on a response on this issue, thanks
I had just arrived to work was in the employee park lot getting ready to pull into a parking space when the car accelerated on it's own. I stepped on the brakes to stop the car but it will not. I pulled emergency brake right before I hit the wall at the parking garage when the car finally stopped. I contacted toyota and had the car towed for inspection. Went to toyota and wrote a statement on 10/23/13 at 0900, they called again to ask what had happened. They then called again at 418pm and left message that car was ready for pick up. Went there today and I asked what was wrong with the car and they told me to call corporate to tell me. I called corporate as told and they referred me back to the dealer as they did the diagnostic test. They stated manager is on vacation until monday. I called corporate again and they told me to speak to the service manager. I called him at 352pm and he asked me what happened and I explained myself again. I asked what tests were run on the car and what they found. He then told me that the technician who tested the car is not available and therefore he cannot give any information. I then called corporate again to get answers and was told someone will be in touch with me in 1 business day. My fear is what if this happens again as they are not telling me anything. I have a 5 month old baby and I don't know where to get answers to ensure this car is safe to drive. Please can somebody help me get answers from toyota in regards to the tests they did on the car.
I was turning around in a parking lot (360 degree turn) when the vehicle suddenly accelerated...I hit the brake, the engine continued to race and I tried to put the engine in neutral. I was heading toward a parked vehicle (I would have t-boned it but I swerved), foot depressing the brake to the floor, nothing on the accelerator, engine continued to race and while I tried to put the vehicle in neutral I overshot, threw it into reverse (engine still racing), then park. Engine racing, I shut off the car. Nothing was on the accelerator and the original floor mat replaced by a different style. I had the original recall issue fixed so the accelerator is the new, shortened version. Apparently that fix did not correct the problem. So now what do I do? I can no longer trust this vehicle to operate safely. Nothing should override the brake!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, he then applied the brake, as stopped traffic was ahead. However, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver and passenger suffered minor injuries. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 113,000. Updated 07/16/13*lj the consumer stated most of the data was difficult to interpret as far as implications concerning the events leading up to the time of impact. Specifically, the vehicle speed showed very little reduction in MPH until less than one second before impact, assuming time 0 represents impact. The data supported the consumers claim that there was no significant response to his braking when he became aware of apparently stopped traffic ahead after he had completed a lane change. Also, the accelerator rate and engine RPM data did not support the common explanation that he was pushing on the gas pedal instead of the brake. His reaction at the time was to brake as a panic stop, but there was enough distance to have been able to stop before impact or at least greatly reduce his speed before impact. Updated 10/21/13
The onboard computer (ECM) program is defective in the 2008 rav4, and probably other years and models, causing owners to unnecessarily bring cars in and pay for unneeded service. When I started the car to begin an interstate drive, 3 fault indicators (check engine,vehicle stability control, 4 wheel drive) illuminated. Following owners manual, my wife called the nearest toyota dealer who told her to bring the vehicle to a toyota dealer immediately, and to drive cautiously, to allow additional room when following other vehicles, and not to attempt sudden stops. Another fault indicator (cruise control would not engage) presented itself enroute. The service technician said the reason for all 4 fault indications was the #6 cylinder misfired 1 time a few seconds after I started the vehicle. He said the ECM is programmed to give these 4 fault indications for a cylinder misfire, but he did not know why. He said that he could find no reason for the single misfire, but that he found and tightened a slightly loose air intake hose that could not possibly have caused the misfire. He told me that it would have been fine for me to make my interstate drive without coming to the dealership. I believe that the onboard computer programming that provided these 4 fault indications is defective for the following reasons. 1. A single cylinder misfire is unrelated to and has no effect upon the three systems pointed to by the fault indications (vehicle stability control, 4 wheel drive, cruise control) 2. A single cylinder misfire at startup is not an emergency situation requiring immediate service at a toyota dealership with extraordinarily cautious driving enroute. 3. During the 1 hour drive to the dealership the cylinders of the vehicle fired successfully around 360,000 times, and the programming did not recognize this faultless operation and automatically clear the fault indicators.
Was driving 2008 rav4 out of town with my wife. Came to a stoplight and quickly applied brakes and engine started revving upward. Had to press on brake with full force to keep the car from accelerating through the red light. Shifted to park and the car "bucked" and engine almost red-lined at 6000 rpms. Shifted to drive and went through red light and pulled off to the side. Tried to replicate in neutral and could only get to 5000 rpms. Thank goodness no one was in front of me and my wife wasn't driving as I don't think she would have known how to react to such an unexpected and dangerous situation. Brought to dealership and they performed health check analysis and said "all ok at this time". Unhappy with the result of the "check", called dealership back and was told to call 800‑331‑4331 (toyota headquarters in ca) to file a report. Rep took down all of the information and put me on hold to check into the matter. Created a case number and notified customer service manager at dealership to have a field tech rep look at the car. Hoping they can rectify the situation (computer glitch?) as my wife is now afraid to drive the car for fear of possible damage, injury or death. Since the 2008 wasn't part of the recent acceleration/floor mat recall, if you've had a similar scare with your 2008 rav4, please call the 800 number and report it for further investigation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav-4. The contact stated that while sitting idle with the brakes depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated as the engine rpms abnormally increased. The contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle, causing that vehicle to crash into a third vehicle. The contact was not injured. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The technicians were unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her that they would send an investigator to inspect the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were approximately 40,000. The consumer stated there were numerous occassions when the vehicle would lurch into gear. The consumer discovered this was called jack rabbit starts. The consumer no longer owns the vehicle. Updated 03/29/2013
Car was pulling into parking space. Suddenely, engine revved up, accelerated, and jumped the curve. Was able to stop the car when applied the brakes.
I was pulling into a parking space in a lot in front of a building. In a split second the car had jumped the curb up onto the sidewalk and crashed through the brick wall and window in front of me. I was applying the brake as hard as I could and tried and succeeded into shifting it into park. The airbags did not deploy and I was not injured and did not hurt anyone else - thank goodness. The only explanation other than unintended acceleration was that I hit the accelerator very hard and I do not believe I did that. I had not been distracted by anything and had no sense of my foot slipping from the brake or anything like that.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while stopped, she removed her foot from the brake pedal and the vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The brakes were applied with extreme pressure, but the vehicle accelerated down a hill and crossed into a patch of large rocks. The contact suffered injuries when her head made contact with the rear view mirror. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, where the failure would be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 33,000. Updated 06/12/12*lj updated 06/13/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav-4. The contact stated that when driving approximately 5 MPH and depressing the brakes, the vehicle would continue to accelerate. The contact would have to use extreme force on the brakes in order for the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
I was crossing a parking lot and pulling out into a street. I stopped then pulled forward, so I could see if any cars were approaching. A car was approaching so I pressed the brakes, then the car surged forward. It felt like when the cruise control accelerates. Because a crash was imminent, I decided my best chance was to move my foot to the gas petal and speed up. I drove the car straight and then to the left. The other driver laid on his horn, slowed down and drove on. I purchased this car in early november 2011 from fred anderson toyota. It appears to never have been wrecked. It had around 23,300 miles on it at time of purchase. That night of 02/21, I checked consumer reports online and found that there had been a recall on 2008 toyota rav4. The next morning, I removed the floor mat from the driver's side floor. It did not appear to have been moved before. There are 2 holes at the back of the mat and one of the holes had a black rubber hook device holding it to the floor. The other hole (back right side) did not have a hook. When I entered the VIN on the toyota website, it showed a repair order for a car with 30,599 miles on 11/08/2012. My car still does not have that many miles. I don't think a repair has been done on my car. My notes show that I bought the car on 11/05/2011.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav 4. The contact was driving 52 MPH when a roaring noise emitted from the accelerator pedal after being depressed and the vehicle increased in speed unexpectedly. The failure caused another vehicle to crash into the contact from the rear. The crash caused no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 54,000.
The vehicle, a 2008 toyota rav 4, was sitting at a complete stop at a red light with operator's foot on the brake waiting for the light to change. Inexplicably and suddenly the engine revved to a high RPM and the vehicle lurched forward and struck the rear bumper of the vehicle in front. The collision was low speed and there were no injuries and no noticeable damage to either vehicle. We immediately drove the vehicle to the toyota dealership for evaluation.
Was at a complete stop at a signal. Had foot on the brake. Engine surged to approx 6500 RPM plowed into the vehicle in front of me. I climbed on the other vehicle. Car would not stop moving until I turned and pulled out the key from the ignition. Airbags did not go off. Reported incident to tarpon city officer, while the accident report was written up. My daughter and I were pretty banged up. Don't know if the other vehicle reported injuries. The rav was not drivable. Had to have it towed to suntoyota for repairs. Reported incident to sun toyota service and body shop dec 22, they asked me what I wanted done about the problem. Called toyota 800 331-4331 case #[xxx], 12/22/11 promised to call back in 24 hrs case worker [xxx]. Talked to [xxx] at toyota headquarter in california. Still waiting for a response from toyota. I don't feel safe in this vehicle now. I can't sell it in good faith, because of the product liability. I am thankful there was a car in front of me. The tarpon springs christmas parade was in progress and there were a least a dozen kids in the crosswalk in front of us. What a christmas present my rav would have given some parents if my car had hit these kids. Just an fyi. I had a perfect driving record for 35 years until this happened. Thank you toyota! Toyota needs to man up before innocent people are killed. I forgot this is big corporation, they don't care, as long as it doesn't effect their bottom line. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Date is approximate, but this has happened numerous times, not always under the same conditions. It has happened after being driven in light rain & heavy rain & after vehicle being parked & restarted all of the lights would illuminate. Initially while driving in moderate rain, multiple vehicle warning lights illuminated, cruise control failed on freeway @ set speed of approx 60 MPH due to rainfall. While continuing to function, the vehicle started to feel like it was rolling on marbles & the feel was a little unnerving, but you are able to maintain control of the vehicle. Diagnostics revealed multiple codes, but once reset all lights were out & the vehicle performed normally again, until driven in rainy conditions. Independent garage said to take it to toyota when the rain induced the warning lights again & I'm headed to a toyota dealer this morning after a light rain on saturday morning all lights illuminated again & the cruise will no longer engage. Don't know if this has been reported by any other rav 4 owners, but independent garage so far has said "we can't find a failure just a lot of codes & once we clear the codes it is okay." if I understand the premise of the warning lights they are there to indicate something requires attention - so my faith in "there's nothing wrong or we can't find anything" is a little shaken. I spoke with toyota & they deny that this has ever been reported by any rav 4 owners & I would have to bring it to them when the failure & warning lights come on - they will see them this morning. Thank you for your time.
My 2008 toyota rav4 accelerated when the brake was applied on two separate occasions recently. One instance took place on or about june 30, 2011, the second time happened on or about monday, august 1, 2011. The first time, toyota claimed that the non-braking/unexpected acceleration problem was caused by floor mats I put in the car. I bought these for the car because I felt the ones toyota originally provided were not safe (heels on my shoes, though flat, kept getting caught in the deep ridges of their mats, making it difficult to maneuver). After speaking with the toyota 's mechanics, I threw out my mats and replaced them with new toyota mats recommended by the dealership. About one month later the same thing happened again. When I applied my foot to the brake, instead of this action stopping the car, the car accelerated and moved forward. The first time this happened, my car was approaching a stop sign at the bottom of a hill leading to my complex's exit. As I neared the stop sign in front of a very busy roadway, I started applying my brakes. The car did not slow down. Although I pushed down harder & harder on the brake in a desperate effort to stop the car, it continued to move forward. My rav4 went onto the roadway, narrowly missing a truck in oncoming traffic. The second time I was in a parking lot. I think there is something significantly wrong with this car and do not believe it to be safe. The mechanic at toyota, before even examining the car, claimed it was "human error." I have driven many cars in my lifetime and have never had this happen to me before. It is my sincere hope that the federal safety agency & dot will look into this and other related matters. It appears there are many people having brake problems with these cars. I truly believe people's lives are in danger. I'm afraid to have my granddaughters travel in my car!
Yesterday, june 16, 2011, as I was driving my toyota 2008 rav4 (35,500 miles), the car accelerated uncontrollably. The car was still cold -- it was less than 2 miles after start-up. Outdoor temp was about 65. No rain or inclement weather. I approached a red light very slowly, at less than 10 MPH. As I was braking, I became aware that the car was not stopping. I braked harder and could feel the breaks engaging, but underneath that feeling was the feeling of the car continuing to accelerate and fight the brakes. I got the car stopped, but only after extremely hard braking. If there had been someone in the cross walk in front of me, I'd have hit them. The car was still trying to take off. I put the transmission in park and took my foot off the brake. By now the engine was screaming. I sat there for a couple of seconds, foot neither on the brake nor the accelerator and the car sounding as if it would soon explode, and finally just turned the car off and called a tow truck and took it to the dealership. The service writer was cold and distant, non-verbally making sure I understood that he thought I was either lying or blowing the incident out of proportion, while at the same time saying nothing that could actually be quoted as rude. A special technician is supposed to come out from toyota to look at the vehicle. Based upon what others have experienced, I expect the dealership to do nothing. The car is clearly unsafe, and knowing that, I cannot ever drive it again.
My 2008 toyota rav4 cruise control fails to hold speed during up hill climb and causes engine surges.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact was driving 5 MPH and came to a stop. As he shifted the vehicle into park, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and the engine exhibited an increase in rpms up to 7000. He was able to stop the vehicle by placing the vehicle into neutral. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 26,500.
While my wife attempted to park the vehicle head first, under normal conditions, at the street in front of our home, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The acceleration occurred while the vehicle was already nearly stopped, and caused her to hit another vehicle parked in front causing significant damage to both vehicles. Even after our vehicle was stopped the engine kept accelerating, thus pushing the vehicle in front which we had collided into. The engine only stopped accelerating after my wife turned off the car. At no point did my wife step on the gas pedal, this was not a case of pedal confusion. Her foot was on the brake (slowing down to park) before and after the vehicle started accelerating. The acceleration was quite severe, I am not sure the car could accelerate that fast even if the gas pedal was pushed all the way down intentionally. This is the fourth incident of unintended acceleration we've had with this vehicle. The three other incidents occurred on the highway. We complained to toyota in the summer of 2010, but they told us that the vehicle was not covered by the recall and we could do nothing about it. They refused to inspect the vehicle closely to determine the cause of the problem. In no case was the gas pedal stuck, or the floor mat was in the way. The vehicle simply accelerates without warning and at seemingly random times.this problem has caused over $4000 in damages in just the latest incident. When we reported the latest incident to toyota they claimed that this was a case of pedal confusion and dismissed our complaint. This was not a case of pedal confusion. My wife already had her foot on the brake slowing down to park the vehicle. Only once the vehicle was nearly parked did the vehicle accelerate while my wife's foot was still on the brakes. Our problem is being dismissed by toyota. Surely other toyota vehicles are suffering the.
Greetings, we have a 2008 rav4 which has twice exhibited uncontrolled engine acceleration. My wife has contacted toyota to no avail. Toyota has recalled other models but not the rav4. They have not heard our complaints as a mortal safety concern. It is as if we are trying to con the company. As a lifelong safety professional, this is very disturbing. Please advise as to our possible actions. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4 ltd (na). The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 65 MPH. The contact shifted into park and then drive to slow the vehicle. The vehicle did not slow down so the contact rubbed the tires along the curb and applied the emergency brake. The contact fainted and was taken to the hospital. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
2008 toyota rav4 (35k miles) purchased in 12/07. After a 40 mile drive, we were sitting in stop and go traffic for approx 20 minutes. During a stop, the engine began revving loudly and lunged forward. With both feet still on the brake, the car continued to creep forward until hitting the vehicle in front of us. Then the car was put into neutral and ignition was shut off. This is the first occurrence. After settling down, and discussing the accident with the other vehicle, no damage to their car, so no need to file an accident report. We called toyota to file a complaint. And took the car directly to the nearest dealer. After a checking out the car, they found no issues, and said the car was 'to toyota's specifications', and there was nothing they could do. They also said they couldn't guarantee how it could happen again.
Bought '08 toyo rav4 new from serra toyo in b'ham al. Now with 54k miles and no problems until now. About 10 days ago while in traffic and upon braking for traffic signal, as we came to a near stop, with foot on the brake pedal, the car accelerated and lunged forward about 8-10 ft stopping only inches short of the car ahead of us. I had my foot firmly on the brake pedal the entire time and the car had decelerated to a near stop, so this is not a stuck accelerator. Floor mats were not near the accelerator pedal. Even so, I decided that I must have erred in some way and moved on. About two days later as we were pulling into a business, we had an identical repeat, this time coming within inches of hitting the front of the business. There was no doubt this time that this was not operator error. It is the distinct feeling of the accelerator being pushed down and overriding the brake. Each time, the stop was not as a result of my foot on the brake, it was simply related to the fact that the acceleration stopped before we hit anything. I called for a flatbed and paid $160 to have the vehicle towed 60 miles to the dealership as driving was not an option. Serra assured me that they would take this very seriously and would have investigators come in and check the car out. They called me today to tell me that everything checked out fine and there was nothing wrong with the car and we could pick it up. I absolutely refuse to drive this car again. We live on a major hwy and if this had occurred at the end of our driveway it could have produced tragic results. I need help! What do I do? I called toyota customer serv. And they said if the investigators say nothing is wrong, there is nothing for them to do. The '08 rav4 is not included in the recalls and I suspect that toyota is simply going to refuse to acknowledge this so they don't have to address yet another model year. If you have other reports of this in a '08 rav4, please take them seriously. Please advise!
Last night I experienced a sudden, unexpected increase in engine rpms while stopping and while stopped at a stop sign after my car had been driven approximately 1/4 mile on a cold engine (although the temp outside was in the 70s). The air conditioner may have been on in the car. I was just coming up to a stop at a stop sign when the engine suddenly began to roar and though I saw a car coming on the cross street, I couldn't understand why the car seemed to be hard to restrain from moving forward. I have an automatic 2008 rav4 v6 with about 15,000 miles, and I had my foot squarely on the brake. There is no floor mat as I removed that the first week of the news that mats could be a contributing cause to unintended acceleration. I am very familiar with the slight increase in rpms that happens when the air conditioning cycles, and this was several orders of magnitude beyond that. I immediately put the car in neutral and turned the ignition off. At that point, I smelled a very distinctive chemical smell, probably from the tires since the brake and the accelerator were both working at the same time. I started the car up again almost immediately and it was fine for the 10 minute drive home. The next morning I drove it to toyota and they ran a computer diagnostic on it and they said it showed nothing. They told me to "monitor the car and note the tachometer reading if it ever happens again." to be honest, I always thought that people made too much of this problem, but then I never expected it to happen to me. I am reluctant to drive the car now, so I want it noted that this model and year of rav4 may also have this problem. It is possible that I turned the engine off so quickly that the computer didn't register the problem? I'm just glad that I wasn't on the open road, but at a stop sign when this happened so I was able to shut the car off immediately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated while parking, when she removed her foot from the brake pedal the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and steered into a curb in an attempt to bring the vehicle to a stop. The vehicle did not stop and instead accelerated over the curb, into a fence and finally stopped when crashing into a utility pole. The contact sustained a fractured foot and crushed dentures and was transported to the hospital. A police report was available. The vehicle was towed by the contact's insurance company and was declared totalled. This was not the contact's first instance of unintended acceleration . She was advised by her dealer that there were no recalls on the vehicle and no failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 14,415.
Purchased toyota rav 4 2008 [xxx] on 12/07. 4 incidents of throttle opening. First 2 occurred within a few weeks of each other when car was new. Engine started to race at high RPM when placing car in park after having been driven on an outing for a period of time. Not reported to toyota. Early may 2010, in congested construction traffic inching along, throttle opened again. Stayed hard on brake but car kept inching forward and tapped a car in front before I put car in neutral. Reported incident to national toyota and brought car to local dealership. They could find no problem. May 14 with wife in car, foot on brake attempting to park, throttle opened up completely-red line RPM. Immediately placed car in neutral as engine continued to race for 20-30 secs. Dealer could find no problem as well as national company technician a week later. We offered to let technician keep and drive our car for a month or two in the hope that the problem would manifest itself but toyota declined. Car is essentially new, no scratches, dents etc. 7200 miles. We told toyota that we are a family far removed from litigious behavior and agitating trouble. As my family is now not comfortable with driving the car we are being forced to trade this car in at a dealership (we could not in good conscience sell it privately) for a price that is nowhere near its value. We have explained this to toyota. All we want is for this problem to be recognized and fixed on our car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 Toyota RAV4?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history