2008 Toyota RAV4: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Mar 23, 2016 · Driver assistance · 102,000 miles · KY

This was my problem one year ago and listed on this page under the date 3/6/2015 ABS light, vsc light, brake light and traction control light illuminated causing all systems to be inoperative. After taking car to local dealer problem was found to be bad left wheel speed sensor, harness for sensor and wheel hub that had corrosion on it possibly from living in an area that deices roads with salt. In my research it has been brought to my attention through several toyota blogs this is a recurring problem around the country. Several people have had the same complaint and the associated cost to fix this problem is expensive. If an owner fails to fix the problem the outcome could become catastrophic in inclimate weather. Exactly one year later the right side wheel hub assy. And wiring harness went out. This time I changed it all myself saving almost $600 from having it done at toyota dealer. This problem is going to kill someone. While waiting for the parts to come in the car was being driven by my wife during a rainstorm. Another driver pulled out in front of her and she had to brake hard. Due to the ABS being inop. It caused the vehicle to slide. I haven't found any other complaints on here but I'm almost positive it has happened to someone else. It's a terrible design and like I said someone will be killed due to the lack of concern.

Filed Oct 20, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 124,019 miles · CA

On october 5 and 6, 2015 my 2008 toyota rav4 was in for service at piercey toyota in milpitas to replace all four tires, front/back brakes and front shock absorbers, a total of $2,000. On october 8, 2015, while I was driving my car back from stanford lucile packard over dumbarton bridge, I have noticed that my brakes would not engage and I could not slow down my car. Just before this event, the ABS, vsc, and slip warning lights all came on. The brake pedal felt very stiff and I was not able to do any repetitive pumping of the brake. I called 911 and requested assistance. When the front traffic came to a hold I had to use my emergency brake and my entire car slipped to the left. We almost got hit by the bus behind us. Some good samaritans saw what happened and helped me to get my car off the road. That day, my 9 yrs. Old son and I could have been killed. I request that toyota investigates/recalls the brake light switch circuit that has malfunctioned. Piercey toyota in milpitas investigated the incident on 10/09/15. They found c1249 open stop light switch circuit, c1223 ABS system malfunction, my vehicle had intermittent brake light switch circuit malfunction. Piercey toyota replaced brake light switch assembly.

Filed Oct 13, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 124,019 miles · CA

On october 5 and 6, 2015 my 2008 toyota rav4 was in for service at piercey toyota in milpitas to replace all four tires, front/back brakes and front shock absorbers, a total of $2,000. On october 8, 2015, while I was driving my car back from stanford lucile packard over dumbarton bridge, I have noticed that my brakes would not engage and I could not slow down my car. Just before this event, the ABS, vsc, and slip warning lights all came on. The brake pedal felt very stiff and I was not able to do any repetitive pumping of the brake. I called 911 and requested assistance. When the front traffic came to a hold I had to use my emergency brake and my entire car slipped to the left. We almost got hit by the bus behind us. Some good samaritans saw what happened and helped me to get my car off the road. That day, my 9 yrs. Old son and I could have been killed. I request that toyota investigates/recalls the brake actuator assemblies for toyota rav4 2008. In the subject vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. Within the actuator is an electrical terminal that connects the brake actuator motor and the circuit board of the skid control electronic control unit (ecu). Due to manufacturing variation, there could be a reduction in contact force between the two components of the terminal, causing oxide film to increase resistance. A larger than normal increase in resistance can cause the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the skid control (vehicle stability control or vsc) system, antilock brake system (ABS), and traction control system. Lfthis occurs, these systems could become inoperative, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Filed Mar 6, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 94,000 miles · KY

Abs light, vsc light, brake light and traction control light illuminated causing all systems to be inoperative. After taking car to local dealer problem was found to be bad left wheel speed sensor, harness for sensor and wheel hub that had corrosion on it possibly from living in an area that deices roads with salt. In my research it has been brought to my attention through several toyota blogs this is a recurring problem around the country. Several people have had the same complaint and the associated cost to fix this problem is expensive. If an owner fails to fix the problem the outcome could become catastrophic in inclimate weather.

Filed Aug 11, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 70,000 miles · OK

I have a 2008 toyota rav4 and it has had a whining sound when idling or accelerating for a week. Today I was driving it and the power steering quit while I was driving it. I could barely steer it, if my wife was driving, she could not have turned the vehicle. Many of the warning lights came on- brake light (checked the parking brake), ABS, SRS, battery, vsc, maintenance, and slip indicator lights. Also the radio quit working, all at once. New battery installed last month. We have owned this vehicle since new from the dealership, had 2 recalls fixed for air bag sensor and floor mats, but no other problems until this.

Filed Jan 23, 2011 · 24,700 miles · NJ

2008 4 cly rav4 sport with 24700 miles. Concern: 1/20/11 the maintenance light came on and after driving a few miles the cruise control light came on by itself and the car began to accelerate. I hit the cruise button, light went out, not sure if I also applied the brakes and the car drove normally. After the incident I drove the car about another 20 miles with no duplication of the problem. Concern: 1/21/11 start the car and the maintenance light was on. About 2 minutes into my snow covered trip I applied the brakes and ABS system activated and worked as needed. I drove another 5 minutes and stopped at a red light. With my foot on the brake the cruise light came on the car started to accelerate. Keeping my foot on the brake I pushed the cruise button to try and deactivate it. It didn't seem to work so I then put the car in neutral and turned off the key. Restarted the car and only the maintenance light was on. The car seemed ok and I drove approximately another 25 miles and got the car to the dealer. Dealer cause/correction information. 1/21/11 check vehicles cruise control coming on by itself and vehicle accelerating. Tech road tested vehicle and monitored all systems. Tech not able to duplicate condition with the cruise control activating on it own. Tech found no bulletins or updates for the vehicle. ** tech/dealer found no problem .** they have given me a loaner and contacted toyota of the problem. Someone from toyota is coming 1/24-1/25/11 to check the vehicle.

Filed Jul 21, 2010 · Brakes · 28,400 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Driving my 2008 toyota rav 4 limited, 6 cyl., purchased new, no prior issues, approximately 28,400 miles, when traffic began stopping for a red light. I applied brakes without response. Pressed all the way down, standing on the brakes, ABS, without any response and colliding into the rear of the vehicle in front of me. I was transported to er. Occupants of other vehicle suffered no injuries. Vin number beginning with "j". Collision shop reports unable to reproduce failure.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 42,000 miles · WA

Hello, on jun 26, 2009 my wife and I purchase a certified toyota rav4. We have had nothing but problems. Electrical problems: ABS light, brake, and egf light remain lite. Repairs are: brake switch replacement, igy relay replacment. In addition the cruise control would not function and sometimes the transmission would be stuck in reverse. Unable to shift out of this gear position. A local mechanic found the problem in that the connections in the wiring harness are filled with water. He was unable to determine how the water got there. A few days later, the same problem returned.. I am writing to share with you my concern of the electronic problems with the 2008 rav4 from toyota. Town toyota service manager, wenatchee, wa told us not to worry aboutit as it is still safe to drivewith ABS, brake, and egf lights illuminated. I did contact toyota (via emai) but no response. I question the validity of that statement in light of recent recall news and thought you should know.

Filed Feb 20, 2010 · Acceleration · 6,000 miles · IL

I was driving uphill on a snowy driveway. The vehicle began to speed up. I applied the brakes (which caused the ABS to pulse very rapidly), but the car did not slow down. I shifted into neutral and the engine immediately revved to a fairly high RPM. I turned off the key and restarted the vehicle which now ran normally. This rav4 does not have any optional floor mats and has only 6000 miles on it. This is a 2008 rav4 and, as such, is not included in the current recall.

Filed Feb 5, 2010 · Acceleration · 19,500 miles · MI

Acceleration incident parking. Driving into a parking space in chelsea mi, doing a little under 5 MPH the car suddenly surged forward. I applied the brake even harder and the ABS engaged. Fortunately I missed the bmw parked in front. Been driving this car for 19 months and nothing like it occurred before. Toyota dealership I had just been to for a lube change said that my model was not part of the recall but to bring it in if it recurred.

Filed Oct 19, 2009 · Acceleration, Brakes · 11,945 miles · DE

Lost braking power and there was a crunching sound, had both feet on breaking pedal & truck wouldn't stop. It was still accelerating and ABS/anti skid light came on.