2008 Toyota RAV4: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Engine · CT

My daughter and I are leasing our Toyota Rav4 almost paid off. Our last 2 oil changes done by professional the engine has burned off the oil in between the oil changes. I seen multiple complaints for this same issue for other owners and that there's not been any recalls only investigations. I read 1 person their engine caught fire. I'm disabled if what happened to that person's family happened to my Toyota I might not be as lucky as I, my daughter and my oldest daughter who is disabled and needs help moving and I'd have to get my dog out of the car and we all get safely away from the car and pray we were in a safe area no one else gets hurt. This oil burning from these cars is a dangerous safety hazard and expensive. Instead of a investigation recalls are needed to get the malfunctioning pistons replaced before someone physically gets injured or killed. This is a known issue by the Toyota manufacturer and obviously more and more owners are finding and coming forward with complaints. As for me and my daughter the car is not a new model but it's a new vehicle to use and we didn't know about the pistons malfunctioning issues or oil burning off until it happened. Please do a recall so this issue will be resolved not just investigations because investigations aren't helping nor protecting the consumers/owners. Toyota knew/knows of the safety issues and won't step up to the plate to fix something they know is faulty. Oil is burning out of my car's engine in between oil changes, done by a professional, it really needs to be addressed and safety recalls sent out to hold Toyota accountable for something they know is faulty on their cars

Filed May 6, 2022 · Engine · IN · fire

Vehicle suddenly lose power while the cars are being driven, the engine shut off, and catch on fire.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Electrical · 126,000 miles · CO · fire

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and became aware that the alternator was smoking. The vehicle was turned off and towed back to the residence. The contact purchased the alternator and fixed the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000

Filed Jan 31, 2022 · Engine · 150,000 miles · NC · fire · 1 injury

The contact's daughter owned a 2008 Toyota RAV 4. The contact stated that his wife was driving with their daughter on the highway at approximately 65 mph. The contact stated that his wife said no warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife reported that the vehicle began to make a loud buzzing noise from the engine. The contact's wife was able to pull over on the road shoulder when she noticed smoke issuing from under the hood. The vehicle burst into flames from under the hood. The contact's wife and daughter jumped out of the vehicle, the daughter burned the palm of her right hand. The police and fire department arrived. The police attempted to extinguish the fire and called the fire department which extinguished the fire with water. The vehicle was undrivable and the police had it towed to an impound lot. The police nor the fire department issued a report. The daughter did not seek medical attention for the burn on her right hand. The contact said that the insurance company will inspect the vehicle this week. The contact said the vehicle was completely burned. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Jan 7, 2021 · Engine · 90,550 miles · FL · fire

I purchased the 2008 toyota rav4 with 90,600 miles on december 7/2020 for $ 7,000 . On december 13 coming home on sawgrass express way the vehicle got on fire !! Luckily I have had the police car followed me because and was driving behind me and notice the car heavily smoking! I pulled over and wait for the police with the textinguisher to localize the fire ! Issued a report and florida highway patrol for towing. Case number fhpk20off058333 emerald towing ! Next day paid for towing $400 ( receipt is provided) s.I.r.t 32962 dec.13.2020 on december 14 paid $ 125 again to be able to tow it to pauls transmission located on 4430 n. Dixie hwy. Fort lauderdale, fl 33334 replace engine with lkq unit total cost $4,066 invoice provided. In the meantime I have to work so I needed a rental car until january 6th, 2021 $ 437.73 total cost !

Filed Jul 26, 2016 · Electrical, Visibility · 120,000 miles · TN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. While in park, the power window master switch caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Electrical · 69,000 miles · RI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. Shortly after parking, the vehicle caught fire. A police and a fire report were filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 5/5/15*cn updated 9/16/2015

Filed May 9, 2014 · Engine · 94,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil and would smell of burning oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000 and the current mileage was 95,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Electrical · 69,402 miles · CT · fire

Approximately 5 minutes after I started up my car and began driving today I began to notice a strange and strong odor. I had my driver's side window down (power windows) and initially attributed the odor to a large truck that was several car lengths ahead of me. I noticed that the odor persisted even once the truck was no longer visible to me or in close proximity. At that point I then entered onto a major highway via the entrance ramp, and got my speed up to the speed limit of 65 miles per hour. As I was driving I noticed a large amount of smoke coming up from my power window switches on the driver's door. In addition to the smoke I could see an actual flame burning underneath the switches. My initial response was fear and panic, but I was able to find a safe spot to pull off to the side of the highway after a couple of minutes. My first thought was to dial 911, but I was afraid by the time someone arrived the car might burst into flames and blow up!! I immediately thought that I needed to try to extinguish the fire somehow as my car was filling with smoke and the odor was overwhelming. I quickly looked around to see if I had any bottled water in the car-but I did not. The only liquid I had accessible to dowse the flames was my iced coffee-so I poured a small amount over the smoke and flames coming from the switches to extinguish the fire, but it continued to burn. I then proceeded to pour half of my iced coffee over the switches which did finally extinguish the fire. As a result of the fire the only window that will actually move now is the driver's side window. The passenger's window will not move at all and the two rear windows will only move if using the switches on the back doors. As a result of the fire my car now has a very distinguishable burnt odor to it! Needless to say this was one of the scariest experiences I have had when driving my car.

Filed Mar 23, 2011 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while the driver was traveling 25 MPH, he saw smoke being emitting from the drivers side door. When he opened the door, it was on fire. He was able to extinguished the fire with water. The contact thought that it was an electrical fire originating from the wires in the door which caused the failure. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The current and failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2010 · Brakes, Fuel system · 19,700 miles · CT · crash · fire

Driving 2008 toyota rav4 (19k mi) in rain on ny state hwy at 30 MPH. Driver in front slowed. Applied brakes which softened then went to floor. Pumping did not return pressure. Hand brake slowed vehicle to below 15 MPH. Crashed into other vehicle at @ 12 MPH. Car burst into flames beneath and consumed vehicle within 12-14 minutes;

Filed May 28, 2008 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · PA · crash · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact struck a deer while driving 75 MPH. She pulled off the road to inspect the vehicle and noticed that it was on fire. The vehicle soon became engulfed in flames. The insurance company stated that the fire was due to the transmission fluid line being ruptured. The coolant dripped on the catalytic converter and caused the fire. A police report was filed. Toyota is not accepting responsibility because the contact was the one who struck the deer. The failure mileage was 7,000.