2008 Toyota RAV4: engine failure

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Engine · MO · fire

Issue started when I noticed the vehicle was burning oil, hence why I had to keep refilling the oil levels often. This is an issue many other RAV4 owners have reported. However, the problem was made worse when my mother used my vehicle to pick up some family from the nearest airport. On her way home, my engine blew a hole through itself, causing an engine fire. If it wasn't for the swift thinking of my stepfather, she, him, and my brothers could've been seriously injured or killed. I firmly believe this has to do with the reason why the engine was burning oil.

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 May 4, 2020 · Engine · 225,000 miles · CA

Vehicle engine seized and shut down when I was driving on a main street inside city limits on a straight busy road. Pulled into driveway but vehicle would not start again so had it towed to my house. Replaced battery but still would not start. Had vehicle towed to toyota dealer.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Engine · 114,000 miles · DE

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the oil level was low right after an oil change was performed. The vehicle was taken to c.f. Schwartz toyota (1536 n dupont hwy, dover, de 19901, (302) 734-5748) and the oil was changed. The dealer informed the contact to watch and check the oil level after fuel was added to the vehicle. One month later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed of a warranty enhancement program that required an engine replacement at the cost of $4,000. The warranty had special qualifications, but the expiration date had passed; therefore, the dealer would not cover the repairs. The manufacturer stated that they could not honor the warranty and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2017 · Airbags, Steering · 116,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 toyota rav4. While driving 40 MPH, the steering seized and the vehicle crashed into a building. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The occupant sustained left and right broken arms, stitches, and a broken rotator cuff. Medical attention was received at west chester medical center. A police report was filed. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000. *ln

Filed Apr 19, 2017 · Engine · 137,000 miles · MS

Toyota rav4 2008. Excessive oil use. Engine is using excessive oil, about a quart every 1,200 miles and use may be increasing in use. Thus vehicle can use up oil without warning causing an engine failure while traveling the highway/interstate. While vehicle may be well maintained this can happen without warning and strand passengers and be a safety concern should the engine blow while traveling at interstate speeds. Toyota issued a warranty extension to 150,000 miles or 10 years which this falls under but dealer examination indicated it was not using enough oil according to them but in my test I showed using 1 quart in 1,200 miles. Even a little under this amount of oil use is excessive as it indicates this engine has a problem as toyota has identified. So far they have not been willing to repair. This should be covered under toyota t-sb-0158-14. Dealer would not tell me how much oil was used in their test. Again anything in the range of 1 quart of oil in about 1,200 miles is a indicator that the engine is experiencing toyota's identified defect and they should repair it.

Filed Oct 25, 2016 · Engine · 149,000 miles · WI

At 149,000 miles my 2008 toyota rav4 started to consume oil. It is currently consuming a little over 3 quarts of oil in 3000 miles. This has caused a noticeable increase in noise in the valve train which I presume is due to oil starvation. I suspect that my vehicle will need total engine replacement at 230,000 miles. This is beyond unacceptable for an auto manufacturer not to recall.

Filed Jan 10, 2016 · Transmission · 100,519 miles · NY

Rear u joint seized at 100519 miles. Noted vibration and rear wheel instability starting approx 30 MPH.

Filed May 17, 2015 · Engine · 157,000 miles · FL

My engine seized on a moving highway. I had to have it towed to the nearest mechanic who identified the vehicle had very little oil in it despite just having had an oil change 3 weeks prior. He checked that there was no oil leal and advised to me take it to the dealership because he felt my vehicle had a faulty engine. My car was towed to the nearest toyota dealership who lied first about my vehicle having a faulty engine and then when I presented to them the existing literature on the engine oil consumption problem, only then did they confirm my vehicle as having a faulty engine. Based on my VIN, I have the 2az-fe engine which poses a safety risk to consumers in that it causes engine problems including failure. Toyota knew of this defect when I purchased my vehicle and did not disclose this to me. They also issued a safety bulletin in 2011 but only to dealerships and not to consumers. Toyota has not disclosed of this problem to its consumers and continues to regard their vehicles as safe. My safety was compromised because of toyota's dishonesty and deceit.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Engine · 81,471 miles · NE

Our 2008 rav4 oil light came on and we had just had our oil changed so we thought the business didn't add enough oil when they did the oil change. We took it back and was told it was an oil consumption problem that this model year has. First we heard about it. We took it to toyota dealer in omaha and they immediately said we had no warranty for this without even looking at it. Red flag. They then did a test where they did another oil change and we drove it for 1000 miles then took it back. They said we did not have an oil consumption problem. Fast forward to august 2014 and the oil light again came on. The dip stick was dry. We took it again to dealer and was told we did have an oil consumption. He didn't even look at it. My husband was furious since we had been told we didn't have that problem 13 months earlier. We have been told it would take $5000 to $6000 to fix it since it would require a new engine. Since then we have found out a lot of people have had this problem and toyota refuses to do anything about it even though they put the faulty engines in these vehicles. The are trying to shirk their responsibility because this recall cost a little more. Where does this leave the consumer? If we trade it we just lost $5000 to $6000 in value. If we don't we are stuck with a faulty vehicle. There should be a recall for this oil consumption problem. Obviously this is a problem that came right out of the manufacturing of this vehicle. My husband called toyota and they just argued with him. No help.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Engine · 68,111 miles · NJ

I began to notice a burnt oil smell when I would return home from school in the evening, I checked my oil, the dip stick showed not a trace of oil! The vehicle was half way between oil changes at the time, my husband added 4 quarts of oil (so we know for certain it was empty) and brought it to toyota. They "checked it", changed the oil, and sent us on our way telling us to monitor the oil level. This was at 68k miles. It was next due for an oil change at 73,000miles I checked the oil level yesterday at 71,000 miles and it was nearly empty. Called the dealer again, was told they couldn't get me in for 10 days!! I called another toyota dealer who told me to bring it in. The service mgr acknowledged there was a problem with "certain rav 4 engines" and that a service bulletin had been issued to repair the issue (not a recall-he made that clear). He explained that I would have to follow their procedure before it can be repaired though by doing two oil consumption tests (that I have to pay $24.95 for, and drive 1200 miles each) then I would have to authorize them to do an engine removal and disassembly for $575 to determine it is not something I had done to the car. I have babied this vehicle from day one! I never go beyond 4000 miles for an oil change, ever. Now I have to drive my family around in a potentially hazardous vehicle while they decide whether or not to repair the engine that they have known there was a problem with for years!! Unacceptable! This is terrifying knowing that my engine could seize at any moment while I am on the highway driving with my child. It is equally as frightening to realize that I may end up having to pay $6000+ for a new engine for this piece of defective merchandise I am still paying for because toyota believes they are above the law. Please hold them accountable.

Filed Sep 6, 2013 · Engine · 78,000 miles · CT

Check engine oil light came on; went o dealer to have checked; lost 3 quarts of oil since last schedules oil change. Dealer says it was within their acceptable range. Today called and said I need new engine which they say will cost me thousands