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2008 Toyota RAV4 engine complaints

Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 160 of 160, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2008 Toyota RAV4 engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 2, 2013 · Engine · 69,000 miles · AR

I was driving down a street when my car suddenly died. The engine would not turn over though the battery finally turned on. My car was towed to the local toyota dealership. The service department took the engine apart and said a valve spring broke which caused the valve to drop down and make contact with the #4 piston, breaking it completely apart. (it ended up in the oil pan.) my engine is ruined and must be replaced. They quoted a price of $7000 to replace the engine. The service department manager said there was nothing I could have done that would cause the spring to break like that or cause that kind of damage. My vehicle is 9,000 miles outside of warranty (though still within 6-year time frame of warranty). My car has 69,000 miles on it.

Filed Jul 31, 2013 · Engine · 78,000 miles · CA

Engine is burning too much motor oil. Have to keep putting a liter of oil in the car every two weeks. There has been a technical service bulletin released by toyota that it is a problem with the r&r piston and ring set. My VIN id is impacted by this.

Filed Jul 30, 2013 · Engine · 25,000 miles · VT

I brought the car to my mechanic because the engine has been getting louder, like a diesel. I've been told the fan in the water pump needs to be replaced. The car is 5 years old with 25,000 miles on it! This should not happen and must be a defect. Unfortunately, my drivetrain warranty expired one month ago. Now it is going to cost me $800 to repair. I have found many complaints about this very problem online, which proves there is a defect involved, but toyota has not issued a recall. If the water pump gave out while I was on the road, I could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere. I live in the country with poor cell service. This is irresponsible on toyota's part and should be addressed.

Filed Jul 28, 2013 · Engine · 35,000 miles · NY

Burning of engine oil!!! Every 1,000 miles 1 quart of engine oil would burn.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Engine · 75,000 miles · IL

At around 75,000 miles the engine started using oil and has gotten worse to the point where I need to add a quart every thousand miles.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Engine · 66,000 miles · NY

Similar to several other complaints on this model, my vehicle is also exhibiting excessive oil consumption, up to 1 qt. Within 1,000-1,500 miles, based on my own consumption tests. The dealer has changed the oil since I purchased this vehicle. The car begin to burn oil at around 66,000 miles. Many times I have complained of this - dealer claims this is "normal" consumption and within specifications as does toyota motor sales. However, toyota has issued a technical service bulletin (t-sb-0094-11) which acknowledges a consumption issue on my model as well as several others. I have read online message boards of other toyota owners with the exact same issue. There is a known problem with the piston assembly that is causing this, however, toyota refuses to remedy the problem if the vehicle is out of warranty. I contend that this issue was likely present within my warranty but, since I didn't discover it until afterwards, I am simply out of luck with an engine that consumes excessive oil. The dealer quoted me $3,400 to repair. I purchased a toyota for its perceived reliability, but like other toyota owners, I too am stuck with a high maintenance vehicle that I too will have to monitor closely as long as I own it. I feel that this problem warrants a recall, due to the extent of the problem in terms of vehicles affected and the potential severity of engine problems. Sadly, toyota should stand by their products!

Filed Jun 22, 2013 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MA

The engine is burning too much oil too quick and woburn toyota services refuse to research deeper for the problem, I have all extra warranties and they say it is normal. It is not normal the amount of oil the car is consuming.

Filed Jun 20, 2013 · Engine · 39,691 miles · NC

Waterpump leaking. Water pump did not meet factory specifications. Water pump leaking engine block very damp .

Filed Jun 20, 2013 · Engine · 100,525 miles · PA

The engine died on our vehicle. Dealer said it stopped working but would have to take apart the engine to find out why. They said they could not find any leaks but it ran out of oil & ceased the engine. It was only 4 months since our last oil change. People are telling us it should not have ran out that fast without there being a leak. Toyota said they will not cover the repair because it is out of warranty. By only 525 miles!!!! This is our second toyota & we loved them. We were intending on being life long customers. But now we will never buy another toyota! Especially since I have read other people having the same problem. They need to recall these vehicles!! We now have $13,000 left to pay on the vehicle & can't afford to fix it & have no other vehicle.

Filed Jun 19, 2013 · Engine · 93,667 miles · OH

This vehicle is exhibiting excessive oil consumption, up to 1 qt. Within 1,000-1,200 miles, based on my own and a toyota dealer's consumption tests. The dealer claims this is "normal" consumption as does toyota motor sales. However, toyota has issued a technical service bulletin (t-sb-0094-11) which acknowledges a consumption issue on my model as well as several others. I have read online message boards of other toyota owners with the exact same issue. There is a known problem with the piston assembly that is causing this, however, toyota refuses to remedy the problem if the vehicle is out of warranty. I contend that this issue was likely present within my warranty but, since I didn't discover it until afterwards, I am simply out of luck with an engine that consumes excessive oil. The dealer quoted me $3,400 to repair. I purchased a toyota for its perceived reliability, but am now stuck with a high maintenance vehicle that I will have to monitor closely as long as I own it. I feel that this problem warrants a recall, due to the extent of the problem in terms of vehicles affected and the potential severity of engine problems.

Filed Jun 14, 2013 · Engine · 35,904 miles · KY

Water pump required replacement.

Filed Jun 10, 2013 · Engine · 124,191 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH the engine, four wheel drive, traction control and ESC warning indicators illuminated continuously until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times. The technician detected a leak in the evaporation canister which was repaired. In addition, the computerized system was reset twice on separate occasions. The failure recurred after the repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 124,191.

Filed Jun 8, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 54,450 miles · OH

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.

Filed May 28, 2013 · Engine · 30,000 miles · MA

I have owned this 2008 toyota rav4 since I bought brand new. I did all the oil changes myself on time. After approx 2 1/2 years and 30,000 miles I notice considerably less oil in drain pan at oil changes. I started pulling the dip stick between changes and saw that it needed substantial oil added between changes. Not until close to my warranty expiring did I find out that their is a tsb from toyota on this very 2.4 liter engine for a manufacturing defect that toyota admits is their fault. I went to my local dealer for an oil consumption test. I made the mistake of not checking their topped off oil level on my dip stick before they applied a security seal. The dealer had me return after 1k miles, which by the tsb they should have had me return in 1200 miles. They pulled the dipstick while I was not present and stated that it was well within range. I have since performed my own consumption test 7,000 miles after the dealer did , and my engine is consuming 1.2 quarts in 1080 miles. This is a fail by toyotas' own tsb guide lines. Toyota will not help customers with this situation they have put them in.

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 220,000 miles · WA

While slowing down for a stoplight, I pulled into the open left hand lane so as not to be behind a tanker truck, and with my foot on the brakes tried to stop the car at the light, when suddenly the engine revved as if the car was in neutral and rather than coming to a full stop at the light, I slid through a busy intersection. Had I not been in a lane without traffic and had there not been oncoming traffic, I would have caused a serious accident. Once through the intersection I pulled off the road and came to a full stop. Then I drove to a nearby gas station and drove around their parking lot to test the brakes and they seemed fine. I also checked to see if the gas pedal was free from the carpet and it was.

Filed Dec 6, 2012 · Engine · 71,000 miles · NJ

Consumer complaint: odi case number: 10444712 component: engine and engine cooling details: my 2008 rav 4 all wheel drive burns about 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. I brought the SUV to toyota on 01/19/2012 for oil consumption. Tech checked oil. Oil level was 1/2 quart low. The tech topped off oil. I pick up rav at 1:30 p from dealer and checked oil level. The tech over filled the oil about 8 oz. I verified this with customer service he said he did not know why tech would over fill it. The dealer would like to recheck oil level in 1000 miles. However, tech over filled it so when I bring it back they can say see it doesn't burn that much oil. I wonder if the extended warranty has anything to do with it. Mileage 71393. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)[xxx] occurrences: 1 injuries: 0 fail date: 01/19/2012 deaths: 0 date added to database: 1/20/2012 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 16, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · MA

My 2008 rav 4 is burning oil at an unusually high rate. This began last december when my oil light flicked on when I was braking. When I brought it into a service station they said I had no oil. I have since brought it back to my dealer a few times for the light coming on and being out of oil. I have already done the oil consumption test back in may but toyota felt that it was normal for my car to have lost oil in 1569 miles (per the owners manual). I just had it back at the dealer because after driving only 3,200 miles since my last oil change, my oil light flicked on again. When I checked it there was no oil in the vehicle. I know there is a tsb out for this issue with my car, and several other models of toyota, but since I don't have an extended warranty on my vehicle the dealer/service dept told me to contact toyota directly. Toyota did not acknowledge that I have an issue and continued to quote me page 314 of the owners manual and the oil consumption criteria on the page. For some reason they could not see the notes from my dealer from earlier in the day that I had run out of oil after 3,200 miles. The customer service rep actually said to me "what is it you want us to do?" I told him I want you to fix my car that you know has a problem as described in the tsb. I was told to once again do the oil consumption test with my dealer. I agree with others, if my car is set to go 5000 miles without an oil change, but I only went 3200 and had no oil, how can they not recall the vehicle or be forced to fix this known issue?!! Toyota, I feel, is jeopardizing mine and my family's safety by not correcting this issue. What disturbs me greatly is that the light doesn't come on and stay on, it flicks on when you are breaking so if you miss it, you will not know you are out of oil. A recall is in order and I hope it occurs before my engine is blown!!

Filed Oct 10, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Car is having excessive oil consumption issues. Problem started around 57,00 miles when the oil light came on whenever I stepped on the brakes. Took it to the dealer(keyes toyota) who told me that there was no oil in the oil pan. Dealer changed the oil but "neglected" to tell me that there was a tsb put out by toyota for this problem. Took it to the dealer a few more times and each time I expressed concern about the oil loss. Dealer did not take my concerns seriously till after my powertrain warranty was up. Then they told me that could document the oil loss, which they also "forgot" to mention when the warranty was still in effect. My car is losing about 1.5 quarts per 1000 miles. Toyota will not cover the repair to fix the problem because it is out of warranty. I believe the dealer deliberately mislead me into thinking there was nothing wrong with the car till after it was past my warranty period. Powertrain warranty was good for up to 60,000 miles or 5 years. Dealer tried to blame poor maintenance but when I offered to show proof that I did all the recommended maintenance, they stopped blaming the problem on that.

Filed Apr 15, 2012 · Engine · 41,000 miles · NJ

My wife was driving our 2008 toyota rav4 ltd v6 with our 5 years old daughter yesterday. She was driving at around 50 MPH then suddenly, without any warning, the engine stopped in the middle of the road. She almost was rear ended by other cars. The car did not start again after being tried after every 5 minutes. The car was serviced a month back for routine oil change and breaks. A cop came over and got the car towed. Still have no idea.

Filed Feb 12, 2012 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NJ

Oil consumption is too much. It uses about 1 quart of oil in every 500 miles. From what I am hearing, this is a very common problem and toyota is doing nothing about it. I believe a recall is in order. Thank you

Filed Jan 20, 2012 · Engine · NJ

My 2008 rav 4 all wheel drive burns about 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. I brought the SUV to toyota on 01/19/2012 for oil consumption. Tech checked oil. Oil level was 1/2 quart low. The tech topped off oil. I pick up rav at 1:30 p from dealer and checked oil level. The tech over filled the oil about 8 oz. I verified this with customer service he said he did not know why tech would over fill it. The dealer would like to recheck oil level in 1000 miles. However, tech over filled it so when I bring it back they can say see it doesn't burn that much oil. I wonder if the extended warranty has anything to do with it. Mileage 71393. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Dec 24, 2011 · Acceleration, Airbags · 80,000 miles · FL · crash · 2 injuries

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).

Filed Dec 16, 2011 · Engine · 57,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the engine was abnormally burning two quarts of oil every 3,000 miles. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the vehicle was neither diagnosed for the failure or repaired. The failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. Updated 04/10/12*lj updatyed 04/23/12

Filed Nov 29, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 47,000 miles · WI

While I was driving to work around the month of october, my car would be going around 40-50 MPH and it will suddenly stall or power down and the car just shuts off in the middle of everything. Its a good thing I go to work early around 4-5 am and traffic is low or I would be in major accident and at fault too? This continues to happen. Sometimes happens when I flash on high beam and even when the car is in low speed around 15-25mph or turning around a corner. There is never a check engine light. When my car goes into stall, all power dies and my radio/cd/mp3 player stop playing my dashboard becomes all pitch black and headlights all die as well. I don't know how to explain this its frustrating and scary, I'm the original owner and I bought it brand new from my local toyota dealership. I live in wisconsin and the snow is coming and toyota require me to leave the car with them for over a week or so, not a problem cause I don't want to drive it until its fix. Its now after thanksgiving and the problem is still occurring I took the car to the dealership today but they wont even look at it until I leave it with them for a week. I cant leave it there because I need a car for work so I had to arrange car rentals first with my own expense and will be dropping the car off saturday. The answers they already gave me was no clue and don't know what's wrong with it with no check engine code. I don't want to be another koua fong lee. I just want to post this up now see if anyone found a solution and for my reference if they cant fix it. I want someone to have my back. The car is a rav4 2008 with only 50,000 miles.

Filed Sep 19, 2011 · Engine · 78,604 miles · CA

On 9/7/11 my daughter was driving her rav 4 home from pinole to hercules (less than 5 min) and she heard a noise and the car stopped. On 3/26/11, during a 66,138 maintenance service toyota repaired the rear crank seal. We normally maintain the service close to 5,000, except this time due to lack of funds we were late. My daughter had made an appt for 78,000 service for 9/8/11, during out of town trip for my daughter's wedding. So now toyota will only repair it for $7,000.00 because we were late one time on the service, the crank froze and it needs a new engine. They feel it had nothing to do w/the crank seal. How can a brand new car, which I'm still paying for, engine break down just from being late one time. I feel that it should still be covered w/warranty (exp. 75,000),

Filed Jan 23, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 47,000 miles · NH · crash

At approximately 11:15am saturday january 22, I was stopped at a stop light on spit brook road in nashua nh for about 30 seconds, when my leased toyota rav4l suddenly revved it's engine and started to move forward. As it did, I pressed on the brake as hard as I could, and the car continued to rev the engine and suddenly jumped forward hitting the car that was about 6 feet in front of me. At that time, I put the car in park, stopped the engine and checked to see if the woman in the car ahead of me was hurt. She was not. Her car had no damage to it. She went on her way. There is minor damage to the from end of the rav4, including the bumper and grill. I got back into the car, and took it to the toyota dealer in nashua nh, that was a mile or 2 away, and explained to them what happened. They tried to blame this on the floor mat issue, and then tried to blame it on me, saying that they think my boot might have been on the accelerator. I told them that was not the case. The car was stopped for about 30 seconds when it suddenly revved the engine and accelerated into the car ahead of me. The car was left at the dealer for them to take a look at on monday january 24th, 2011. They told me that they would look into it and get back to me.

Filed Oct 6, 2010 · Engine · NY

2008 toyota rav 4 keeps losing oil . Light keeps coming on. Returned to dealer on several occasions and they put in writing "up to 1 qt in 1000 mile is considered normal by toyota. Since oil changes are required every 5000, is toyota saying it is acceptable to be down 5 qts? Asked reps for explanation and they stated they cannot provide me with one. At this rate I should have a blown engine.

Filed Mar 12, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 17,000 miles · PA

Approaching a traffic light, approximately 10-15 MPH, with the brake applied, the engine of my 2008 rav4 (VIN [xxx] ) accelerated for 3-4 seconds. Because my foot was already on the brake pedal, I was able to keep the vehicle under control during the unintended acceleration. This has occurred only once, 3 weeks ago. After taking the rav4 to the local toyota dealer, the dealer found no computer codes stored, test drove the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the acceleration condition. The vehicle was not covered by any of the existing acceleration recalls. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 22, 2010 · Engine · 23,800 miles · NY

Idle speed kicked up unexpectedly at a stop light. The engine was close to full operating temperature, about 1.5 miles from home. The air conditioning was not on. The defroster was also not on, so there was no reason for the idle to kick up. Vehicle was stopped at a light behind another vehicle at an intersection. It lurched forward, but was easy to hold back with the brake. I then put my left foot on the brake and released my right foot to be sure that both brake and accelerator were not being pressed simultaneously. The high idle continued, about 1100 RPM in drive. I then put the vehicle in neutral and the tachometer read 1300-1400 initially, then slowly dropped to about 1000. Once back in drive it dropped to about 800 RPM, which is normal operation. It has never done this before or since. That particular intersection has power lines and/or transformers that have interfered with my am radio in other vehicles, but not this one.

Filed Feb 18, 2009 · Engine · 17,500 miles · AK

While driving under 25 MPH the vehicle without reason or notice shuts down. It is able to start up right after, however the only reason that you know it has shut down is that all the dash lights come on. This has happened about five times. The dealership says the there is nothing wrong. The vehicle has not been change in anyway.

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