2009 Toyota RAV4 engine problems

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine · 230,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine at startup. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil caused by a gasket failure inside a piston in the engine. Due to the failure, the contact was frequently adding oil to the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and an estimate was provided for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2025 · Engine · WA

Engine timeing system rattle on startup. Even basic web research shows this is a common problem for select model years and acorss mulitple models. This issue has a high probility of causing catastrophic engine damage, where the timeing chain & VVT system fails to keep timing causing the valves to colide with the pistons. There is a TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE risk with each and every engine start. The fix on the 3.5L requires the engine to be removed, VVT and timing chain tensioner to be replaced. This is a $4000 to $5000 dollar repair. This is a clear manufacuting wide spread defect and should be repaired by toyota via recall!

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

Four incidents of unintended acceleration , in all instances foot was on break petal NOT on gas petal, 3 instances vehicle was stopped at traffic light, last incident was pulling into a parking space foot on brake, in all instances braked hard and shifted vehicle into neutral and turned vehicle off to avoid collisions, personal injury and property damage

Filed Mar 19, 2023 · Engine · TN

Engine rattle on cold start ups.

Filed Feb 15, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 113,000 miles · UT

While decelerating on a freeway off-ramp at approx. 25 MPH, the brakes failed to stop the car. Going no more than 5 MPH, I lifted off slightly then depressed them all the way to the floor; they didn't engage properly but finally slowed the car almost to a complete stop, but the engine revved and the car kept wanting to go forward. I threw the transmission into park and turned off the ignition.

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Engine · IL

I took my car in for service on october 12, 2020 because the oil light was flickering though I am not due for another oil change until january. I was told to replace the motor due to excessive oil consumption. Upon researching online learned that this is due to defective piston rings and in 2011, toyota issued a technical service bulletin. At this point, they are refusing to correct the error with the design of the pistons.

Filed Aug 20, 2020 · Engine · RI

All lights come on check engine,4wd,trac , come and goes, going 6 times already to dealer last 2 weeks.. Rav4 with low miles .. Toyota very dissatisfied

Filed Feb 15, 2020 · Engine, Suspension · 125,000 miles · IL

Auto burning excessive oil and coolant box stays full to top car is stationary

Filed Aug 2, 2018 · Engine · 34,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the water pump leaked fluid without warning. The vehicle was taken to toyota of orange (1400 n tustin st, orange, ca 92867, 714‑639‑6750) where the technician diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 108,000 miles · MI

Just over 100,000 miles on the 2009 rav 4. Without issue. Not original owner. This weekend it tried 3 times to accelerate us into the vehicles or people in front of is. After looking online I verified that our floormats are both secured and do not extend to the area of the pedal. Incident 1. While sitting at a complete stop at red light, heard and felt engine start to rev. Car lurched forward, and I applied left foot in addition to the right which was already on the brake in attempt to stop it. Had to hit shifter into neutral to regain control only a foot or 2 from the car in front. Mistakenly thought it was an isolated incident. Incident 2 today-- while slowing to a red light by application of brakes with right foot, engine revved up to approx. 3000 RPM and tried accelerating us into vehicles in front of us. Again- only shifting into neutral brought vehicle under control.. Incident 3 - approx 20 min after incident 2 on way home ( sunday afternoon)while braking to a stop at red light. No vehicles in front by people entering the crosswalk. Heard and felt engine start to accelerate. Immediate addition of right foot to the brake pedal was able to stop the car and the acceleration stopped without shifting to neutral this time. Vehicle is parked awaiting reply from toyota. Checked toyota website and it says there are no open recalls or service campaigns for this VIN.