2011 Toyota RAV4: check engine light

Filed Mar 25, 2019 · Driver assistance · 95,000 miles · CO

The vehicle has a chronic issue with the o2 sensor which will prompt a engine light. The engine light will cause the vehicle to automatically shut off the 4wd and stability control and will happen at any triggering of the engine light. This is concerning especially in winter environments.

Filed Dec 27, 2018 · Driver assistance · 98,000 miles · PA

Two months after purchasing a 2011 toyota rav4 limted v6, the car showed three warning lights: the check engine light, the four wheel drive light, and the vsc (vehicle stability control) light while I was driving on a highway. After running a check engine light diagnostic, the problem was found to be the o2 sensor. My husband replaced the sensor, and the next day after driving roughly 10 miles on a rural local road the same lights came on again. These warning lights disable the four wheel drive and vehicle stability control simply due to an exhaust issue. This is unnecessary and dangerous for driving in any kind of inclement weather. After doing some research on the internet, I found this to be a very common problem among this make and model of toyota. Reading the forums, it became apparent that any solution tried resulted in the same warning lights occurring again and again. Below are the links to the various forums I consulted: https://www.rav4world.com/forums/96-4-3-general/68870-bad-oxygen-sensor-cripples-rav4.html https://www.rav4world.com/forums/88-4-2-faults-fixes/166049-o2-sensors.html https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-t38566_ds710420 https://repairpal.com/oxygen-sensor-may-fail-281 this appears to be a wide spread issue that has largely not been able to be remedied by mechanics or auto enthusiasts. It is my feeling that given the frequency of this issue and the lack of a clear solution, a recall should be initiated.

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 107,000 miles · MD

Rav4 -cel, 4wd, trac off all three lights came on. I had them read 4 times by 3 different mechanics. Each time I was told rear oxygen sensor needs to be replaced. I had the sensor replaced twice in less than 2 weeks to confirm it wasn't a faulty sensor. The all 3 lights came back on in less than 24 hours. Fyi: the other sensor was replaced as well.

Filed Sep 14, 2017 · Electrical · 58,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the four wheel drive, check engine, oil light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer (sloane toyota of philadelphia, 1546 cottman ave, philadelphia,pa, 19111) where it was diagnosed, however the diagnosis was unknown. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer informed the contact to continue to drive the vehicle, that it might re-illuminate but there was no guarantee to stay off. In addition, if the failure reoccurred to bring the vehicle back. The contact stated that the lights illuminated again, however he had not contacted the dealer again. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Jun 5, 2017 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · AZ

At a routine oil change was told there was a "transaxle leak" that required immediate attention from an authorized dealer. There was no visible leak in the driveway, no check engine light or other warning. So when this developed is unknown. Told not safe to drive. Repair would be $3000. Transmission and differential had to be removed to seal leaking. This vehicle has 34k miles on it. Was told this only seen in cars over 100k. Has been well maintained--all service checks and recalls completed. Toyota accepts no responsibility. No sign of a potentially dangerous situation.

Filed May 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · 64,000 miles · WA

I recently had the charcoal canister that filters gas fuels fail. This caused teh check engine light to come on. In addition though, this fault took out 2 safety systems due to this code. After the light came on my brake anti skid system and cruise control were inoperable. I complained to the dealer about this issue and was told this was normal. In my opinion, just because a check engine light comes on should not cause 2 safety systems to become inoperable! Why no disable the airbags too. The anti skid system helps you maintain stability on wet road. I live in the pacific northwest where the roads are wet a lot. I see failure of the cruise control is also a safety issue. I use cruise habitually so keep me under the speed limit. I had to drive without these 2 systems for a month till parts were available.

Filed Feb 24, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 119,000 miles · MI

While driving 55-60 on a highway, my anti-skid warning light came on, the 4wheel drive light a half hour later, followed by the engine light aprx 1 hr later. The following morning, while driving, the cruise control went out on me, the car unexpectedly slowed and I noticed the cruise light flashing on and off. The remote start did not work on day #3, as I traveled to have the car repaired at serra toyota, traverse city, mi. The service tech told me that "the mechanic literally poured water out of the evap canister, we have seen other rav's w this problem and we have a bulletin on it, so toyota is aware. The canister is faulty, which allowed road water, (very wet, slushy roads at time), to get in and damage the wiring." the service tech also told me that the new canister/hose replacement system addresses this issue. I emailed toyota japan, they had "henry kerry of toyota executive headquarters, torrence, calif call me. Mr. Kerry stated that the problem was related to overfilling the gas tank. I told him that the tech said "(they) literally poured water out and they had seen this problem previously." mr. Kerry advised that "I should have talked to the service manager to get the factual info." bottom line: I feel that I should have been notified that electrical failure could occur, due to canister/hose failure and that a new part had been developed which, once installed, would prevent (road) water from shorting out the wiring. (the work order receipt states: ("water intrusion into evap system") thanks much,[xxx] 'information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'