Vehicle produces a plastic-sounding grinding noise from the brake area whenever the vehicle rolls over a rough or uneven road surface while braking. This has occurred since purchase of the vehicle and continues to occur as of current mileage (approximately 45,000 miles). The noise is distinct from normal brake pad wear squeal -- it sounds like a hard plastic component grinding or rattling, correlated specifically with braking over bumps/uneven pavement rather than constant or speed-dependent. The dealer has not yet inspected this specific complaint. Other owners of the same model year have filed similar the federal safety agency complaints describing brake grinding/squealing noise beginning well under 10,000 miles, with one referencing a technical service bulletin for brake noise on 2019-2023 model year vehicles of this make/model, suggesting this may be a widespread condition rather than an isolated defect.
Toyota RAV4 grinding brakes problems
149 of the 9,428 owner complaints about the Toyota RAV4 describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2019 model year.
- owner complaints
- 149
- worst model year
- 2019
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 22,000
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 6Check engine light 5ABS 5Won't shift 4Slipping 4Harsh shifting 4Wipers 3Stalling 3
What owners say
I own a 2024 Toyota RAV4. At approximately 38,300 miles, an authorized Toyota dealership diagnosed a failed rack-and-pinion/steering rack assembly that required replacement. Before the repair, I began noticing a squeaking noise when turning the steering wheel. The noise became progressively louder over time. The symptoms continued to worsen until the vehicle was inspected by the Toyota dealership. The vehicle has been regularly maintained, and there was no collision or other known event that would explain this failure. The steering rack required replacement only about 2,200 miles beyond Toyota’s 36,000-mile basic warranty. Because the rack-and-pinion assembly is a critical steering component, I am concerned that this may represent a premature failure and potentially a safety issue if similar failures are occurring in other 2024 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. I am submitting this complaint so the issue is documented and can be compared with reports from other owners. I have dealership repair documentation confirming the diagnosis and replacement of the steering rack assembly.
While driving the 2019 Toyota RAV4, I found that the steering wheel was getting hard to turn and the car kept making grinding sound when turning. Due to I was short on time, I asked an old mechanic friend to check the RAV4 out before my road trip. He was unable to get the vehicle back; therefore, I used my other vehicle. While I was out of town the Mechanic contacted me, and ask if the car had been in water and I replied no. He suggested that I might want to see if there’s a recall. I googled recall for RAV4 vehicles and found that a recall had been issued for certain groups of power, steering boxes. This may allow water to enter the box that could corrode and cause loss of power steering that could cause an accidents. I’ve reached out to several Toyota representatives with this issue, but have been unsuccessful and getting them to see that this car may have been overlooked.
Vehicle was traveling straight approximately 70–80 mph in very light drizzle. No warning lights or messages before the event. Vehicle suddenly entered an uncontrolled spin multiple times. During the spin, I heard a grinding noise. After stopping, brake/parking brake system warnings appeared on the dash, video after the event recorded.
Front seat can not be moved back and forth without grinding noise.
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.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the rear hatch door failed to remain securely closed. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred and became more frequent over time. Additionally, the front driver’s side seat belt buckle and rear passenger’s side seat belt buckle failed to buckle and lock securely. They also stated that the front driver's side electronic reclining seat made grinding sounds while operating. The contact also stated that water was leaking into the vehicle from the rear passenger’s side quarter panel. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 32,000.
Front Brake Squeal/Squaek Noise when light or moderate braking. Started around 10000 miles.
Brakes lights comes on while driving n the two wheel front makes a grinding sound while still driving… a friend of mine had the same problem took her rav4 2021 to windward toyota Kaneohe hawaii several times n finally on the 5th service was told that it’s her secondary brake system and in my Toyota the LTA DISPLAY WAS ON MY DASHBOARD DISPLAY
At the car wash while slowly pulling (1mph) into a parking space to vacuum the vehicle the car unexpectedly accelerated. The brakes failed and the car continued to accelerate until forced into park and turning off the vehicle. During the acceleration there was a grinding noise. This acceleration caused the car to hit the front curb and cement pilings with poles supporting the roof and vacuum. There were no warnings or lights being presented. If not for the curb and being off the road anyone in the car would at the very least been injured and possibly hitting another auto. The dealer is claiming no none issues as described. The auto was towed to the body shop to inspect and repair. We were told by the body repair shop the front suspension failed. The auto was great prior to this incident. Afraid to drive for fear of a repeat especially due to others on the internet claiming the same issue has happened and often continued to have a repeat acceleration incident. No one has found resolution from Toyota. Approximately $7,000.00 worth of damage and our insurance has now gone up.
Related recalls
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility electric vehicles. The front disc brake rotor, when equipped with steel wheels, can develop stress fractures if the lug nuts are tightened with excessive torque.
- Risk
- The disc rotor could break (where it mounts to the wheel), resulting in a loss of braking action on that wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the disc brake rotors. If the vehicle is equipped with steel wheels, toyota will replace the front disc brake rotors and steel wheels with new disc brake rotors and new aluminum wheels. In addition a caution label that reads, "use new genuine toyota aluminum wheels." will be affixed. Vehicles already equipped with aluminum wheels will only require caution label installation.
Recall number 00V212000 · Recall details
Questions about the Toyota RAV4 grinding brakes
Which Toyota RAV4 years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2019 (21 complaints), 2006 (15 complaints) and 2007 (13 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix grinding or squealing brakes on the Toyota RAV4?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 19 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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