Toyota RAV4 fuel leak problems

Filed May 18, 2024 · Fuel system · VA

-Fuel leaks have been occurring since we purchased the car in April 2022. The previous owners never parked on an incline, so they never experienced the issue. -Fuel leaks when the car is parked on an incline when tank is between half full and full. -Leaks occur more often based on (1) the more full the tank is (we never top it off after the pump stops at gas station) and (2) when parked in direct sunlight. -In the photo and video from 12/15/23, it was a cool day (57 degrees), but the warmth from the sun, after previously being cloudy, caused expansion and the leak occurred with a half tank. -Leaks do not occur when parked with the nose facing downhill. -Safety: leaking gas is an inherent fire safety risk. Note the leak could occur while driving up a mountain. -No warning lamps or messages appear. -The car has been inspected by a Japanese car specialist and they were unable to identify the problem. -The car is available for inspection upon request. -I have a video of the fuel leaking, but that file type is not supported, so I uploaded it as a photo instead (3rd attachment). -Last photo shows difficulty of trying to clean up fuel. Permanent stains remain. Fuel breaks down the asphalt, which now has a hole in it and needs to be patched.

Filed Apr 6, 2024 · Fuel system · AZ

Fuel pressure line leaking gas

Filed Mar 8, 2024 · Fuel system · NM · crash

A strong fuel odor was evident in the cabin, and also under the hood after operation. Vehicle use was low, approx. 6K miles from new. My wife reported this to the dealer service department. They said nothing was wrong with the vehicle. Approx. 2K miles later, I reported the same problem to the dealer. Service rep said vehicle was unsafe to drive due to over torqued and leaking fuel line. They repaired it for no charge. No fuel vapors now, but if this is a production quality issue that others have reported, only to be told nothing was wrong, I think a major fuel-combustion safety issue may be overlooked. I am submitting documentation. Also, I am concerned about health effects of sustained fuel vapor exposure over months of driving. My wife rear-ended a stopped vehicle, possibly due to cognitive impairment from fuel vapor exposure. No warning indicators were ever triggered. Thank you.

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · Brakes, Fuel system · OH

2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a Toyota Dealership in Wooster, Ohio and requested a complete examination. I have their full report, and they have determined this car to be unsafe to drive. The brakes had been adjusted when in fact, the brakes and brake lines need to be replaced, this was the used car dealer at fault. I feel the used car dealership bought car at auction and was unaware of the gas tank leak and the bearing plates being fragile, the engine cradle could break at any given moment, causing the engine to fall out. The car was purchased at and maintained by an Akron Toyota Dealership since it was brand new in 2001. After 23 years why did this dealership allow this car to be released into the general public? Frame Damage so bad, the bearing plates that hold the engine up are beyond fragile, the cradle that holds the engine integrity is grossly compromised, and the gas tank has a hole in it. Bad brakes + leaking gas tank. One spark and = Ka Boom. I would be dead. So many things wrong in this situation. Personally, my physical and emotional health suffered. I had chronic diarrhea, headaches, and went to the Dr several times. Please let me know how this matter should be resolved. I am upset and financially compromised all from this car. Documentation available.

Filed May 1, 2023 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. While opening the fuel cap, fuel was flowing out of the filler neck. The contact detected fuel leaking on the driveway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Honda dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the EVAP canister needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel system and EVAP canister needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer again who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · OR

2021 Toyota REV4 with just over 5,000 miles. I got off from a parking lot and drove 1/2 miles, The screen shown "Vehicle Alert" and asked to check engine with message "A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected". I smell very strong gasoline, then stop the vehicle. I check the gas tank, it's normal. I opened the hood and saw a puddle of gasoline on engine part, between the battery and the engine but lower than the battery. It's so dangerous to drive with leaking gasoline so I park my car on a street

Filed Jan 14, 2022 · Fuel system · 1,200 miles · CA

The contact’s daughter owns a 2016 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle, the warning message “System Failure” illuminated and the vehicle shuddered, shut off, and lost electrical power. The contact’s daughter shifted into Park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a loose vacuum hose and retched fuel system. The dealer secured the vacuum hose; however, the failure reoccurred while she was at a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a contaminated charcoal canister. The dealer replaced the canister; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it was stated that fuel was leaking onto the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister was replaced for the second time; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a 4th time. The dealer sent a full diagnostic report to the manufacturer. The manufacturer sent engineers, field experts, and a district manager who took the vehicle apart and diagnosed that the charcoal canister and the evaporative emission control system including the gas tank needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, and the gas cap was tightened. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer three more times. The charcoal canister was replaced but the failure persisted. The contact stated that failure would occur when the vehicle was idle at a complete stop. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the manufacturer opened a case and had been assigning the case to different district managers. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.

Filed Feb 9, 2021 · Fuel system · 9,978 miles · NJ

My car was bought new on june 24, 2017. It had two times serious gas leakages. 4/29/2019, 1st. Time, mileage was 9,967, I paid $837.72, for replacing the 'charcoal canister' and I was told it's not under toyota factory warranty by toyota dealership & headquarters center in dallas, tx. 7/01/2019, 2nd. Time gas leakage, mileage was 10,691, my car was towed to the same toyota service for the same gas leakage issue again... Finally, toyota replaced 'charcoal canister' for the 2nd. Time, and other system associated with the gas leakage with no charge. Both gas leakage are all the same, 60 days apart, were all from the rear, bottom, driver side of the car, there was a gas puddle on my inclined driveway. After I checked toyota owner's warranty rights notification booklets - federal emission control warranty ' 'charcoal canister' is clearly under toyota warranty parts list ' within 3 years or 36,000 miles. Apparently, toyota rav4 hybrid model -'gas leakage' caused by defected evaporative system, can't parking on inclined or uphill driveway with more than half tank of gas. I called and sent two claim letters dated on 6/25/2019 and 8/26/2019, request toyota refund my $837.72 ' for 1st. Time repaired cost that paid on 5/7/2019. Toyota has declined my claims, refused refunding my payment of $837.72, we are very disappointed with toyota's unethical, fraud notes on the invoice ' so called 'gas is overfilled'. Toyota shirks the responsibility to the customer in order not cover the vehicle defective. Intentionally violate their warranty policy. We have been wrongly, unfairly treated. So we ask the federal safety agency, please investigate this matter, monitor the toyota correct their mistake, and refund my $837.72 asap. There are some other similar gas leakage claim cases of the rav4 hybrid model. It's very danger to drive with the gas leakage, can get fire. Justice is matters.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Fuel system · 137,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav-4. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the technician noticed that the canister was fractured and was leaking fuel and needed to be replaced to be able to pass inspection. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The contact called new country toyota of saratoga spring dealer, (3002 ny-50 building #1, sagatoga springs, ny 12866, (518) 584-7272) and informed them of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2019 · Fuel system · 500 miles · IL

The gas tank does not fill all the way, so I have having to go back and pump more gas into the tank. This sometimes can lead to overflow and the gas leaking to the ground and can be hazards.