Coolant Leaking problems of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

While driving, the check engine and vsa lights came on at once. The temperature gauge immediately began to rise, indicating that the car was starting to overheat. Took the car to a local mechanic. Apparently, the cylinder head bolt threading has become stripped due to strain from the aluminum cylinder block. This has lead to the engine leaking coolant. The engine is now prone to overheating. Seems to be a design defect. Only solution is to replace the engine.

The seals on the head gasket are leaking coolant. This is due to several of the metal bolts being stripped. This has rendered our car useless. Our mechanic, being an honest person, is hesitant to begin a several thousand $ repair, since he is unable to guarantee that he will be able to repair it for the long term. The car was overheating so coolant was added but this leaked quickly with a 18 mile ride from the chicago suburb of woodridge into the city.

Head gasket blew. According to mechanic the bolts that anchor the gasket to engine block failed causing leakage of coolant into engine block subsequently blowing the head gasket. This appears to be a common problem with the 2004 Rav4. $1800. 00 repair!.

In October/2013 while driving on the road, my 2004 Toyota Rav4 start smoking from the engine compartment, pulled over and saw that it was coolant fluids all over the engine, towed to my local mechanic and after check it out, it was leaking from the top of the engine, results was the head bolts were loose and stripped from the block of the engine, and the head gasket was cracked, replaced the affected parts, new coolant, total cost $1874. 00, the vehicle is back on the road, note to that is that the car has only 53000 miles, purchased new a Toyota dealership and it was only what it was driven. Toyota dealerships (3 contacted), they want nothing to do with the problem and they "have not knowledge or recalls for the problem", (little hard to believed to me) the local mechanic found that there is a kit to fix the problem, drill and re-tap, insert new head bolts, new head gasket, back on the road. Unfortunately Toyota as manufacturer will not assume the responsibility or have the acknowledgement of the problem, arguing the vehicle already is out of warranty, even as is noted is a manufacturer issue.

On 02/27/2013, my car was leaking coolant, so I took it to my local Toyota dealer to have a check. It turns out the coolant were leaking from the head gasket and the head bolt was loosen and stripped. They told me they can't fix the leak. The only solution is to replace the whole engine. It will cost me $8,000 to replace the engine. I turned to internet for help and found out a loosen head bolt cause to replace the engine is a very comment issue for Toyota engine 2az-fe. It's obvious to me the striped head bolt is an engine defect. This could have never happened if Toyota have done a better job to ensure the head bolt won't striped over time. I am not saying the bolts should last forever. However, the bolts in a car engine should out last the bolts on my outdoor deck.

Went to get a tire repaired, the manager told me that I had a fluid leak. He indicated it was pretty bad and I needed to get it looked at as soon as possible. I drove it to the shop where they confirmed I had a leak and it was coolant. I left the car for repairs and was called the next day and told that the head gasket was leaking. I went online to research this issue and found hundreds of complaints indicating the exact same issue. They also indicated that Toyota has not and would not acknowledge any defects regarding the head gasket.

On June 14, 2010, I noticed a pinkish liquid on the garage floor after my son backed it up. I called my auto shop and told them about it. They right away told me don't drive it and they will have a tow truck come and tow it. After the mechanic took a look at the issue he found that the coolant leaked and then found that the head gasket was blown. He didn't know why this happened since my car is only 6 yrs old with 65,000 miles on it. After I agreed to do the repair, when he removed more parts to get to it, he noticed that the bolts were stripped. I did some research and found out that this happened to other 2004 Rav4's. I called Toyota and a rep told me that they were aware of this issue but it was not considered a safety issue and that the issue doesn't happen too a lot of customers so they will not recall or help with the cost of the repair. I also did more digging and found out that some of Toyota older models have this same issue with the head gaskets blowing and the bolt was stripped. I hope that if Toyota did used some old parts in the 2004 Rav4, they should tell the customer and pay for the repair. The mechanic informed the consumer that the entire engine block will need to be replaced due to the extensive damage. Updated ivoq 08/05/10.

I noticed a coolant leak between 2nd & 3rd cylinder coming from head gasket. The leak and the cause was confirmed by my mechanic.