Engine Oil Leaking problems of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Even though the vehicle has a perfect maintenance record and has no history of over heating, the head bolts pulled loose from the engine block and the engine leaked oil from the head gasket area. This was verified by desert Toyota of tucson. The engine got covered with motor oil and while it was hot it smoked extensively to the point I feared it would catch fire. It did not ignite because the Rav4 was pulled off the road and turned off before it could happen. Toyota corp. Was contacted and they said there was nothing they could do to remedy the problem, but issued a case number. The vehicle is not safe to drive. Desert Toyota prescribed a $6130 repair.

Head gasket on the 2004 Toyota Rav4. I took my car in for scheduled maintenance including changing front brake pads, an alignment and oil change. Within a week of this visit my heat wouldn't work, took it back, was rechecked and advised there was nothing wrong. Within a week after this visit it started to smoke, took it back and was advised that I had a leak, needed a new waterpump. Took it for a second opinion and decided to take it back to my dealership. They broke down the engine and essentially advised me that the threads on my head gasket fell and apart in the engine block and was advised to call Toyota to see they would help with the cost. I've heard this is a recurring problem with the head gaskets used in some Toyota models. I bought my car brand new and only had 86,000 miles on it before it was declared a total loss unless I wanted to pay $6,000 to have it repaired. There was a recall I found online describing the same problem but it was for an older version of this car. I believe that they are producing the same defective head gaskets and leaving their customers to absorb the cost. This is truly unfair and in our current economy, I am forced to buy a car for something that could been prevented if they were making quality and reliable head gaskets for all their cars.