Two problems related to carrier/rack have been reported for the 2007 Toyota RAV4. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2007 Toyota RAV4 based on all problems reported for the 2007 RAV4.
After the check engine, vehicle stability control & 4wd warning lights displayed on my 2007 Toyota Rav4 with 89,400 miles, I went to my local Toyota dealer for a diagnosis of the problem. Upon inspection and testing, their service advisor stated, "the emissions system has malfunctioned since water has leaked into the emission system & its charcoal canister". The source of the water occurred since the fuel filler tube housing no longer was properly attached/secured to the vehicle. This allowed rwater coming down the side of the vehicle to enter through the fuel filler door by the fuel cap into the charcoal canister. To remedy the problem, the fuel filler assembly along with gaskets, some electronic and the charcoal canister required replacement for the emission system to properly function and to be in compliance with epa standards. The total cost of the repair $1,400 which Toyota would not cover since it was not under recall, nor would they consider paying under my extended 6 yr 100,000 mile warranty since that expired July 5, 2013. I find it incredible that Toyota would not pay for these repairs since they involve emissions as well as a safety issues. Based on my review of various blogs covering Rav4's, this is a common problem and Toyota admits no fault. As with all issues with Toyota they deny they have design/safety issues with any of their vehicles - sudden acceleration, steering suspension & braking. It took me repeated service visits to get them to replace the front steering rack under my extended warranty. I feel my fuel filler assembly and charcoal canister repair is a safety issue since gasoline could easily leak out down the tube on gasoline overfill and cause a fire if it reached the exhaust system. 20 yrs ago I had a similar issue with a Honda which was repaired under a recall at no charge. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
In the fall of 2011, the vsc and 4wd lights came on in my 2007 Rav4. At the same time my cruise control and 4wd stopped working. I took my car to teton Toyota in idaho falls, id and was told that the charcoal canister was cracked and needed to be replaced at a cost of $1775. 00. I could not afford to fix the car and eventually I purchased a used charcoal canister and had it installed by an independent mechanic. Then in Feb. 2012, the lights came on again so I took my car to stones Toyota in rexburg, id. The mechanic there confirmed that the charcoal canister was cracked again. I told him that I had replaced it with a used part and he stated that Toyota had redesigned the part so that it wouldn't crack, so if I wanted to fix the problem for good, I'd have to purchase the new part. I have not yet replaced the unit at this time. If Toyota knew that the original part was defective and have now redesigned it, why are they charging their customers over $1500 to replace it? besides not having any 4wd in rural idaho in the winter, the emissions system is no longer working due to this defective part.