general problems of the 2008 Toyota RAV4 - part 2

The onboard computer (ecm) program is defective in the 2008 Rav4, and probably other years and models, causing owners to unnecessarily bring cars in and pay for unneeded service. When I started the car to begin an interstate drive, 3 fault indicators (check engine,vehicle stability control, 4 wheel drive) illuminated. Following owners manual, my wife called the nearest Toyota dealer who told her to bring the vehicle to a Toyota dealer immediately, and to drive cautiously, to allow additional room when following other vehicles, and not to attempt sudden stops. Another fault indicator (cruise control would not engage) presented itself enroute. The service technician said the reason for all 4 fault indications was the #6 cylinder misfired 1 time a few seconds after I started the vehicle. He said the ecm is programmed to give these 4 fault indications for a cylinder misfire, but he did not know why. He said that he could find no reason for the single misfire, but that he found and tightened a slightly loose air intake hose that could not possibly have caused the misfire. He told me that it would have been fine for me to make my interstate drive without coming to the dealership. I believe that the onboard computer programming that provided these 4 fault indications is defective for the following reasons. 1. A single cylinder misfire is unrelated to and has no effect upon the three systems pointed to by the fault indications (vehicle stability control, 4 wheel drive, cruise control) 2. A single cylinder misfire at startup is not an emergency situation requiring immediate service at a Toyota dealership with extraordinarily cautious driving enroute. 3. During the 1 hour drive to the dealership the cylinders of the vehicle fired successfully around 360,000 times, and the programming did not recognize this faultless operation and automatically clear the fault indicators.

While slowing down for a stoplight, I pulled into the open left hand lane so as not to be behind a tanker truck, and with my foot on the brakes tried to stop the car at the light, when suddenly the engine revved as if the car was in neutral and rather than coming to a full stop at the light, I slid through a busy intersection. Had I not been in a lane without traffic and had there not been oncoming traffic, I would have caused a serious accident. Once through the intersection I pulled off the road and came to a full stop. Then I drove to a nearby gas station and drove around their parking lot to test the brakes and they seemed fine. I also checked to see if the gas pedal was free from the carpet and it was.

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph the engine, four wheel drive, traction control and esc warning indicators illuminated continuously until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times. The technician detected a leak in the evaporation canister which was repaired. In addition, the computerized system was reset twice on separate occasions. The failure recurred after the repairs were performed. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA recall campaign number 11v245000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 124,191. Rvk.

My wife was driving our 2008 Toyota Rav4 ltd v6 with our 5 years old daughter yesterday. She was driving at around 50 mph then suddenly, without any warning, the engine stopped in the middle of the road. She almost was rear ended by other cars. The car did not start again after being tried after every 5 minutes. The car was serviced a month back for routine oil change and breaks. A cop came over and got the car towed. Still have no idea.

Was at a complete stop at a signal. Had foot on the brake. Engine surged to approx 6500 rpm plowed into the vehicle in front of me. I climbed on the other vehicle. Car would not stop moving until I turned and pulled out the key from the ignition. Airbags did not go off. Reported incident to tarpon city officer, while the accident report was written up. My daughter and I were pretty banged up. Don't know if the other vehicle reported injuries. The rav was not drivable. Had to have it towed to suntoyota for repairs. Reported incident to sun Toyota service and body shop Dec 22, they asked me what I wanted done about the problem. Called Toyota 800 331-4331 case #[xxx], 12/22/11 promised to call back in 24 hrs case worker [xxx]. Talked to [xxx] at Toyota headquarter in California. Still waiting for a response from Toyota. I don't feel safe in this vehicle now. I can't sell it in good faith, because of the product liability. I am thankful there was a car in front of me. The tarpon springs christmas parade was in progress and there were a least a dozen kids in the crosswalk in front of us. What a christmas present my rav would have given some parents if my car had hit these kids. Just an fyi. I had a perfect driving record for 35 years until this happened. Thank you Toyota! Toyota needs to man up before innocent people are killed. I forgot this is big corporation, they don't care, as long as it doesn't effect their bottom line. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

On 9/7/11 my daughter was driving her rav 4 home from pinole to hercules (less than 5 min) and she heard a noise and the car stopped. On 3/36/11, during a 66,138 maintenance service Toyota repaired the rear crank seal. We normally maintain the service close to 5,000, except this time due to lack of funds we were late. My daughter had made an appt for 78,000 service for 9/8/11, during out of town trip for my daughter's wedding. So now Toyota will only repair it for $7,000. 00 because we were late one time on the service, the crank froze and it needs a new engine. They feel it had nothing to do w/the crank seal. How can a brand new car, which I'm still paying for, engine break down just from being late one time. I feel that it should still be covered w/warranty (exp. 75,000),.

At around 75,000 miles the engine started using oil and has gotten worse to the point where I need to add a quart every thousand miles.

2008 Toyota rav 4 keeps losing oil . Light keeps coming on. Returned to dealer on several occasions and they put in writing "up to 1 qt in 1000 mile is considered normal by Toyota. Since oil changes are required every 5000, is Toyota saying it is acceptable to be down 5 qts? asked reps for explanation and they stated they cannot provide me with one. At this rate I should have a blown engine.

Approaching a traffic light, approximately 10-15 mph, with the brake applied, the engine of my 2008 Rav4 (VIN [xxx] ) accelerated for 3-4 seconds. Because my foot was already on the brake pedal, I was able to keep the vehicle under control during the unintended acceleration. This has occurred only once, 3 weeks ago. After taking the Rav4 to the local Toyota dealer, the dealer found no computer codes stored, test drove the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the acceleration condition. The vehicle was not covered by any of the existing acceleration recalls. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While driving under 25 mph the vehicle without reason or notice shuts down. It is able to start up right after, however the only reason that you know it has shut down is that all the dash lights come on. This has happened about five times. The dealership says the there is nothing wrong. The vehicle has not been change in anyway.