general problems of the 2014 Toyota RAV4

2014 Toyota Rav4 awd xle purchased June 2025. Multiple pre-existing safety defects confirmed by dealership personnel were never disclosed at time of sale. Power train: torque converter failure — vibration documented at pre-sale inspection, never disclosed or diagnosed. Axle bracket corroded so severely it was fused to axle and required cutting off — confirmed by service advisor on recorded call. Brakes: aftermarket brake parts installed pre-sale without disclosure. Brake system rated red by dealership within 9,734 miles of purchase. Severe brake pedal pulsation confirmed on multiple invoices. Ody/structure: severe underbody and structural corrosion — subframe, crossmembers, fuel tank surfaces — never disclosed. Swollen lug nuts documented. Prior welded exhaust repair undisclosed. Exhaust flange separation and catalytic converter failure — repair quote $4,745. Seat belt: rock found lodged in seat belt buckle — safety restraint failure — not noted on pre-sale inspection. Recall 23v734000 / 23ta13: aftermarket battery used as recall remedy — oem replacement required — non-compliant — fire risk not disclosed at sale. All defects confirmed by dealership invoices, mpi video, and recorded calls. Vehicle out of service since February 2026. Complete documentation available.

Update to prior complaint — filed April 2, 2026. VIN: [xxx] . 2014 Toyota Rav4 awd xle. Team Toyota langhorne, 746 e Lincoln hwy, langhorne PA 19047. Vehicle remains out of service — 53 days as of April 10, 2026. Second replacement vehicle — April 4-5, 2026: dealership presented 2014 Rav4 VIN [xxx] as replacement. Upon visual inspection: valve cover leaking; blue silicone sealant on valve cover applied unevenly indicating prior engine disassembly or concealed active oil leak; catalytic converter flanges rotted top to rear requiring full replacement; oil on bottom of motor. Photographs available. Dealership declined to repair at estimated cost of $2,500 — April 6, 2026. Dealer resolution failed — April 7, 2026: bill sullivan, pre-owned sales director, offered buyback or trade. Both rejected as inadequate. No resolution provided. Two defective replacement vehicles presented — neither acceptable. Cases: [xxx] / [xxx] / [xxx] [xxx] — [xxx] — [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Steering and brakes quit working while driving. Able to safely get off road. Took to Toyota service department. Per invoice "improperly installed battery caused everything to melt" battery installed by aaa in March 2020. Size 35 battery. Extensive damage.

Driver oliva reitz was driving down roadway and entire dashboard lite up. Attempted to apply brakes to stop vehicle, but the brakes wouldn't operate causing the vehicle to rear end another vehicle around 25 mph. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and is now with copart PA-pittsburgh north 2200 river rd. Ellwood city, PA 16117. Phone number: 724-758-0480.

The incident occurred on 11/13/2019 @ 8:30am. I had started my 2014 Toyota Rav4, pulled out from under the carport apprx. 25ft and put the vehicle in park and fully engaged the parking brake I always do this if I need to leave the vehicle running for any reason. In this case I was heating the interior as it was chilli. I went back inside my home to get the animal crate that contained my cat who needed to go to the vet. As I was loading the crate into the front seat the vehicle began moving in reverse. I was between the open door and the vehicle itself and after freaking out a second looked to see if the parking brake had disengaged. It had not. At that point I was along for the ride and the car drug me toward the laundry room and I went underneath the open door holding onto the armrest. When I had to release my trip I was laid out on my back with my arms and hands raised. The right front tire came into contact with first my left elbow then wrist then hand wrenching my left shoulder as it did so. This accident should never have occurred. The safety measures failed. I bought the car in October 2017 and had no trouble doing the exact same thing as described many many times. Toyota has been notified and now needs to go to any lengths necessary to make sure this does not happen to anyone else.

Left rear tail light - water is accumulating inside the tail light lense - potential for electrical shortage and inability to warn vehicles behind Rav4 that car is turning or braking.

The brakes always made harsh sounds at low speeds. And the breaks wore out by 30000. The dealership also advised me that my rotors had to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Rav4. While driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, there was a loud clicking noise coming from the brake pedal. In addition, when the vehicle struck a pothole or when making a turn, the clicking noise would get louder. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (dallas Toyota located on delton dr dallas, TX 75229) who stated that the vehicle was not covered by the warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

Unintended acceleration. Before starting work, my wife was attempting to slowly park our 2014 Rav4 at less than 2 mph in an empty parking space in the public parking lot where she works when the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own reaching a final speed of 21 mph in the span of approximately 2 to 3 seconds. During these 2 to 3 seconds the vehicle traveled a distance of approximately 27 feet from the empty parking space, running over the parking space concrete curbs and hit a parked vehicle on the Rav4 right and then ran into a tree, which was the only thing that stopped the vehicle. My wife applied the service brake to try to stop the vehicle but this effort did not prevent the vehicle from accelerating. After hitting the tree my wife shifted the vehicle into park and pushed a button to turn the engine off. The air bags did not deploy after hitting the tree at 21 mph. We notified Toyota of the problems regarding sudden acceleration, service brake and the non-deployed air bags. Toyota opened a case and sent an inspector to inspect the Rav4. We received a letter from Toyota stating they found no evidence of any type of manufacturing or design defect. We do not feel safe in this vehicle. We are not driving the 2014 Rav4 due to this serious safety defect of sudden unintended acceleration. Vehicle safety failure mileage was 2,577 miles.

Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration while slow moving in a crowded parking lot. Wheels continued to spin and accelerate even after car had collided with other (parked) cars, and continued to accelerate with no response from the brakes. It collided in quick succession with four cars until it finally stopped (car was turned off). Luckily no one was injured, there were dozens of pedestrians returning to their vehicles after a classic concert. I asked for an investigation by the car maker. Investigation was conducted on 6 July (cdr/edr record recovered from srs module). In September I received a letter from Toyota saying no mechanical defect was found. However, I believe it is not a mechanical defect but a software defect that caused the acceleration. I've owned Toyotas for over 15 years - which I had always considered a very reliable company - have been a driver for over 30 years and never had a single accident. The experience was so terrifying in spite of Toyota reassurance I felt the car was unsafe and transferred the lease to a dealer (bearing some monetary loss, unfortunately). I file this complaint so that future owners can be made aware, and in order to assist accuracy of statistics and studies on sudden unintended acceleration events.

At approximately 8:20 am on Friday, January 16th, 2015, I was pulling into an empty parking spot in front of my apartment complex after dropping my 6 year-old at school. This was a routine as I do this every morning. However, as I was slowing the car down preparing to park (5-10 mph), the car suddenly accelerated (approximately 25-30 mph) and ran over the sidewalk, bushes and into the side of my apartment complex. Despite my attempts to brake, the car would not stop. In the process I ran through the side of my apartment complex wall and front gate, nearly going right through my front door and living room where my 6 month old and wife were playing. I had to place the car in park and turn the car off. That stopped the car. I then turned the car back on and reversed. Luckily no one was injured, but there was substantial damage done to the side of my apartment complex and my vehicle. Should be noted, that despite the impact, no airbags were deployed. At the moment, my insurance company has me at fault. I have filed with Toyota corporate and they are having a specialist investigate the vehicle. I do not feel safe in this car. And hope that this is investigated further. Had I not turned off my car, I would have surely gone through my front door and into my living room, potentially hurting my 6 month old and wife.

Brakes have made a hard scratching sound if vehicle has not been driven daily since its purchase. At 30000 mile service, mechanic has noted that rear rotors are not making full contact.

While driving my brand new Toyota 2014 Rav4, they were the following: 1. The car was vibrating slightly and the car was stuck in first gear. 2. The “check engine" light came on along with the awd drive and traction control lights. 3. The steering wheel was becoming firm along with the brake pedal. Remember, this was all while the car was still running. 4. I managed to pull over and turn off the car. 5. I tried to restart the vehicle, but the car would not start and would only use the battery. 6. I tried to start the car for the third time, but stopped when I could smell burning rubber. I was very nervous when this happened. Moreover, I have lost confidence, trust, and a sense of safety in this vehicle. Basically, I no longer feel safe and secure in this car. My experience yesterday 09/01/2014 was terrifying, I was afraid that somebody was going to hit me from behind. When the vehicle started to shut down I was scared for my friends life and mine. I had no choice but to stop the car as much as I could to the side safely and put on my hazard lights on, and call for help. There was no shoulder I had to stop on a busy road, where cars drive over the speed limit. When I was buying the vehicle they were my best buddy offering you water, pizza, after the deal shaking hands 20 times, when you go back its like we are very busy. Toyota care will take care of it, dont really want to know you! at the moment it is at the dealership being checked! lets see what happens.