Coolant Leaking Problems of Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4 owners have reported 12 problems related to coolant leaking (under the engine and engine cooling category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Toyota RAV4 based on all problems reported for the RAV4.

1 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2019 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 12/01/2020

My 2019 Rav4 adventure has a strong coolant smell, I filled the reservoir and in a few months got low level again, the smell is only with the engine running, I don't see any leaks. It's also make a strange noise in low rpm, between 1000 and 2000 rpm.

See all problems of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 🔎.

2 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 11/14/2017

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.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota RAV4 🔎.

3 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2005 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 02/06/2016

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Rav4. While the vehicle was stopped, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the threads in the engine block were fractured and the vehicle was leaking coolant. As a result, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota RAV4 🔎.

4 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 02/05/2016

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.

5 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 06/13/2015

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!.

6 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 10/18/2013

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.

7 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 02/27/2013

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.

8 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2005 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 02/18/2012

I have a 2005 4 cylinder Toyota Rav4 with about 68,000 miles. It starting making a gurgling noise in the dashboard area, and eventually left 2 puddles of anti-freeze on my garage floor. I immediately took it to the Toyota dealer for repair. After checking the Rav4 out, the repair manager phoned to tell me the engine was indeed leaking coolant around the engine head because the engine bolts had stripped. I asked how the head bolts got stripped and he replied, "wear and tear and the repair would be around $3000. 00 if the head bolt holes could be repaired; otherwise, I would need a new engine. " the Rav4 has been well maintained, so this is not "wear and tear", but rather a manufacturing defect. After talking with the mechanic doing the repairs, he said they see many of these 4 cylinder engines with this problem -- mostly on the camry, since it is basically a camry engine. I've done some research on the internet and found this is becoming quite a common problem. . Read more...

9 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 07/26/2011

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.

10 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2006 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 05/20/2011

Took vehicle to dealer for oil change, vehicle is now out of warranty at 78,000 miles and they found a engine coolant leak at the rear of engine and they claim engine may have to be replaced. Have had no indications of any problems with vehicle, no overheating, nothing. Estimated cost of engine that may need to be replaced is $8,000 that dealer claims Toyota will pay half. I have service records showing that I complained of a smell of coolant at 4,000 miles and the dealer claimed it was undercoating burning off. Says that the complaint at 4,000 miles is no way related to my current problem and will not honor my original complaint as anything related to new issue. I have seen the area of my vehicle where the coolant is leaking and it is at the very same spot that other Toyota vehicles are having issue with the bolts corroding due to manufacturing defect and leaking coolant. Took to another mechanic for second opinion and he says vehicle is in mint condition and should not have this type of problem at all. Why is Toyota willing to pay 50% if there is not a legitimate problem?.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota RAV4 🔎.

11 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 06/14/2010

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.

12 Coolant Leaking problem of the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Failure Date: 12/27/2008

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



Safety Ratings of RAV4 Cars
Fuel Economy of RAV4 Vehicles
RAV4 Service Bulletins
RAV4 Safety Recalls
RAV4 Defect Investigations