2007 RAV 4 V6 2GR-FE engine: After approximately 8 years and 95K miles the engine started rattling when started in the morning or sitting for a significant amount of time. I looked online and found that the most common cause is the variable valve timing camshaft gear assembly leaking down oil pressure as it sits. It only occurs (so far) when the engine cold, not after it's been warmed up. The noise stops after a few seconds. I've had no MIL/ CEL (Malfunction Indicator light / Check engine light) with this latest issue. As my RAV4 is way out of warranty and I didn't get an extended warranty, this is not something Toyota will fix - for free. It's a labor intensive repair requiring ENGINE REMOVAL. It hasn't gotten any worse. I've done oil and filter changes every 4-5K miles since new (I'm original owner), so I'm confident this is NOT related to the 'oil sludge' issues I've read about on other Toyotas. The V6 does NOT have the Oil Consumption issues of the 4-cylinder RAV4. Other versions of this same engine were/are used in other Toyota and Lexus models and may be covered under Safety Recall DLG. There is also a TSB / Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0094-09, but this usually includes a MIL / Check Engine Light, so doesn't apply in my case. And TSB's are usually only covered under warranty, unlike a Recall, which is for the life of the vehicle. Searching online shows this as a fairly common problem, per the Toyota forums. This same engine is/was used in the Toyota Venza, Camry, Highlander, Avalon, and Lexus RX350 and ES350, from roughly 2004-2012. Apparently there are updated parts to repair this issue, but as noted above it requires engine removal. The parts may be cheap but the labor to install them is not. I planned on driving it 'til it dies, but may consider unloading it but REALLY like the RAV4 for what its utility and its V6, which is no longer available. The hybrid is interesting, but I don't trust its reliability any more than my '07. I'm not the type that states, "This and this happened and I'll NEVER buy from this (or that) Brand again", As I've read TOO MANY posts of others stating the same thing about ALL BRANDS. The more technically advanced vehicles become, the more likely they'll not last, IMHO. An extended bumper-to-bumper warranty is probably a good idea if you intend to keep past the base warranty period, but they are not cheap (but neither are engine or transmission repairs).

GL