7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,920
Average Mileage:
104,350 miles
Total Complaints:
165 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (72 reports)
  2. added oil (44 reports)
  3. rebuild engine (20 reports)
  4. Toyota is doing an oil usage test (17 reports)
  5. toyota is waiting for part (7 reports)
  6. have to replace vvti line (4 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Toyota dealer.

problem #165

Aug 012022

RAV4

  • Manual transmission
  • 123,000 miles

My 2007 RAV4 is 123K miles but now burn oil too much. Toyota dealer checked and asked me to pay $5300 to replace the piston ring. That's a nightmare due to Toyota's design defect. Toyota company admit that it was their design defect but refused to pay. Toyota company's unresponsible attitude badly hurt me.

- Wenchao Z., Germantown, US

problem #164

Dec 012009

RAV4 Limited 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I purchased my Toyota Rav4, and three months later, I noticed that my oil was always VERY low when I took it in for oil changes. The problem got worse during the third year. So, I continued to top the oil, with at least two quarts. I checked my oil level frequently, so that I would not burn the engine. I took the vehicle to several mechanics but none could resolve the problem. Finally I took it to the local Toyota dealership but they said that they could not fix it because it was not a problem associated with a RECALL. I demanded they change the engine since they sold me a faulty one but they would not do so. The problem has persisted and I have continued to top the oil every two weeks.

- Martin E., Ruston, LA, US

problem #163

Jun 152017

RAV4 XLE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

I bought my 2007 RAV4 from a private party to avoid the dealer storytelling and unknown history. The guy seemed on the up and up, but very anxious to get rid of it. The oil consumption began very slowly, but now at 170k miles I don't even bother changing it because it consumes it so quickly it can't get dirty. I spin a new filter on every 3-5k miles just to filter the oil. It's kind of funny because the oil never gets dark and dirty looking because it is basically always fresh. I'm going through a quart about every four hundred miles.

The transmission was rebuilt because it blew out around 140K. I asked the transmission guy what cars today are the best that don't have problems. He laughed and said they all suck because the components are made out light-weight alloy to decrease weight and increase fuel efficiency. He said that the internals can't handle the wear and they break apart. He said that if the driver goes easy on the car they usually last longer, but he said the people who drive them hard destroy them. The 2007 RAV4 would be a great car if I was born a Saudi prince and free oil was at my disposal!

- Paul W., Park Ridge, US

problem #162

Nov 052020

RAV4 Limited 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

My 2007 Toyota RAV4 uses a quart of oil at every gas fill up. So that's about a quart per 250 miles.

- Robert M., Oakland, US

problem #161

Dec 162020

RAV4 V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption

I was driving from San Diego to Oregon when my 2007 Rav 4 died. I filled it up with oil before we left San Diego but just 400 miles down the freeway is had used up all the oil and it blew a rod. It was midnight and I had to be towed to a shop.

It was a true nightmare. I slept in my car at 41 degrees until the shop opened the next morning at 9. I WAS STRANDED FOR 5 DAYS WAITING FOR MY ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. My rav was using about a quart of oil every 10 days.

To all 2006 -2008 Rav owners, please check your oil often and if you are going on a road trip check it every time you fill up your tank. I put hundreds of quarts of oil in my rav over the last few years and I just had to replace the engine. I now have an 09 Camry engine in my 07 Rav 4 and I have driven 500 miles and used no oil.

SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR NOT RECALLING THESE ENGINES.

- 07 rav driver, Myrtle Creek, OR, US

problem #160

Jul 022019

RAV4 Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,000 miles

Just checking oil level every 5 days, 1/2 quart. Anyway I'm expecting to buy another one brand new next year.

- juanlimon, Los Angeles, US

problem #159

Nov 302015

RAV4 Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,175 miles

I purchased my Toyota Rav4, and the following month, my oil was low, and needed to be replaced. So, all this time I continue to pour oil, and continued to check my dipstick frequently, so that I would not burn the engine. I continue to take my truck for periodic oil changes, and in between would put oil. this was a nuisance, and thought this was unusual, but never was told by anyone about the oil EXCESSIVE consumption problem, with Toyota trucks. I finally took it to a different mechanic, and said well lets try a heavier oil maybe that would solve the problem, But, it continued. So, I tried a different mechanic, and said this was not usual and it would need to be fixed, and cost approx $1500 to $2,000. I called the Toyota Factory, and spoke to Frank T., and said this was not a RECALL, but an extended warranty problem, but it was expired. They would not help me. He said if I had taken the vehicle to Toyota Dealership for service, and told them about the problem they might have helped, I told him not everyone can afford to have their car serviced at a Toyota dealership, and I was not aware of the problem with Toyota's. So, basically I have to fix the problem, and pay for it myself.

- Leticia T., Huntingtn Bch, US

problem #158

Mar 252019

RAV4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

I bought this for my daughter as a high school grad gift for collage. I love Toyota and know they have a great reputation and have owned many. i knew even though this was a 2007 it would get her safely thru school. She called me from the side of the freeway with flames coming out .... blew up engine due to no oil. We change the oil every 3k and have never been told it burns oil, never had any on the ground. I trusted the Toyota brand and have been so let down. I am a single mom and now I'm out 6k with out the cost of repairs. So disappointed in Toyota brand... I thought they were better than this.

- Dawn T., North Branch, MN, US

problem #157

Jan 012017

RAV4 Sport 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Last oil change interval was about 2,100 miles. It took four quarts and retrieve only two of used oil.

- Ed Daniel R., San Juan, Puerto Rico

problem #156

Sep 122018

RAV4 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,658 miles

September 12, 2018 at oil change, oil did not register on dip stick. It was over 3 quarts low. Oil is changed every 3000 miles, not had this excessive loss before. Use Full Synthetic MaxLife Valvoline OW20 API SN. At oil change, changed filter and oil, and have checked weekly from 9/12/18-10/25/18.

Results:

112,658 mileage at oil change 9/12/18

114,900 mileage 10/25/18 most recently checked

I have added 3.2 quarts of oil in approximately 2000 miles of driving.

On 9/29/18, Toyota admitted to me the engine was defective (was a problem with the way the piston rings work). This causes excessive oil burning. The extended warranty was 10 years/I believe 120,000 miles. The car is passed that in years, not miles. Toyota Direct in Columbus offered to fix the problem for approximately $3000.

- Charles S., Westerville, US

problem #155

Oct 182018

RAV4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,877 miles

I had known that my Rav was using oil, but being single had not paid much attention to how much till recently. In July I had an oil change and went out of town. When I got back didn't think about checking it until first of October. I was almost 4 quarts low with no oil light coming on!! I was so lucky as to not have seized the engine (use to have a boyfriend who took care of this stuff). Then I started checking weekly. I just checked and it used 1/2 quart in 276 miles! I tried to see if there were recalls on this but couldn't find anything. Then I found this site and there are 154 complaints regarding this issue! This is unreal. My vehicle only has 138,000 miles on it but looks like I need to plan on getting rid of it before I wind up having major problems. Shame on you Toyota, I thought you were better than this!!

- Jackie L., Poplar Bluff, US

problem #154

Aug 012017

RAV4 Sport 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 164,140 miles

Toyota knows the issue and they should send out a recall to fix this issue years ago.

- Michael Vuong C., Flower Mound, TX, US

problem #153

Aug 132018

RAV4 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,038 miles

Since I bought this 07 Rav4 I have been down oil, seems it loves to burn oil and I have never had a vehicle burn 2 quarts of oil at a time and this is before it is due for an oil change. I had just taken a trip and checked it and would not even drive for fear it would run out of oil and burn up my engine. I never had to check oil as much as I do this Rav4

- Debra K., Springfield, US

problem #152

May 152016

RAV4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

Bought the car used 5/4/16 and just read title 118k miles. One owner. Got oil change Goodyear said watch your oil level. It is low. SO I started watching. At first I added 2 qts. between oil changes. This car had 2 recalls. One suspension, rear seatbelts I took in to Toyota Dec. 2017 to fix 2 recalls and told them my car is burning oil like crazy now. They informed me of the warranty enhancement. I was past deadline by months.(expired 5/30/17) or 150k miles. I was not notified even though the notices went out from (per recorded Toyota conversation 12/204 thru 5/30/17. I was informed if I had my service at Toyota they would have told me. I called Toyota and spoke with call center and then to supervisor saying I was never notified. They informed me (AND I SCREEN SHOT THE WHOLE CONVERSATION ON MY CLOSED CAPTIONED PHONE...(I have severe hearing loss) SO I HAVE WHOLE CONVERSATION) that they were not obligated legally to notify me. I was 7 months past expired and under 150k.

- Anita W., Memphis, US

problem #151

Apr 012016

RAV4 Limited 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

I have always taken care of all my car with regular maintenance and oil change every 3,000 miles. What a PITA now when I have to constantly get looking at my oil light and asking the gas station to check my oil. I need this problem fixed.

- Alicia G., Fair Lawn, NJ, US

problem #150

Jul 152015

RAV4 2.4L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Took to dealer when I had to add 2 qts. between oil change. Dealer performed oil consumption test and pronounced it acceptable. It now uses 1 qt every 400 miles!!

- Linda E., Gualala, US

problem #149

Mar 012018

RAV4 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

I have had 4 toyotas - this is unbelievabe! I am adding 1 1/4 qts of oil for every 1200 miles- toyota needs to FIX this on these they know it is a problem!!

- Lisa W., Palisade, CO, US

problem #148

Mar 012018

RAV4 Sport 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

My 2007 Rav4 was consuming a lot of oil 2 yrs after i bought it. The oil light would come on and when i would go to a garage it was always bone dry. I would always have to check the oil. Then i had a new gasket cover installed along with an oil change. That was 3 months ago. Now, the oil light came on again and it was bone dry. I am going to call the dealer and ask them if they have any idea why this is going on and if they are aware of all the complaints. I did see online where the problem lies with defective Piston Rings. So, I will get on that now.

- Millie S., Westminster, MA, US

problem #147

Nov 062017

RAV4 Sport 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,600 miles

I have liked my 2007 RAV4 Toyota until this problem. Other than the paint on the wheels bubbling and peeling, which I felt was rather minor, I was very satisfied with my vehicle until I starting noticing the check engine oil light coming on just a couple of months after an oil change. At first I thought maybe the oil was not topped off after the oil change. But, after this happened the first time, I checked the oil level which was good. Then this next time the check engine oil light came on again before I had put on 2000 miles. I talked to my brother-in-law about it and he checked a website and saw this was a common problem that Toyota refuses to recognize. Now I am hesitant on purchasing another Toyota. I have since found others that own older models of the Toyota Camry having the same problem which indicates to me that this has been an ongoing problem that Toyota has yet to fix.

- Marge P., Middleburg Hts, US

problem #146

Jul 032017

RAV4 Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I bought this car in July of 2017. I have to check the oil every week. It is very annoying. I want to know why this car uses so much oil. I have to drive around with bottles of oil in my car & worry that I am going to run out of oil. I don't think I would ever buy a Toyota again.

- Grace M., Plainview, US

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