10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,603 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Toyota RAV4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #93

Apr 082023

RAV4

  • miles
I just purchased a used 2010 toyota rav 4 base fwd and when making left or right turn I hear loud clunking noises and when backing up I hear squeaking noises plus I see liquid under car near middle. I also noticed when I add washer fluid and check level couple days later without using it, ,it is not visible...and can't find pink coolant in stores that is in resivoir which needs to be topped off according to mechanic

- Lockport, IL, USA

problem #92

Feb 182018

RAV4 4-cyl

  • 97,900 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Nashville Toyota North (2400 Gallatin Pike N, Madison, TN 37115), and diagnosed that the rear differential coupling was leaking oil, the rear driver's side axle bearing was faulty, and the radiator was leaking. The rear differential coupling, rear driver's side axle bearing, and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was past the nine-year extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 97,900.

- Gallatin, TN, USA

problem #91

Jul 162021

RAV4

  • miles
This car was bought for a new driver and we have had 2 separate occasions when she has gotten somewhere and the car wont start. All the warning lights come on, but will not do anything when you push the button. We can jump it and it will start. This is not safe for a young person that could get stranded at random somewhere, and is now afraid to take it somewhere. We have checked the connections and the battery has been checked and is fine. The other complaint is the rear suspension recall. The tires were rotated and now it has a vibration, I was told that because of the recall it cannot be aligned unless things are replaced because of the terrible fix job on the recall. If something is recalled it should be fixed correctly and not be a bandaid job. There should not be a cost associated with a cheap fix that caused more problems. We purchased this vehicle because of reputation, if they are not supporting their product, then it will go and no other toyota products will be purchased.

- Midland, MI, USA

problem #90

Mar 252021

RAV4

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota rav-4. the contact stated while driving at 40 mph and approaching an exit ramp off the highway, the contact stated they were depressing on the brake pedal but the vehicle did not slow down and continued to accelerate which caused the vehicle to hit a fence. The vehicle came to a stop and the contact shifted to park, the contact was able to restart, and continued to drive the vehicle to their residence. The air bags did not deploy and no warning light illuminated. There were no injured reported. No police report was filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to local dealer automax car sales (9541 nw 27th ave, miami, fl 33147 phone: (305) 835-2222) who stated they repaired and replaced the brakes and control arms on the vehicle however the failure persisted with screeching noise coming from the brakes. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #89

Jul 172017

RAV4

  • miles
Regarding NHTSA campaign: 13V383000 for 2006-2011 Toyota Rav4 the accepted repair procedure for the above referenced NHTSA campaign is flawed. On my vehicle, the effect of permanently disabling the rear toe adjustment has greatly increased maintenance and operating costs and has potentially degraded the safety of all vehicles of this type. I have experienced greatly accelerated wear of the rubber suspension components and tires resulting in the requirement of a complete rear suspension rebuild. My concern is that other vehicles of this type that are not maintained to standards due to cost, or have had the recall reversed to mitigate the financial impact, as I have done, are operating in a potentially dangerous condition. In effect this campaign has created a cost barrier to proper maintenance of critical safety systems. I have spoken with Toyota corporate, and they have no interest in investigating, revisiting or offering other solutions to this issue as the recall repair procedure was quote "approved by the government".

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #88

Aug 012019

RAV4 4-cyl

  • miles
2010 Toyota Rav4. Consumer writes in regard to warranty enhancement program and feels the company and dealership should cover warranty work.

- Hillsboro, WI, USA

problem #87

Oct 192019

RAV4

  • 79,000 miles
Rear suspension fix of previous recall will not allow rear alignment of vehicle because of the epoxy encasement. This is not acceptable. Just spent $800 on tires and alignment only to find out the rear is out of alignment and can't be aligned due to Toyota's fix (epoxy encasement).

- Port Angeles, WA, USA

problem #86

Oct 192016

RAV4

  • 100,393 miles
We took our Toyota Rav4 to principle Toyota for the suspension recall on 10/16/2019. Upon a tire inspection today (at a local tire store) it was indicated to us that principle Toyota did not install the appropriate arms on the car. I am attaching a copy of the service record (which shows what appears to be the correct replacement parts) but that is not what was installed on our vehicle. I feel that this was done in retaliation because upon arriving for my pre-scheduled service appointment principal Toyota staff said they did not have the parts or "special tool" to handle the recall. I am attaching an email I sent to principle Toyota expressing my disgust on how the "recall" was being handled. Along with the email is the parts "supposedly" put on my vehicle. I am attaching documentation supporting our story.

- Byhalia, MS, USA

problem #85

Jul 162019

RAV4

  • 186,181 miles
Installed rear lower suspension arms (non-adjustable rear toes) in 2014 per recall campaign #16V596000. Tire vendor said rear alignment was off in 2016 (when replacing new tires) and could not be adjusted or replaced with adjustable toe due to recall sticker. Dealer inspected toes 2016 and said specs are right and tire vendor does not have right specs. Since 2016 I have replaced 4 tires twice within 50,000 miles even though tires have longer 50,000 mile warranties. The tires have lasted less than half of their expected lifetime. In 2019, tire vendor said rear alignment is off again when replacing tires and can't be adjusted due to recall sticker. This suggests that the rear toes inserted in 2014 for safety recall created a new problem - poor alignment which causes premature wearing of tires. I'm requesting permission to replace non-adjustable rear toes with adjustable ones so that I don't have to keep prematurely replacing my tires.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #84

Feb 012019

RAV4

  • 122,000 miles
Sometimes when I am pulling out or pulling in to park my car I hear this bang on my right rear side. Sometimes when I am turning left or right and the right rear tire gets most of the weight of the vehicle I hear the same hard bang. I took it to my mechanic and he rode with me and he heard it too. My mechanic thought it was the struts and replaced them, but that was not the problem. I still have this problem. Please help. My mechanic said that under the car in the rear there is a bar that has a stamp that indicates recall item.

- Newton, MA, USA

problem #83

Dec 122017

RAV4 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 16V596000 (suspension). The mechanic found that the vehicle was not affected by this recall, but it was repaired anyway at Toyota of portland (55 ne broadway St, portland, or 97232, (503) 284-1105). At no cost. Toyota?S prescribed recall repair involves applying an epoxy to the adjustment nuts on the rear lower suspension arms (Toyota part # 4871042020), per the instructions specified by Toyota (safety recall "csj"). in December 2018, a tire service center noted the contact"S rear wheels where out of alignment but that they could not perform an alignment due to the application of the epoxy ? which seized the adjustment nuts in place. The contact is now unable to have a rear alignment performed. Contact returned the vehicle to the dealer, who stated that the suspension arms must be entirely replaced in order to realign the rear wheels " with Toyota insisting the recall work (applying epoxy) is performed again at contact?S expense. Contact was quoted $1050 by Toyota dealership to perform the work. Prior to the recall, a rear alignment could be performed at the same dealership (or any independent mechanic) " utilizing the adjustment nuts ? for approximately $85. In summary, the contact believes Toyota"S prescribed recall repair has introduced a safety issue due to removing the ability to have independent mechanic perform a rear alignment.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #82

Oct 232018

RAV4

  • miles
Toyota issued a safety recall G0V a few years ago that sealed the rear suspension arms with an epoxy. My rear alignment is out, and I cannot no longer adjust my rear suspension unless I replaced both rear suspension arms. Toyota says this is my own problem, and any repair associated with this safety recall has to come from my pocket. How can the safety recall lead to another problem" I am probably not the only one who has experienced this issue as I read several other folks who voiced their concerns online. Is there anything that NHTSA can do"

- Ridgecrest, CA, USA

problem #81

Apr 272018

RAV4

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a wheel alignment. When the mechanic placed the vehicle on the lift, it was noticed that the rear passenger side control arm was bolted and epoxied. The contact stated that the rear passenger side control arm was repaired on December 21, 2014 by Toyota of morristown (169 ridgedale avenue, morristown, NJ 07960) per NHTSA campaign number: 16V383000 (suspension). Immediately after the repairs were performed, the rear passenger tire started to wear unevenly and had to be replaced five times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Flanders, NJ, USA

problem #80

Jul 112018

RAV4

  • 99,000 miles
Rear toe allinemennt adjusters recall. The part is now being epoxied due to a Toyota manufacturing flaw. Now the customers have to suffer the cost at $600 to have a simple allinement done on the rear of the car. The online car reviews from other customers are really pissed for being played suckers from Toyota. There is a lot of loyal Toyota customers going to drop Toyota and go with Honda. And after getting rid of these flawed cars to the open market and other people get to own flawed junk 'Toyota's', their view will be the same as the current Toyota owners. Then the snowball effect kicks in plus all the news about Toyota's now being junk cars I'm sure will hurt the company where it should, in their bank accounts. I was a big loyal Toyota owner for years, taking a lot of heat from my nascar friends for owning a Toyota, wait till they hear about this, this will make their day and a I told you so will be next. Toyota has or had a chance to do it right and they are blowing it big time. 2006-2011 years have been recalled on the Rav4, over 200,000 cars. At this number Toyota will go down quick. I also have been through 2 sets of expensive tires due to this problem to find out it's a shoddy way for Toyota to do business like this. We, the customer have been played off as stupid, I don't see it that way along with a lot of others. I hear Honda's are still doing it right, if something don't happen soon, I will be finding it out myself. Oh I almost forgot, the tires now going bad way to soon is a safety issue and now very hard to afford the cost of operation for this vehicle, you think it's the shocks, they check good, shame on you Toyota.

- Urbana, OH, USA

problem #79

Jun 292018

RAV4

  • miles
My complaint is about the rear suspension recall enacted in 2012. I had the recall performed at my local Toyota dealer in 2014. Recently I purchased new tires at a Firestone dealer and purchased a a lifetime alignment. When they performed the alignment for front and rear, both needed a little adjustment. I was informed that it could not be done and they can only adjust the front as the rear had a tag that states "only to be serviced by an authorized Toyota dealer." Furthermore, when Toyota serviced the recall, they painted epoxy over the entire arm. Now this leaves for a very expensive fix. The recall solution made by Toyota disabled the ability to adjust the toe in toe out function to align this vehicle properly. I called the Toyota dealership and they told me the whole suspension needs to be redone with new parts and new kits costing 200 dollars plus labor. I believe this to be a engineering problem. The recall fix did not allow an adjustable arm and this will cause an uneven wear on my brand new tires. This is wrong and Toyota feels they have no responsibility on this matter and is laying this blame on the national highway safety recalls. In my opinion another recall should be in order. People that own these vehicles should not have to pay expensive replacement charges to fix an already recalled rear suspension problem. With all the road hazards alignment problems happening all the time or anytime, an alignment is bound to occur. What can be done to get the manufactures to own up to the inadequacy of the recall solution they performed. P.S. some of us consumers keep our cars for a lifetime of the vehicle. And I know Toyota likes to brag about the longest lasting most dependable car on the road. I am one of those people that keep my cars maintained at I's maximum driving capacity.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #78

Jun 072018

RAV4

  • miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Rav4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V596000 (suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (parkway Toyota, 50 sylvan ave, englewood cliffs, NJ 076320, (201) 944-3300) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Bergenfield, NJ, USA

problem #77

May 242018

RAV4

  • miles
I have my rear tires wearing uneven. Took my vehicle to get an alignment but Toyota has a sticker on it saying no one can adjust due to recall. Toyota apparently put apoxy on their suspension recall and now my car needs an alignment and no one can fix it. Toyota says for $850 they will fix it. Seriously, it only needs an alignment but because they did a horrible job in the first place I am unable to maintain my own car. They refuse to fix it without charging me. How can they get away with this. This is their fault

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #76

Jan 152018

RAV4

  • miles
I am filing a complaint against butler Toyota located at 9419 aronson dr., indianapolis, in 46240. This is the address of the service department. We have been calling them for two years to try and get the recalls taken care on our car. Each time we have called they say they do not have the parts in stock. I just tried to schedule an appointment with the service department again today and was given the same story.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #75

Aug 092016

RAV4

  • 78,102 miles
Takata recall, my rear swerved as I moved right to avoid a head on collision, my chest hit the steering wheel so hard that I broke 6 ribs including my sternum because the airbags didn't deploy until after the impact, I also saw another recall that was announced 2 or 3 days after my accident which resulted in a total loss which was the rear suspension needed to be replaced because it could cause an accident I reported this to NHTSA and was given a reference number10937800, please keep me updated this is horrible that these people knowingly put faulty parts on a vehicle, I am still afraid to drive I felt my car shaking and blamed it on the roads, the wind, anything because I didn't want to believe someone would sell a vehicle knowing it was not safe

- White Haven, PA, USA

problem #74

Nov 172017

RAV4

  • miles
Recall service was not performed by authorized dealership as part of a scheduled service on multiple recalls. Neither the manufacturer nor dealership has contacted me for updated recall service. A verbal explanation for this lack of recall service is that a part is not available to complete this one recall service.

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »