My Rav4 delveoped a creaking sound coming from the front drivers side wheel area. I took it into the Dealer where it spend 2 days where it was dianosed as noise coming from the lower A pillar area. The vehicle then spent the next 5 weeks at the dealer under warranty repair. After 4 weeks I requested a new vehicle as Toyota was not providing any information about the problem or a time frame in which it would be fixed. That request was denied. A week later (now 5 weeks after it going in) I received my vehicle back as Toyota stopped the creaking. The information I received back was the there were spot welds in the drivers side lower A pillar area that did not take or were faulty. The vehicle during its 5 weeks of warranty repair received additional spot welds to three different areas of the lower A pillar area on three different occassions, as well it received structural adhesive to the same area. Since receiving the vehicle back I have requested that Toyota should look at inspecting some of the other welds on the vehicle (such as the passanger side lower A pillar area) and provide additional warranty given the problems and the scope of the repair. Toyota has denied my request to look at other welds as it would be too costly, and has yet to respond to the request for additional warranty.

We have a 2011 RAV4. Shortly after purchase it developed a creak when turning. Dealer diagnosed it as a unibody creak from the spot welds. They have attempted repairs five times and had the car for a total of 17 days. Even found a bracket that was not welded at the factory. We have asked for a replacement vehicle from Toyota and were denied. Toyota claims there is no problem with the car and it has not been an inconvenience to us.

First repair was the welding on the bracket.

Second repair thought the noise was from the left strut.

Third thru fifth repairs have center punched spot welds and restressed the body.

Everyone tells me how good RAV's are. What happened to ours?