10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 5,814 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.
On Nov 05, at approximately 11:10pm, I was driving my RAV4 on Alafaya Trail, Orange County, Orlando. While approaching the traffic signal which had turned red, despite multiple attempts to engage the brakes, the vehicle continued moving, ultimately leading to the collision with the traffic turning left at the signal (coming from her right). The impact of the collision resulted in significant damage to the RAV4, and unfortunately, the airbags did not deploy as they should have. As a result, I hit my face on the steering wheel, and then hit the head on the left window when a second vehicle hit my RAV4 on the passenger side. The complete failure of airbag deployment has raised serious safety concerns for me. As of 28th November, I have been informed by our insurance company that the vehicle cannot be repaired and has been totaled. Our insurance company GEICO has been requested to hold on to the vehicle for necessary investigations.
- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
I was on highway 41 going around 40mph when my car out of nowhere slammed on the breaks ( the pre collision censor ) I believe is what caused it. About 10 mins prior to the incident when I was backing out of the gas station it braked (abruptly with noise) even though nothing was in the way or approaching my vehicle. I would say that I was stuck in the car for about 5 mins before I could get it to start driving again. The electrical flashed and shut off right when the car braked. I did have my two dogs in the backseat and thankfully no one was harmed.
- Floral City, FL, USA
While traveling on highway with adaptive cruise control engaged and maximum following distance selected, adaptive cruise control applies excessive braking force than necessary when vehicle in front exits highway. Safety concern because following vehicles must abruptly apply brakes. Internet search reveals numerous, similar complaints. We were almost rear-ended on the highway. This feature is great, but needs attention for safety reasons.
- New Fairfield, CT, USA
2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XLE Premium. Purchased new from the dealer. It currently has 75,000 miles (predominantly highway). Condition: The Braking mechanisms behind the firewall intermittently make a noise when the brake pedal is pressed fast (emergency) and/or released. It sounds like a seal barking when the pedal is moving either up or down. These are not your typical noises from a pad or rotor wear. Cause: At approximately 28,000 miles, the seal barking sound was there but very faint. As I added miles the sound became more frequent and louder. I did take it to the dealer who was not able to help. Environment: This seal barking sound can happen at any time and any condition, but is almost always going to happen when I want to avoid hitting an object that suddenly appears in my lane of travel and must brake quickly. Research: I-??ve researched several Toyota and Lexus owner forums and found that other owners have the same issue. They described the sound as -??seal barking-?? or -??farting-?? (sorry for the wording, but that is what was used in the forums). Other forum members stated that it could possibly be tied to the master cylinder, brake actuator pump or ABS Brake Pump Booster (or all of them). Conclusion: I-??m very concerned because this noise happens when brake components are activated and then may lead to failure. Please let me know if you need more information or an audio recording of the condition.
- Wellsboro, PA, USA
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- Portland, ME, USA
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while approaching a traffic light, she depressed the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle and rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The contact stated a police officer was at the site but no police report was filed. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,047.
- Florence, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while his wife was approaching a traffic light and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the parking brake was activated to slow and stop the vehicle. The driver was then able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made the dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,900.
- Pacoima, CA, USA
As I was on my driveway I pressed down on my brakes to stop the car but it didn't stop. I immediately pressed on the brakes all the way down to the floor of the car and the car still didn't stop. The assisted brake system stopped my car as I tapped my garage door with the car's bumper.
- Plainview, NY, USA
On Monday, March 21, 2022, at about 11:40 AM CT, I was at the Walgreens pharmacy drive-thru window. I used the brake-hold feature on the vehicle. I did not have my feet on any pedals or the steering wheel. I did not get any notifications, warnings, alerts, or beeps from the vehicle prior to the incident. As I reached my arm out to get my medications and payment from the pharmacy window, the vehicle sped off (accelerated) at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was on break-hold and I did not touch anything. I was able to bring my arm inside and stop the vehicle and put it into the park position. I then put it into reverse and returned to get my medications. When I went to put it back into drive, the brake-hold indicator was still on and so I pressed the button to disable it. I drove the vehicle home and parked it. The vehicle did not roll forward. The vehicle took off at a high rate of speed and my arm was sore afterward. Luckily, there was no one in front of me at the time of the incident. The pharmacy technician stated, "That was close!" The next day, I took the vehicle into service at the Toyota dealership in which the vehicle was purchased. I explained to them about the similar incidents reported I had found online and the outcomes. They kept the vehicle all day, only to get the same response as the previous complainant; they did not find anything wrong. The technician stated if any warning lights turn on to bring it in right away. He stated that it would have given you(me) the warning to keep the brake-hold on, otherwise, the e-brake would have engaged. I asked him, so how do you explain how it took off full speed ahead if it was supposed to stop, not accelerate? I am very afraid of how the vehicle accelerated during this incident. When I got the vehicle back I tried the brake-hold on my driveway; if you tap the gas pedal, it just starts to roll forward; this is not what happened on 21Mar22.
- Garland, TX, USA
Driving about 35 mph, I pressed break pedal approximately 50% in order to stop at the light ahead. When the car reached somewhere around 10-20 mph, the degree of deceleration sudden decreased (the car was still slowing, but the rate of slowing suddenly decreased) without any change in a degree of depression of the break pedal. The road had a couple of bumps on it, and I have noticed that this seems only reproducible when the car is going over bumps during the deceleration. I was able to find a forum that describes similar behavior related to other Toyota Hybrid vehicles https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/5357/toyota/highlander-hybrid/highlander-hybrid-brake-problems
- Deerfield, IL, USA
I had 2 sudden acceleration incidents. The first occurred 10/6/21.My car lurched forward & hit a pole. I was with my mom who saw me press the brake, which did not engage. My car has an auto-braking system which did not function as designed. I took it to Toyota.They determined there were no issues w/the vehicle. I insisted there was something wrong & warned this will happen again & could be much worse. I felt defeated but hoped it was an isolated glitch & hoped for the best. Fast forward 2 months to 12/13/21 I was in a drive-thru using the hold button, which is a feature that holds the brake in place, so my foot was not on any pedal. All of a sudden, my car began to accelerate & the brakes would not engage. An error message on the dash said -??BRAKE MALFUNCTION-??. I could not stop the car. I put in park, but it did not stop the car. The car jumped the curb & drove into oncoming traffic & hit two cars. They were traveling north, I was traveling west. It-??s a miracle another car did not hit & kill me. The most frightening experience of my life. I had the car towed to Toyota as the front wheel blew out & could not be driven. Another inspection was done & once again Toyota came back with -??they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle.-?? And added that the brakes were never engaged, which is an outright lie & utterly insane. I spoke to an attorney & what he told me was quite eye opening. He has been practicing product liability law for 30 years. He told me the letter received from Toyota was a standard letter that all car companies respond with. They never admit a problem unless forced to, usually by the govt, to do a recall after enough people file a complaint. I really believed Toyota would tell the truth. I never imagined they would lie & participate in a cover-up. They would rather fight you in court. As mentioned earlier, my car has an auto braking system, so why didn't it work? Clearly it malfunctioned. My hope is that this deceit by car manufacturers ends.
- Scottsdale, AZ, USA
During inclement weather (snow) this morning, I went to brake and it felt like my car sped up instead of slowing down. I tried pressing my brakes again and it did the same thing again.
- Glen Burnie, MD, USA
To whom this may concern, I have had many problems with the Toyota Rav-4. I had so many problems with my 2017 Rav 4, that I under pressure upgraded to the 2021 LE version. I have had many problems with the breaks. I have brought it in (3) times to be serviced since I purchased it in March of 2021. The breaks are still squeaking. I have also had problems with the electrical system. The dash panel comes on, and abruptly shuts down when it feels like it. My wipers also come on intermittently. Every time I try and talk to Toyota about this they tell me there is nothing wrong. This same thing happens with the 2017, until my breaking mechanism stopped. I am looking for someone to look into this matter because these are dangerous conditions and unacceptable especially for new cars.
- Wyandanch , NY, USA
While using Cruse control. It did not slow the vehicle. I could not turn it off. The brakes would not work. I ran thru an intersection against the light. Bounced over the median. I turned off the ignition, still coasted about 1/2 mile. Finally I jammed the gear shift lever into Park. Toyota has the vehicle for inspection and reading of the black box. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING SIGNS OF THE FAILURE. WARNING MESSAGES DID DISPLAY DURING THE FAILURE, WHICH WERE "CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE", "BRAKE FAILURE", AND "LANE DEPARTURE".
- Parrish , FL, USA
Just bought this vehicle on January and with just over 4K miles this warning came up.. parking brake malfunction.. turned off then on the car and same warning...called the dealer for inspection asap..
- Trujillo Alto, PR, USA
- Key Largo, FL, USA