Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Personally, I leave my RAV4's headlights on day and night so others can see me. When I park the car and shut the door, I either hit the lock button twice or just once so I can see my path to the door. The lights always turn off.
Started and drove OK this morning, started and drove granddaughter to Toys R Us early evening went to pick up Chinese, got there, got food, wouldn't start.
Tried jump start-nothing
I'm really 'annoyed' as it's only done 18,900 miles and isn't 2 yrs old.
Had to call a tow truck as it wouldn't keep running even after tow truck driver got it started.
Earlier post mentioned electric power steering may be the problem?
Would a better battery help? (more amp/hours)
I'm hoping this is not going to be a warrant problem as she really needs the transport
Any advice appreciated (other than sell it)
I got laid off after accident in work and have two herniated discs :mad:
I'm really disappointed with Toyota, even if the replacement is under warranty, it should at least give some sort of warning.
This was working fine (no extended cranking periods, etc)
Just died in literally less than 10 mins (less than 2 miles from home)
:lemon:
Dealer said the clock ran it down, or the person jumping it fired the fuse and it wouldn't charge. The replaced the battery and the fuse for free. The other repair guy said its just the heat. Sorry, but if clocks and heat killed new batteries in two weeks, there would have been a major overhaul in the systems. I like the Rav4 for size and drive-ability, but I need a car I can trust.
I read the other posts, and gather there are ideas but nothing solid to go by. Dealers seem to rely only on the machine tests--would the electronics in the steering wheel show a problem if that is the drain?
Thanks!
We just had to replace the alternator (how did the original get a bent shaft and make so much noise?). Everything is charging properly but the former flashing battery light is now shining all the time. Some say belts, others fuses? Any suggestions?
Shorted out the cable putting the alternator back in and it popped the fuse next to the battery. A short piece of solder fixed it til we can get another fuse monday.
I don't like the newer autos man. My 81 Ford F 150 is good, but I'm still gonna get a 79 if I can find a deal on one. Computers are great for in the house, but not in my auto. Analog all the way for me
Thanks again, you're a life saver. My wife would have killed me!!!!
We are having similar problems with our Rav4, Limited Edition, 2011. About 3 months ago, our son left a light on overnight. No surprise, the car wouldn't start. Tow Truck came, boosted it, let it run for 30 minutes. When we turned it off and tried to restart, nothing. It was towed then to a dealership. They said the battery was dead, replaced it.
Things were fine until Tuesday. My wife drove it at 8:30 pm. Started it (with the car starter) at 10 pm. Got into the car, got called back inside for something and she turned off the car, shut the doors, locked it. (You get the idea). 45 minutes later when she went back outside to restart the car, it was completely dead. Nothing. Tow truck driver came, connected it to a battery but couldn't get it to start. He said the battery was fine, showed lots of juice in it, but could not get it to start. Towed it to a dealership. 4 days later, we are told it was a battery problem (again). They have replaced the battery again.
Here is the kicker-we were told that the problem is that the car isn't driven enough. That to expect this to happen again and again unless we invest in a trickle charger (sp?) and charge it once a week, or take it out on the highway once a week for a long drive.
I have a hard time believing this especially after reading so many other stories of battery problems. This car is driven at least every other day, but it is mainly short distances. There are only 11000 km on it and this was proof according to the service guy that it isn't driven enough. He said you would have this with any car and it isn't specific to Toyota. Has anyone else been told that with their Rav 4s? My wife is the driver and doesn't drive any differently than she did with our previous car (Honda Fit 2008) and we never had this happen. Any thoughts would be appreciated. We are seriously considering selling and buying something else.
Anyone else?
I have a trickle charger and I guess it'll get plenty of use when we finally break down and buy a new car (hm, I guess "break down" isn't the best word choice there. :shades: ).
I did email Toyota Canada and this was their response:
"Thank you for your recent email.
Your Toyota dealership is responsible for determining if the condition meets the criteria for coverage under warranty, and we fully support their advice. As such, anything your Toyota dealership advises, Toyota Canada would stand behind their decision.
We thank you again for taking the time to write."
So they completely didn't address the concern or answer any of my questions. We talked to family and friends this weekend and no one could believe we are having these problems. We heard example after example of people leaving their cars for extended periods and starting no problem. And here our car is driven almost every day! Unfortunately, we just don't trust our Rav anymore and since Toyota Canada has ignored our concerns and the dealership has, we are going to sell. Now we just have to figure out what to buy instead. It's a real shame.
I usually drive min 30 mins and usually more like 60, except the ocassional 5 min trip to the store.
It's not a v6 but the honda was next in my book after the rav4.
Hate to move down on gas mileage, but was then looking at the Sorento and the Tucson.
I am guessing that the water got into it, did anyone els had the same problem and if so how was it fixed, is it possible that its just a fuse since the fuse box is located by the driver side or its electrical. I will greatly appreciate your response
Thank you
So does anyone have any clue as to what I can do short of paying the dealer?
1. The evening before there were a stream of severe thunder storms that passed through our area in Harrisburg, Pa.
2. When I touched the handle on the driver door, it opens without making any noise. In fact all of the doors locks were open. I always lock the vehicle when I am finished using it.
3. Upon sitting in the drivers seat and pushing the start button with the brake depressed absolutely nothing happened.
4. Every electrical device in the vehicle was in an off state and the dash was blacked out.
5. Contacted, Toyota Care and they have a local tow company come out and using a booster he finally got the vehicle to start. He indicated that the alarm system was active on the vehicle and that the battery was totally dead. Suggested I drive the vehicle to my Toyota dealer and have them change the battery.
6. Followed the tow guys advise and took the car to my Toyota dealer. The service advisor swore that they had never heard of the problem I was having and spent the afternoon charging the existing battery. Picked up the Rav4 at the close of business. Rep said that Toyota called for recharge only and no battery replacement.
7. Car started and ran fine until the evening of Tuesday, July 30 when my wife and I were out shopping and after gassing up and running to the grocery store, when we got back in the vehicle, I noticed that the door locks opened without me touching my key or even touching the door handle. We go in the vehicle and I failed to start at all. The alarm light was flashing very fast red and the battery light was on my gauge lights. Nothing was working and we were again unable to start the vehicle.
8. Called Toyota Care and while giving them information on where we were and the problem, after about 30 minutes, I decided to try to start the car again and it started.
9. Car ran fine and I made an appointment for today, Friday, 8/2/2013.
10. Car has been at the Toyota dealer since 7:30 am this morning. It is 4:06 and it is still at the dealer and they have not returned my calls.
Very disappointed in the Dealer and Toyotas lack of response to the problem with the vehicle. Did I mention that I have keyless entry and starter on the vehicle. They do no good at all when the vehicle is disabled.
Is there anyone out there with similar Rav4 problems?
On Saturday morning, September 14, my wife and I went to breakfast and made stops at the post office and went to get a few groceries at the Giant food store on 277 Hershey Road in Hummelstown Pa 17036. We finished shopping in the store and loaded up the Rav4 and tried to start it at 9:45 AM. All that occurred after pushing the start button was for it to click and then nothing. Retried several times and nothing. Called Toyota Care and the operator indicated that Mid Atlantic Auto would be out to tow the Rav4 in about 1 1/2 hours. Tried to restart intermittently with no luck. After receiving the call that the tow was 1/2 hour away, I tried to restart one more time and it finally restarted at 10:55 AM. Called Toyota Care to cancel the tow and proceeded to drive and drop my wife off at home and then proceed to the Toyota dealership. The customer service rep logged the RAV4 in for service and he indicated that the rep who had previously handled the problem would be in Monday morning, September 16.
Up to this point I had received no service reports to show that the Rav4 was in fact in for correction of the problem. Weekend rep indicated that the other rep would handle getting me copies on Monday.
September 16. Went the entire day without my car or even a call from the dealership. Called at 4 PM and get the rep handling the problem. He indicated that he did not know that the car was even there until noon and then proceeded to start it and took it in for test on the electrical and battery. He indicated that no problem was showing up. He asked that I leave it overnight and on Tuesday, 9/17, he would contact Toyota again about the problem. Afterwards, he would call me and let me know what was going on.
Really frustrated at this point.
While I'm driving, the security light goes on. When I stop the car, I have difficulties to restart, the green light on the push button doesn't come on. I went to my Toyota dealer, and they don't know exactly what may be the problem. They suggested to change the ignition switch and if the problem reoccurs, to change the ECU module.
Has anyone else experienced the same problem?
This is for jerseyman26. I cant believe im reading some of this about the Rav 4. Theres no such thing as a perfect car. You must not realize what u have. Toyotas are one of the most reliable vehicles on the road with the best resale value. The Rav 4 is one of the best vehicles that Toyota makes. It will actually make u a better driver. Go get yourself an Equinox or Escape and see what kind of problems u have. If u buy a new one, you will lose have of the value as soon as u leave the lot and you will be so upside down, youll never be able to trade. You talkin about overpriced, the Limited Escape is around 37 grand. Wow! You can buy a new 4-Runner for that!