2008 Toyota RAV4 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 575 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 1% of the 575 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2008 Toyota RAV4 and it has had a whining sound when idling or accelerating for a week. Today I was driving it and the power steering quit while I was driving it. I could barely steer it, if my wife was driving, she could not have turned the vehicle. Many of the warning lights came on- brake light (checked the parking brake), ABS, srs, battery, vsc, maintenance, and slip indicator lights. Also the radio quit working, all at once. New battery installed last month. …”
NHTSA complaint #10470250, filed 2012-08, 70,000 miles“Number 1 -- I am very happy with my RAV4. It was a cold evening after dark and I left work. The battery had failed. Not a problem, I got a jump and the car started. I let it sit and obtain some charge. What was very unusual were the number of systems that could fail whenever a power surge was needed, say from the power steering, power brakes, etc. The power surge would lead to a lights out, or loss of steering, or engine temporarily stalling, etc. It recovered each time after the surge was over (good news). …”
NHTSA complaint #10375610, filed 2011-01, 54,640 miles“Noticed while parked in driveway, right front headlight appeared to have a blowout. Replaced with new bulb, did not work. Checked fuse to light, fuse good. High beam does work, low beam does not. Checked online, and see others have had the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10788417, filed 2015-11, 124,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 3 | 0% |
| 2018 | 23 | 7% |
| 2017 | 32 | 10% |
| 2016 | 28 | 12% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 0% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota RAV4
137 complaintsVehicle speed control
92 complaintsSuspension
81 complaintsSteering
73 complaintsAir bags
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology