2008 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 6%of 575 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,100miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 575 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,100 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just learned today that I need a new transmission for a 2008 RAV4 with only 74,000 miles on it. Had the car in for service at 72,000 miles where they did the 70k mi service to include multipoint/floor mat, replaced the water pump, brake fluid flush and engine minor . I think something is wrong here. My 5 year or 100k prepaid warranty ended in june so no coverage available. Shouldn't a transmission last longer than 70k miles?”
NHTSA complaint #10648597, filed 2014-10, 74,200 miles“Rear differential is making a loud rumbling noise in the beginning of 1st, and 2nd gear. Brought it in to Toyota and they said it was not leaking and I went into the shop and also looked at it myself and it wasn't leaking. Did the rear dif service like Toyota recommended because the car has been super reliable and I would like to keep it that way. I have done 2 rear dif services before and had no problems. Right when they did the service a couple days later it started making the rumbling noise again and is now leaking and made a puddle in my driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11399305, filed 2021-03, 164,000 miles“Rav4 has been maintained per Toyota's recommendations. At approx 86k miles it started using up excessive amounts of oil. Oil is not leaking, nor burning (can't see anything in the tail pipes), and there's no burn oil smell anywhere. After researching, I found that in 2011, Toyota issued TSB-0094-11 that acknowledged excessive oil consumption in my year vehicle. Toyota also issued a lsc ze7 which offered free repair for qualified vehicles during the campaign (11/24/2017 or 150k miles whichever came first). Unfortunately my car just hit 86k miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11292439, filed 2020-01, 86,000 miles“I have a 2008 Toyota RAV4 and at the time of the issue it had approximately 150k miles. While the vehicle was moving a growling/whirring noise started to come from the rear of the vehicle. It increased in frequency and volume over time. After replacing both rear wheel bearings it was determined by a Toyota dealership that the problem was with the rear differential coupler/bearing. I was notified that a warranty replacement for this exact issue expired in november of 2017. The problem with my vehicle was noticed in october of 2018. …”
NHTSA complaint #11210174, filed 2019-05, 150,000 miles“On october 5 and 6, 2015 my 2008 Toyota RAV4 was in for service at piercey Toyota in milpitas to replace all four tires, front/back brakes and front shock absorbers, a total of $2,000. On october 8, 2015, while I was driving my car back from stanford lucile packard over dumbarton bridge, I have noticed that my brakes would not engage and I could not slow down my car. Just before this event, the ABS, vsc, and slip warning lights all came on. The brake pedal felt very stiff and I was not able to do any repetitive pumping of the brake. I called 911 and requested assistance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10781843, filed 2015-10, 124,019 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10140566May 2, 2016TSB: Some 2006 - 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
- 10092682May 2, 2016Tsb: some 2006 - 2012 model year 4wd rav4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
- 10152282Dec 3, 2015WPB: In certain 2006 to 2012 model year Rav4 4WD vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10152281Dec 3, 2015DD: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10152280Dec 3, 2015DL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10093766Dec 3, 2015Wpb: in certain 2006 to 2012 model year rav4 4wd vehicles, toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10093722Dec 3, 2015"dd: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear…
- 10093717Dec 3, 2015"dl: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota RAV4
137 complaintsVehicle speed control
92 complaintsSuspension
81 complaintsSteering
73 complaintsAir bags
58 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
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