2008 Toyota RAV4 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 575 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the visibility of the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 3% of the 575 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The driver side visor started sagging. For a while I could push it back up and it would stay. After a couple months, I could not use it on the side window, it just hung down. It finally was un-usable. Toyota has replaced it, but it took 3 trips to the dealer to get it replaced. I had to drive without a visor for a week while they ordered part.”
NHTSA complaint #10498378, filed 2013-02, 60,000 miles“The driver's side sun visor will not stay up, so it normally stays in a view-obstructed position when driving. This is a serious safety issue and Toyota refuses to budge in terms of recalling this item. I brought this to the attention of Toyota a year or so ago and they asked me for a quote to fix - I sent them a copy of the dealer price quote (around $150) and Toyota refused to pay for it as a safety issue and basically told me to go away. …”
NHTSA complaint #10763677, filed 2015-09, 70,000 miles“Vehicle lost power and shut down as I was driving on a busy main road with lots of traffic. As it continued to slow down I was able to pull into a driveway and stop. I tried to start vehicle again without success but it made loud grinding noise. After short time I attempted to restart vehicle made a loud grinding sound but would not start. Called for tow and they determined it was not the battery and towed vehicle to my house. Paint peeling off vehicle in large patches. Windshield wipers will not work but not a result of latest incident. Wiper motor hums but do not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11321287, filed 2020-04, 223,000 miles“I have a Toyota RAV4 that continues to have problems with the drivers side visor suddenly dropping out of the ceiling mount. Of course this happens when I am driving and becomes a huge distraction while trying to get it back in place. I have talked to many other RAV4 owners and nearly everyone has had the same issue . It seams that the visor stub arm that goes into the ceiling mount wears our whatever is holding it into the socket . This has happened several times over the last 5 years and does seem to be more often in the summer time”
NHTSA complaint #10872402, filed 2016-06, 96,500 miles“There is a recurring problem with driver side sun visor where it doesn't stay where I put it. It regularly slips down and at times blocks my view of the road. This is a known/recurring problem with many other owners of this vehicle make/model (based upon internet search of this issue). When the visor is placed over the driver door window, when I go around a corner (turn), the visor will rotate and hit me in the head, again distracting me from the road and forcing me to make regular visor adjustments again and again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10765182, filed 2015-09, 43,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V689000Oct 22, 2015Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2006–2011, Yaris 2006–2010, Highlander 2008–2011 +10 more
- 12V491000Oct 10, 2012Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris…Covers: Toyota RAV4 2007–2009, Camry 2007–2009, Camry Hybrid 2007–2009 +10 more
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 14 | 9% |
| 2022 | 6 | 4% |
| 2021 | 31 | 8% |
| 2020 | 17 | 3% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 21 | 6% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 7% |
| 2015 | 8 | 3% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 13 | 5% |
| 2012 | 59 | 23% |
| 2011 | 50 | 17% |
| 2010 | 24 | 6% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 18 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 5% |
| 2006 | 30 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 7% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 8 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 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 30, 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