2009 Toyota RAV4 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report two very different experiences. The most common theme in the sample is unexpected or runaway engine acceleration, usually from low speed or while braking, often with dealers unable to reproduce it. The rest of the reports are age- and mileage-related: clunking from the steering column, rear suspension and tie-rod recall work, brake pedal feel, and a rear-end whine.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration / engine surging at low speed

   • 122 complaints (37%)
   • median 12,500 mi at 1.6 yrs old (115 state mileage)
   • 35 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2023

   Owners describe the engine revving and the vehicle moving forward when their foot was on the brake or off the accelerator, most often while parking, pulling out of a driveway, or slowing for a light. Several say shifting into neutral and shutting the engine off were the only ways to stop it, and that the condition sometimes recurred. According to the complaints, dealers frequently found no trouble code or could not reproduce the event, and in some cases the vehicle had already had an accelerator pedal recall performed. Spread across the whole mileage range in the sample, with many reports at very low mileage (under 20,000) and a few past 100,000.

   Recall 10V017000Recall 11V1130001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the seller for proof that the accelerator pedal recall campaigns were completed, and check whether the correct floor mat is installed and secured. During a test drive, try slow parking manoeuvres and note any idle surge.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While decelerating on a freeway off-ramp at approx. 25 MPH, the brakes failed to stop the car. Going no more than 5 MPH, I lifted off slightly then depressed them all the way to the floor; they didn't engage properly but finally slowed the car almost to a complete stop, but the engine revved and the car kept wanting to go forward. I threw the transmission into park and turned off the ignition.”

   NHTSA complaint #11396355, filed 2021-02, 113,000 miles

   “Our RAV4 was apparently not included in the last recalls but I now believe this is incorrect. On 2/27 I rear-ended a truck going about 30-35 MPH. I originally thought I had missed the brake pedal and by the time I realized the car was not stopping I had to slam my brakes and tried to turn to miss the car in front of me. After checking further I'm not sure how I would have even been able to entirely miss the pedal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10316803, filed 2010-03, 10,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering column clunk or popping when turning

   • 23 complaints (7%)
   • median 49,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe a clunk, pop or grinding noise from the steering column when turning at low speed, typically in parking lots or when returning the wheel toward centre. Complaints say dealers diagnosed a binding or worn intermediate steering shaft and quoted replacement, in some cases just after the warranty ended. Others describe the power steering warning light coming on and the steering becoming very heavy, with one dealer attributing it to a faulty computer. Mostly reported between roughly 45,000 and 70,000 miles, with a few power-steering loss reports at lower mileage.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock in a quiet parking area and listen for clunks or pops, and ask whether the intermediate steering shaft has been replaced. Confirm the power steering warning light goes out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2009 Toyota RAV4. The steering column started making a clunking noise when turning right or left at low speeds. Looks like others have had this same problem. No recall that I know of, but there should be. Noticed problem shortly after 36,000 mile warranty expired so all out of pocket expense. Had to replace steering shaft at dealer for $378. Ouch!”

   NHTSA complaint #10455244, filed 2012-04, 37,000 miles

   “The power steering light came on then the steering wheel locked I jerked it to the right to get it to pull off the road. I was driving on a city street going up hill when the car finally disabled, the mechanic told me he found nothing wrong when he put it on the diagnostic I don't feel safe driving the car with my child I've paid 140.00 for and inspection now I'm taking it to the sf Toyota mechanic.”

   NHTSA complaint #11315921, filed 2020-03, 78,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal low or soft, longer stopping distance

   • 81 complaints (25%)
   • median 12,300 mi at 1.6 yrs old (77 state mileage)
   • 26 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2023

   Owners report the brake pedal going to the floor or feeling soft and slow to respond, sometimes with a grinding noise, and describe having to press very hard to slow the vehicle. Several say dealers test drove the vehicle and reported the behaviour as normal or found nothing wrong, and one describes the pedal being close enough to the accelerator to catch a foot. Others link braking difficulty to simultaneous engine revving. Reported at low mileage in some cases (under 5,000 miles) and again in the 20,000 to 60,000 mile range.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the brake pedal for firmness with the engine running and check the fluid level and service history. A service bulletin describes an updated front pad kit for grind/groan noise on these vehicles, so ask whether it was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving up my driveway, applied the brakes and did not stop, but was forced forward until I hit my house. I searched for the brakes but could not find them, because the brakes were stuck to the floor. There was no brake light on. Before that the odometer was jumping between numbers (20,17, 54, ect.). I had my car to the Toyota dealership twice and they could not find anything. I had 5 boys in my house and hit my son's bedroom, someone could of been injured.”

   NHTSA complaint #10427030, filed 2011-09, 36,000 miles

   “To begin, my car has already had the Toyota recall fix and should have been fine. I was driving my Toyota RAV4 (2009) and approaching a four way stop. When I went to hit the brakes, there was a slight grinding noise. The car slowed a bit but did not stop and kept on moving through the stop sign. I ended up going through the intersection (luckily no one was coming) and coming to a stop almost 50 feet past. My husband drove the car home and we later took it to the dealer (no other incidents then). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10317813, filed 2010-03, 4,500 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Rear suspension tie-rod recall and alignment work

   • 50 complaints (15%)
   • median 50,032 mi at 5.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe being told their rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) needed attention under the rear alignment recall, and in some cases that alignment could not be performed because of the arm condition. Complaints also describe long waits for parts and repeat visits when the work was said to have been done but the problem remained. A separate complaint describes loss of control and a front wheel separating after a fluid leak. Recorded from roughly 70,000 to over 100,000 miles, reflecting vehicles well into their service life.

   Recall 16V596000Recall 13V383000Recall 12V3730001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check with a dealer whether the rear tie-rod campaigns were completed and ask for the paperwork. Before buying, have the rear alignment checked and look for rust or looseness at the rear suspension arms.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My problem is upon inspection of the vehicle I was told a recall (16v596000) for my rear suspension arms was available and I needed to have it done as the back end nuts couldn't be adjusted. I called a dealership and was told this was taken care of 3 years ago, yet the problem still remains.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402975, filed 2021-03, 104,000 miles

   “2009 Toyota RAV4 leaked fluid. I lost control of car, steering, brakes & car accelerated at a rapid pace on its own. I was turning left at about 20mph hit another car accelerated fast with no control was headed for a building when right tire went over a concrete parking block left side was on grass when the left front wheel snapped off & the car stopped. The car was repaired & paid for by my insurance co. As well as the other car involved. The car had extensive damage to the suspension. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10415045, filed 2011-07, 22,922 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rear-end whine (differential / driveline noise)

   • 24 complaints (7%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2020

   Owners describe a whining noise from the rear-centre of the vehicle that starts around 25 mph and gets louder with speed, and one notes the vehicle's power felt affected at higher speed. One complaint says a mechanic identified the rear differential. Others describe harsh or jerking transmission engagement from a stop. Reported on higher-mileage vehicles, roughly 90,000 to 230,000 miles in this sample.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at highway speed with the radio off and listen for a rising whine from the rear, and check the rear differential fluid level and service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Toyota rav 4 design defect complaint: 1. Front passenger may accidentally shift the gear stick causes it to move to neutral position, such result in the car lose of power. If a passenger accidentally push the stick and cause it to reverse position, the car get go out of control and spin into accident. 2. The accidentally shifting happened once for me in the first 3 month I own the car. 3. Educate passenger not to touch the gear stick.”

   NHTSA complaint #10320511, filed 2010-03, 600 miles

   “The transmission in my 2009 Toyota RAV4 seems to slip. When I press on the accelerator from a complete stop, the vehicle violently jerks 2 or 3 times before it takes off. It doesn't happen every time, but it happens at least 3 times a day.”

   NHTSA complaint #10313415, filed 2010-02, 2,000 miles

Buying note. Look for records showing the accelerator pedal and rear tie-rod campaigns were completed, and have the steering shaft and rear driveline checked for noise on a test drive. Much of what owners report here relates to wear on an older vehicle, so a pre-purchase inspection is worthwhile.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.