2009 Toyota RAV4 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 9%of 327 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 9% of the 327 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I have a 2009 Toyota RAV4. I have approximately 66,500 miles on my vehicle; however, when I stop, the brakes make a whushing sound as if they are full of air. As well, the transmission/muffler is making a whirring noise as well. I have kept up to date with each routine maintenance. The last time I took my vehicle in for maintenance, the brakes were making this noise and nothing was found.”
NHTSA complaint #10422847, filed 2011-09, 64,000 miles“Parking/emergency brake became inoperative. Investigation revealed that both brake cables had corroded such that they no longer had freedom of movement at the cable end where they entered the backing plates. When I purchased replacement cables Toyota service technician commented that this was a common problem on rav 4, tacoma, and other (don't remember) Toyota vehicles. When I purchased & examined replacement cables during repair it was apparent that new cable design was significantly different in exactly the place where old cables had failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10820673, filed 2016-01, 225,000 miles“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“On 2 occasions I have had the brakes on my Toyota RAV4 go away. I put on the brake and there is nothing there. It goes down to the floorboard. If you reapply the brakes they come back with the pedal stronger than before. I went to the Toyota dealer and they appear to know what it is but discouraged me from putting the car in for repair. First they lost my appointment then they told me I had to leave the car for several days. Now I worry whenever I have to stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10311175, filed 2010-02, 2,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10210375Mar 9, 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10166036Sep 26, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE September 26, 2019 Rev1: ? The Warranty Information, Parts Information, and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of…
- 10158583Mar 12, 2019TSB: Some 2009 ? 2018 model year RAV4 and 2017 ? 2018 model year iM vehicles may exhibit a grind/groan noise from the front brake pads. An updated pad kit is now available as a…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 9% |
| 2024 | 16 | 9% |
| 2023 | 18 | 11% |
| 2022 | 8 | 5% |
| 2021 | 21 | 5% |
| 2020 | 20 | 3% |
| 2019 | 36 | 4% |
| 2018 | 30 | 9% |
| 2017 | 38 | 12% |
| 2016 | 46 | 19% |
| 2015 | 31 | 10% |
| 2014 | 16 | 8% |
| 2013 | 23 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 15% |
| 2011 | 48 | 17% |
| 2010 | 34 | 9% |
| 2009 | 31 | 9% |
| 2008 | 34 | 6% |
| 2007 | 47 | 5% |
| 2006 | 32 | 5% |
| 2005 | 11 | 8% |
| 2004 | 8 | 5% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 24 | 8% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 5 | 8% |
| 1998 | 16 | 21% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 11 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota RAV4
99 complaintsSuspension
55 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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