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EnginePart report

2009 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

Complaints
27about this part
Share
8%of 327 total for the year
Median mileage
65,400miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 8% of the 327 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,400 miles. 1 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.

“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

“The brake was engaged in traffic when the car started to accelerate. I applied the brake more firmly and put the car in park. The engine began to rev uncontrollably in a cloud of white smoke. I switched the car off and restarted the motor and it then ran normally.”

NHTSA complaint #10631628, filed 2014-09, 38,364 miles

“I was driving and the air bag inadvertently went off, exploding in my face. The vehicle filled with smoke, dust, and debris. Because I could not see (airbag in my face and smoke/debris in the vehicle), I crashed into the vehicle in front of me.”

NHTSA complaint #10680189, filed 2015-01, 57,668 miles

“While driving 25 MPH, I started to brake for a light. The car suddenly accelerated and it took both feet applied to the brakes to stop and avoid hitting the car in front of me. Ten minutes later, another sudden acceleration occurred, followed in rapid succession by a third acceleration.”

NHTSA complaint #10464387, filed 2012-07, 33,870 miles

“I noticed a strange rattling noise from the engine when starting my car 1st thing in the morning and when starting it after it has sat for a few hours; I researched online for other similar complaints and found that Toyota has discovered an issue with the cam shaft on some vehicles. I have just learned of a 2nd recall on my vehicle, this one for the rear suspension after visiting the Toyota website, but I found nothing about a recall regarding the cam shaft. …”

NHTSA complaint #10510884, filed 2013-05, 49,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251415%
20243822%
20232515%
20222718%
20214111%
202018028%
201920723%
20183310%
20173110%
20162510%
20153712%
20143116%
20132911%
2012228%
20113312%
2010215%
2009278%
200813724%
200719519%
200610915%
200596%
2004117%
2003217%
2002224%
200193%
200027%
199811%
199724%
199612%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota RAV4

Vehicle speed control
99 complaintsSuspension
55 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 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 28, 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