2009 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 9%of 327 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,385miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 9% of the 327 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,385 miles. 1 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.
“My vehicle is listed as 4 wheel drive when driving in snowy conditions the car will kick out of 4 wheel drive if I reach 25 miles an hour. Was driving in heavy snow and the car was constantly kicking out as my tires were slipping which were new tires. I was then driving in light snow and had turned on the 4 wheel drive as soon as got close to 25 MPH it kicked out again.”
NHTSA complaint #11054807, filed 2017-12, 75,000 miles“On may 20, 2015 my 2009 rav 4 developed a whining noise in rear area that got louder the faster I went. Vehicle has 78,385 miles on it and is just out of warranty. Took to dealer and was told that it was the viscous coupler assembly that needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,806.75. I mentioned the service bulletin put out in 2013 and the multiple posts on the rav 4 forum online but they still refuse to cover the repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10722810, filed 2015-06, 78,385 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“At 30-40 MPH there is a noise which when test driven by me with a Toyota dealer described it as a shuttering noise. I am scheduled to bring my rv4 for analysis tomorrow 7/28/17.”
NHTSA complaint #11011113, filed 2017-07, 172,000 miles“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 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…
- 10146490Dec 12, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE December 12, 2017 Rev1: The Warranty and Parts Information sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded…
- 10140597Dec 12, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE December 12, 2017 Rev1: ? The Warranty and Parts Information sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded…
- 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…
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 2009 Toyota RAV4
99 complaintsSuspension
55 complaintsBrakes
31 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