2010 Toyota RAV4 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 RAV4 report two very different kinds of trouble. The most striking cluster is unintended or sticking acceleration at low mileage, often at stoplights and often after the accelerator pedal recall work had already been done. The second large group is rear suspension and axle noise or failure, which shows up at much higher mileage and overlaps with several rear tie rod campaigns.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration / engine revving at low speed

   • 82 complaints (21%)
   • median 8,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (72 state mileage)
   • 25 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2023

   Complaints describe the vehicle accelerating on its own while the brake is applied, typically at a stoplight, in a parking lot, or at very low speed, sometimes with the engine revving loudly and the car continuing forward despite heavy brake pressure. Several owners say shifting to neutral or park was the only way to stop it, and some report collisions with poles, curbs or the vehicle ahead. A number of these complaints were filed after the accelerator pedal recall repair had been performed; dealers often said they could not duplicate the condition. Mostly reported under 20,000 miles, frequently within the first year of ownership and often in stop-and-go or parking situations.

   Recall 10V017000Recall 11V113000

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal recall campaigns were completed and whether any follow-up work was done. During a test drive, check that the pedal returns freely and that floor mats are properly secured.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was at a complete stop at a red light with my foot on the brake, I was stopped for at least 10 or more seconds. With my foot on the brake the RAV4 started to move. I applied more pressure to the brake pedal, but the car continued forward. I struck the car in front of me. The engine was revving loudly. The car continued forward. I then placed both feet on the brake pedal in an attempt to stop the car,I struck the car a second time. At which point I was able to get the car in park. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10379761, filed 2011-01, 4,300 miles

   “Just another unsatisfied, unhappy, and scared for my life Toyota owner! The repair for the recall for the accelerator pedal has not fixed the problem. It takes too much effort to apply the brakes and the accelerator sticks sometimes. Braking is becoming a major issue for me-I've never had to apply so much pressure before. I'm used to letting my foot off the gas, letting the car slow down itself, then gently applying the brakes as needed (mostly at stoplights so I don't have to accelerate as much when it turns green). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10317096, filed 2010-03, 2,700 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Rear suspension arm / tie rod noise, rust and failure

   • 80 complaints (20%)
   • median 56,956 mi at 5.7 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,317 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2025

   Complaints describe abnormal noises from the rear of the vehicle, rear alignment problems, and in some cases the rear axle or suspension arm separating while driving. Several owners mention waiting months for recall parts or being told the parts were not yet available, and one questions a repair that makes the adjustable rear arms non-adjustable. Others link a loss-of-control crash to the rear tie rod campaign. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 80,000 miles, with a few much earlier; often described as gradual noise before failure.

   Recall 16V596000Recall 13V383000Recall 12V3730002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the rear tie rod recalls were completed and have a shop inspect the rear suspension arms for rust, looseness and adjustment nut condition before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “To whom it may concern, last spring (march 2014) I received a recall notice for my 2010 rav 4 to come in for an inspection for my rear lower suspension arm. I immediately called and was put on a waiting list to be seen. Every month or so I would call to check the status of getting seen. They would seem confused each time I would call, but would verify that I was on that list. But over the many months, I have still yet to be seen. A 2nd recall notice was issued this past december or early january. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10680915, filed 2015-02, 60,000 miles

   “This is in regard to recall #16v596 for the rear suspension arm assemblies. The fix that Toyota wants to implement involves encasing the adjustment sleeves in epoxy resulting in the arms no longer being adjustable. These suspension arms are adjustable so that the rear toe-in can be adjusted when an alignment is performed. The fix Toyota wants to do is like welding the drivers door shut because the latch broke: it's no longer functional.”

   NHTSA complaint #10914546, filed 2016-10, 5,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough idle, stalling and hesitation from a stop

   • 39 complaints (10%)
   • median 39,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners report a hesitation of several seconds when accelerating from a coast or low speed, with the engine revving while the car does not move and then engaging with a thud. Others describe the engine shutting off or idling roughly at stops, and some mention growling from the rear differential coupling on four-wheel-drive models. Dealers variously replaced the evap system, the differential coupling or found no fault. Reported from low mileage up to well over 100,000 miles, with the hesitation typically noted at around 5-50 mph.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, accelerate gently from a rolling stop and listen for a growl from the rear on 4WD models; ask about differential coupling service and any evap or charcoal canister replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I slow down to approach a stop sign or wait to make a turn on a city street, the car stalls. It happens with left hand and right hand turns. I have to put it in park and start it again. It has happened over weeks. I put 3/4 of a tank of premium gas to see if that helped and it stalled on the way home. It can stall 3-4 times in a day or not at all. The cause is unknown. I brought it to a private mechanic shop and they could not find a cause. I notice a 'rattling' noise now when I start the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11361394, filed 2020-09, 182,840 miles

   “Intermittently, my 2010 RAV4 engine turns off, while driving, and then turns back on shortly after. This is very dangerous, as you lose power steering and brakes, meaning very difficult to steer and stop. This happens when the car is in motion. Never had it cut out at a stop light. I'm thinking it's the ECM. The car's maintenance is very up to date. My daughter drives this vehicle and it has happened to her numerous times. I have experienced it once, shortly after getting the car from the Toyota dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11322232, filed 2020-04, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes low or does not stop the car

   • 34 complaints (9%)
   • median 25,950 mi at 2.7 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor, needing unusual effort, or the vehicle failing to slow when braking, sometimes during low-speed maneuvering and sometimes on the highway. A few report rear-ending another vehicle or hitting a fence as a result, and one early complaint was traced to a loose brake line fitting. Some complaints tie the poor braking to simultaneous engine revving. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few hundred miles to well past 100,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the pedal feel and stopping distance on a test drive, and have the brake fluid, lines and pad condition checked; a service bulletin covers front pad noise on this generation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was backing up, turning around in a driveway. When I attempted to stop, something interfered with my ability to depress the brake pedal, resulting in a low-speed (less than 2 MPH) collision with a shed, minor damage to the shed and damage to the rear bumper cover of the vehicle. This is the third or fourth time I have had this problem (once at high speed approaching a red traffic signal, I could not stop prior to the intersection even with the emergency brake), but the first involving a collision. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11325723, filed 2020-05, 106,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact was traveling at speeds of 30 MPH when she attempted to brake for a traffic stop. The brakes did not engage and proceeded through the traffic stop where she crashed into the curb and a light pole. The contact was not injured and a police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to a local collision center where the dealer informed her that the failure was caused by loose banjo bolt on the passengers side caliber. The failure and current mileages were 800.”

   NHTSA complaint #10332554, filed 2010-05, 800 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the rear suspension arms and their recall history, since that is where most high-mileage complaints sit, and confirm which accelerator pedal and rear tie rod campaigns were actually completed. Records showing routine transmission and differential service are worth asking for on a vehicle of this age.

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.