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EnginePart report

2010 Toyota RAV4 Engine Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
5%of 400 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the 400 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“Left a Toyota dealership after having service . It was raining outside I had just jumped on the highway and my 4 wheel drive check engine light and a third light all came on. I then drove to autozone I was told that I needed a 02 sensor. But I had just left the Toyota dealership and was told there was no problems with my vehicle. I read a post on your website and with the same concern and decided to add my complaint. I will be taking my car back to the dealership on friday.”

NHTSA complaint #10851154, filed 2016-03, 124,128 miles

“On 07/06/14 the car suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated at full throttle while stopped . Car moved toward motorcycle stopped ahead of me at the traffic signal even though I was pushing hard on the brake. If I had not turned the ignition off I would have hit the motorcycle. Today 08/06/14 at aprox. 20 MPH the same thing happened. As I was slowing for a traffic light, the car accelerator went to full throttle uncontrollably running through a red light.”

NHTSA complaint #10619192, filed 2014-08, 40,055 miles

“After completing a 5 block downhill drive in second gear with little use of either the accelerator or the brake, I then braked as I turned into my garage in order to park my vehicle. As I entered my garage and while still braking and at slowing speed the vehicle's engine suddenly accelerated and the vehicle lurched forward violently. I immediately applied heavy brake pressure and up shifted in an attempt to take the vehicle out of gear. My braking may have slowed, but did not stop, the vehicle's forward acceleration. …”

NHTSA complaint #10562066, filed 2014-01, 48,320 miles

“Car accelerated ahead while pulling up to a stop sign. The harder I applied the brakes.... The more it tried to surge ahead. Finally got it stopped. The same thing happened to my wife today. She was parking the car and when she touched the brake pedal, the car surged ahead on her. She finally also got it stopped but it scared her. When it happens, the brake pedal feels really hard and the motor accelerates even though the brake pedal is being pushed and not the gas pedal. I called my local dealer and they are going to get it in tomorrow to check it out.”

NHTSA complaint #10892896, filed 2016-08, 97,000 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 2010 Toyota RAV4

Suspension
101 complaints
Vehicle speed control
83 complaints
Other or unknown
38 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
38 complaints
Brakes
34 complaints
Air bags
28 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaints
Fuel system
20 complaints
Seat belts
18 complaints
Steering
18 complaints
Electrical system
15 complaints
Wheels
14 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 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