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BrakesPart report

2011 Toyota RAV4 Brakes Problems

Complaints
48about this part
Share
17%of 287 total for the year
Median mileage
32,212miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Toyota RAV4, 17% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,212 miles. 15 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.

“During the past six weeks my 2011 RAV4 has accelerated after lifting my food off of the brake. I did not engage the accelerator at all when this happened. I have a major concern because this happened again today when I stopped at a crosswalk with people crossing. Scared the heck out of me. This is either the third or four time that something like this has happened, only today it was more severe.”

NHTSA complaint #11278906, filed 2019-11, 93,882 miles

“When backing up,my 2011 Toyota RAV4 accelerated hitting another vehicle causing the man behind his vehicle to be thrown and almost ran him over. He was taken away in an ambulance. My car was totaled and license suspended.there was no way I could have stopped my vehicle. Websites I have looked at for that year seems to confirm braking and unintended brake and acceleration accidents.”

NHTSA complaint #11101092, filed 2018-06, 123,000 miles

“The brakes failed when having to brake suddenly driving on a street in the rain. Traffic was going about 30 miles per hour and I had enough space between me and the car in front to brake. The ABS system did not work and braking had zero affect on slowing down my car which made me hit the car in front of me.”

NHTSA complaint #11162097, filed 2018-12, 68,000 miles

“Was driving down the road took my foot off the gas & put it on the brake 2 slow down because I was approaching a stoplight & the brake would not work. I repeatedly tried the brake with no luck, I ended up hitting a utility box on the side of the road right in front of the intersection.”

NHTSA complaint #11291196, filed 2019-12, 103,122 miles

“I was approaching a traffic light in low speed and lightening my pressure on the gas pedal when the car accelerated and lurched forward. I pressed my foot on the brake pedal and the car continued accelerating. I had to veer to the adjacent lane since I was getting too close to the car in front of me. Then, the car came to a halt.”

NHTSA complaint #10484882, filed 2012-11, 10,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202589%
2024169%
20231811%
202285%
2021215%
2020203%
2019364%
2018309%
20173812%
20164619%
20153110%
2014168%
2013239%
20123915%
20114817%
2010349%
2009319%
2008346%
2007475%
2006325%
2005118%
200485%
200331%
200251%
2001248%
200013%
199958%
19981621%
199759%
19961123%

Other parts of the 2011 Toyota RAV4

Vehicle speed control
69 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
50 complaints
Engine
33 complaints
Seat belts
30 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
25 complaints
Air bags
20 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Body and structure
16 complaints
Suspension
16 complaints
Other or unknown
15 complaints
Steering
15 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 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