Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Toyota RAV4 problems

Owners filed 327 complaints about the 2009 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA between May 2009 and May 2026. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (99).

Complaints
327
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
52
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Vehicle speed control99
  2. Suspension55
  3. Power train28
  4. Engine27
  5. Steering26
  6. Electrical system19
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  8. Structure17
  9. Air bags13
  10. Service brakes12
  11. Wheels10
  12. Engine and engine cooling8
  13. Fuel/propulsion system7
  14. Seat belts7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200916
201094
201125
201217
201317
201438
201523
201622
201726
201812
20197
202012
20214
20222
20234
20242
20252
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Vehicle speed control

99 reports31 crashes2 related recalls
“Four incidents of unintended acceleration , in all instances foot was on break petal NOT on gas petal, 3 instances vehicle was stopped at traffic light, last incident was pulling into a parking space foot on brake, in all instances braked hard and shifted vehicle into neutral and turned vehicle off to avoid collisions, personal injury and property damage”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2023Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11538937

Suspension

55 reports1 crash3 related recalls
“We were informed of safety recalls for our Toyota Rav 4 2009 . We called the local Toyaota dealership for the recalls and was told on the phone after we dropped it off that they did the inspection to make sure the recalls could be completed and informed us that they could ,but they needed to keep overnight because they had to order the parts. Prior to dropping the vehicle off the car was able to be driven and no known issues were visible. Received call following told to come pick it up and that they officially refused to perform the recalls repairs. They stated that excessive structural damage and unsafe to drive to this degradation. Because the structural rust is directly in the exact suspension components targeted by this safety recalls. The vehicle cannot be remedied under standard recall procedures. By refusing the repair without providing an alternative solution The manufacture is failing its federal obligation to remedy a known safety defect. The vehicle is currently trapped in a regularity deadlock. It can not legally or safely be repaired. It is now deemed unsafe to be driven period. When the dealership gave the vehicle back, They wanted us to sign off…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2026Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11739536

Power train

28 reports1 crash
“WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ABOVE 25 MPH, A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE REAR-CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASES IN VOLUME AS THE VEHICLE INCREASES ITS SPEED. ONCE THE VEHICLE TRAVELS FAST ENOUGH, OR ENOUGH POWER IS FED THROUGH, POWER OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE AFFECTED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2020Power trainODI 11324360

Engine

27 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine at startup. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil caused by a gasket failure inside a piston in the engine. Due to the failure, the contact was frequently adding oil to the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and an estimate was provided for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026EngineODI 11732512

Steering

26 reports3 crashes
“THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED I JERKED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET IT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING UP HILL WHEN THE CAR FINALLY DISABLED, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WHEN HE PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY CHILD I'VE PAID 140.00 FOR AND INSPECTION NOW I'M TAKING IT TO THE SF TOYOTA MECHANIC.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 3, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11315921

Electrical system

19 reports1 crash2 fires
“BACK DOOR CANNOT UNLOCK, NO MANUAL ACCESSIBILITY TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE, NO KEY ENTRY FROM OUTSIDE, LATCH ACTUATOR FAILED, IF STUCK IN TRUNK AFTER ACCIDENT DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED DUE TO NO HANDLE/NO MANUAL FUNCTION TO OPEN DOOR DUE TO NO OPERATING LATCH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2018Electrical systemODI 11122282
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.