2010 Toyota RAV4 power train problems

“I was about to accelerate on a main avenue, made a clunking sound and came to a halt. Couldn't pull over safely. Investigated by mechanic, said the Transmission exploded, and the differential gears broke. No warning lights.”

“The contact owns a 2010 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Nashville Toyota North (2400 Gallatin Pike N, Madison, TN 37115), and diagnosed that the rear differential coupling was leaking oil, the rear driver's side axle bearing was faulty, and the radiator was leaking. The rear differential coupling, rear driver's side axle bearing, and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was past the nine-year extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 97,900.”

“WHILE CHANGING THE OIL, I NOTICED A LEAK FROM THE REAR AXLE. I HAD THE AXLE SEALS REPLACED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL BUT THE RECALL WAS ONLY FOR A SPECIFIC NOISE NOT FOR THE FAULTY REAR AXLE SEALS.”

“TOYOTA VEHICLES EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH REAR DIFFERENTIAL DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEM. MINE HAS BOTH REAR SEALS LEAKING AND WILL COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. BREATHER PLUG GETS CLOGGED AND PRESSURE BUILD UP CAUSES LEAKS. IF NOT REPAIRED, DIFFERENTIAL CAN POTENTIALLY CEASE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.”

“WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, IN 4TH GEAR, A VIBRATION OR SHUDDER IS FELT IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER. IT CAN BE FELT INTERMITTENTLY AS LONG AS YOU ARE HOLDING A CONSTANT SPEED. IF YOU MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT DOWN IT STOPS, BUT AS SOON AS YOU MAINTAIN SPEED AGAIN IT WILL COME BACK. IT DOESN'T NECESSARY MATTER WHICH ROADWAY YOU ARE DRIVING ON. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. A "LOCK-UP CLUTCH" DESIGN FLAW IN THE DAMPER PLATE AND SPRINGS. THIS IS ALREADY A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SOME MODELS AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. IT IS BECOMING A BIGGER, MORE WIDE SPREAD ISSUE AND THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM.”

“YESTERDAY MY CAR DROVE PERFECTLY FINE. TODAY, I AM PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS A DELAYED REACTION, THEN A THUD AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AT THE TIME OF THE THUD. IT DID IT AGAIN WHEN I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, PROPELLING THE VEHICLE FORWARD SUDDENTLY AFTER THE THUD WAS HEARD AGAIN. WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE THUD WAS HEARD AGAIN, NOT AS LOUD. ALL OF MY DRIVING WAS ON CITY STREETS, BUT DUE TO THE SUDDEN LERCHING FORWARD AFTER THE THUD SOUND, I KEPT A VERY WISE DISTANCE FROM VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAPPENED BOTH IN STATIONARY AND ALSO WHILE IN MOTION. IT FEELS LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH I HAVE READ ABOUT ISSUES WITH ECM SOLENOIDS. THIS CAR HAS RECORD OF BEING SERVICED ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS. IT HAS ABOUT 148K MILES ON IT.”