Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Toyota RAV4 problems

Owners filed 287 complaints about the 2011 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA between Jan 2011 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (69).

Complaints
287
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
44
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
20
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Vehicle speed control69
  2. Visibility/wiper48
  3. Service brakes43
  4. Engine33
  5. Seat belts30
  6. Power train25
  7. Air bags20
  8. Electrical system19
  9. Suspension16
  10. Structure16
  11. Steering15
  12. Fuel/propulsion system9
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)9
  14. Tires5

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 Oct 27, 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
201119
201226
201316
201431
201518
201662
201721
201822
201927
20207
20214
20225
202312
20247
20254
20266

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

69 reports21 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the vehicle continued to accelerate unintendedly. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal and shifted to neutral(N), and the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that the failure recurred while at a complete stop and while reversing from the driveway onto the roadway. The failure only occurred while the cruise control was activated but not set. The contact previously owned another 2011 Toyota Rav4 vehicle, which also experienced the failure. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the manufacturer had previously provided a remedy for the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2026Vehicle speed controlODI 11720240

Visibility/wiper

48 reports1 related recall
“I HAVE FIXED MY REAR SUSPENSION MORE THAN 4X AND IT CONTINUES TO GO BAD, IT WORKS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS BUT STILL NOT RUNNING WELL THEN IT SHOCKS AND GOES BACK TO BOUNCING WHENEVER IT HITS A BUMP OR ANYTHING NOT SMOOTH ON THE ROADS. IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AND YOU FEEL IT A LOT MORE WHEN IT'S RUNNING ON LOCAL ROADS. THE VISIBILITY IS BAD, THE DEFOGGER DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 15-20 MINS OR OPEN THE WINDOW. WHEN I PUT MY HANDS ON THE VENT FOR THE DEFOGGER THERE IS NO AIR COMING FROM IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2020Suspension, Visibility/wiperODI 11299767

Service brakes

43 reports14 crashes
“To begin with, the 2011 Toyota Rav4 in question was a loaner provided to me by Fiore VW AUDI (1000 S. Logan Blvd in Hollidaysburg, PA 16648) at @ 10:45 AM on 9/16/23. My 2018 Toyota Sienna was being serviced at this location on 9/18/23 and they provided me the 2011 Rav4 in the meantime. The brakes failing, the steering wheel locking up, and the sudden acceleration of this 2011 Rav4 occurred later that afternoon @ 4 PM in a Sheetz parking lot at 3261 W. College Ave. State College, PA 16801. As I was turning left into an open parking space at the rear entrance of this Sheetz, I began to turn the steering wheel to the right, straighten out, and park properly in the parking space; I also began to press down on brake to stop the car. As I pressed down on the brake pedal, the brakes quickly locked up and became unresponsive. Simultaneously, the steering wheel locked up becoming unresponsive with the front wheels still slightly turned to the left. I was still coming out of my turn when this vehicle failure began. I quickly took my foot off the brake, then the car suddenly burst forward with an intense acceleration. I immediately put my foot back down on the brake, but…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2023Steering, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11546268

Engine

33 reports6 crashes3 fires
“A lot oil consumption from oil change to 1000 miles 4 quarts of oil consumption no warning light until car stops I’m been charging oil every 4 k miles now I have to check oil every day is been almost 4years with this problem”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2024EngineODI 11628893

Seat belts

30 reports1 related recall
“The contact's sister owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment, the dealer performed the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V096000(Seat Belts); however, after the recall repair, the seat belts became inoperable. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a diagnostic fee was required. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2025Seat beltsODI 11677064

Power train

25 reports4 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds, there was a loud banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the subframe was severely rusted and the rear differential fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 111,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2023Power train, StructureODI 11560927
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

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