2008 Toyota RAV4 Electrical System Problems
- 23
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 23 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 5 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 8 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
| 100–150k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle's odometer stopped functioning and the diagnostic box had two burnt wires. The vehicle quickly shut off when the contact attempted to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to penske toyota of downey ([redacted], downey, ca 90241, [redacted]) to be diagnosed, but no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was…
ODI 11240874
Electrical System
Vehicle lost power when accelerating at highway speeds. No power steering, lights flickering, gauges died.
ODI 11189700
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. While driving 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact could not pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and it returned to normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator, battery, and ignition switch needed to…
ODI 11061117
Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. While in park, the power window master switch caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10888674
Electrical System · Engine · Seat Belts · Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the check engine and 4wd warning indicators illuminated. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v096000(seat belts); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was not provided. The manufacturer…
ODI 10960445
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. Shortly after parking, the vehicle caught fire. A police and a fire report were filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 5/5/15*cn updated 9/16/2015 *js
Fire reported
ODI 10700706
Electrical System
Tl-the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph. The aig bag light indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The mechanic diagnose that the spiral cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.lj
ODI 10565178
Electrical System · Steering
I was making a slow speed turn when, without warning, it became very difficult to steer, as if the power steering quit working. As i accelerated the steering started working again. A few days later it happened again and this time the battery warning light came on. Both times this happened it almost caused a collision. I ended up taking it to the dealer and learned the alternator was going bad. An alternator on a…
ODI 10478526
Electrical System
Approximately 5 minutes after i started up my car and began driving today i began to notice a strange and strong odor. I had my driver's side window down (power windows) and initially attributed the odor to a large truck that was several car lengths ahead of me. I noticed that the odor persisted even once the truck was no longer visible to me or in close proximity. At that point i then entered onto a major highway…
Fire reported
ODI 10470684
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Steering
I have a 2008 toyota rav4 and it has had a whining sound when idling or accelerating for a week. Today i was driving it and the power steering quit while i was driving it. I could barely steer it, if my wife was driving, she could not have turned the vehicle. Many of the warning lights came on- brake light (checked the parking brake), abs, srs, battery, vsc, maintenance, and slip indicator lights. Also the radio…
ODI 10470250
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the battery was defective. The battery was replaced twice due to acid leaking however, the failure was not corrected and as a result, battery acid leaked onto the alternator, the engine cover, and the hoses. The failure caused all of the parts to corrode. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage 83,000. Updated…
ODI 10488790
Electrical System · Engine
While i was driving to work around the month of october, my car would be going around 40-50 mph and it will suddenly stall or power down and the car just shuts off in the middle of everything. Its a good thing i go to work early around 4-5 am and traffic is low or i would be in major accident and at fault too? This continues to happen. Sometimes happens when i flash on high beam and even when the car is in low speed…
ODI 10437771
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while the driver was traveling 25 mph, he saw smoke being emitting from the drivers side door. When he opened the door, it was on fire. He was able to extinguished the fire with water. The contact thought that it was an electrical fire originating from the wires in the door which caused the failure. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The…
Fire reported
ODI 10392622
Electrical System · Engine
At approximately 11:15am saturday january 22, i was stopped at a stop light on spit brook road in nashua nh for about 30 seconds, when my leased toyota rav4l suddenly revved it's engine and started to move forward. As it did, i pressed on the brake as hard as i could, and the car continued to rev the engine and suddenly jumped forward hitting the car that was about 6 feet in front of me. At that time, i put the car…
Crash reported
ODI 10378313
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
Greetings, we have a 2008 rav4 which has twice exhibited uncontrolled engine acceleration. My wife has contacted toyota to no avail. Toyota has recalled other models but not the rav4. They have not heard our complaints as a mortal safety concern. It is as if we are trying to con the company. As a lifelong safety professional, this is very disturbing. Please advise as to our possible actions. [xxx] information…
ODI 10372011
Electrical System
My wife returned to her 2008 toyota rav4 at the end of the workday. It would not crank. The radio and air came on, but the engine would not crank or turn over. She put the transmission in neutral and then back in park. It still would not crank. Finally, she lowered the emergency brake and tried starting again. This time it started. We took it to an advance auto parts store and had them test the battery. Their…
ODI 10334691
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
My fiancee and i were driving, 2008 rav4/limited/v6/4wd. We were at a stop light. I was driving, i had my foot on the brake for about 30 seconds waiting for light to turn green. It was a busy intersection here in denver and there was a car in front of us. All of a sudden the accelerator took off and i could feel the car trying to move forward. Luckily, i already had my foot on the brake and i pressed down even…
ODI 10328464
Electrical System
2008 toyota rav4 taken in for normal service schedule. Dealer found rodent nests and chewed wiring/insulation under the engine cover. Had to replace wiring harness. Dealer said toyota uses soy based covering/insulation instead of plastic which he has seen many instances of rodent chewing. This poses a fire/safety hazard as well as a performance issue if the wires are damaged, cut or shorted. There are websites…
ODI 10302299
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
Date is approximate, but this has happened numerous times, not always under the same conditions. It has happened after being driven in light rain & heavy rain & after vehicle being parked & restarted all of the lights would illuminate. Initially while driving in moderate rain, multiple vehicle warning lights illuminated, cruise control failed on freeway @ set speed of approx 60 mph due to rainfall. While continuing…
ODI 10440360
Electrical System
2008 toyota rav4 self-combustion in driveway in the early a.m. Of monday, sept 21, 2009. Car had not been driven since saturday night at 11 p.m. And arson has been ruled out by fire and police departments. Car was less than 2 years old and had been recently serviced and inspected on sept 5, 2009 by an authorized toyota dealer. All other warranty service requirements were fulfilled by an authorized toyota dealer at…
Fire reported
ODI 10285445
Electrical System
On several occasions, my new 2008 rav4 would not start. The battery is brand new. When i turned the ignition, there was no sound / signal at all. Sometimes, when i put down the hand brake, and try to start the car again, it works. Other times, it doesn't. There are different things that can trigger it to start. How can a brand new car be so unreliable!? We've gotten it towed to the toyota dealership and they can't…
ODI 10274904
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
Hello, on jun 26, 2009 my wife and i purchase a certified toyota rav4. We have had nothing but problems. Electrical problems: abs light, brake, and egf light remain lite. Repairs are: brake switch replacement, igy relay replacment. In addition the cruise control would not function and sometimes the transmission would be stuck in reverse. Unable to shift out of this gear position. A local mechanic found the problem…
ODI 10313451
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
During normal driving, my wife and father-in-law have experienced multiple incidents of unintended acceleration or surging on our 2008 rav4 (awd, 6-cylinder). This is typically occurring at highway speeds or light acceleration above ~25mph. This has been occurring since right after we purchased the vehicle in october 2008. Dealer could not verify problem and no error codes were found. The anti-skid control comes on…
ODI 10312161