Ask the Car People.SM


Toyota RAV4 Maintenance and Repair

823 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 10:21 AM

You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

Messages Page 80 of 83

#789 of 823 Windshield Issue ? by michaelp1

May 08, 2011 (1:24 pm)

My 2011 Rav4 Limited has less than 500 miles - and a crack that runs from top edge to about three inches from the bottom, making a left and a right in its travels. It first appeared as a much smaller crack four days ago; it actually spread while sitting in my driveway! I can't say that it wasn't a pebble, but honestly don't remember hearing anything. I saw some older posts of people claiming their windshield cracked on it's own - I'm not able to swear to that (I do drive on the highway) but I can say that in my 36 years of driving I have never had a windshield crack spread so rapidly while not driving. Are there reports of any inherent problems with the quality of Toyota windshield, particularly with the Rav4 and its installation? Seems that excessive stress forces are at work even when the car is still.
 
Getting it replaced Saturday at a Safelite (dealer WAY too expensive for insurance coverage) - for now I asked them to replace with original Toyota part, but maybe not a good idea? Thanks, appreciate any feedback / experience.

#790 of 823 Re: Windshield Issue ? [michaelp1] by kyfdx HOST

May 08, 2011 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: michaelp1 (May 08, 2011 1:24 pm)
Ask the Safelite guys to look at it, and point out any impact marks.. If there aren't any, it most likely is a defective windshield and Toyota may replace it under warranty...
 
Even a pebble is going to make a chip or a star mark where it hits.. If you don't have that.... then, I'd at least make my case at the dealer.

#791 of 823 1997 Rav4 by rose920

May 09, 2011 (3:16 am)

When does one stop putting money into a car?
 
 In 2010, I had a new A/C compressor , alternater, and Distributor O Ring put in to the tune of $1269.
  
That was followed by a door that wouldn't close at an estimate of $487. I got on here and read about Dupont Silicone and fixed it.
  
 In 2011 so far, I have had a Timing Belt Tensioner put it as well as Crankshaft Seal and valve cover gasket -- $703.18. The Timing Belt was changed at 105k and the car now has 156k. I checked to see if it was under warrantee which it was and they were going to replace the whole kit, water pump, belt, etc. but the person I took the car to did not take the "kit" saying it was only the tensioner pully. I have to say that I was not comfortable with this and being a woman, I feel that I may have been "taken" on this. Is there a way to find an honest mechanic who won't take advantage of my female status?
  
Oh did I say the car was still leaking something? So I took it back and was shown that the power steering fluid was leaking. It is now fixed -- $470.
  
When I took it in, I mentioned that the car was making a clunking sound, not the usual power steering squeak. When I picked it up, I asked if they found out what the noise was. They said there wasn't any noise. Well as I drove out of the station and down two blocks, the noise happened again while I was waiting to take a turn. I am so disgusted and so not trusting, I did not return. I did have a muffler replaced a month ago (under warrantee) and by the person who originally put it on who is another person that I am unsure of as to being taken advantage by him.
  
In the old days, you took your car into be serviced or repaired (or at least I did) and the mechanic (my cousin) took the car for a ride to see if anything else was going on. He also washed it for me. He is now deceased and his shop is going and I am still trying to find someone I can trust. I admit to being spoiled but I knew that I could trust him and he knew I was not totally ignorant about cars having worked as a teenager in a dealer service dept so he listened to me if I thought something was wrong with my car.
  
This morning I looked at my car and there is yet another leak under it!!
  
Do I take it back or do I just chalk it up to a car getting old and it will keep having to be repaired? I really can't afford to buy a new one and I really want another Toyota but maybe this is not the time to buy one.
  
Sorry for rambling on.

#792 of 823 Re: Windshield Issue ? [michaelp1] by ben90

Jun 29, 2011 (9:20 am)

Replying to: michaelp1 (May 08, 2011 1:24 pm)
I have a new 2011 Rav4, but your post resonated with me. My 2002 Outback had the same occurrence. I was driving it on the highway, and a loud stone-smack occurred when I went under an overpass. Nothing showed on the windshield, although by the sound I definitely expected a chip or crack. Then I went to the mall. When I came out, the windshield had a crack that looks the same as your description of yours! In other words, the stone caused a delayed-reaction crack. So don't necessarily blame the Rav. I never had this happen either-in 51 YEARS OF DRIVING!! Maybe ALL of these current Japanese cars are over stressed in the windshield!

#793 of 823 Re: Windshield Issue ? [michaelp1] by ucfkristi

Jul 29, 2011 (9:39 pm)

Replying to: michaelp1 (May 08, 2011 1:24 pm)
I'm sorry that happened! Note that there is no OEM glass. All glass is aftermarket...even from the factory. So don't fret if they replace it with aftermarket.

#794 of 823 Re: Defective window seal trim [jme2] by pamf2

Oct 25, 2011 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: jme2 (Mar 06, 2011 4:43 pm)
I have a 2007 Rav4. And I'm having the same problem. My warranty is still good but I'm told this is not covered under warranty. I've been bugging the dealership to deal with this problem. To me this a defect, it is NOT normal wear and tear. They told me this was the first time they'd seen/heard of it also. Which I don't believe.

#795 of 823 2010 Rav4 Limited Rear Differntial by nmod

Nov 18, 2011 (10:25 am)

Have a 2010 Rav4 Limited with an issue with the rear differential. Local dealer claims they've never seen this issue with this model. Vehicle is 7k over power train warranty and Toyota Customer Care won't help with repairs. Their claim is I'm not a good enough customer despite this being my second Rav4.
 
Question: what is my best repair option, A) swap out the entire unit, or B) part is out?
 
 

#796 of 823 wind shield drains by alex138

Nov 27, 2011 (2:44 pm)

Just spent $2000 to have my winshield drains cleaned (never heard of this) and all of the carpeting replace on a Rav-4 Limited that is not yet three years old with only 40,000 miles.
The inside front of the car actually flooded. On Toyota's recomendation all of the carpeting and insolation was removed to confirm that the drains were blocked. Then they charged me $2000 which I was told my insurance (minus deductable) would pay. Has other owners had this problem. Have never heard this happening in any other vehicle.

#797 of 823 2011 Rav4 Vibration Problem by jimsgarage

Jan 10, 2012 (6:05 pm)

Ive recently purchased a 2011 Rav4 2wd i-4. Numerous times now ive had to take the newly purchased car into Toyota to be serviced. The first time i ever brought the car in they balanced the tires & road force balanced them. Claiming the problem had been fixed i brought my car home, & on the way home i noticed the problem yet again. When going between the speeds of 55-60 their is a weird vibration that can be felt. The problem also occurs more frequent when it is cold. The second time the car was serviced Toyota replaced the transmission, admitting the transmission must have been faulty coming out of the factory. Yet again on my way home which is about a 45 min drive that is mostly on the highway, i felt the vibration. For a third time i brought in my car, despite what Toyota was telling me. That "They no longer felt the vibration, & fixed it" They lastly replaced the front Left tire, now claiming it was a bad tire all along.
After the new tire being on, the vibration did seem to ease up a bit... But shortly after it was back to the same vibrations. The driver is not the only person that feels it, sitting in the passenger side & in the rear seats it can be felt. (Not Heard) When feeling it at first, its almost as if you have a low/flat tire.
 
As of now Toyota claims their is no vibration, atleast not one that they feel.
They claimed to have test drove the car when it was cold, since the vibration can be
felt more easier this way. But yet a 3rd party has to be called in now, & test ride in the vehicle.
 
If anyone should know or have any suggestions on what the problem may be,
please contact me ASAP. Ive clearly been dealing with this issue awhile &
would like to hear how others may view this issue.

#798 of 823 '08 Rav4 Sport, maintenance help by 05highlander05

Jan 28, 2012 (9:09 am)

I'm coming up on 30k miles an wanted to get an idea of what maintenance needs to be performed. I don't prefer dealer packages because you pay them to just "check" things. Can anyone give me a guide to follow and what fluids should be changed at certain intervals for 30,60,90k?
 
Thanks

Messages Page 80 of 83

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement