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Toyota RAV4 Battery and Electrical Problems

132 messages,  Last post on May 06, 2013 at 1:01 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, Engine, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 14

#1 of 132 battery problems in 2006 RAV4 by edmundsdesi

Jul 15, 2006 (9:17 pm)

I have had two batteries go dead in my new 2006 RAV4. They have it in the shop now to determine what is draining the battery. Any others with the same problem, or a solution? Also, if it fails a third time, isn't that considered a "lemon"?

#2 of 132 Re: battery problems in 2006 RAV4 [edmundsdesi] by tidester

Jul 15, 2006 (10:17 pm)

Replying to: edmundsdesi (Jul 15, 2006 9:17 pm)
Also, if it fails a third time, isn't that considered a "lemon"?
 
No. It just means that they haven't discovered the root cause. Something could be draining the battery or your alternator may be malfunctioning. It is also possible that you are the 1 person in 100,000 who gets three defective batteries in a row - someone's got to be the one!
 
Regarding lemon laws, the definitions vary from state to state but generally apply to the vehicle itself and not appurtenances like windshield wipers and batteries. The applicability of lemon laws will depend on the root cause of your problem and the state in which you reside.
 
tidester, host

#3 of 132 Toyota 'battery' problems; not really battery at all by rkljajic

Oct 22, 2006 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Jul 15, 2006 10:17 pm)
2003 Sequoia has a dead battery. Dealer says defective battery; replaces. More dead batteries. Lights still work, radio stations still set, clock still right. Dead battery; can't be jump started.
 
Then car starts dying while it's being driven. All kinds of lights on. I, of course, take photos of the 'problems.'
 
Two Toyota Dealers and California Corporate says nothing is wrong; cars won't start if not run for one/two weeks (depending on whom you speak with). I actually taped the phone call with Toyota Corporate and imformed the 'Customer Service' Manager I spoke with I was doing so. I offered to let the newspaper know so they can alert all the people whose cars are at the airport. Toyota Corporate said go ahead. They directed me to disconnect the fuses under the hood next to the battery if leaving the car not running for more than one week. I asked where this information 'existed' since it wasn't on the owners manual or on the Toyota website. 'No where,' was the Toyota Corporate response.
 
Formal Toyota case started. Two more dealers later, one will actually was willing to look at the car - almost 18,000 miles on it now and I actually expected it to run. I was a very difficult customer.
 
What did they find? Electric harness bad, probably from factory, and that's what the problem was all along. Is it fixed now? Not completely. Great dealer; horrible previous dealers, dangerous company (Toyota).
 
Toyota doesn't participate in the BBB arbitration system so it's lawyer time. In the snowy mountains of November the car isn't safe. It's new car time.
 
Anyone else experienced this? I bought a Toyota for ski country because all my friends and neighbors there had such great experiences with their Toyota's. But now everyone has been through this nightmare with me and, I hope, will think long and hard before purchasing Toyota's in the future. Machines don't always work but customer service and dangerous behaviors are the result of much larger problems.
 
Sounds to me like the posting from tidester, July 15, 2005 may be having the same problem with their 2006 RAV4.
 
Beth

#4 of 132 2002 corolla problems..battery and wiring by starchildb4u

Feb 07, 2007 (5:34 am)

my battery just died ..i actually did not drive my car for two weeks and it was juat sitting in the cold weather...i was told that when a car sits for two weeks in the cold below 32 degrees that it will not start but i think my problem is wiring as well...mechanics don thave all the answers...my mechanic insists that i get a new battery but my wires in the trunk are shredding...i can just imagine how much that is going to cost me?? i have a 2002 toyota corolla

#5 of 132 Toyota battery and wiring problems.......... by rkljajic

Feb 07, 2007 (10:44 am)

I'm sorry to hear about your very similar experience. Since my electric harness was replaced by the great Toyota dealer in Ontario, Oregon, I have not had any more battery' problems. In fact, the Sequoia just sat for more than two weeks at sub-zero temperatures.......no problems starting at all.
 
1. How to get someone to 'test' your Corolla given that they say nothing is wrong with a vehicle that won't start after two weeks?
 
2. How to get Toyota to address their 'belief' that automobiles do not start if left sitting for one (dealer statement) or two (Toyota Corporate) statement weeks.
- It's not true with Toyota's, unless there is something wrong with them
- It's not true with any other brands
- It's not the 1960's anymore; a time when it might have actually been true

#6 of 132 RAV4 Battery problems - solved at last? by mr2girl

May 10, 2007 (4:00 am)

My RAV4 was bought in September 2001. I have had 3 batteries, 2 were replacements for "faulty" ones. I have had to call out the RAC (here in the UK) several times to start the car, thereby losing my no-call out discount and have twice had a flat battery at the airport car park after leaving the car for 12 days or so. If the car is left for more than 4 days it will not start. Okay, I have only clocked up 14,000 miles in 5 years but I had an MR2 classic sitting outside for days on end for 10 years with no problems. The car is waiting to be collected from a Toyota garage this afternoon after being on a trickle charge all night as it was only holding a 20 per cent charge. The new manager has told me that the ALARM drains the battery (present battery is 16 months old and was last checked about 3 months ago for the same problem). Now I am only going to alarm the car when it is parked in a public place. At other times I am just going to use the key to lock the doors - all 3 of them - what a drag! Will see if this works. Perhaps others could try this if they still experience problems.

#7 of 132 Toyota/Lexus NOT Battery problems - NOT solved at last? [mr2girl] by rkljajic

May 11, 2007 (8:52 am)

Replying to: mr2girl (May 10, 2007 4:00 am)
I wish we could find some attorney who wanted to look in to this. My friend just purchased a fan-cy LEXUX sedan and it won't start after three (3) days. They told her any longer than 3 days needed to be plugged in to an electric outlet. She's attempting to get the Dealer to take the car back, full money refunded.
 
Something is wrong with Toyota/LEXUS electric system. When it's all going to come out is the question.
 
We all own many cars at many homes in many countries. This problem is only happening with Toyota/LEXUS. It is a problem and it can be life threatening (in my case). I'm not going to drop it until it's fixed for everyone.
 
If you know of others with this problem, PLEASE let me know!
 
Beth

#9 of 132 97 Rav4 stuck horn by mmphilli548

Nov 25, 2007 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: rkljajic (May 11, 2007 8:52 am)
Hello-
 
I have a 97 Rav4 and the horn became stuck while it was sitting in my driveway. I disconnected the battery for lack of a better idea. I would like to disconnect the fuse, but I don't know which one it is because I do not have an owner's manual. Does anyone know which fuse is the horn? Thank you.

#10 of 132 Battery and Electrical Problems by rickco

Dec 11, 2007 (9:37 am)

After leaving my 2006 RAV4 on the driveway for five days, my RAV had a dead battery. I was able to jump start it and took it to the dealership to have this problem taken care of. After two days, it was determined that snow melted off the hood of the vehicle and moisture travelled through the firewall to an electrical harness and caused a short in the system. I was informed that a "bulletin" was sent out to dealer service departments concerning this problem.

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