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Toyota RAV4 Battery and Electrical Problems

136 messages,  Last post on Jun 15, 2013 at 5:45 PM

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

Messages Page 7 of 15

#53 of 136 2006 RAV4- Is it a keeper? by renorav4

Aug 02, 2009 (5:24 pm)

I thought I was being smart when I bought a used 2006 RAV4 Limited because it was a "Toyota". Now I'm wondering if it's a keeper or if I should sell it FAST. I only got to drive it three days and it left me stranded at the gas station. For no apparent reason, it just wouldn't start. My husband tried to jump start it and the jumper cables started smoking. We ran to the store and bought a new battery and installed it. This let the car start, but then all the check engine lights came on and there was no acceleration. I had it towed to my mechanic and now I'm waiting to see what's next and how much it's going to cost. My 2006 RAV4 has 37k miles so it's not under warranty anymore. After reading this forum, I'm afraid I will have problems with my RAV forever. Has anyone worked through their problems and now they love their RAV? I'm thinking I should sell it before I get stranded again. Help!

#54 of 136 Re: 2005 Rav4 leaves me stranded [tidester] by tautos

Aug 05, 2009 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Jun 03, 2009 8:38 pm)
Never had any problems with my Toyota. Toyotas have few if any issues and most problems are caused by their owners (where they park it, leaves (environment-dirt clogging), abuse,etc.). Their nearly perfect cars. Perhaps its the gas you use.

#55 of 136 Re: 2005 Rav4 leaves me stranded [tautos] by 30ford

Aug 05, 2009 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: tautos (Aug 05, 2009 12:14 pm)
You're one of the lucky ones. I got mine new off the lot and when I put my Sirius radio in, they played dumb until I forced the issue. After they got the parts in, it only took them 15 minutes to get it squared away. I guess they have to try putting the buyers off (saves money??).

#56 of 136 running out of love for my 2nd RAV 4... by nazlym

Aug 27, 2009 (9:57 am)

I am not sure if buying a new car and thinking you can rely on it is applicable to a RAV anymore for me. Bought mine in June 2008 (new) ...and having pretty bad luck. The biggest problem now - the car wont start occasionally. Apparantely, as of this June (09) the 2 rubber bands on the shift stick are preventign the car from starting bc the shift stick is not all the way in (2mm) and the car thinks it is in gear and wont start.
I have always had a rubber band or two on my shift stick but now it is a problem. The dealership of course only figured this out on the 2nd try after the tow truck suggested it. Before that, the dealership kept testing the battery and telling me it's fine (which is what i told them when I brought it in the 1st time).
 
Other problem - low set idle point which send extra vibrations throught out the car and the dealership says they cannot do anything about the signals the computer sends to the idle point system (or whatever it is called).
 
I also had water leaking (pretty heavily) on my right foot while driving...aparently some tube got plugged up.......
 
I also had the horn go off wildely. The dealership put me through hell with fixing it and now 8 months later it is finally fixed.
 
SO, between the problems with the car and pain & difficulties from the dealership - I HAVE HAD IT and will be taking it further to Toyota, BBB, Consumer report!!!!!!!
 
1 piece of advice to the others who seem to have problems with RAVs > buy a honda
 
Cheers,
Nazlym

#57 of 136 Re: Toyota RAV4 Battery and Electrical Problems [30ford] by pem524

Aug 27, 2009 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: 30ford (Jul 16, 2009 9:57 am)
I was wondering what your problem was and how did you get it fixed? My Rav4 is a 2009 and I had it since April 2008, but all of a sudden it hasn't been starting. Same story as everyone else.

#58 of 136 Re: Toyota/Lexus NOT Battery problems - NOT solved at last? [ninac731] by donleske

Nov 20, 2009 (12:22 pm)

Replying to: ninac731 (Nov 14, 2008 1:47 pm)
I have a 2009 RAV4.... and I ALSO HAVE the same problem. Once a week or sometimes once in two weeks, the car just will NOT START. I bought this car new. I am also an ASE Certified Master Auto Mechanic, 59 years old and know my cars. This car is a Lemon, no joke. I had the same problem with a brand new 2006 Toyota Avalon bought at Toyota of Puyallup. ---- The service department cannot find the problem of course, BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS once in a week or two and they are unwilling to hold a car that long for diagnosis issues. I traded my other Toyota in because of this same issue, but did not think it would happen again. It did, and they are telling me that no one else has complained about this problem. --- Now I also own a web design company www.bciwire.com and I will most certainly create a website to collect such data and a Media Campaign to go along with it. Toyota does not care, it is most obvious. Will they care when enough people do not buy new Toyota cars???
 
Shame on Toyota for their poor service.
Don / Tacoma WA Realtor

#59 of 136 Re: 2005 Rav4 leaves me stranded [lizzie06] by donleske

Nov 20, 2009 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: lizzie06 (Jun 02, 2009 5:46 am)
My 2009 RAV4 will NOT START once a week or sometimes in a two week period,, it can happen anywhere and the dealer cannot find out what the problem is. I have taked it to two Toyota dealers, one Titus-Will Toyota in Tacoma and the other to Toyota of Puyallup WA.... they act like I am a liar because they cannot find a trouble code. This also happend with my 2006 Toyota Avalon and I traded it in.... maybe is a conspiracy to get people to trade in their cars?
 
Don Leske in Tacoma WA
Realtor / ASE Certifice Master Mechanic

#60 of 136 Can't anybody 'get' to Toyota to resolve these life threatening problems??? by rkljajic

Nov 20, 2009 (1:07 pm)

Since Steve's Hometown Motors Toyota Dealership in Ontario, Oregon both identified and replaced my Electric Harness as the problem, I've been living relatively safely and Sequoia problem-free. But after the life threatening conditions created by this problem for eighteen months, Toyota's unwillingness to address it or even admit there was anything wrong and my ability to have other transportation vehicles, luckily no one died.
 
I tried everything I could to get someone's attention at Toyota America. No luck. I would never, ever purchase another Toyota based solely on the service issue. Aren't there any attorneys out there who want to pursue this??
 
Beth

#61 of 136 Re: Toyota/Lexus NOT Battery problems - NOT solved at last? [donleske] by lizzie06

Nov 21, 2009 (9:42 am)

Replying to: donleske (Nov 20, 2009 12:22 pm)
Don - I feel your pain and you of all people who knows cars and is an ASE Certified auto mechanic!! I will tell you since my car has shut down 3x on I-95, completed died on me while travelling at a rate of 65-70 mph....it is scary!! I swear I almost had a heart attack and was very fortunate no one plowed into me & was killed. My 2005 Rav4 was also purchased brand new. I have always had toyota's and always purchase a new one when it is time. My last Toyota was a Camry and it lasted 13 years, no problems with it until the 13th year I had it. None the less my current 2005 Rav4 only has 40k, since I work from home, I may only incur about 10K per year on it. After the Toyota dealer had my car several times, they tried to re-create the same 'shut down' incident with their diagnostic testing. After the 3rd time this happened to me & my car was once again towed to the dealer, they decided to remove the ECU and replaced it with another one. Since my passenger side floor was always damp, smelled of mildew, they figured the sealing/hosing in my sunroom was causing the leak and travelling to the ECU which is located underneath my glove box. Since they replaced it, I have not had any more problems. However, two days ago we got a bad rain and now my the floor behind the driver's seat is wet, my driver's side seat belt is wet & once again, the ceiling around the sun-roof is wet!!! So, now I am praying that it did not travel down to the ECU again....for my fear is, my car will once again shut down on my while I driving. I purchased and paid EXTRA for the 6 year/60K silver warranty, the deluxe one. I had to ARGUE/PLEAD that the ECU should be covered, finally they agreed, but I had to pay for the diagnosis testings, hoses for the sun roof & for someone to check for leaks. That person who was hired via Toyota found a few areas that in car chassis that he stated that during assembly someone did not coat it thorughly, so maybe that is why it leaks?!! Anyways, since the new leak in my car, my two front doors quit locking. I now have to manually lock the front doors. I tried purchasing another key button, but it only locks/unlocks my back doors. So, when I get the chance or time, I need to take my car back to the dealership again to fix the leak & my door locks...not sure if the leaks caused the doors to stopping locking electronically. My 2005 Rav4 will be paid off in March 2010.....and I was hoping not to have any payments due to this poor economy, I am strapped. But, it looks like I should sell it and get something else other than a Toyota, but I honestly cannot afford any more payments. Best of luck to you!!

#62 of 136 Re: Toyota/Lexus NOT Battery problems - NOT solved at last? [donleske] by mazda626atx

Dec 05, 2009 (9:24 am)

Replying to: donleske (Nov 20, 2009 12:22 pm)
I have the keyless 2009 V6 Limited with the push button starter switch.
When I have my foot on the brake pedal and push the starter switch I hear a 1-2 second unusual almost grinding sound before the car starts up. This does not happen everytime but more than 50% of the time. The car starts ok every time.
Now a new issue has come up that frightens me. In the past when i pressed the start button 2 times to activate the accessory mode without my foot on the brake as recommended by the manual I heard the same sound for a second or so as though some signal was sent to starter and maybe because brake pedal was not activated some relay stopped it from engaging. So out of fear I stopped doing that.
 
Today I left a window open and used the acc mode once and now ,even when running the engine , when I turn engine off and open drivers side door the same sound happens without touching the start buttton! Any ideas. As I am in Greece I have no warranty and am really afraid of any electrical problems.
 
Does anyone else hear any sound with the keyless start button before the engine actually kicks over, and has anyone experienced the door opening causing any starter related sounds
Please help

Messages Page 7 of 15

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