Recalls: Toyota XA30 RAV4
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Toyota XA30 RAV4
Toyota XA30 RAV4: prototype instrument panel reinforcement
In March 2012, a recall was issued for twenty-two Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles due to a prototype instrument panel reinforcement having been potentially installed on certain vehicles. As a result, a welded portion of the panel reinforcement – the steering column support bracket – could separate when steering and cause noise; at worst, steering operation could be affected. To fix, Toyota was to replace the instrument panel reinforcement with a new one (PRA 2012/13061). The recalled vehicles had the following VINs:
- JTMBD33V105128269;
- JTMBK31V005042153;
- JTMBK31V005042170;
- JTMBK31V105042162;
- JTMBK31V305042129;
- JTMBK31V305042132;
- JTMBK31V405042155;
- JTMBK31V705042134;
- JTMBK31V905042166;
- JTMBK31VX05042158;
- JTMBK33V105042143;
- JTMBK33V205042149;
- JTMBK33V505042114;
- JTMBK33V505042145;
- JTMBK33V605042154;
- JTMBK33V705042146;
- JTMBK33V705042163;
- JTMBK33V805042138;
- JTMBK33V805042141;
- JTMBK33V905042147;
- JTMBD31V305128244; and,
- JTMBD31VX05128211.
2006-10 Toyota XA30 RAV4: driver’s power window switch
In October 2012, a recall was issued for Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles produced between 1 February 2006 and 31 May 2010. In these vehicles, a sliding electrical contact module in the driver’s side power window master switch may have a ‘sticky’ feel during operation due to the non-uniform application of lubricant – this could cause wear to the internal sliding contact points. As a result, the switch may become inoperative. If, however, a commercially available lubricant was applied to rectify the operation, the switch assembly could potentially overheat and melt (PRA 2012/13327).
Toyota XA30 RAV4: insufficiently tightened rear suspension arm
In December 2012, a recall was issued for Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles. Following an “in-service” rear wheel alignment, it is possible that the adjustable rear suspension arm may be insufficiently tightened – this could result in wear to threads on the rear suspension arm, potentially causing the arm to separate while in motion and resulting in the loss of vehicle control at speed (PRA 2012/13422). The VINs of recalled vehicles were as follows –
- All-wheel drive models with four-cylinder engines:
- JTM BD31V # 05000030 to JTM BD31V # 05262438;
- JTM BD31V # 0D001416 to JTM BD31V # 0D018036;
- JTM BD33V # 05000027 to JTM BD33V # 05000027;
- JTM BD33V # 0D001409 to JTM BD33V # 0D018039;
- Models with V6 engines:
- JTM BK31V # 05034307 to JTM BK31V # 05098961;
- JTM BK31V # 0D006485 to JTM BK31V # 0D017782;
- JTM BK33V # 05041543 to JTM BK33V # 05098595;
- JTM BK33V # 0D006497 to JTM BK33V # 0D017784;
- Front-wheel drive models with four-cylinder engines:
- JTM ZD31V # 05149661 to JTM ZD31V # 05167548;
- JTM ZD31V # 0D007307 to JTM ZD31V # 0D014282;
- JTM ZD33V # 05149661 to JTM ZD33V # 05167548; and,
- JTM ZD33V # 0D008926 to JTM ZD33V # 0D014298.
2005-10 Toyota XA30 RAV4: driver’s power window switch
In November 2015, a recall was issued for Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles that were manufactured from October 2005 to June 2010. In these vehicles, the sliding electrical contacts in the driver’s side power window master switch may not have been lubricated with sufficient grease. As a result, wear residue from the electrical contact points could accumulate between the terminals during normal operation. This wear residue could cause a short circuit between the contact points, posing a fire hazard. For the VINs of the recalled Toyota RAV4 vehicles, please seePRA 2015/14999.
2005-12 Toyota XA30 RAV4: seatbelt webbing could separate in collision
In February 2016, a recall was issued for Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles that were manufactured from August 2005 to November 2012. In a high-speed frontal collision, the seatbelt webbing in these vehicles could contact a portion of the metal seat cushion frame, cutting the seatbelt webbing and causing it to separate. If this occurred, the seatbelt would not properly restrain the occupant and the risk of injury would be increased. For the VINs of the recalled Toyota RAV4 vehicles, please see PRA 2016/15214.
Problems and faults: Toyota XA30 RAV4
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Toyota XA30 RAV4: 2AZ-FE oil consumption
The2.4-litre 2AZ-FE engine is susceptible to excessive oil consumption due to oil getting past the piston rings and into the combustion chamber. There have been reports of excessive oil consumption for 2AZ-FE powered RAV4 vehicles with mileages as low as 70,000 kms, though it is more commonly experienced from 100,000 to 120,000 kms.
In August 2011, Toyota issued the TSB #0094-11 which noted that 2006 to 2011 model year vehicles with the 2AZ-FE engine may experience excessive oil consumption. In TSB #0094-11, Toyota prescribed an oil consumption test in which oil consumption would be considered excessive if it exceeded more than 1 quart (approximately 1 litre) of oil for 1200 miles (1930 km) of normal driving. If this threshold was exceeded, the piston assembly (i.e. pistons and piston rings) would be replaced – this required the engine to be removed from the vehicle.
In January 2015, Toyota USA initiated a ‘Warranty Enhancement Program’ known as Limited Service Campaign (LSC) ZE7 for the 2AZ-FE engine. As part of this program,
- Toyota informed owners that they could seek reimbursement for the cost of previous repairs to address excessive oil consumption;
- Owners were advised that they could have an engine oil consumption test to determine if their vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. It is understood that the threshold for this test was the same as described in TSB #0094-11 (i.e. 1 quart per 1200 miles); and,
- For vehicles with excessive oil consumption, the pistons would be replaced at no cost to the owner.
As part of the warranty enhancement, the ‘Primary Coverage’ period lasted until October 31, 2016, regardless of mileage. Once the ‘Primary Coverage’ period ended, a ‘Secondary Coverage’ period commenced and was applicable from ten (10) years from the date of first use or 150,000 miles (241,350 kms), whichever occurred first.
2006-09 Toyota XA30 RAV4 V6: VVT-i oil hose leak
In August 2014, Toyota USA issued its extended ‘Limited Service Campaign’ (LSC) 90K for Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles that had 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 engines and were manufactured from January 2006 to February 2009. In these vehicles, the rubber portion of the oil supply hose for the VVT-i actuator could develop a pinhole and exposure to small amounts of corrosive gases from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system may cause this pinhole to expand and oil to leak. If this occurred, the engine noise may be ‘abnormal’ and the oil pressure light may illuminate.
As part of LSC 90K, the VVT-i oil hose was to be replaced with a ‘newly designed’ hose at no charge to owners. Vehicle owners could participate in the service campaign until 31 December 2021.
2006 model year Toyota XA30 RAV4: ‘check engine’ light and P0011, P0012 or P0016
In February 2007, Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin EG007-07 for ‘2006 model year’ Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles that had the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE engine. These vehicles may experience illumination of the ‘check engine’ light with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0011, P0012 or P0016 stored in the Engine Control Module (ECM). According to the service bulletin, these symptoms may be caused by the VVT-i actuator and this was to be fixed by replacing the camshaft timing gear assembly (replacing part number 13050-28020 with part number 13050-28021).
2006-08 Toyota XA30 RAV4 with 2AZ-FE: idler pulley noise
In June 2011, Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin 0056-11 for 2006-08 model year Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles that had 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE engines. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit an abnormal noise from the idler pulley bearing assembly. To fix, the idler pulley sub-assembly (replacement part number 16603-28050) and idler pulley bracket (replacement part number 16631-28031) were to be replaced. The revised idler pulley sub-assembly and idler pulley bracket were incorporated into production from the following VINs:
- Tahara production, 2WD: JTMZD3#V#85084220;
- Tahara production, 4WD: JTMBD3#V#8513904;
- Shokki production, 2WD: JTMZD3#V#86058407; and,
- Shokki production, 4WD: JTMBD3#V#86060308.
2006-08 Toyota XA30 RAV4: 2GR-FE idler pulley noise
In February 2009, Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0056-09 for 2006-08 Toyota XA30 RAV4 vehicles that had 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 engines. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit a squeaking noise from the engine compartment while the engine was running due to the no.2 idler pulley. To fix,
- The accessory drive belt was to be loosened;
- The no.2 idler pulley(s) were to be removed;
- The original no.2 idler pulley cover plate was be fitted to the front of each new no.2 idler pulley;
- A new idler pulley cover (part no. 16649-31020) was to be fitted to the rear of each new pulley (part no. 16604-0P011) and the assemblies were to be bolted onto the engine; and,
- The accessory drive belt was to be re-installed.
For the Toyota RAV4, the revised idler pulley was incorporated into production from the following VINs:
- Shokki production: JTMZK3#V#86011038;
- Shokki production: JTMBK3#V#86031357;
- Tahara production: JTMZK3#V#85017215; and,
- Tahara production: JTMBK3#V#85045355.
2006-12 Toyota XA30 RAV4: growl type noise from rear differential coupling
In June 2013, Toyota USA issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0080-13 Rev 1 for 2006-12 model year all-wheel drive Toyota RAV4 vehicles. According to the technical bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front bearing. To fix, the rear differential coupling was to be removed and inspected; if the condition was verified, then the rear differential coupling was to be replaced or rebuilt. For the VINs of potentially affected vehicles, please see Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0080-13 Rev 1.
Toyota XA30 RAV4 V6: whining noise from front differential
In December 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation Australia issued Technical Newsflash (Reference Number TNF 87/10) for Toyota XA30 RAV4 V6 vehicles. The Technical Newsflash described that a ‘minor cyclic gear noise’ may be apparent during light deceleration, light acceleration or constant throttle at vehicle speeds between 45 km/h and 70 km/h. Owners, however, have described the noise as an excessively loud whining noise.
AustralianCar.Reviews understands that this noise from the front differential was caused by incorrect pinion gear meshing with the crown wheel or possibly from the pinion gear support bearings. Specifically, the gears have to mesh to an exact depth and, if not, excessive wear occurs that leads to premature failure. According to the Technical Newsflash, fixing this problem required a revised differential pinion and ring gears to be installed.
Problems and faults: Toyota XA30 RAV4
- The six-disc JBL audio display may cease working or display unusual characters, requiring a replacement to be installed.
- When using an auxiliary audio input, there may be unwanted noise from the audio system. This may be fixed by the installation of an in-line filter.
- The battery may go flat overnight due to failure of the remote start control module.
- The front seats may not return to their position due to weak return springs.
- The automatic transmission gearshift lever may feel notchy; a revised gearshift slide cover was available to correct the problem.
- Water may leak onto the front floor via the heater core due to a leak in the cowl.
