2020 Toyota RAV4

Since I've owned the vehicle it has made loud squeaking, scraping, popping, and clicking noises in the suspension and steering. When I first turn the vehicle on and use the brakes they are very loud as if they are worn. I've had the brakes checked and the dealer said the brakes are fine. When I turn the steering wheel it makes a loud crunching rubbing noise that I can feel in the floor board. My vehicle is less than 5 years old and less than 60,000 miles. I've never had a vehicle made so many noises and it's terrifying to wonder if something is just going to break off or stop working.

I replaced my battery a little over a year ago and have come back to my battery completely dead and unable to turn the engine over. The first time it happened my vehicle had sat for 4 days. It has done it sporadically and sometimes within 2 days of incidents. I have checked to make sure no components were left on to cause this issue. It has left me stranded multiple times.

While driving with the air conditioner on a message appears on the instrument panel ENGINE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. From researching this message on the internet it appears this is due to an engine coolant bypass valve problem. From this internet search it appears to be happening to many other peoples Rav4. The cost of having this valve replaced appears to be close to $1000. It appears that this problem is a common thing. Toyota needs to have a recall on this problem. Most people report this happening at various mileage.

This vehicle is equipped with a power back door (PBD) that has begun to malfunction. March 29, 2024 was the first occurrence of the PBD malfunction when the opened back door would not fully close after clicking the appropriate button on the electronic key switch. There were no warnings that preceded the malfunction. The PBD would only close the back door a few inches before stopping. Additional clicks only closed it a few more inches and manual closing (requiring significant pressure) was required to fully close the door. Additional random occurrences of this PBD malfunction have happened over the past six months and have now become so frequent that on September 30, 2024 I turned off (via the multi-information display) the PBD function and must now resort to fully manual opening and closing of the back door. Based on multiple other complaints filed with NHTSA for this particular vehicle (2020 Toyota RAV4; NHTSA ID Numbers 11572353, 11572802, 11573768, 11579590, 11585733), I inspected the edges of the back door, the body's back door cavity, and the two back door spindles for damage, foreign objects, dirt, etc. that might impede PDB operation and found none. I also inspected the two back door hinges and saw no damage, no warping, no corrosion, and no movement of the hinges from their original installation locations. This PBD malfunction affects safety as the force required to manually open and close the back door is significant and operation of the back door might be impossible for people not physically able to effect the force needed. The vehicle is available for inspection and has not yet been inspected by the Toyota dealer where I purchased the vehicle in August 2020 or by others.

Toyota vehicles, namely RAV4’s are having a coolant bypass valve defect. And Toyota is denying this claim and charging to diagnostic and repair. This is a defect and should be set to recall as many owners are experiencing the issue. Mine began on a out of state trip with a engine maintenance light, and leaking fluid from the coolant valve, which can lead to engine stalling and issues while driving. Very dangerous! I took mine to my mechanic and had it repaired since I am beginning not to trust Toyota.

Premature coolant bypass valve failure. Vehicle has less than 70k miles, but past warranty, "Engine Maintenance Required-See Dealer" light randomly came on one day and would not go off. Scanner pulled no codes as to what the issue would be. Found out it is a known issue as hundreds, if not thousands of Toyota drivers, have experienced this and that specific warning message indicates that it is due to the coolant bypass valve having failed. Clearly this is a known issue.

The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side rear side door became flooded after inclement weather. The contact stated that while attempting to open the door, there was a slushing sound coming from the door. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.