MY ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL MORE THAN NORMAL AND I ONLY DRIVE LOCALLY AND VIBRATES IN IDLING AND WHEN YOU STOPPED THE CAR ALSO CONTINUOUSLY HAS A SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE LIKE CLICKING HARDER AT IDLING AND RUNNING IS VERY NOTORIOUS. I CONSULTED OTHER MECHANIC SHOPS AND THEY SAID THERE S A PROBLEM IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE BUT NOBODY WORKED IN MY CAR. IN THE PAST I TOLD THE TOYOTA SERVICE …
2008 Toyota RAV4 engine problems
severe 137 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
137
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ( 1 QT/400 MILES), CAR IS NOW AT 108K MILES. OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE AT 83K (USED ONLY 1/4 QT SO PASSED) AT ROSWELL, ATLANTA. AND I WAS ASKED TO TOP UP OIL DURING OIL CHANGES. NO NOTICE RECEIVED FROM TOYOTA FOR OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. HOW COME THE CAR CONSUMING JUST 1/4 QT/1000 MILES CONSUMING 1 FULL QT/400 MILES NOW? (ASSUMING TEST IS DONE CORRECTLY) I DONT KNOW. BUT F…
WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A SIGNAL. HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ENGINE SURGED TO APPROX 6500 RPM PLOWED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I CLIMBED ON THE OTHER VEHICLE. CAR WOULD NOT STOP MOVING UNTIL I TURNED AND PULLED OUT THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. REPORTED INCIDENT TO TARPON CITY OFFICER, WHILE THE ACCIDENT REPORT WAS WRITTEN UP. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE PRETTY BANGED UP. DON'…
AN EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, 1 QUART EVERY 1500 MILES. NO OIL LEAKS IDENTIFIED. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE RELATED TO 2AZ-FE ENGINES DUE TO DESIGN ISSUES RELATED TO PISTONS AND RINGS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN CAUSE A STALL OF ENGINE DUE TO LOW AMOUNT OF OIL. TOYOTA DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ENGINE DUE TO JUST EXPIRED WARRANTY (10 YEARS/150K MILES).
THE CAR IS LOOSING ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL IN 1100 MILES AND IT STARTED ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THE TOYOTA DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS INDUSTRY STANDARD.
ON 12/18/2013 STARTED CAR IN THE MORNING AND AND ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING(4 CYLINDER). CHECKED OIL AND ADDED 2 QUARTS. THEN ON FRIDAY 12/20 DROVE 4 MILE ENGINE AND VALVES STARTED KNOCKING AND RATTLING. FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS THAT THE ENGINE IN BLOWN. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND HAVE SERVED IT RELIGIOUSLY. HOW CAN AN ENGINE WITH 75000 MILES ON IT LOSE THAT MUCH OIL? I HAVE HAD CARS WITH O…
OIL CONSUMPTION.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 137 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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