My mother had the exact same issue reported in Toyota Manufacturer case 1707311582 and NHTSA report 11396355 from Feb 15, 2021. My mother had not reported to me, until it happened while I was driving her around Dec. 24, 2021, that her Rav. rev'd and accelerated when she applied the brake while leaving a parking spot. Here's what I've reported to my Toyota dealership where we bought the vehicle.…
2009 Toyota RAV4 brakes problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2009 RAV4 has documented brake system issues ranging from complete pedal failure to soft-pedal drag and premature rotor wear. Owners report sudden brake loss at low speeds, engine revving during braking (electronic throttle interference), and excessive brake wear within 1,500–9,000 miles; dealers often claim these are normal or cannot find the cause.
The 2009 RAV4's brake system shows a pattern of distinct failures unrelated to normal wear. Owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floorboard with little stopping force—sometimes intermittently, sometimes repeatedly within single trips. At 2,000 to 100,000 miles, this happens unpredictably; reapplying the brake may restore pressure temporarily. One owner crashed into a parked car at under 5 mph because the brakes wouldn't engage; another ran a red light while coasting to a stop. Dealers often tell owners this is normal or cannot identify a cause.
A second pattern involves the engine revving to 1,500–2,000 RPM when the brake pedal is pressed instead of the vehicle slowing down. Owners attribute this to the electronic throttle system (drive-by-wire) failing to return to idle when brakes are applied. This started within days or weeks of delivery and worsened over time. One owner needed to shift to neutral to avoid crashing.
Early rotor grinding and metal shavings appear in the first 1,500 miles on some vehicles; pads and rotors wear out within 7,000–9,000 miles. Dealers cite surface rust and grind it off, but rust returns. Brake pedals frequently feel soft or spongy, requiring excessive travel to engage. Rear brake calipers leak, requiring replacement, but the soft-pedal issue persists after repair. Emergency brake cables corrode and fail, making the parking brake inoperative. One owner paid $400 in parts to replace failed cables; Toyota confirmed this is a common design flaw on this generation.
Some owners report the ABS system engaging excessively or dragging, causing the vehicle to track left and creating a rubbing noise every 700–1,000 miles. Wheel removal and reinspection temporarily clears the symptom.
Same Toyota RAV4 brakes reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal loss / goes to floor
Brake pedal sinks to the floorboard with little to no braking force, sometimes intermittently. Pressing again may restore pressure temporarily. Owners report complete brake failure events requiring transmission shift to neutral or multiple pedal applications.
When: 2,000–100,000 miles; some within first 1,500 miles; recurs unpredictably
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal sinks to floorboard when brakes applied; Reduced or absent braking force; Temporary recovery if brake reapplied; Vehicle does not slow or stop when expected; Crash into parked vehicle reported in one case; Requires shift to neutral to stop
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder failure identified in one case (100k miles). Dealerships often claim normal operation or cannot find cause. Some resolved after service but problem recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota accelerator shim recall applied in some cases; did not resolve brake issues. Dealers advised this is normal operation.
Engine rev/acceleration while braking (drive-by-wire interference)
Engine revs to 1,500–2,000 RPM or higher when brake pedal is applied, defeating deceleration. Vehicle accelerates or maintains speed instead of slowing. Owners describe electronic throttle system failing to return to idle when brakes engaged.
When: Within days to weeks of delivery; 8–90k miles; sporadic but worsening over time
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs when brake pedal depressed; Vehicle accelerates or does not slow despite braking; Requires shift to neutral to prevent accident; Happens intermittently with no warning; Coasting to stop light triggers acceleration; Ran red light due to uncontrolled acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator shim repair attempted (2/26/10) without resolving idle speed issue. Dealers report no mechanical adjustment available for idle speed. Problem persists or worsens post-repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota recall (case 1707311582, NHTSA 11396355) issued; owners advised to apply brake with two feet if unintended acceleration occurs. Pedal redesign not offered.
Brake pedal/accelerator pedal spacing interference
Brake and accelerator pedals positioned too close together, causing unintended accelerator actuation when driver intends to apply brakes, especially with boots or thick shoes.
When: Early in ownership; low mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: Accidental accelerator application while attempting to brake; Vehicle rapidly accelerates at stops; Driver unable to apply both feet to brake pedal as instructed by recall; Problem triggered by winter boots or thick footwear
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers advised no pedal redesign available; suggested aftermarket pedal extension. No manufacturer repair offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notice instructed two-foot braking; owners noted pedal too small to accommodate this. Aftermarket pedal suggested but not provided by manufacturer.
Rotor grinding/premature brake wear
Rotors grind, especially early in vehicle life, with metal shavings visible. Pads and rotors wear excessively within 1,500–9,000 miles. Dealers attribute to surface rust, which recurs after grinding off.
When: 1,500–9,000 miles; some within first months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when braking; Metal shavings in wheels; Rapid rotor/pad wear; Recurrent rust on new rotors; Concern vehicle unsafe to drive
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers grind off rust without warranty paperwork. Rust returns. One owner reports environmental issue cited by dealer; independent opinion suggested poor design.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for premature brake wear. Dealers cite rust as normal; no design correction offered.
Soft/spongy brake pedal with excessive travel
Brake pedal feels soft or spongy, requires excessive pedal travel before engaging, does not provide firm stopping. Sometimes paired with rear caliper leaks.
When: Throughout ownership; 650–12,600+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal very low before engagement; Soft or spongy feel; Excessive pedal travel required; Reduced stopping power; Pedal drifts downward while stopped
Repairs/costs cited: Brake bleeding performed multiple times without lasting improvement. Rear calipers replaced due to leaks (both right and left caliper failed). Low pedal persisted after caliper replacement and re-bleeding.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim soft pedal is normal operation. No design correction or extended warranty offered.
Emergency/parking brake cable corrosion failure
Emergency brake cables corroded at the cable end where they enter backing plates, preventing freedom of movement and rendering brake inoperative.
When: Not explicitly stated; reported as a known recurring problem on RAV4 and other Toyota models
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency/parking brake becomes inoperative; Cables immobilized due to corrosion
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cables cost ~$400 in parts plus labor. New cable design differed significantly at the failure point, suggesting redesign to address flaw.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota service technician confirmed common problem on RAV4, Tacoma, and others. New cables provided with improved design.
ABS system gradual engagement / excessive braking drag
ABS system appears to apply gradually to a fixed point, causing excessive braking drag. Vehicle tracks left ('doglegs'), requiring more throttle to maintain speed. Oncoming and same-direction traffic avoid the vehicle. Rubbing sound in wheels during episodes.
When: Recurring cycle every 700–1,000 miles; starting at 4,661 miles; 12,601 miles on vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: ABS feels as if gradually applied; Excessive braking drag; Vehicle tracks left or 'doglegs'; Oncoming traffic pulls right; same-direction traffic pulls left; Rubbing noise in wheels; Requires extra throttle to maintain speed; Rapid deceleration when foot lifted from gas
Repairs/costs cited: Wheels pulled, ABS and emergency brake inspected multiple times at dealership warranty visits; nothing found. Problem disappears when wheels remounted. Owner now pays independent tire/brake center for inspections each cycle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer declined further warranty repairs; service manager stated nothing wrong. Toyota representative reportedly no longer interested in pursuing repairs.
Brake noise (grinding, whushing, hissing)
Brakes produce grinding, whushing (air-like), or hissing noises during braking or at rest, without clear mechanical cause found by dealers.
When: Throughout ownership; reported at 66,500 miles and other intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise during braking; Whushing sound as if brakes full of air; Hissing or rubbing noise
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership maintenance visits resulted in no diagnosis or repair. Noise persists despite routine brake service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to identify cause; no repair attempted or offered.
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 Toyota RAV4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 2,000 and 64,000 miles, with the median around 9,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,000; a quarter make it past 64,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/RAV4.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.