Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav4. While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a brick wall. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000. The VIN was…
2009 Toyota RAV4 cruise control problems
severe 86 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
86
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
24crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 86 cruise control complaints filed for the 2009 Toyota RAV4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 20 model years of Toyota RAV4 we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 86.
Owners have filed 86 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2009 RAV4 owners report numerous unintended acceleration incidents—particularly when braking or at stops—that dealers and Toyota repeatedly dismiss as unreplicable or user error despite recall repairs for pedal and floor mats. Multiple owners stopped driving their vehicles due to safety concerns even after dealership inspections found nothing wrong.
Owners of 2009 RAV4s detail a recurring pattern of unintended acceleration, most commonly occurring when the vehicle is at low speed or coming to a stop. The vehicle surges forward despite the driver's foot on the brake, engine revving to 5,000–7,000 RPM. Drivers typically regain control by shifting to neutral, standing on the brakes, or shutting off the engine. These incidents happen sporadically—some owners report six to eight occurrences, others describe it happening 20% of the time or every day, often within the first 1,000 miles but persisting through higher mileage.
Multiple owners also report a sticking accelerator pedal, particularly early in ownership, and unpredictable "jackrabbit" starts from stops with minimal throttle input. One owner experienced brake pedal problems with the pedal depressing nearly to the floor before providing normal resistance.
When owners take their vehicles to dealers, they report technicians cannot replicate the problems during test drives or diagnostics. Dealers have performed accelerator pedal recall repairs (metal shims/plates) and floor mat removal, yet owners state the dangerous behavior persists. Dealers and Toyota representatives characterize the issues as user error, claiming the brake and accelerator are simply positioned close together or the problems are "operating as designed" or "characteristics of the RAV4." Several owners stopped driving their vehicles entirely due to fear of accidents. Some note their cars were manufactured in Japan and excluded from certain recalls.
Same Toyota RAV4 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration when braking or at stop
Engine revs and vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while driver's foot is on brake, often at traffic lights, during parking, or at complete stops. Vehicle surges forward despite brake application, sometimes reaching 5000–7000 RPM. Owner must shift to neutral, push brakes harder, or turn ignition off to regain control.
When: Occurs sporadically, often at low speeds (5–30 MPH) approaching stops or during parking. Some owners report 6–8 incidents over ownership. Present from early ownership (under 1000 miles) to higher mileage vehicles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to high RPM while braking; Vehicle lurches or surges forward despite brake pressure; Acceleration occurs when foot on brake and off gas; Requires firm brake pressure or shifting to neutral to stop; Engine may rev even after shifting to neutral
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed accelerator pedal recall repairs (NHTSA 10V017000, 11V113000) involving installation of metal reinforcement plates or shims. TSBs referenced include floor mat removal, ECM/PCM resets. One owner reports master cylinder and ABS actuator replacement (OPN 44050-42330). Multiple owners report failures recurred after recall repairs. Some dealers refused to service or investigate, claiming vehicle 'operating as designed.' Throttle body cleaning performed on one vehicle without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Accelerator pedal recall (metal shim/plate installation, 2010). Floor mat recall mentioned. Brake override system noted as not available for reprogramming on 2009 RAV4. Toyota field technicians investigated but claimed no defect found. Multiple owners report dealer/manufacturer told them issues were 'user error' or 'characteristic of RAV4.' Dealers and Toyota representatives refused further diagnostics or repairs when unable to replicate. One owner reports Toyota stated vehicle 'operating as designed' even after brake pedal investigation.
Sticking accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal does not return to idle position or returns sluggishly after driver releases throttle. Pedal becomes stuck to floorboard in one instance. Occurs after recall repair in at least one case.
When: Within first 1000 miles to 5400 miles of ownership. One instance at 98,000 miles (stuck to floorboard with snow involved).
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator does not return to normal position upon deceleration; Pedal sticky or sluggish returning to idle; Pedal stuck to floorboard (one case with snow pile impact)
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator pedal recall repair (metal reinforcement plate) performed. One owner reports pedal remained problematic even after recall repair. No other specific parts mentioned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Accelerator pedal reinforcement plate recall performed on multiple vehicles. One owner received recall repair on 2/5/2009 but continued to experience issues afterward.
Jackrabbit starts and jerky acceleration from stop
Vehicle accelerates abruptly from complete stop with minimal throttle input, throwing occupants back into seats. Acceleration is rapid and uncontrolled despite light pedal pressure. Occurs randomly or frequently during normal acceleration.
When: From purchase or within first few months. Happens approximately 20% of the time or 'every day' depending on owner. Present at 100,000+ miles on one vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid uncontrolled acceleration from minimal throttle input; Jerking or lurching forward from stop; Throws occupants back in seats; Occurs randomly or frequently during acceleration attempts; Vehicle described as having 'jackrabbit' start behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers checked vehicles and reported 'no defect' and that 'vehicle drives like every other RAV4.' One owner attempted to replicate in driveway without success (foot on both pedals). No repairs made for this issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers dismissed issue as normal operation. One owner reports being told that brake and accelerator placement makes simultaneous depression possible and that this is 'user error.' Brake override system noted as not available on 2009 RAV4 V6.
Brake pedal goes to floor with poor resistance
Brake pedal depresses fully or nearly to the floor before providing normal resistance and braking action. Depresses quickly, leaving minimal space before pedal limit. Intermittent issue.
When: October 2009, early in ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depresses quickly to near floor; Minimal pedal resistance; Intermittent occurrence; Insufficient braking feel
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced master cylinder and ABS actuator (OPN 44050-42330). Repair resolved the issue; no further brake problems after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer consulted Toyota U.S. headquarters for troubleshooting. Toyota provided recommended resolution after nearly one week of investigation, suggesting this was a novel issue at the time.
Engine revving noise and grinding when releasing accelerator
Grinding noise and vibration occur when driver lifts foot off gas pedal. Noise progressively worsens. Dealers dismiss as 'characteristic of RAV4' without explanation. Owner concerned about safety and cause.
When: Within 9 months of purchase; developed after vehicle was several months old.
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when releasing accelerator; Vibration accompanying noise; Noise worsens progressively; Present when deceleration begins
Repairs/costs cited: Three service department visits over 3 months. Determination made that it is a 'characteristic' of the RAV4 but no repair offered or explanation provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer declared noise a 'characteristic of RAV4' with no explanation, safety confirmation, or fix offered. Recommended customer take it to another dealer. Owner refused to accept this response.
Engine surge at idle or very low speed
Engine revs or surges unexpectedly while vehicle is idling or moving at very low speed, even with foot on brake. RPM spikes to several hundred or several thousand. Occurs while reversing, backing into garage, or sitting at red light.
When: Various times during ownership; some instances early (under 5,000 miles), others after extended ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM spike at idle; Engine surging in reverse; Engine revving while foot on brake; Occurs without accelerator pedal input; RPM increase to 'a few hundred' to 'a few thousand'
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to identify cause. One owner suggests possible software glitch. No repairs performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Health check tests performed; all systems reported 'operating properly' with 'no adverse operation noted.' Dealers unable to duplicate problem during road tests.
Synthesized from 86 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav4. While driving 70 MPH , there was unintended vehicle acceleration. After brake application he was able to decelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the technician was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 86 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 75 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 5,404 and 20,735 miles, with the median around 11,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,404; a quarter make it past 20,735. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.