MY WIFE WAS PARKING HER 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. AFTER BACKING UP INTO A SPACE SHE PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT TOOK OFF, CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS PETRIFIED BEING MY DAUGHTER ,WHO IS SIX MONTHS PREGNANT WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. THE OWNER OF THE OTHER CAR WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER THEN THE DAMAGE TO HIS CAR. TO BAD…
2009 Toyota RAV4 powertrain problems
moderate 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
MY VEHICLE IS LISTED AS 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS THE CAR WILL KICK OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE IF I REACH 25 MILES AN HOUR. WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY SNOW AND THE CAR WAS CONSTANTLY KICKING OUT AS MY TIRES WERE SLIPPING WHICH WERE NEW TIRES. I WAS THEN DRIVING IN LIGHT SNOW AND HAD TURNED ON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AS SOON AS GOT CLOSE TO 25 MPH IT KICKED OUT AGAIN.
HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. HAD GROWLING NOISE IN REAR IN 2017. HAD REAR DIFFERENTIAL COUPLER SUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT. NOW 20000 MILES LATER IN NOVEMBER 2018 HAVE GROWLING NOISE AGAIN AND LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAYS COUPLER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT EXPIRED OCTOBER 2018. TOYOTA WON'T STAND BY NEW PART AND DEALER SAYS WOULD COST ABOUT $1900 INCLUDIN…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING AN ABNORMAL CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 06/20/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE FROM PARK AND WHEN SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,789.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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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