TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Toyota RAV4 cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Toyota RAV4 have filed 55 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 25,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 RAV4 | 81 |
| 2008 RAV4 | 75 |
| 2009 RAV4 | 86 |
| 2010 RAV4 | 65 |
| 2011 RAV4 (this page) | 55 |
| 2012 RAV4 | 41 |
| 2013 RAV4 | 11 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 4 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 17 |
17crashes
1fire
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 55 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 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
Owners have filed 55 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.
Cruise control accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two primary hazards: engine revving uncontrollably while the brake pedal is held down, and brakes that simply fail to stop the vehicle. Both occur most often at traffic lights or low-speed stops. The engine spike is loud—described as a "jet engine"—and RPMs jump to 2000–6500+, forcing the car forward despite hard brake pressure. Shifting to neutral or restarting the engine typically kills the surge temporarily, but it recurs. Some owners report the problem five or more times over weeks or years.
The second failure is outright brake loss: foot on the pedal, vehicle keeps rolling. Owners pump brakes, apply extreme pressure, shift to park, or kill the engine to stop. One owner's onboard data showed the engine actually spiked from 800 to 2000 RPM while he was braking continuously before a collision.
Dealers cannot reproduce the failures. They download onboard data, perform test drives, and declare nothing wrong. One service manager *did* replicate the surge four separate times in his parking lot—and Toyota still denied a defect. Owners report floor mats were Toyota-original and secured, pedals were not stuck, and feet did not slip. Yet dealers and Toyota investigators routinely blame driver error or floor mats, despite customers ruling those out. No recalls have been issued. Several owners sold or traded in their RAV4s because they feared driving them, and one suffered a fractured pelvis from a collision caused by sudden acceleration.
Same Toyota RAV4 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration with brake pedal depressed
Engine revs uncontrollably while driver applies brakes, causing vehicle to lurch or accelerate forward. Occurs most commonly during traffic stops and low-speed braking (5-35 mph). Drivers report engine RPMs spike to 2000-6500+, with loud roaring sound. Shifting to neutral typically stops acceleration; restarting engine may reset the condition temporarily.
When: Across all mileages from 2,200 to 150,000+ miles; some occur within weeks of purchase (3,200-6,000 miles), others years later
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs loudly while brake pedal is depressed; Vehicle continues to move forward despite brake application; High RPM spike (2000-6500+) visible on tachometer; Vehicle lurches or jerks forward; Engine roaring or 'jet engine' sound; Brakes feel resistant or hard to press; Front end shakes or vibrates
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers consistently unable to replicate. Technicians download onboard data; some show engine RPM spikes during braking, some show nothing abnormal. No repairs completed in narratives. One dealer found aftermarket floor mat over factory mat and removed it; problem recurred afterward.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota field engineers/investigators sent to 8+ vehicles inspect but find nothing wrong. Dealers blame driver error (wrong pedal, floor mat interference). Toyota offers no recalls. One 2011 RAV4 replaced with new vehicle after investigator test drive caused crash. One service manager replicated problem four times in parking lot but Toyota still denied defect.
Sudden acceleration without brake pedal applied
Vehicle accelerates to high RPM or moves forward with minimal throttle input, or spontaneously at idle. Occurs while parked, during gear shifts, during low-speed maneuvers, or without driver action. Engine may race to redline unprompted.
When: From 2,000 to 80,000+ miles; some early in ownership, some recurring over years
Symptoms owners cite: Engine accelerates to high RPM while parked or idle; Vehicle surges forward with slight accelerator pressure; Vehicle accelerates immediately upon shifting into Drive; Engine races to 25 mph+ on its own; RPMs spike without driver input; Soft pressure on accelerator causes excessive surge; Vehicle accelerates downhill without pedal input
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose. Independent shops also unable to replicate. No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota states 'no history of sudden acceleration with model' and declines assistance. No recalls issued.
Brake pedal fails to stop vehicle
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or loses stopping power while braking. Vehicle continues moving forward despite hard pedal pressure. May occur alongside engine revving. Drivers report needing excessive force, pumping brakes repeatedly, or shifting to neutral/park to stop.
When: From 2,200 to 138,000+ miles; recurring episodes within same vehicle across weeks or months
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floorboard with no stopping effect; Brakes feel very hard to press; Vehicle continues to roll forward despite full brake pressure; Braking inadequate despite 'both feet on brake'; Foot sliding from brake to gas pedal (owner-attributed, disputed by other drivers); Requires extreme pressure to eventually stop vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed. One owner drained drivetrain fluid searching for solution; no resolution found. Dealers inspect and find nothing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall. Toyota dealers blame driver error. One Toyota tech said issue 'normal' when charcoal canister failure disabled brake and cruise control systems.
Cruise control activation triggers acceleration
Vehicle accelerates unintentionally when cruise control is activated but not set, or when cruise is engaged. Occurs while braking or during normal driving.
When: From 135,000 miles onward
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates when cruise control activated but not set; Failure only occurs with cruise control activated; Engine revs while cruise engaged
Repairs/costs cited: Owner noted independent mechanic stated manufacturer had 'previously provided a remedy.' Dealer and manufacturer not contacted by this owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not reported in this narrative. One separate complaint noted 'Smart Stop' software available on 2006-2010 and 2012-2014 models but 2011 unclear.
Multiple safety systems disabled by charcoal canister fault
Charcoal canister failure triggers check engine light. This cascades to disable brake anti-skid system and cruise control simultaneously. Systems remain inoperable until charcoal canister replaced.
When: At 141,295 miles; another mention of ongoing issue for several months undiagnosed
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Brake anti-skid system inoperative; Cruise control inoperative; No warning for disabled safety systems
Codes mentioned: Charcoal canister fault code
Repairs/costs cited: Charcoal canister replaced after one month delay waiting for parts availability. One owner had purge valve replaced out-of-state with temporary improvement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer told owner this cascade failure is 'normal.' Toyota took no corrective action.
Engine RPM spikes at stop lights or intersections
Engine RPM suddenly increases while vehicle is stopped or nearly stopped at traffic lights, with or without brake pedal pressure. RPMs rise from normal idle to 2000-6500+ range, causing engine to roar and vehicle to lurch. Condition resolves after shutting off engine or shifting to neutral.
When: Scattered across ownership periods; multiple recurrences within single vehicles over months or years
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine RPM spike at traffic light; Engine roars or sounds like 'jet engine'; Loud whine from engine; Tachometer reads 2000-6500+ RPM; Vehicle shudders or lurches; Tire screech from lurching; Engine smell of overheating (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs. Onboard data downloaded in one case showed RPM drop to 800 upon braking, then sudden jump to 2000 RPM during 4.7 seconds of continued braking before collision.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall. Toyota case managers say they will respond within 30 days; owners report no response received. One case manager said data showed braking throughout incident, but Toyota never contacted owner afterward.
Synthesized from 55 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While backing into a parking spot after applying the brake the vehicle jerked back several times no mater how hard I applied the brake I could not stop it. I was going about 5 miles or less per hr. The same thing happened later the same day in my driveway. Twice in one day also on another day my wife was heading down the driveway and applied the brakes and the vehicle would not stop no matter…
There were three individuals in vehicle, driver and three passengers - all adults. Driving in residential section of western cincinnati area (delhi area) with a speed limit of 35 MPH. Approaching a traffic light on a slight downhill grade. Traffic light was red so began applying the brake. As I continued to approach intersection the vehicle shuddered and I noticed engine RPM's were well in…
I had 3 incidents of unintended acceleration (ua) with my 2011 rav4 within 3 weeks of each other in mar/apr 2014, 1 resulting in a minor accident. A complaint was made with NHTSA at that time. I went thru Toyota's complaint procedure, including inspection by their field technician. They found nothing wrong with the vehicle. On dec 4 & 12th, 2014, I experienced 2 more ua incidents. Each time…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Toyota RAV4?
It's a meaningful issue. 55 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 48 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 10,647 and 55,500 miles, with the median around 25,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,647; a quarter make it past 55,500. 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/2011/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.