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…
2011 Toyota RAV4 cruise control problems
severe 55 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
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.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.