Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.
Chart based on 169 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
4 times now the 'part-time' AWD has failed, thrown a code, and disabled cruse control and other features. The dealership claims there is nothing wrong... the funky computer controlled 'haldex' style clutch differential only works under 20 mph. AND, every time it has snowed... something has gone wrong with it, leaving us with fwd only... it's very frustrating.
Oil leak from transfer case. Major repair requiring removal of steering rack and transfer case from the vehicle. Covered under warranty. Out-of-warranty cost would have been in excess of $1,000. Dealer had to wait 5 days for parts to arrive.
42000 mi
Transfer case leaking oil again. Repairs performed under Toyota powertrain warranty. Problem not corrected - started leaking same day car returned from shop. Continuing problem with oil leak from front differential / transfer case. This is a 3rd attempt to correct the same problem. Dealer replaced entire differential / transfer case assembly, tested the vehicle and still leaking. Dealer says that they don't know how to fix the problem, Toyota is mute and does not answer dealers questions. Escalated with Toyota. Problem still not resolved. Car sitting at the dealer waiting for Toyota resolution. Very disappointed by Toyota's terrible warranty service and lack of response to a recurring vehicle problem. A quick summary:
4 repairs / 4 shop visits:
1st repair (in 2018) - 3 days, replaced transfer case seals - fixed oil leak for 2+ yrs
2nd repair - 1 day (almost immediately after the first repair) to correct front wheel alignment that was messed up during transfer case repairs
3rd repair - after 2 yrs oil leaking again, 3 days, dealer removed transfer case, replaced all seals and re-sealed the flange between transfer case and transmission. Brought car back home, oil still leaking 2 hrs later.
4th repair - 13 days in total, dealer replaced complete transfer case ($3k+), tested car, still leaking, dealer decided to keep car for further repairs. Dealer requested authorization to replace transmission, Toyota dragged their feet for a few days but finally agreed. New transmission was installed, picked up car yesterday, has been sitting in the garage for 12 hrs, no sign of oil leak.
Over $10k and 20 days to repair a small oil leak. Paid by Toyota under powertrain warranty. They could have saved a lot of money and time if they did it right the first time. A quick research on the internet confirms that it is a fairly common problem, apparently caused by defective transmission cases. They probably have a TSB on this already.
So if your 4th gen RAV4 is dripping gear oil on your garage floor, get it fixed before the warranty expires, because otherwise you may end up with a huge repair bill. Or you may chose to ignore it, but eventually the transfer case will end up dry with no lubrication.
47000 mi
Another fluid leak from the transmission. Dealer claims that the leak was due to loose vent/breather that wasn't installed properly when the transmission was replaced in March.
Cold weather, when car put into gear, engine revs but car does not move or barely moves. Waited few minutes, car starts to move. Experienced these symptoms only several times during cold weather, other times, car always moves in cold.
17980 mi
Hard shifting transmission
Towed in
P0746 P2714 P2808, SL4 solenoid failure
Teardown and test as per rm,re/re transaxle
Part no. 30510-0R020-84 Reman Trans
Part no. COBBA-WSATF-OL ATF WS
155000 mi
C $200
Rear driveshaft broke. No symptoms. Mechanic discovered it, removed drive shaft. Vehicle runs fine without it, but no AWD now. Quoted $800 Cdn to fix.
Torque converter replaced under a recently issued extended warranty provided by Toyota. Problems with the torque converter seem to be cronic on many Toyota models
98000 mi
US $514
Replaced left front axle seal, repaired left front axle boot
41500 mi
The car was vibrating between 30-45 mph with little throttle. Vibration at low speeds. Dealer replaced torque converter.
33000 mi
The dealer determined that the torque converter was making a humming noise and it was replaced. The noise decreased but returned shortly after.
50000 mi
replaced torque for second time and problem still exists. now dealer is suggesting to replace transmission. replaced torque for second time and problem still exists. now dealer is suggesting to replace transmission.
55000 mi
Dealer replaced transmission and transmission cooler due to leaking cooler resulting in contaminated fluid entering and damaging transmission
70000 mi
The dealership could never solve the transmission/torque converter noise, finally stating that "we were probably fixing something that was normal." I simply had enough of that RAV. Hello, Subaru.
60140 mi
Torque converter replaced under warranty
111000 mi
US $500
Bad driveshaft
61000 mi
replaced torque converter under extended warranty
66000 mi
The car started having trouble shifting into 5th gear. It would hand, clunk and rev before settling in. Then it had trouble going into reverse. Told that transmission was going out. Decided to trade for a new car.
25000 mi
US $400
Rear differential slipping
25000 mi
Torque converter failed
42000 mi
US $2000
transmission failure
40300 mi
Noise problem with the drivetrain that was acknowledged but never fixed by Toyota.
71000 mi
US $650
The torque converter clutch started slippiing. Drive train was outside of 60000 mi new car warranty but Toyota paid for parts $750 and I paid for labor $650. November 2017 Toyota extended the transmission warranty to 150,000 mi
and refunded me $650. The repair cost me nothing. Thanks Toyota!
rear differential was leaking oil, passenger side seal was changed under warranty
74400 mi
C $650
Replace differential seal for the 3rd time, and transfert case seal along with parking brake cable
51000 mi
Removed and replaced transmission under warranty for transmission noise TSB. Dealer had replaced transmission a month earlier but it had a bad seal which caused a leak. Dealer pulled transmission, replaced factory seal, and reinstalled. No issues since. Noise gone.
45260 mi
C $78
Transmission slipping between 2 & 3. Toyota warranty replaced entire transmission.
Driver side rear differential seal started leaking earlier in 2020. Eventually the leak was substantial enough to warrant replacement of both output drive shaft seals (where CV drive shaft enters the differential). Both seals and the differential fluid were replaced.
109654 mi
US $547
Fluid was leaking from the front differential. Had local repair shop refuse the work due to the removal of the drive shaft and other torque spec components. Recommended dealership service. The seal assembly had to be replaced.
44640 mi
C $190
Replaced rear differential coupling Replaced left rear axel oil seal
Transaxle leak noticed during an oil change. No warning, no engine light. Wouldn't have known until all the fluid was gone. We took it right away to the Toyota dealership that did the repair for $3,000. No longer felt safe in this car, replaced it.
Rear differential vent was seized. Part was replaced.
64480 mi
C $800
Replaced rear differential vent (seized).
55800 mi
Logging a transmission whine sound.
33160 mi
leaky seal.
35320 mi
whining tranny when hitting 60 kms/hr humming noise takes over road noise
39040 mi
tranny whinining from 40 to 60 kms/hrs and engine rpm at 1200 approx. Noise became cabin invasive. Extended warranty covered work to get a new transmission.
28380 mi
C $400
R & R Transmission, Reseal side cover (leaking)
21080 mi
C $90
Transmission failed to engage in drive or reverse when cold. Dealer says the transmission needs replacement. Transmission failed to engage when cold, transmission replaced. Dealer rushed repair to save on rental costs, returned vehicle out of alignment and with loose steering components. Returned vehicle for follow up repairs.
33480 mi
Rear differential seals leaking, deal replaced both seals. Problem might be due to poor design, differential vent becomes plugged (under seemingly normal conditions) and does not vent pressure resulting in blown seals.
40920 mi
Rear differential seal blown.
41540 mi
Rear differential seals blown again.
119040 mi
C $200
Replaced driver side cv axle due to outer boot failure. Toyota wanted $750 for axle and $180 for boot kit. Found aftermarket axle for $140.
Recently car developed shudder when transmission shifts into reverse and drive from park. Technician advised nothing can be done until problem is worse (as only solution is to replace transmission).
85000 mi
rear coupler failed causing grinding ,replaced coupling sub assembly
12000 mi
trans replaced for whining noise under Platimum Warranty
84320 mi
Rear magnetic wheel power unit
89900 mi
C $3200
The drive shaft needed replacement as did the front right control arm
104780 mi
C $968
Rear differential seal replaced.
113460 mi
C $807
Rear Axle had to be replaced.
49300 mi
US $230
4 wheel drive lock would not release
127100 mi
C $2500
Both u-joint failiure. replacement of the drive shaft
47000 mi
noisy final drive in transmission. Re: TSB 2012-13
Dash lights for 4WD, Skidding, Engine comes on after every rain. Cruise Control doesn't work. Wanted to replace 2 modules
29440 mi
Internal clutch failure on transmission. May be related to a previous accident, however no external evidence of that meant it had to be covered under warranty. New transmission installed under base warranty.
Overdrive produces vibration between 35 and 45 mph. Works in 3rd so I decided not to repair. My mechanic said this is a known issue and it might run in 3rd for years.
Whining sound heard in the back. Had to replace the magnet (solenoid) in the rear differential. Right where the driving shaft connects to the diff.
52000 mi
Transmission whine. Replaced transmission with rebuilt honed transmission to eliminate whine. Covered by service bulletin under warranty. No charge to me.
42160 mi
leaking axle seal. Both seals replaced under warranty.
45000 mi
Rear viscous coupler replacement
66000 mi
Transmission exhibits unexplained pauses and hesitations. In shop several times dealer unable to identify and repair problem. I am on extended warranty, so I can afford to be patient. I guess ! Also persistent. Dealer "sees" problems but cannot identify or repair. Settings have been reset and transmission has had to "relearn"
70000 mi
transmission and computer communication problem. Attempting to diagnose. Failing to do so as yet
Full axle replacement. This year cannot have a half axle replaced.
100000 mi
Transmission. Opted not to fix.
142000 mi
US $2300
warranty work rear diff viscous coupling vibration when driving between 35and45. vibration has grown much worse recently. dealer could not identify source-suggested new tires and rims. I had them replace the lifetime ATF fluid - they did not want to - vibration is now very small
210000 mi
US $3500
[transmission] rebuild
235000 mi
transmission was rebuilt in may 2021 - transmission failed - and was rebuilt under warranty
152935 mi
US $410
Flushed and replaced all transmission fluid to eliminate periodic transmission vibration while driving.
111600 mi
C $460
Oil Leakage from rear differential. Seals replaced. Later main seal start leaking
113460 mi
C $1500
Rear differential main seal (pinion) oil leak. I have to replace whole rear differential housing to fix the leak parts $1150 plus $360 labor. Went to the scrap yard, they gave me a mechanic contact. He is going to replace the seal for 1.5 hours labor, plus $20 and oil.
Unfortunately for Canada Toyota didn't do recall as they did for USA.
Had plug for rear differential replaced. Probably wore out from checking fluid over the years.
111600 mi
C $1347
Drive shaft needed to be replaced as vehicle was shuddering/vibrating at 40km/hour. UV joint was seized, but it cannot be replaced on its own, so a whole new drive shaft had to be installed.
154380 mi
C $106
Remove driveshaft and check vibration. Install shudder additive.
46120 mi
Replace suspension arm - Warranty. Left rear axle seal replaced.... Extended Warranty.
133920 mi
C $1100
replaced trans axle due to wear / noise
186000 mi
US $40
U joints worn out requiring drive shaft replacement
203000 mi
differential seal leak
209000 mi
front differential needs replacement
250000 mi
seal leaking. replaced fluid. will require major repair at some point.
Shuddering on rapid take-off from standstill (V6 engine!) Mechanic did test drive and I rode along. On hoist, he showed me the rear U-joint was very stiff. New driveshaft would cost $1100+. I asked him to use oil to free it up. OK so far.
70680 mi
C $480
AWD driveshaft sent out to have two new U-joints welded on to replace original stiff (about-to-fail?) U-joints which are non-replaceable.
115100 mi
C $450
Pinion Seal in rear differential leaking
132000 mi
US $175
CV axle driver's side front replacements
72000 mi
Transmission replacement per T-SB-0130-12
56000 mi
TSB for the engine whine for the V6 completed, which meant a new transmission was installed.
65800 mi
Electric coupler for rear differential.
13640 mi
C $1900
replace gearbox as per TSBreplace brakes because I did not drive; the car for 8 months; replace windshield
170000 mi
US $2600
Viscous coupler and rear end
56800 mi
Whining noise when accelerating. High pitched noise starts around 40 - 65 mph. There is a TSB to fix this issue. Ordered parts for Phase 1. If it fails, then replace transmission. Phase 1 fix was not successful, new transmission ordered. Transmission replaced.
60200 mi
Faulty repair job from previous trip. Front differential seal seeping, replaced axle nut, installed new seal, added fluid. took 4 days because they ordered the wrong parts.
58900 mi
C $800
automatically switch and lock at 4x4 mode, which keep engine running like crazy and crashed water pump.
93500 mi
US $750
Replaced leaking pinion seals on the rear diff.
75000 mi
Transmission slipping, could not replicate. Update: stayed this way until sold, dealer never found any problems.
Differential coupler was bad, so rear wheels could not work in AWD mode. Research showed this as a common problem. 5 months later, Toyota acknowledged a defect with the rear diff coupler and covered the cost of the repair.
79460 mi
Oil leak in differential, repaired twice already and I need to go back again.
45260 mi
C $220
Slight oil leak from rear diff caused by blocked vent causing pressure build up forcing oil past viscous coupler. Coupler replaced under warranty ($1100) I paid for new vent plus diff fluids front and back. Also 2 recalls no cost
Oil leak started at left front inner cv shaft seal. Service department replaced leaking seal and topped up transmission fluid. Checked wheel alignment after seal repair was completed.
48000 mi
US $360
had a warning light on my dash come on intermitently. Had something to do with my 4wd
123000 mi
US $400
Replaced seals that went from rear differential to the cv joints. They were leaking oil.
140000 mi
US $582
Passenger rear axle seal and rear pinion seal leaking. Removed rear differential assembly, replaced pinion and both side seals, reinstalled differential, topped fluid, ran up on lift and leak checked.
77300 mi
Transmission suffered from a known issue, generating a loud whine. A TSB was issued for this problem, so I asked them to replace the transmission as the TSB recommends.
90000 mi
US $250
CV shaft required replacement
84520 mi
Left rear boot was twisted, starting to make noise. Replaced the whole unit under warranty.
85560 mi
C $1600
I had a leak in the rear axle and also had to replace the water pump.
45260 mi
Leaking transfer case seal Leaking transfer case again
45260 mi
Transfer case leak cause by broken transmission shaft. New transmission was installed. New transmission locked up on highway when I was leaving the dealership, leaving almost 130feet of rubber on the road. 3rd transmission was installed, after 3 days the 3rd transmission failed the same way the 1st did, downshifting to 1st gear for no reason when going 45mph, front wheels lock up, lose control.
45260 mi
Dealer tried to reproduce problem, no error codes. Couple days later, 4th transmission did same thing in a parking lot. Toyota Canada didn't believe. Dealership put me in 2012 Rav4 at low cost since they might have caused the recent problems.
143220 mi
gear noise from rear of rav4, electromagnetic coupler. cost of repair will be $1200. have not done repair toyota may have a special warranty still waiting for response from toyota.
149420 mi
the rear coupler was replaced under warranty
26000 mi
jan 2008 transmission was replaced,dec 2008 transmission was replaced again,june 2009 transmission was again replaced.due to input shaft failure,all was repaired under warranty.milage-8208,19192,25000,
47300 mi
transmission had to be replaced---for the fourth time since since(june 2007) toyota replaced my 2007 i bought in april 2007
125860 mi
C $2108
replace main driveshaft
95060 mi
Heard grinding noise from rear while driving. Intermittent noise but got progressively louder. Rear differential coupler required replacement.
128340 mi
C $3600
The transfer case seized and failed in a loud bang while driving. When the transfer case stopped turning, the transmission did not and the transmission got damaged requiring replacement as well. Parts used for the repair were used parts (dealer purchased salvage parts) which decreased the cost of the repairs.
102200 mi
Transaxle Whine Noise; step 1 did not fix the whine so step 2 (transmission replacement) will need to be done
Persistent cyclical droning/vibration noise at 60mph since delivery. 4WD computer was constantly recalibrating at that particular speed. Dealer replaced 4WD computer. TSB being issued.
144460 mi
Got its first tranny flush at 230,000km. Fluid was black. Flush was a bad idea! Loosened up stuff that is now causing bad shifting between 4th and 5th. This is a V6 with 5 speed. Dealer cannot find the problem...told me to live with it.
167400 mi
Transmission had a strange whining nise, but still worked. Lucas tranny conditioner fixed the harsh shifting that started after the flush.
58900 mi
C $1200
Replace de U joint (I (owner) paid the bill)
Replace rear coupler (Dealer paid this part)
Replace diff. o-ring (I paid part only)
Recall on rear suspension.
103000 mi
US $2300
One of the ballbearings in in the drivetrain broke. Had to replace the surrounding parts.
61000 mi
US $900
leak in transmission seal.
50800 mi
Loud transmission whine, initial stage one fix (dampening, replaced rotor bearing) as per TSB (unsuccessful).
51960 mi
Re-machined gears replaced as per TSB for transmission whine. Car now idles quite rough.
36000 mi
Tranny whine. Repaired by TSB, but the whine immediately came back. Next step is tranny swap under warranty. New transmission ordered, but on backorder.
39000 mi
tranny replaced
41000 mi
Inner CV joint leaking grease. Sealed using cheap ghetto method but it actually works.
130000 mi
Developed transmission fluid leak.
122800 mi
US $1000
Driver's side axle seal was leaking and needed to be replaced.
131700 mi
US $450
Sway bar replacement and rear axle seals replaced
99000 mi
US $190
Axle seal began to leak, with no warning. Replaced seal, leak fixed. Runs fine.
73640 mi
C $235
new regulator - reset computer system alerts
82460 mi
C $397
Left Transfer case was leaking - new parts were required plus alignment.
94300 mi
Axle seal leaking, replaced by dealer at no cost due to recent purchase.
20000 mi
Rumble at ~60mph, determined to be 4wd computer.
23000 mi
Rumble at 60MPH fixed with new 4x4 computer.
58000 mi
The drivetrain made a whining sound at 40 MPH. After they replaced the transmission mounts and the problem persisted they ordered a transmission and replaced the original transmission. I had to wait 5 months for the transmission.
59000 mi
A slight oil leak from the rear transaxle seals was detected during routine maintenance. I was told it was not covered under warranty at the time the transmission was replaced. I called later and pointed out it should be covered.
96100 mi
C $400
Changing Rear Differential Axle Seals - they leacked
Rear differential dripping oil. Repaired under warranty at dealership. Seals replaced.
48980 mi
Transmission failed. Would not shift into OD. Filings in the transmission.
76000 mi
Transmission was making a loud vibration sound in overdrive at around 38-42MPH under light engine load. Shifted fine. Dealer replaced transmission under extended warrenty.
136000 mi
US $150
Low fluid. Fluid Added.
141000 mi
Torque converter determined to be gradually failing and in need of replacement. Due to the cost, condition, and age of the vehicle, it was not repaired. Replacement quoted at $1500.
Replaced Clutch,pilot bearing and steady bearing; 30 months since last clutch job......was done in Regina Sask Canada during a trip from PEI to Vancouver..