This week the Check engine warning light and vehicle stability, control and stability light came on indicating a problem. The interior is very cheesy and the visor clip is ready to fall off. The ignition switch is loose. The wind noise with the back windows down is terrible and sounds like a helicopter taking off. The dashboard rattles loudly and is very annoying. The side window also rattles when halfway down. The back door is very heavy and the hinge attachment seems too cheesy to hold it. The rear door is poor design with the spare mounted on it and no bumper. Insurance rates are higher on a RAV4 since they can't absorb small impacts.
I'm very disappointed with my RAV4 since I bought this vehicle on Toyota's reputation for reliability. The build quality and reliability is poor and it seems to be an expensive to fix, fragile toy. The only positive things I like about the RAV4 is the good gas mileage and handling, but that can't make up for the faults on this vehicle.
Happened to try a RAV4 at www.millertoyota.la. Disappointed with this car? I am surprised!
Just for the record, the RAV 4 happens to be the world's best entry level SUV for 2005, if JD Power is to be believed.
I don't know about J.D. Powers, but I'm not impressed by the RAV4 at all and think it's much overrated. Recently, mine developed more defects. The fuel air sensor failed, catalytic converter needed to be replaced, it has squeal somewhere that the dealer hasn't fixed yet and rattles, squeaks in the dashboard. It isn't a lemon, but just a cheesy, poorly designed and unrefined SUV. The rear door is a poor design and doesn't stay open unless the SUV is parked on level ground.
Wow, you must have gotten a Friday car, I have bought a 2004 rav4 chili in Canada and I love it. Being the spirited driver that I am, it can pull me through anything, icy, cold, hot and sticky, off-roading and day to day stuff...it's a great reliable car. Thankfully, the truck was given a newer faster engine which is more than adequate. Might I add that I am 6'3" tall and this truck does me great. In the two years and 50,000kilometers I have owned it, I haven't had any problems with it. Tires wore quicker than I expected, but I think that was partially my driving style... If I was in your situation, I would sell your current rav4 and buy another one, they really are great! Good luck!
I've got to say, I've had my RAV 1.8 NV 3DR, from new, its five years old now, 120,000 UK driven miles, and it is the best car I've ever had and I've had a few other brands. Nothing has ever gone wrong with it and the Customer from their UK dealers is one of the best I've experienced. I do agree with the poorly designed rear door, but I've been told that is due to the fact that the rear hazard lights must be seen operating when the rear door is opened. I love my Rav4 and I'm now loyal to Toyota, Well done guys.
To the poster a few responses back, the Rav-4 is definitely not a truck. It is a car based SUV that has nothing in common with a truck.
I bought a 2004 RAV4 and am disappointed. There are funny noises coming from the engine, I'm not sure if they are normal or not. Its sort of a squeak, and it sounds like the engine "wines". When I put it in 1st gear and than reverse, it makes a "clunk" sound. When I rev the engine, or when I'm moving up in the gears, it sounds like its sucking air before it accelerates. The A/C does not feel ice cold, as should an A/C feel for a car with 25,000 miles on it!
Does anybody else with comparable mileage (less than 60,000 maybe?) have any of these problems? Maybe its all in my head.
I do find the a/c isn't as cold/hot as I'd expected and my model has only 13k on it - runs fine though being a small 4x4 you do notice the bumps in the road a bit more. Only thing I find a bit annoying is some of the trim rattling.
I cannot believe the things I am reading about this vehicle. To the original poster: this is not a sedan. It is an entry level SUV and will not have the ride and comfort of a sedan. Not sure what you'd expect as far as noise from open windows, or about handling bumps, or "cheesy" materials. Unless you got the more upscale model, it is a very basic interior. It sounds like you expected a 4Runner or Sequoia at a RAV4 price.
I bought a used RAV4 and have put 60,000 miles on it. I love it. It is just right and have had no major problems. I do regular maintenance though on all my vehicles. It has 91,000 on it now and still going strong. Everyone who has driven the RAV4 loves it. (My 3 sons and 1 grandson) Thanks Toyota. Wanda E.
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