Severe Issues

2009 TOYOTA RAV4 Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Rav4. This model year has 324 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Unintended Acceleration.

324
Complaints
52
Crashes
3
Fires
16
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
15
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2009 Toyota Rav4 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
99
complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Crash-related:31
Injuries:8
#2
53
complaints

Suspension Failures

Crash-related:1
#3
35
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:2
Fires:2

Considering a 2009 Toyota Rav4?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Toyota Rav4. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Unintended Acceleration9931β€”β€”
Suspension Failures531β€”β€”
Engine Problems3522β€”
Brake System326β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain281β€”β€”
Steering Defects253β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues2021β€”
Electrical Faults1912β€”
Hydraulic193β€”β€”
Structural Problems174β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions139β€”β€”
Wheel Issues9β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System73β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues71β€”β€”
Tire Issues7β€”β€”β€”
Visibility5β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues41β€”β€”
Fuel System31β€”β€”
Gasoline31β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper2β€”β€”β€”
Equipment2β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)21β€”β€”
Child Seat11β€”β€”
Electric1β€”β€”β€”
Traction Control System11β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Rav4. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 324 most recent complaints

Engine ProblemsApr 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine at startup. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the engine was consumin…

Engine ProblemsOct 24, 2025

Engine timeing system rattle on startup. Even basic web research shows this is a common problem for select model years and acorss mulitple models. This issue has a high probility of causing catastrophic engine damage, where the timeing chain & VVT system fails to keep timing ca…

Uncategorized IssuesAug 17, 2025

I was hit with a rock right between my eyes while driving, took Toyota into shop they were surprised it had not fell in on my lap. Window frame has corroded, glass shop said the manufacturer did not paint were the seals meet around the window and has allowed moisture in and corro…

Structural ProblemsMar 25, 2024

We have a 09 Toyota Rav4 with a Blizzard Pearl paint that continues to fail. Apparently there were notices sent out in 2022 indicating a recall that would cover these repairs. We were unaware of these notices and continue to experience paint degradation on multiple areas of the …

Suspension FailuresJan 16, 2024

My son was looking to get his new tires aligned, and was informed by the mechanic that he would need to replace both side rear lower control arms, as Toyota had performed a safety recall GOV, resulting in the arms being epoxied, and therefore cannot be adjusted/ aligned. I cont…

Unintended AccelerationAug 16, 2023

Four incidents of unintended acceleration , in all instances foot was on break petal NOT on gas petal, 3 instances vehicle was stopped at traffic light, last incident was pulling into a parking space foot on brake, in all instances braked hard and shifted vehicle into neutral and…

Suspension FailuresJul 14, 2023

My rear passenger suspension has multiple part damage. Rear shock bracket failure and other parts.

Structural ProblemsMar 29, 2023

paint recall the problem was confirmed twice by sansone dealership avenel, nj. 4/28/2021 and 12/1/2022. on both occasionspictures were submitted and i was told it would be taken care of. on 1/23/2023 i dropped car off to be repainted and was told it would be about 1.5 weeks. i …

Engine ProblemsMar 19, 2023

Engine rattle on cold start ups.

Brake SystemNov 8, 2022

My car was being seviced today for rear brakes and the Toyota dealer needed to unseal previous safety recall in order to perform the service. I'm being charged to undo the recall to perform the service and then to reapply the recall. I do not understand how this cost is not the r…

Suspension FailuresJan 4, 2022

The rear lower suspension arms recall notice solution was replacement of arms if needed and than sealed with epoxy. Labels were applied stating the arm is no longer adjustable. The vehicle no longer can routinely get a wheel alignment at a market expense. The Toyota company sugg…

Brake SystemπŸ’₯ CrashDec 26, 2021

My mother had the exact same issue reported in Toyota Manufacturer case 1707311582 and NHTSA report 11396355 from Feb 15, 2021. My mother had not reported to me, until it happened while I was driving her around Dec. 24, 2021, that her Rav. rev'd and accelerated when she applied …

Structural ProblemsDec 22, 2021

The paint on my white 2009 Toyota RAV4 has been coming off. Sheets of color is peeling on the roof. I have several large (1-2 inches) bare spots on the top and many tiny ones on the body hood and doors, rusting for years. The manager of Titus-Will Toyota advised me not to do anyt…

Suspension FailuresMar 15, 2021

MY PROBLEM IS UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD A RECALL (16V596000) FOR MY REAR SUSPENSION ARMS WAS AVAILABLE AND I NEEDED TO HAVE IT DONE AS THE BACK END NUTS COULDN'T BE ADJUSTED. I CALLED A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS TAKEN CARE OF 3 YEARS AGO, YET THE PROBLEM ST…

Unintended AccelerationFeb 15, 2021

WHILE DECELERATING ON A FREEWAY OFF-RAMP AT APPROX. 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. GOING NO MORE THAN 5 MPH, I LIFTED OFF SLIGHTLY THEN DEPRESSED THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR; THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE PROPERLY BUT FINALLY SLOWED THE CAR ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THE E…

Structural ProblemsDec 8, 2020

THE PAINT ON OUR 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 COMES OF WITH THE SLIGHTEST BUMP FROM SOMETHING LIKE A BRANCH, WHICH SHOULD NOT NORMALLY CAUSE PAINT TO COME OFF. BECAUSE OF THIS WE HAVE SEVERAL BARE SPOTS WHICH ARE BEGINNING TO RUST.

Engine ProblemsOct 14, 2020

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON OCTOBER 12, 2020 BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLICKERING THOUGH I AM NOT DUE FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE UNTIL JANUARY. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE LEARNED THAT THIS IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE PISTO…

Structural ProblemsSep 11, 2020

SHEETS OF THE PAINT STARTED TO COME OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.

Engine ProblemsAug 20, 2020

ALL LIGHTS COME ON CHECK ENGINE,4WD,TRAC , COME AND GOES, GOING 6 TIMES ALREADY TO DEALER LAST 2 WEEKS.. RAV4 WITH LOW MILES .. TOYOTA VERY DISSATISFIED

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 13, 2020

WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ABOVE 25 MPH, A LOUD WHINING NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE REAR-CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASES IN VOLUME AS THE VEHICLE INCREASES ITS SPEED. ONCE THE VEHICLE TRAVELS FAST ENOUGH, OR ENOUGH POWER IS FED THROUGH, POWER OF THE VEHICLE…

Page 1 of 17

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Toyota Rav4.

Recalls for 2009 Toyota Rav4

15 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Rav4. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

16V096000Invalid Date
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

16V596000Dec 8, 2016
SUSPENSION:REAR

14V743000Invalid Date
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

16V396000Feb 6, 2016
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

15V577000Invalid Date
VISIBILITY/WIPER

15V689000Invalid Date
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

13V014000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

12V373000Feb 8, 2012
SUSPENSION:REAR

13V383000Invalid Date
SUSPENSION:REAR

12V491000Oct 10, 2012
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

11V113000Invalid Date
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

10V036000Mar 2, 2010
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

09V223000Invalid Date
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

10V017000Invalid Date
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

10V035000Mar 2, 2010
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

2009 Toyota Rav4 β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Toyota Rav4 reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2009 Toyota Rav4 has 324 NHTSA owner complaints, 52 crash-related, and 15 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Unintended Acceleration (99 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Rav4?β–Ύ

#1: Unintended Acceleration (99 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (53 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (35 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Toyota Rav4?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2009 Toyota Rav4?β–Ύ

The 2009 Toyota Rav4 has 52 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 324 total NHTSA complaints. 16 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2009 Toyota Rav4 have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Toyota Rav4. The largest issue: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2009 Toyota Rav4?β–Ύ

The 2009 Toyota Rav4 has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Unintended Acceleration issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Rav4 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2009 Toyota Rav4

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.