Worst 2008 Toyota RAV4 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Unintended Acceleration
Suspension Failures
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Toyota RAV4.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 137 | — | 4 | 106,444 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 92 | 20 | — | 37,516 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 79 | — | — | 78,103 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 69 | 5 | 1 | 63,899 mi | |
| Airbags | 51 | 10 | — | 134,211 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 30 | 1 | 1 | 122,279 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 26 | 2 | 5 | 73,874 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 18 | 1 | — | 51,212 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 16 | 1 | — | 58,057 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 16 | 7 | 1 | 28,781 mi | |
| Brakes | 14 | 1 | — | 88,563 mi | |
| Body Structure | 14 | 1 | — | 72,347 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 8 | — | 1 | 34,670 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | 67,513 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 7 | — | — | 100,023 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 7 | 2 | 1 | 35,922 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 7 | — | 1 | 99,503 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 6 | 1 | — | 15,127 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | 1 | — | 49,679 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | 1 | — | 50,681 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | 1 | 31,774 mi | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | 24,825 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | 68,935 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota RAV4. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2008 Toyota RAV4
13 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~10,949,399 vehicles.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured July 28, 2005, to December 19, 2012, and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the event of a frontal collision, the rear seat belts for the outboard seats may be cut by the seat cushion frame.
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 RAV4 and 2010 Lexus HS250h passenger vehicles manufactured from October 2005 through September 2010. If the nuts for adjusting the rear wheel alignment are improperly tightened during service, the rear suspension arm (rear tie rod) may develop unwanted movement and rust, leading to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the rear tie rod will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 RAV4 VEHICLES. IN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG (CSA) SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL ANGLE. IF ONE OF THESE SENSORS MALFUNCTIONS, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT: MIL) WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE ROLL DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE SUSPENDED; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG CSA REMAINS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE CRASH. IF BOTH SENSORS FAIL NEARLY SIMULTANEOUSLY AFTER INITIAL AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECK, THE CSA AND THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER COULD BE INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATED.
+ 3 more recalls
Other Toyota RAV4 Years
2008 Toyota RAV4 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
What are common problems with the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
How safe is the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
Does the 2008 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2008 Toyota RAV4?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota RAV4 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2008 Toyota RAV4
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