Toyota RAV4 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota RAV4 across 25 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (19). The words owners use most often: “brake pads” (7% of reports).
- 179service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 33mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 11%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake pads: mentioned in 12 of 179 complaints (7%)
- Front brakes: mentioned in 10 of 179 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 107 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 179 complaints, 33 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 7 an injury.
Toyota RAV4 service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 RAV4 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 RAV4 | 1 | 1% | 62,000 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 2 | 0% | 65,500 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 2 | 1% | 56,000 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 2 | 1% | 135,000 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2014 RAV4 | 1 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2013 RAV4 | 2 | 1% | 3,025 |
| 2012 RAV4 | 5 | 2% | 29,000 |
| 2011 RAV4 | 4 | 1% | 4,991 |
| 2010 RAV4 | 19 | 5% | 1,700 |
| 2009 RAV4 | 19 | 6% | 4,581 |
| 2008 RAV4 | 16 | 3% | 19,131 |
| 2007 RAV4 | 19 | 2% | 56,500 |
| 2006 RAV4 | 18 | 3% | 36,092 |
| 2005 RAV4 | 5 | 4% | 34,000 |
| 2004 RAV4 | 3 | 2% | 23,520 |
| 2003 RAV4 | 2 | 1% | 64,000 |
| 2002 RAV4 | 4 | 1% | 13,750 |
| 2001 RAV4 | 19 | 6% | 91,861 |
| 2000 RAV4 | 1 | 3% | 3,894 |
| 1999 RAV4 | 5 | 8% | 94,000 |
| 1998 RAV4 | 13 | 17% | 120,000 |
| 1997 RAV4 | 4 | 7% | — |
| 1996 RAV4 | 11 | 23% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Wheels:hub; service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2024
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 RAV4 and 2025 Lexus NX vehicles. Some of the bolts that secure the front brake caliper and the wheel hub bearing may be loose, which can result in a damaged caliper brake hose or possible wheel detachment.
Risk: A damaged brake line can cause a brake fluid leak, reducing brake performance and increasing the distance required to stop the vehicle. Wheel detachment can result in a loss of vehicle control. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the front brake caliper mounting bracket and hub bearing bolts, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, any damaged components will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA14 and 24LA08.
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Model years: 2016
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 30, 2015, to February 3, 2016, 2016 Lexus RX350 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2015, to February 8, 2016, and 2016 Lexus ES350 vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with an ABS actuator that may have a damaged O-ring which could result in improper brake fluid pressure control during ABS, Traction Control, or Stability Control activation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0I, GLC.
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Model years: 2012
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Risk: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving through a trench at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to avoid scraping the bottom of the vehicle however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and failed to stop. Additionally, the steering wheel failed to turn as…
The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while pulling into a vertical spot and making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb, the sidewalk, and continued driving down the sidewalk and crashed into a building. The brake pedal was depressed but was…
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable and nearly traveled to the floorboard while attempting to stop the vehicle. A âPull Overâ warning message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent…
I noticed at 3 thousand miles my abs light would come on and the abs would kick in and hear a grinding noise when braking over a slight dip in the road and entering a parking lot (breaking on incline slope or decline slope. I brought it into the Toyota dealership and they said they looked at…
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse, the brake pedal was fully depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed and remained reversing slowly. The contact frantically turned off the vehicle to avoid crashing into the vehicle behind. There…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota RAV4s have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 179 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Toyota RAV4. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota RAV4 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Toyota RAV4?
The most frequent phrase is “brake pads”, in 12 of 179 complaints, followed by “front brakes” (10).
Other Toyota RAV4 problems
- Power Train problems (1,395)
- Electrical System problems (1,375)
- Engine problems (1,337)
- Steering problems (948)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (901)
- Air Bags problems (837)
- Suspension problems (549)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (518)
See all Toyota RAV4 problems.