Toyota RAV4 Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 469 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Toyota RAV4 across 24 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (44). The words owners use most often: “brakes failed” (6% of reports).
- 469service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 125mention a crash
- 47mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 16%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.
- Brakes failed: mentioned in 28 of 469 complaints (6%)
- Brake pedal depressed: mentioned in 24 of 469 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 297 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 469 complaints, 125 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 47 an injury.
Toyota RAV4 service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 RAV4 | 8 | 9% | — |
| 2024 RAV4 | 16 | 9% | 3,000 |
| 2023 RAV4 | 18 | 11% | — |
| 2022 RAV4 | 7 | 5% | — |
| 2021 RAV4 | 20 | 5% | 24,474 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 17 | 3% | 3,420 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 35 | 4% | 3,445 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 28 | 8% | 10,000 |
| 2017 RAV4 | 38 | 12% | 10,050 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 44 | 18% | 21,500 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 30 | 10% | 22,000 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 15 | 8% | 6,235 |
| 2013 RAV4 | 21 | 8% | 24,000 |
| 2012 RAV4 | 34 | 13% | 13,475 |
| 2011 RAV4 | 43 | 15% | 36,000 |
| 2010 RAV4 | 14 | 4% | 72,000 |
| 2009 RAV4 | 12 | 4% | 77,000 |
| 2008 RAV4 | 14 | 2% | 76,190 |
| 2007 RAV4 | 26 | 3% | 70,000 |
| 2006 RAV4 | 13 | 2% | 75,799 |
| 2005 RAV4 | 6 | 4% | 120,000 |
| 2004 RAV4 | 5 | 3% | 143,000 |
| 2001 RAV4 | 3 | 1% | 144,551 |
| 1998 RAV4 | 2 | 3% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
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.
Service brakes, air:disc:rotor
Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility electric vehicles. The front disc brake rotor, when equipped with steel wheels, can develop stress fractures if the lug nuts are tightened with excessive torque.
Risk: The disc rotor could break (where it mounts to the wheel), resulting in a loss of braking action on that wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the disc brake rotors. If the vehicle is equipped with steel wheels, toyota will replace the front disc brake rotors and steel wheels with new disc brake rotors and new aluminum wheels. In addition a caution label that reads, "use new genuine toyota aluminum wheels." will be affixed. Vehicles already equipped with aluminum wheels will only require caution label installation.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle produces a plastic-sounding grinding noise from the brake area whenever the vehicle rolls over a rough or uneven road surface while braking. This has occurred since purchase of the vehicle and continues to occur as of current mileage (approximately 45,000 miles). The noise is distinct from…
When coming to a stop and the break peddle is applied the gas accererates without touching the gas peddle.
Toyota ABS Actuator Accumulator shows problems after a while. Most common on hybrid vehicles. Signs comes up such ABS Malfunction, Pre-Collision Malfunction, Low Braking Power, and lose traction control.
Driving my one owner 2025 Rav 4 Hybrid- pulling into a parking spot while gently pressing on the brake to slow car. Car was slowing then suddenly accelerated while brake pedal still being pressed, lunged forward and hit a wall in front of the parking space. No warning lamps/alarms went off and…
I was pulling into a parking spot in a parking garage and pressed on the brake. The brake pedal did not offer the usual resistance and went flat to the floor. The car began to accelerate and smashed into a concrete I-beam on the wall of the garage. I put the car in park and kept my foot on the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota RAV4s have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 469 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Toyota RAV4?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes failed”, in 28 of 469 complaints, followed by “brake pedal depressed” (24).
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.