2001 Toyota RAV4 Brake Problems

Which parts fail

• Foundation components › Disc
  6
• Foundation components
  4
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  4
• Foundation components › Drum
  3
• Pedals and linkages
  1
• Foundation components › Master cylinder
  1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  00%
• 75k–100k
  240%
• 100k–150k
  240%
• 150k+
  120%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a Toyota Dealership in Wooster, Ohio and requested a complete examination. I have their full report, and they have determined this car to be unsafe to drive. The brakes had been adjusted when in fact, the brakes and brake lines need to be replaced, this was the used car dealer at fault. …

My 2001 rav 4 rear ended a car in front of me, and it was due to a major unintended acceleration of the engine. I am an experienced driver with no prior accidents and my foot was not on the wrong pedal when I was slowing down - applying my brake pedal when I was approaching a bumper to bumper congested intersection (around 5 pm). All of a sudden as I applied more pressure on my brake pedal de-accelerating from 20 MPH down to 10 then to 5 MPH to 2 MPH, my 2001 rav 4 engine suddenly accelerated (the engine started to race and the RPM was going crazy making a loud engine sound) I was only 10-15 feet from the car in front, and the immediate acceleration of the engine (it sounded like it was rev ving around 80 MPH in less then 2-3 seconds) suddenly shot my car forward (like a rocket)! The engine had full possession of my acceleration. …

I was traveling on a highway to work and it had been raining when I pressed my brakes to stop ( I barely pressed them) and my brakes locked and I couldn't stop. I tried to press a couple of times and even pumped them. I tried to get onto the shoulder and my steering locked. I was traveling 55 MPH before I tried stopping, and was never able to stop, and when I hit the car in front of me my airbags never deployed. My front end was smashed end and my vehicle was totaled. The lady I hit had just a dent in her bumper. I didn't have major injuries but I had some bruising and a knot on my knee. I never went get checked out but I still have pain sometimes in my neck and back. The police did file a report and even though the lady I hit told the officer that I wasn't close to her and had plenty enough time to stop he gave me a ticket for following too close. …

Vehicle accelerated by itself while driving at 45mph. I had to use both brakes to stop the car and experienced a harsh shift condition while trying to shift to park. Dealership checked it out and stated that the ECM has been reprogrammed in 2007 and they were unable to duplicate anything at this time because no warning light came on during the incident even though I reminded them about the class action lawsuit for 2001-2003 model year rav4s.

Front disk brake rotor broke where it mounts to steel wheel resulting in the loss of braking action on that wheel. Upon taking to local Toyota dealer, front disk rotor was removed and showed stress fractures and separation from rotor assembly. This 2001 vehicle is equipped with steel wheels which Toyota did a recall on in 2000. The front disk rotors were original equipment and had never been machined.

While coming to complete stop by pressing ABS brakes, vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit a stonewall. Dealer has been contacted.please provide further details. Consumer has taken photographs of vehicle/ wall and ground, showing no tire marks.

Premature wearing of brake pads, making vehicle hard to stop. The vehicle makes noise. At first the dealer turned pads, second the dealer installed updated front brake pads, then replaced both rear drums but the problem remains unsolved. While driving with the A/C fan on there was a vibration in dash area. The roof rack screw was loose and fell out. The center seat belt was missing trim piece. The rear door rattles while closing.

The brakes screetch when applied. The sound is particularly startling if the brakes are applied quickly. This sound is not the "wear sensor" sound (dealer checked brakes and said they are fine). This sound is different than the standard squeky brakes you hear on some cars and is very concerning. The windshield would rattle while driving (dealer put in a gasket and sound stopped).

A technical service bulletin was issued in October 2001 regarding a rear brake problem. Consumers vehicle had been having brake problems but did not learn of the TSB until January 2002. Consumer took vehicle in to the dealer where purchased and requested the appropriate repairs but was denied because vehicle was over the 36,000 mile limit.

Rear brake drums made a noise. When applying brakes,they grab and pull, making vehicle jerk. Also, front brakes would grind, and stopping distance increase when brakes are applied. Contacted dealer ,and dealer stated there was a technical service bulletin on vehicle, but consumer can't get adequate information.

Brake complaints in other RAV4 years