Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
While driving on an expressway I attempted to slow my vehicle. The brakes began to engage but then I felt the car accelerate and the car "stuttered". It May have been the brake assist kicking in. It accelerated. After a few seconds, the brakes finally engaged. About 2 miles down the road, the same thing happened except that the brakes did not engage until a few seconds later and I rear-ended someone. Thankfully there were no injuries.
I was turning my 2007 Toyota RAV4 south onto interstate 182 to head east, the car sudden out of my control and went off the road and hit a concrete barrier at 5:49 pm at 5/8/17. Two passengers were hurt.
I have owned a 2007 Toyota rav 4 for 10 years. I was leaving a delaware, ohio, hospital parking lot, backing out slowly, my foot on the brake, while turning the wheel to the left. Suddenly the engine roared and I shot backward, smashing into the car parked behind where my car had been. The car I hit was somewhat damaged in the rear driver's side fender. The impact shoved it out of its space and almost into a small truck to the right. My car's rear windshield shattered and the right back bumper and side were crumpled. This was the second time this happened to me. The first time, I again was backing from a tight spot, this time turning the wheel to the right, when the engine roared and the car lurched backward. That time, I hit nothing. It happened another time when my husband was backing, again from a tight spot while turning the wheel. Back at the hospital lot. …
Hit garage with 2007 Toyota rav 4 while moving it in driveway at low speed. Incident happened after a large snow storm and vehicle was being moved to clear area after snow was removed. It seemed like the gas pedal stuck or the brakes failed. No injuries just a dent in the front bumper. The failure has not occurred again. The vehicle was brought to Toyota dealer (lia Toyota in schenectady ny) and concern about possible brake failure was expressed. The dealer checked the brakes and did a diagnostic computer check. They told me " that the diagnostic indicated everything was fine" and gave me a $700 estimate to repair the front bumper damage. I drove the vehicle home and had the dent repaired at a local body shop.
Oil indicator lit up. I checked the dip stick and oil was well below minimum level. I added 2 quarts of oil. My RAV4 has more than 1000 miles left before the scheduled 5K oil change and neither has it been 6mos yet. Brought the car to the dealer and they performed oil consumption test. Car mileage was 87000. I brought the car back after 1000miles as instructed to do so. The test turned out negative. Coudn't do anything else as the car is out of warranty. I looked online and there were a number of complaints but no associated recalls regarding this problem. Another problem in my RAV4 is when stepping on the brakes, it accelerates first before stopping. Again there were no recalls about it.
Just got off the highway and was driving on city streets.started hearing some creaking noise, and then a few clunks and a bang/pop as I was going around a corner at about 3-5mph I pulled into the driveway in front of me. I see my right rear tire has caved in and is rubbing against the inside of the wheel well. After jacking up the car and taking the tire off I see the entire brake assembly is rotated in, and the bolts holding it to the rear suspension are bent out of place. Perhaps this is the result of the band-aid epoxy fix for the Toyota rear suspension recall. This is a major safety issue!
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal several times, yet the vehicle kept accelerating. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle and brake system were failing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, the approximate failure mileage was 2,000. The VIN was not available.
I turned on the ignition of my 2007 Toyota rav 4 and began to drive into my garage and the vehicle suddenly accelerated and did not slow down upon application of the brake pedal. I pumped the brake fiercely several times to the floor board over the approximately 12-15 feet of garage depth and the RAV4 stopped just as it pushed the wheelbarrel into the wall. . Aside from damage to the wall of the garage, the vehicle's bumper was dented and slightly cracked. Airbags did not deploy and there was no bodily trauma or personal injury.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota RAV4. The contact was traveling 30 MPH when a gray smoke and burning smell emitted from the drivers side window panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the master cylinder switch needed to be replaced after a fire burned a hole through the switch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 95,329.
Brake complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the model year's 1,004 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota RAV4 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Toyota RAV4, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota RAV4 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.