Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota RAV4. While driving 45 MPH or while the vehicle was stopped, the oil warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that an oil leak was detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was 125,332.
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.
Oil burning recall. My car RAV4 burns oil at least one quart per 1200 miles. The dealership refused to replace any part due to the 1200 miles test driving. Toyota sent me an enhancement warranty notice about the problem of oil burning. This is unacceptable to me. We paid so much yet what we get is a defect engine in a new RAV4. This should be a recall and Toyota is responsible to fix the rings and other parts that are required to replace in order to stop the problem.
I purchased a new 2007 RAV4 from Toyota of braintree in 2007. 1. In 2009 I could hear wind in the driver's window; I took the vehicle to be checked, Toyota service department said I was hearing things. 2.the driver's door caught fire (I had the keys with me) I had to spend $606.01 to fix it, Toyota said there was water intrusion (I thought, it probably was, because of the air leak previously reported in 2009) 3. The steering wheel felt strange when I drove, I took it back for service, the diagnosis was steering shaft internal failure which needed to be replaced; I fought to get that fixed out of warranty. 5. On November 25, 2011 I was driving, the window fell in on me and on November 26, 2011, I had to have the driver's side window regulator replaced for $338.30 7. Now, oil is leaking into the muffler. …
First noticed the problem on 11/10/2014 when approaching a stop light. The RAV4 took longer than normal to come to a stop with greater force required to stop. Once fully stopped, the vehicle was idling with low RPM's (~500) and the check engine light turned on along with vsc and trac lights. Was able to drive the vehicle home, but experienced the same symptoms at every stop light / stop sign. Contacted Toyota dealership in tucson immediately and scheduled emergency service for the next morning. The Toyota dealership diagnosed the problem with two error codes (p0171 and p0174 - lean air/fuel mix). Was told they suspected a bad tank of gas. Toyota addressed one open recall (service campaign bst - reflash brake control computer) on my vehicle but did not investigate the error codes, only cleared them. The following day while driving home, the same issue occurred. …
Hesitation when trying to press gas pedal usually from a stop. This could cause an accident when I believe I have enough time to get out on main highway from side street and the SUV won't go. Took to dealer, who said normal. Cruise does not work properly on inclines. It will jerk back and forth until cruise turned off. Mechanic rode with me and said this shd not be happening, but Toyota has no fix for it at present; they do not know when. Called Toyota call center. They said this vehicle not meant to use cruise on inclines(so why put it on the vehicle-put on on level road, take off when see hill approaching-what a joke). Never had a vehicle in my life where the cruise was not meant to be used at all points of driving. Told by dealership to wait. This vehicle is new and I do not want to wait.
I was stopped at a stop sign here in town. All of a sudden, without warning, the vehicle started to experience a high degree of acceleration. My foot was firmly planted on the brake pedal only. I could not stop the vehicle till I put it in neutral. The engine then started to rev itself up uncontrollably, until I turned it off with the ignition key. I was a good 15 feet into oncoming traffic when I had stopped. I then started it up again and drove home without incident. This was a total failure of the cars expectation to remain stationary while the brake is applied and the vehicle was not moving prior to the acceleration surge.
I have always noticed that my 2007 Toyota RAV4 seemed to have a sudden burst of acceleration when I start to move. I asked a mechanic one time if this could be adjusted and was told there was nothing that could be done. I am now wondering if the same electronic throttle control that is causing problems on the later rav4s is on my RAV4. I bet it is the same problem. I thought there was a mechanical throttle and now I hear it is an electronic throttle. If electronic, then I would think a change in the computer code that controls the throttle would fix the a problem.
Compre una Toyota RAV4 2007 en septiembre 2007, despues de 2 semanas de haberla comprado comenzo a pistonear. La he llevado a la garantia 4 veces y a diferentes dealers. Pero indican que el ruido es una condicion normal de la guagua. Por favor hago una reclamacion porque los carros nuevos no hacen ese ruido, y ningun dealer la arregla porque indican que vino asi de fabrica. Conozco a otras personas que tienen la misma guagua y no hacen ese ruido. (pistoneo). Please if you don't understand spanish, call me. Thanks
Fuel System complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2007 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2007 Toyota RAV4, 2% of the model year's 1,004 complaints. The component named most often is delivery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota RAV4 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.