Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
After driving for approximately 15 minutes, I saw a small amount of smoke coming from the drivers door panel and it smelled like an electrical fire. Afterwards, the drivers side power window switch and the passenger side power window switch was not functional. The passenger window would only let down (very slowly) but wouldn't go back up. I took the vehicle to a Toyota service center and they showed me that the main power window switch on the drivers side had a hole burned into it the size of a dime. The service manager said he had never seen anything like this before. Prior to this the passenger window switch was replaced twice between September 2010 and November 2010. However, the replacements still never took care of the problem of the passenger window switch intermittently working. …
The driver side sun visor continuously falls down blocking the drivers view out the front window. O one instance aas I was driving at 60 plus miles per hour at freeway speeds and my vision was blocked as I was trying to change lanes while turrning my head at the same time holding up the visor and trying to look behind to be sure the lanes were clear to safely change lanes. This has almost caused a serious accident on the freeway on many occasions!. In addition, the passenger side visor also falls fown ( I am the sole owner of this car and very seldom even have passengers so the passenger side visor is not even used very often. This is a critical safety issue and a major design flaw that makes it unsafe to drive! I believe this is a serious safety issue as it's only a matter of time before it causes a serious accident . Toyota should fix this faulty design!
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota RAV4. The contact observed water in her vehicle on the front passenger floor without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer (a1 Toyota, 50 amity rd, new haven, ct, 06515, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the air conditioning cabinet filter and drain hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the window cowl failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89,663.
The drivers side visor does not stay up..at first it was slightly loose around 50K miles and then 70K the visor no longer stays up at all. I have actually hit my head on it a couple of times and it obscures my vision. I cannot believe this has not been recalled. Now I have to pay $100 to buy a completely new one. This is just an accident and a lawsuit waiting to happen. It looks to be a problem for a lot of toyotas. My fiance cant even drive it right now because he is taller than I am and cannot see out of it properly. Please recall this so it doesnt cause a tragedy at some point.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the passenger side window exhibited an abnormal noise for and the power switch ailed intermittently. The contact stated that there was a burning smell throughout the vehicle whenever contact used the power switch for the windows. The vehicle was taken to dealer who inspected vehicle and determined that the motor for the power switch passenger window needed to be replaced. The motor was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 42,000.
I was driving when suddenly I saw smoke coming out of the power window switch on the driver's-side door. When I stop to check I saw fire inside the door. I immediate ask for assistance. When he uncover the switch it has a nickel side hole. There is no major damage to my vehicle other than the switch not working or my windows. I really think I was lucky that I was near my brothers home when this happen. If I was somewhere (like the freeway) I really taught my whole car would of caught on fire and lucky my child was not in the vehicle with me.
The drivers side visor began flopping forward and will not stay in the upright position. Sometimes it just drops down without being touched and of course it interferes with visibility. I have read that there is a known problem with this issue. It was mentioned at one of my service visits at the Toyota dealership but I do not feel that I should have to pay $150.00 dollars to fix it. Since reading more complaints about this issue it seems it is a design flaw. It will drop down when I hit the brakes or sometimes by itself.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota RAV4. While driving 10 MPH, the contact noticed that the cabin started smoking then the drivers side door caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire and exit the vehicle without injury. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the window master cylinder switch failed. The dealer repaired the window switch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage was 69,000 and the failure mileage was 57,000.
My car is making the "growling" noise described in Toyota's warranty enhancement and Toyota will not honor the warranty enhancement. Because of the defect the car shakes at speeds more than 40 MPH, sounds like it has a flat even though it doesn't (louder when making turns and switching lanes), and makes a banging noise in the rear (sounds like a car door slamming) when driving. Visor on driver's side will not stay up--falls and obstructs view while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota rav-4. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, smoke was emitted from the driver side window power switch and the door panel. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The fire department was not contacted and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 80,000.
Related recalls
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge.
Window & Wiper complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2007 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2007 Toyota RAV4, 5% of the model year's 1,004 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota RAV4 window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-689 (power window devices and controls, Oct 22, 2015); NHTSA recall 12V-491 (power window devices and controls, Oct 10, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota RAV4 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 10 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.