Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's daughter owned a 2008 Toyota RAV 4. The contact stated that his wife was driving with their daughter on the highway at approximately 65 mph. The contact stated that his wife said no warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife reported that the vehicle began to make a loud buzzing noise from the engine. The contact's wife was able to pull over on the road shoulder when she noticed smoke issuing from under the hood. The vehicle burst into flames from under the hood. The contact's wife and daughter jumped out of the vehicle, the daughter burned the palm of her right hand. The police and fire department arrived. The police attempted to extinguish the fire and called the fire department which extinguished the fire with water. The vehicle was undrivable and the police had it towed to an impound lot. The police nor the fire department issued a report. …
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband checked the oil level and noticed that the oil level was low. The contact stated that two weeks prior to the failure, an oil change service was performed. The contact stated that her husband added oil; however, two weeks later he checked the oil level again and the oil level was low. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed one quart of oil every two weeks or approximately every 200 miles. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the service manager stated that it was a known issue with the vehicle. The contact was notified of a TSB however, the vehicle was over the mileage. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
Issue started when I noticed the vehicle was burning oil, hence why I had to keep refilling the oil levels often. This is an issue many other RAV4 owners have reported. However, the problem was made worse when my mother used my vehicle to pick up some family from the nearest airport. On her way home, my engine blew a hole through itself, causing an engine fire. If it wasn't for the swift thinking of my stepfather, she, him, and my brothers could've been seriously injured or killed. I firmly believe this has to do with the reason why the engine was burning oil.
I have a toyota rav4 2008 2.4 the motor is no leaking oil, no blue smoke but i put 4 quarts oil on 1.000 miles,the comsuption oil is too much and the steering wheel column have problem and that is danger .i see on Google the problem on this car toyota rav4 2008 2.4 is came with factory problem on pistons and rings I call bernardi toyota framingham,ma on 08/27/2022 and i talk a service guy the problem and he say the recall for my car expires on 2018 but i read on Internet recall nver expires if the company o factory Still on ,I did call to service on toyota weslleyle,ma on 08/29/2023 and the service guy toll me the same My phone number [redacted] .. [redacted] my name Thank you.very much for help me
My engine recently start to burning oil. Toyota had an extended Warranty for this issue which had to do with piston rings failure. which has expired. Searching the internet this problem is popping up all over the internet. Calling you
The Rav4 is burning oil and consumption of oil. The oil is gone out before the next oil change. This has been going on for a while. There are no leaks and the milage on the 2008 Rav 4 Limited is only 88153.
Starting in June 2018, I have had seven episodes of unintended acceleration. (I have owned the car, purchased in private sale, since June of 2013.) There were common elements to each incident:1. gradually slowing; 2. foot on brake; 3. engine accelerates sharply, a moment before complete stop in first six, a moment after in seventh and last. In each incident able to maintain control as foot already was on brake; yet in three of the incidents, including the last two, the car bucked forward a few inches despite the pressure on the brake. Situation resolved when I turned off the ignition, a reflex developed after the first incident. This last incident was particularly upsetting as I was in a long line of slow moving cars on a relatively narrow road with pedestrians on each side of my car. Each incident has been reported to the local dealer with which I have been trading for many years. …
My daughter and I are leasing our Toyota Rav4 almost paid off. Our last 2 oil changes done by professional the engine has burned off the oil in between the oil changes. I seen multiple complaints for this same issue for other owners and that there's not been any recalls only investigations. I read 1 person their engine caught fire. I'm disabled if what happened to that person's family happened to my Toyota I might not be as lucky as I, my daughter and my oldest daughter who is disabled and needs help moving and I'd have to get my dog out of the car and we all get safely away from the car and pray we were in a safe area no one else gets hurt. This oil burning from these cars is a dangerous safety hazard and expensive. Instead of a investigation recalls are needed to get the malfunctioning pistons replaced before someone physically gets injured or killed. …
I purchased the 2008 Toyota RAV4 with 90,600 miles on December 7/2020 for $ 7,000 . On December 13 coming home on sawgrass express way the vehicle got on fire !! Luckily I have had the police car followed me because and was driving behind me and notice the car heavily smoking! I pulled over and wait for the police with the textinguisher to localize the fire ! Issued a report and florida highway patrol for towing. Case number fhpk20off058333 emerald towing ! Next day paid for towing $400 ( receipt is provided) s.I.r.t 32962 dec.13.2020 on December 14 paid $ 125 again to be able to tow it to pauls transmission located on 4430 n. Dixie hwy. Fort lauderdale, fl 33334 replace engine with lkq unit total cost $4,066 invoice provided. In the meantime I have to work so I needed a rental car until January 6th, 2021 $ 437.73 total cost !
Vehicle suddenly lose power while the cars are being driven, the engine shut off, and catch on fire.
Engine complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 160 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Toyota RAV4, 28% of the model year's 575 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota RAV4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 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 2008 Toyota RAV4 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.