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 2009 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My mother had the exact same issue reported in Toyota Manufacturer case 1707311582 and NHTSA report 11396355 from Feb 15, 2021. My mother had not reported to me, until it happened while I was driving her around Dec. 24, 2021, that her Rav. rev'd and accelerated when she applied the brake while leaving a parking spot. Here's what I've reported to my Toyota dealership where we bought the vehicle. Until last month (Nov. 21), the vehicle had an immaculate operation and maintenance record. To the repair shop "Twice in the past month, we've had brake failure, accelerator failure issues. The first time, my mother was pulling forward at less than 5 miles per hour in a parking lot. She pushed the brake pedal when pulling forward, but the car did not slow, the brakes did not engage, and instead, the RAV revved and accelerated forward. …
My car was being seviced today for rear brakes and the Toyota dealer needed to unseal previous safety recall in order to perform the service. I'm being charged to undo the recall to perform the service and then to reapply the recall. I do not understand how this cost is not the responsibility of the manufacturer, Toyota. If there is a recall issued for an auto, shouldn't the recall correction allow for future auto maintenance where the recall doesn't need to undone and then reapplied?
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota RAV4. While pulling into a parking space with the brake pedal depressed, the engine revved and caused the vehicle to accelerate. The vehicle lunged forward and landed into a nearby pool. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and taken to the c&c Dodge Toyota dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealership stated that they were instructed by the manufacturer not to tend to the vehicle involving unintentional acceleration. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 1707311582. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while applying the brakes at 45 MPH, the brakes failed to respond, causing him to crash into a telephone pole. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was thrown into the windshield and sustained numerous severe to moderate injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the front end would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact that a field representative would be dispatched the following day to further inspect the vehicle. One month later, the representative still had not performed the inspection. The manufacturer stated that since the repairs had already begun, they would not be able to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 57,000. …
Parking/emergency brake became inoperative. Investigation revealed that both brake cables had corroded such that they no longer had freedom of movement at the cable end where they entered the backing plates. When I purchased replacement cables Toyota service technician commented that this was a common problem on rav 4, tacoma, and other (don't remember) Toyota vehicles. When I purchased & examined replacement cables during repair it was apparent that new cable design was significantly different in exactly the place where old cables had failed. This was a safety problem during time period when brakes were inoperative and clearly a significant design flaw. It was ~ $400 in parts + my labor tp replace the cables as part of repairing the emergency/parking.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated while trying to avoid what she thought was an animal in the road, but it turned out to be paper. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and the steering wheel locked as the brake pedal depressed to the floor. The vehicle continued to accelerate forward until crashing into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer examined the vehicle, and stated that there was no failure. The failure and current mileages were 22,900. Updated 08/22/11 the consumer suffered a shoulder injury trying to exit the vehicle. Updated 06/22/12
The alloy wheels of my 2009 Toyota RAV4 are rusted and bubbling. My car has less than 10K miles on it. I think the rusting on the tires is rusting the brake pads and rotors. Despite having less than 10K on my car, I'm told that my brakes and rotors need to be replaced. I could not stop by 4 wheel drive going less than 5 MPH on an incline with light ice whereas other cars were able to stop. There's something defective about Toyota's manufacturing of their wheels. Lots of people on various forums are complaining about these rusted wheels. I think its making the cars less safe. Probably contributing to the other problems that LED to recalls.
Brake pedal goes very low to the floor before engaging. Seems to be a common problem that I have heard lots of complaints about for this model. In other similar cases Toyota has told customers is normal. Since this has started the brakes have been bled with no improvement. Also (probably a separate problem) both the back brake calipers had to be replaced because of leaking, first the right rear and later the left rear. Brakes were again bled each time, leak was gone but still a very low pedal.
I was driving up my driveway, applied the brakes and did not stop, but was forced forward until I hit my house. I searched for the brakes but could not find them, because the brakes were stuck to the floor. There was no brake light on. Before that the odometer was jumping between numbers (20,17, 54, ect.). I had my car to the Toyota dealership twice and they could not find anything. I had 5 boys in my house and hit my son's bedroom, someone could of been injured.
While decelerating on a freeway off-ramp at approx. 25 MPH, the brakes failed to stop the car. Going no more than 5 MPH, I lifted off slightly then depressed them all the way to the floor; they didn't engage properly but finally slowed the car almost to a complete stop, but the engine revved and the car kept wanting to go forward. I threw the transmission into park and turned off the ignition.
Brake complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Toyota RAV4, 9% of the model year's 327 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota RAV4 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Toyota RAV4, though it has 15 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 2009 Toyota RAV4 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.