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 2011 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while stopped at a red light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated and rolled forward. The contact quickly put the vehicle in park and was able to pull over down the road. The contact stated that while pulling over and then shifting from park to drive with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated, and the contact quickly shifted back into park. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was left in front of an independent mechanic shop. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the canister purge valve needed to be replaced and the throttle body needed servicing. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,751.
After pressing the accelerator pedal, I released the pressure on the pedal because of traffic and the accelerator continued to accelerate. had to hold the brake pedal down and then shifted to Park and shutoff engine. When restarted the car operate normally. This has happened in the past and is very scary and unsafe. My internet research on problem shows that there have been two problems associated with this occurrence. One, accelerator trapped by floor mats and the second was because the accelerator pedal could "stick". The floor mats are secured by manufacture securing systems so it must be the in the sticking pedal. I am contacting Toyota but not optimistic...is there anything the NHTA can do for Toyota at least checking my car for a sticking accelerator pedal sticking. Finally, has there been any other reports of this happening?
The car had 115,000 miles on the engine and was just at 3,000 miles post oil change. Making a left turn over oncoming traffic the car died. Barely missed having an accident. As the car sat it did restart. No lights on the dash for engine issues. Drove 2 miles directly to my mechanic. The car had half a quart of oil remaining! Car now closely monitored burns 1/2 quart every 500 miles and more if highway driven.
Making a left hand turn across traffic and the car completely shut down. Restarted car. A mile later making a right turn and the car completely shut down. Took the car to my mechanic and they had it fail 3X while turning. Only 2000 miles since last oil change I had less than a quart of oil remaining. Oil burning / consumption put me and others at serious risk for a car accident.
A lot oil consumption from oil change to 1000 miles 4 quarts of oil consumption no warning light until car stops I'm been charging oil every 4 k miles now I have to check oil every day is been almost 4years with this problem
The complaint specified does not seem to happen frequently or consistently, has happened randomly 2 times in a 6 week period. Specifically, car was engaged in the drive gear on auto transmission and was stopped at the moment, once at the parking spot at local walmart, brought to complete halt with foot on the brake, and ready to shift lever to park, before I could do that, brake went soft and car moved/surged forward, hitting the safety pole in the parking spot. The safety pole saved from head on hitting the car already parked in the opposite parking spot. The picture of the front of the car against the safety post is attached. Another time, was stopped with foot on the brake, waiting to merge into traffic, at the local hyvee store, suddenly braking was gone, engine surged withpower and the car jumped into the middle of intersection. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the traction, anti lock braking system and the 4 wheel drive warning lights would intermittently illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to gary force Honda (2325 scottsville rd, bowling green, ky 42104) where she purchased the vehicle and they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective traction, anti-lock brake and 4 wheel drive sensors. The contact was given an estimate for the repairs but the vehicle was not repaired. One day while driving around a curve at 30 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned and flipped over, landing upside down. The side air bags deployed upon impact; however, the driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed at the scene. The contact was treated at the scene for minor cuts to her face. …
Waiting at stop sign - car began accelerating, engine revving, racing (again, while at a complete stop). I braked and vehicle took full control seemingly pulling sideways first and then lurching out onto the roadway casing a devastating crash totaling my car and causing the other person's vehicle extensive damage. I could have been seriously injured or killed. It's the second time this happened. 1st time pulling into parking space - accelerated lurching forward no matter how much I braked striking curb and post - stalled out, thank goodness. A case has been opened with Toyota but I am told they'll deny anything wrong even though I have 10 pages of complaints in hand of people who have experienced this same nightmare I did. It's time for Toyota to take full responsibility and do something immediately. …
I understand there is a recall on Rav4 starting fire from 2013. Our vehicle is a 2011 and started on fire in our driveway and is a total loss. May need to include other years.
About a year ago, I packed my car to go on vacation. I put the dog in the car and returned to my house to get something. When I returned to the car, it was locked. I assumed I had inadvertently pushed the lock button on the remote so ignored it. Over the last 6 months, this has happened more frequently. On July 6, 2015, my mother and I went to walmart. I went in and she stayed in the car. When I returned the door was locked and she could not open it with the power door lock on the door, so I had to use my remote. Today, I was taking things out of the rear compartment and the keys were hanging in the door to the house. I heard the car door lock itself. I took it to the dealership and we could open the door and watch it lock itself in less than one minute of being opened. …
Engine complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Toyota RAV4, 13% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota RAV4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Toyota RAV4, though it has 11 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 2011 Toyota RAV4 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury 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.