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 2011 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I received a safety recall notice (interim notice) from Toyota on 4/20/2016 regarding wiper motor link corrosion on my 2011 Toyota RAV4, NHTSA recall 15v-577.in the interim notice it states that an interim repair will be performed at no charge. I called two (2) Toyota dealers and both said I have to wait for the final repair notice. Yet in the Toyota letter to their dealers dated 2/25/2016 it clearly states that interim repairs will be made to vehicles listed in phase 2 (f2s), cold weather climate states. It also states that in the notice that I received. There appears to be some confusion between Toyota and their dealerships regarding interim repairs because what the dealers are saying is not what is written in the letter that I received.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that during rain weather conditions, the radio failed to function. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V577000 (visibility/wipes) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 04/20/16 the consumer stated the seat belts in the rear, did not function properly and a recall had been issued due to them being unsafe. Updated 04/28/16.
Drivers side visor won't stay up which causes a visibility issue. There's a recall on the camry s but not on the RAV4 and same part. I saw another person reported same issue. The dealer is quoting $170 plus to fix. I've been dealing with this visor for a year not t even realizing it is something that was a recall for another model. I feel toyotas defective part should be fixed or offer a lower rate to fix issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota RAV4. While driving at a very low speed, the sun roof exploded without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the sun roof was replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Toyota issued safety recall f1s on sep 17, 2015 stating that failing to fix it "May affect driver visibility and increase risk of crash" ten months later the Toyota web site still displays "remedy not available". Any attempts to get feedback on when a solution might be implemented are useless. The response is: what you see on the website is what you get.
Sun visor on left driver side now droops after only owning vehicle for 5 years. Noticed Toyota warranty extensions for Toyota camrys but not Toyota rav4s. The parts are not different and this is a known issue with Toyota.
All windows besides the windshield have water spot buildup. We had them professionally removed in June of 2014. 5 years later the spots are building up again. That would be at 36,000 miles and now again at 90,000 miles.
The driver's side sun visor will not retract up fully, but hangs at eye level, impeding visibility and causing distraction. Dealership admitted receiving multiple complaints, but said my car is not under recall.
I have called authorized Toyota dealers several times and they promised to call me back once they have the part available for this repair but they never called me back. It has been for more than 6 months.
Since summer of 2014, after two years of driving my new 2011 RAV4, the driver side window has not operated properly. Sometimes it will go down or up, often, it will get stuck. The light on the button blinks at times, at times it does not light up. The window motor I am told has several fingers that operates the windows and seems to work when tried on some kind of machine, however, two good mechanics cannot figure out why it shorts out with operating the driver side window. Replacing the window motor is approximately $460.00 for the part alone, but mechanics cannot guarantee that the window will not short out somehow again. When the window is stuck down, I don't feel safe driving at night, and, weather conditions like rain, snow, extreme cold--May keep me from driving the car with this problem. …
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/wiper
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed.
Window & Wiper complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2011 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2011 Toyota RAV4, 17% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota RAV4 window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-689 (power window devices and controls, Oct 22, 2015); NHTSA recall 15V-577 (visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota RAV4 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles.
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.