RAV4 Owners & Aficionados

Did a retro stripes thing today

 

I like what I am reading in this thread.
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Turning in my 3rd Toyota Tacoma for my first ever Rav4 today.
A sad but happy day. New adventure.

 

I changed oil in my wife's 2014 RAV a month ago. She loves it. I have been talking about getting her a hybrid RAV4, but she absolutely does not want one. Ruby (her name for her car) is doing great. Needs new shoes this fall, and I need to replace the spark plugs when it cools off outside a bit.

 

If it ain't broke...

When the 2014 eventually dies (probably never, lol), I think she'll find the hybrid a nice upgrade in power and overall driveability.

Being from Georgia as well, I also really appreciated the ability to run the AC full blast without the motor running, while either parked or sitting in stop and go traffic.

 

Her RAV would make a great car for our daughter, once kid has a few years of of driving a beater and getting some experience.

PS I miss the electric radiator fans my 2002 Isuzu Axiom had. 4x4, but it used two oversized electric fans instead of a clutch fan. It really was ahead of its time.

 

Just bought a 2021 XLE hybrid coming from 3 Tacomas.
On the way to get it inspected, the engine (battery) shut down and the check engine light came on and something about the transmission in the cluster.
There was a pop that happened at the same time as well.
Any thoughts from the Rav4 community?
Thanks.

 

Not typical. I will let you know to check the filter for the HV battery the next time you have the rav4, its located under the rear seat, you'll see a screen you pop out.

 

Thanks Bishop.
Did it. Looks quite clean.
Are you thinking the problem is on the EV side rather than the gas side?

The owner of the shop told me to bring it right in to have him look at it. He hooked it up and it showed many codes popped.
He set up an appointment with his service dept. for next week to get to the bottom of the problem. Hope they can.

 

Unsure, we don't see many issues, but it could be a relay block. Most issues are fairly easy to diagnose as the codes stored are quite detailed. Hopefully its simple and possibly covered under warranty.

 

The owner seemed to think they could get it done. He said there were multiple codes that popped up and that they will get to the bottom of it.
Hoping for a full fix too. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.
I will update after they check it out next week.

 

Wondering if a full sized tire fits in the spare tires location?
Thanks.

 

With some modification, I think. But no, not a direct drop-in.

There was some discussion on it before, don't recall if it's in this thread. There are a couple of bumper / hitch mounts out there, but they're kind of expensive.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Modification you say?

 

A little update for those interested...
Vehicle went into a Toyota service department yesterday. Found no issues and confirmed the codes that popped (which I do have a readout of, if anyone wants to see them).
They ran a functionality test on the hybrid system and a health test on the batteries. All normal.
They started a case with Toyota to get to the bottom of things.
So...I wait.



update 8/4: called to check on the status of my car. They said they are basically chasing something electrical. So they are going back and forth with Toyota engineers doing troubleshooting.
update 8/5: had to call at 3pm for an update. No new developments. They are chasing something electrical it appears. They are setting me up with a rental.

update 8/6: Fixed Ops Director of the shop called to update. They appear to be on an issue with the brake switch and the communication between that and the engine shutting down. He mentioned that the bracket between the pedal and that switch could be bent, possibly from a hard braking by an operator. No news after that.
I am now in a 2025 SR5 DC/SB Tacoma until the Rav is fixed.

update 8/7: Car back tomorrow. Apparently the brake switch fix was the issue.

 

@Bishop84 in your experience, how long will an electrical chase in a vehicle go on for?
Thanks.

 

The wife has a 2020 RAV4 XLE non hybrid. No regrets! Great vehicle. Our daughter also just bought a 2025 non hybrid.

 

I’ll spend a day on a car, then we have a specialist that sometimes takes over. Usually 2 days. If there’s still a problem Toyota gets involved and it can take weeks.

 

Thanks.
It appears I am in the later stages.
High success rate with these repairs?

 

Does anyone have a maintenance schedule for the 2020 RAV4? I found the manual that came with my wife's 2020LXE pretty vague other than oil changes at ever 5,000 miles and tire rotation. I didn't see anything about transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, fuel system conditioner, and all the things that dealerships seem to want to tack on to regular oil changes. I didn't even see anything about engine and cabin air filters, although I check those on my own and replace them regularly as needed.

Even looking on line for generic information isn't all that helpful.

I know about the 3rd Gen maintenance map, but don't know of anything even close to that for the RAV4.

Thanks.

 

hybrid guide

non-hybrid guide