Megan

Hi All, I recently purchased a 2014 RAV4 GX AWD Petrol. Upon searching, I was unable to locate the USB/AUX port on the dash below the stereo as I wanted to plug in an older ipod (which doesnt have bluetooth). The RAV4 comes with two 12V charging ports but no AUX into stereo (which I find odd as my previous generation RAV4 Cruiser had the AUX port in the centre console). I spoke to City Toyota and they advised that the majority of 2014 GX models did not come with a USB/AUX port when they changed the stereo over from the original 2013 one that didn't have the reverse camera.I have quoted the USB part as ~$180 plus labour charges on top. I was gobsmacked and figured that I would install one myself. Today, I've popped out blank face plate and put in an after market USB/Charging port from ebay (see photo). This has a red/black for power and USB cable (see photo). However, upon pulling out the factory standard stereo there is no actual USB input port. The middle 12 pin input (slot to the left of grey input) was not being used and I suspect perhaps this for USB. Does anyone know if this would be the correct port? Also are there USB adapters to 12 pin I could purchase? Or is this stereo not compatible with USB input despite Toyota advising it is. Stereo Model is 100331 (front of stereo) or 86140-42270 (on top of stereo when removed) (see photos) Thanks in advance for your assistance

Hi All, I recently purchased a 2014 RAV4 GX AWD Petrol. Upon searching, I was unable to locate the USB/AUX port on the dash below the stereo as I wanted to plug in an older ipod (which doesnt have bluetooth). The RAV4 comes with two 12V charging ports but no AUX into stereo (which I find odd as my previous generation RAV4 Cruiser had the AUX port in the centre console). I spoke to City Toyota and they advised that the majority of 2014 GX models did not come with a USB/AUX port when they changed the stereo over from the original 2013 one that didnt have the reverse camera.They quoted the part as ~$180 plus labour charges on top. I was gobsmacked and figured that I would install one myself. I've popped out the blank face plate of where the USB/AUX button would be but I'd envisage the entire dash and stereo would need to come out. Has anyone installed this USB/AUX port and can help guide me through the installation. I've installed stereos before on older cars which appear to be easier to get to than this RAV4. The stereo model is 100331 (this is written on the dash below it and I assume this is correct?) Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi Gert, I've currently got a 2008 2.4L RAV4 after having the dreaded V6 with the whine! Its done 115,000km and we have no whine noise what so ever. Except the clutch is very sticky and ive taken it to an independant clutch specilist but nothing wrong with it. Anyways, Toyota does seem to want to fob off the noise and say its normal but its clearly a design/manufacturing fault! Kept persisting with them....maybe we should all go on today tonight to expose the fault!! Good luck and let us know how you get on.

I agree with you here Ceeber, Toyota has failed its customers. I was lucky that I could return the vehicle to the auction place were I purchased the vehicle as the time to repair was deemed insufficient by department of consumer protection. It was going to take upto 8 weeks with the transmission stripped down as they couldnt get the parts from Japan quickly as the repair was to be performed by non toyota mechanic. Anyways, I would never have purchased the car to begin with but purchasing at Auction I couldnt test drive. I made sure I purchased a 4 cyclinder RAV4 the next time around. After having a service on my 4 cylinder RAV the other month, I spoke to the head of service department of City Toyota in Perth and they are aware of the issue but he never implied that these repairs were done for free. He mentioned around $4K upto to $6K. So it sounds like Toyota servicing is profiting from the repairs when its their engineering fault to beging with!

Hi Ceeber, I ended up getting a full refund on the purchase price from the Auction house where I purchased the car in WA. I spoke with Department of Consumer Protection and they advised I was in my rights to provide a Notice of Intention to Reject Goods (Section 260 Australian Consumer Law). As the time to repair under stat warranty was unreasonable. As It took them 3 months to diagnose the problem and when the vehicle was stripped down, it was going to be in excess of 6 weeks to get the parts and put it all back together. In the meantime, I wouldnt have a vehicle to use. Hence, I got a full refund 3 days from when I wrote the letter to the Auction house. Good luck with your repairs and I am glad my info on claiming under stat warranty has been benefial.

Hi JC, Have you had any luck with your clutch problems? I recently bought a 2008 RAV4 from original owner and the clutch is very heavy and jumpy in 1st and 2nd gear. It's very annoying to drive in peak hour traffic!! It was fine when we bought... only now after 3 months the clutch has gotten worst. Toyota advised us that it's the pressure plate and quite expensive to fix. Did you manage to solve your clutch problems? Regards, Megan

Hi All, I recently bought a 2008 2.4L RAV4 Manual with 90,000kms on the clock as I returned my 2008 V6 RAV4 Automatic due to a differential whine. We've had the car now for 3 months and noticed that the clutch is very heavy and jumpy in 1st and 2nd gear. I took it Toyota for it's 90K service yesterday and they advised that the pressure plate is worn. However, Toyota advised I could drive around until the gears start slipping and then replace the clutch. I have a few questions for other manual RAV4 owners: Is 90,000kms a standard length of time for a clutch to be worn? How long have you got out of your clutches in RAV4 before replacing them?Should I be driving around when the pressure plate is worn?What should I expect a mechanic to charge to fix the clutch? I got quoted $2.5K from Toyota - is it a time consuming job?Many thanks for any input here!

I am sorry to hear about this. I would take it into Toyota Servicing/Warranty straight away as you would still be under warranty? In Perth, I was advised they repair one of these a month! It's upsetting that Toyota knows about this issue with the V6 RAV4 but doesnt perform a recall! Toyota Northbridge (Perth) said my vehicle was a 9 out of 10 noise wise and that I dont have to do anything!! I said to the service manager "Would you want to drive around with this noise all the time and have your stereo up full blast?". He replied with "No" but yours isnt the worse I've heard!! I hope they fix your noise soon - Good Luck!

Ive finally got a report back from Negus and they have advised it's the crown wheel and pinion which takes four weeks to come from Japan. In the meantime, my car is stripped down and on a hoist until the part arrives here!!

Very true... I agree the V6 goes like a cork out of the bottle... My previous car was a tiny 4 cylinder 1.6L - The Power is out of this world but whining noise is annoying!! I'd look forward to hearing comments from owners of the 2013 RAV4!!

Im guessing they've stopped the V6 model due to the tranmission whine problems with this model!! I like the look but also not keen on the interior.

Ive recently purchased a 2008 RAV4 V6 CV with 140,00kms, which unfortunatley has the dreded tranmission/differential whine that is mentioned here. I purchased from Pickles Auction and couldnt drive the vehicle but as it had been serviced every 10,000kms by Toyota City in Perth I thought the car was going to be fine. It was evident the second I drove the car out of the Auction yard that it was a problem. I've since taken it to toyota who advised it was a front differential whine and made out they'd never seen the problem before. I have since put in a warranty claim to Australian Warranty Network and the preferred mechanic is Negus (Balcatta, WA). Negus advised their preferred tranmission mechanic didnt want to touch/repair the car as the noise would come back. I am patiently waiting for a repair to be performed. I want to ask if those of you that have had the tranmission rebuilt are getting any noise since? I guess, I am worried that it will get fixed and noise would reappear. Many thanks for any advice/updates on this issue.

G'day from WA to All Toyota Owner!! Ive recently purchased a 2008 RAV4 V6 however unfortunatley it has the dreded tranmission/differential whine that I came across in your forum discussion (i never knew this was a common fault in the vehicle). I purchased from Auction and couldnt drive the vehicle and although it had been serviced every 10,000kms this problem wasnt fixed. I am am extremely upset and dissappointed by toyota and hopefully the fault will get retified under warranty. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Megan