This Is BAD NEWS For Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Owners! 

Thank you for the info! I stopped the video because of that voice. . Is this problem Toyota only or all hybrids in general?

Thx

it’s already fixed, some people in montreal canada sue toyota for that 2-3 years ago.

Thank you! It’s a 10min video that could be summarized in 30sec 🙄🙄🙄🙄

It was also “padded” and took too long to get to the point.

Thanks for the info

Appreciate you taking the time to write that out.

The Americans and Koreans have been trying to bring down Toyota ever since they became the top selling car giant, and they'll keep trying to bring down Toyota. My wife bought a new model Toyota in 2014 and hasn't had one issue with it, and neither was it recalled for any malfunctioning parts. Of course, products such as cars and other major machinery that get mass produced, there's going to be a small percentage of defects, but it happens once in a blue moon for Toyota as its management focuses exclusively on quality and perfection, and is the only car company that can talk the talk and walk the walk. I myself have always been a Nissan fanboy as I've owned about five Nissans: Two Fair Ladies--1985, 1993, respectively; a Datsun B510; a Nissan 1998 March (sold only in Japan); a 2002 Infiniti I-35. I never had any major mechanical problems with either of the aforementioned automobiles. FYI.

I hope you recover your unnecessary losses doing a repair that should have been covered. At least until 100k or 10 years..

So I guess hybrids save fuel but not our wallet.

Yep me too.

Is your auto working ok in normal city use? Finding gears correctly?

The eCVT trans is very different than the standard CVT. It has no belt.

Do you know where I can get a copy of the service bulletin?

I believe they have replaced the cable for the 2022 model with something less prone to corrosion.

Always read the fine print. Bumper yo bumper doesn’t mean what you think it means

I don’t get all the stuff I see about hyundai and Kia. At least on Hyundais side they have been as reliable as my Toyota. I guess I’m lucky or something 🤔

I live in Nova Scotia, and have a 2020 Rav4hybrid. I had the "hybrid system malfunction error" for the first time at 43267km. I took it to the Amherst, Nova Scotia dealership. They did not know what the problem was. This same error occurred every time I went through a puddle or car wash and, after drying out, would go away. This occurred many more times over the next year, and I took the vehicle to Toyota Truro, Nova Scotia, hoping to find a more competent mechanic. They said the "hybrid system malfunction error" was caused by corrosion of the harness but not in the typical place where it usually happens, so it would not be covered by warranty (which I still had at this point). The charge would be $5890 to me to repair the harness. So I took the Rav home dried her out in my garage. The HSME error codes stopped till the next puddle. So I continued to dry it out every time I hit a puddle, and I stayed out of car washes and made it along without the Rav quitting until 2 weeks ago. 2 weeks ago, my wife was out for a drive to the mall, and it quit and would not start. Same thing, many error codes, one of which was "hybrid system malfunction error see dealler" So I tried drying it out and still could not start it so I eventually took the positive battery cable off and back on (which I read some where that this would probably allow you to get the Rav4hybrid to start) and it worked. I drove it to Halifax toyota and they said it needed a new harness because of corrosion and that would cost $5900. So because the vehicle will not start unless I take the +ve cable off and on every time, I had to get the repair. So now, of course the 160000km warranty has passed, and I have to pay out of pocket. So I am reaching in my pocket now, very sad they wouldn't cover it when I was in earlier and still had it under warranty. Any help or advice on contacting Toyota Canada and getting them to cover this or at least part of it?

Feel for you regarding the cable problem you're having with your Rav 4 hybrid. Here are a couple of thoughts that may help. If the cable was damaged in another location, it could have been damaged in a road incident and may be covered by the collision portion of your car insurance. Another thought is to contact the folks at Motormouth, another Canadian automotive Utube channel. They may have more information regarding this problem and may even act as advocates to put pressure on Toyota to fix the problem. Best of luck. @@forrestmerlin4669

Toyotas quality and customer service have dropped dramatically in the last 5 year’s , way down .👎

Unfortunately, it has the same cable system, so it’s part of legal complaint too. My husband has the 21 Venza, I have the 19 RAV4. I paid ~6k to replace my cable in July.

I thought it was the American Polygraph Association

Thank you. I was wondering if the problem caused people to have breakdowns and the therapists had to get involved

Yes, any Toyota or Lexu hybrid awd.

How many kms on your vehicle?

You are correct, it just starts the timer over again - the connection area has not changed, even with the 23s and 24s.

The 12 volt battery that activates the control module has low voltage. There is a place on the fuse block under the hood on the driver's side to attach a battery charger or jimper cables to bring the voltage up enough for the control module to activate and start the system. It's all explained in the owner's manual

Per the U.S. class action complaint, yes. My husband has the 2021 Venza Hybrid. No problems yet but it’s just a matter of time. We live in upstate NY!

@@carmelmccolgan5187 Thanks for your reply. I'm definitely taking the Venza of the list of my next vehicle to purchase.

@@jerryharrison4101 My husband bought one last year - beautiful car but it’s also compromised because of the cable.

@@carmelmccolgan5187 double thanks; I'm definitely taking it off the list. You're a sweetheart!

Prius had that problem a few years ago.

I had that problem too! It was “fixed” so now it takes 10.4 gals instead of 9.4! 🤷‍♀️ The gas tank issue quickly fell into the annoying category compared to the cable problem, which is serious and costly.

even though the pump stop you got to keep going little by little.. My does it too but once i pump it little by little it added almost 2 gallons. The shape of the tank with hybrid battery beside it cost them not to fill up all the way. As long as my tank says 500+ miles to empty, I'm ok with it. If i don't fill it as much as it can it will only say 450 miles to empty

My Rav4 hybrid has this problem. It’s 2019 car. I have to pump another dollar or two to make it almost full but the fuel gauge shows it’s still not full

@@carmelmccolgan5187 Do you try to fill it up as soon as the fuel light comes on? If you do it still has 3 gallons in it. You can run 100 miles minimum after the fuel light comes on before it was empty.

Your logic is very sound as is your assessment of customer service. My RAV4 is a great car with a huge issue that has been handled very poorly by Toyota. I have a new cable now but no confidence that it will fare well in my local winters. And resale value is now a concern - this is now a well-known issue and not one I want to pass on to someone else!

@@hwy6163 so are they fixed for 2022 RAV4 Hybrids?

@@jonathanshnoravorian3292 It’s actually not clear that the update is a “fix” although it may be an improvement. It takes time for the cable to corrode and it depends a lot on the environment it’s being driven in. Many owners are now requesting that the cable be inspected regularly.

Rav only

A. The Class Vehicles & The Defect 110. The Class Vehicles experiencing the Defect are all Toyota RAV4 Hybrids and Prime vehicles manufactured 2019-2022, as well as, Toyota Highlander Hybrids for model year 2020, 2021 and 2022, Venza Hybrid AWD vehicles from 2021 and 2022, LEXUS NX350h AWD for 2021 and 2022 and NX450H AWD plug in Hybrid for 2022, based upon the identical design or substantially similar design of the orange cable connector, and the configuration and placement of the high voltage wire harness rendering the MGR subject to shorting out.

I would not never buy a poorly made low grade Korean vehicle regardless of price.. And you can bet most Toyota and Honda owners would not as well.. It has always been a cheesy brand with questionable reliability and poor resale.

," delayed" 😂 its a 2 or 3 year wait list. Your friends couldn't get one if they wanted to

Tucsons are disposable

Lucky you. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Won't Toyota balk at that "modification" if there is a problem? Does it allow them to say that it was altered and let them off the hook? I hope for your sake not, but I've wondered that for those that put the dialectic grease on it?

@@dj3114 It sure might. But consider this: 1. Toyota was forced to include the harness/connector in the hybrid system warranty in Canada only, not the US so there is no hook at the moment for it to be off of. 2. I read that this issue only affects the US and Canadian-made cars, mine is made in Japan. Apparently, there are two differences - Japanese ones have the shield and drain hole, American don't so there is good chance I won't have to deal with it. I will check the connector when it gets warmer, will see what it looks like.

@@nofyfb123 I'm in the US and I've got the notice that the cable is extended to eight years. As to the drain hole, all US and Canada Rav Hybrids since mid 21 have half the connector cut away for draining. They also have a plastic cover below the connector in an attempt to divert water. My 21 was made in Kentucky in Sep 21 and I have both mods on mine. I hope it helps but it's not a perfect solution.

@@dj3114 I got no notice so either my particular (2nd half of 2021) one is not affected or I am just not in the loop.

Hybrids lost me on the basis of that 3-pronged plug alone. I don't have an outlet in my home for it (with heavy gauge wires to match), and I can see myself hunting for one all around my community before I found one. Once I found one I'd go out of my mind waiting in a public place for it to charge (I get a little impatient even at the gas pump, and keep in mind convenience stores aren't the safest places). On those terms, forget road trips. In addition, I like to camp in remote places and I use portable solar panels for my devices - so the fact that I can't also recharge my vehicle with them is just too disappointing.

@@craigfinnegan8534 That is only for the Prime and still not required. For the standard hybrid, there is no plug. When you slow down, the braking charges the hybrid battery along with the engine if necessary. I was considering trading my 21 Hybrid before the 3 year warranty expires, but then got a notice from Toyota that they have extended that part to eight years. I'm happy with that because I really like the car and the over 40 mpg on a regular basis.

no, only the Rav4 Hybrid and Rav4 prime

sorry I forgot the Highlander Hybride

It affects AWD, it's the cable connecting front and rear

There are Prius models with awd too though although I heard it’s more a horsepower bump than true awd. Not sure if that applies although the Prius tends to be the tried and true Toyota hybrid model it’s been around long enough

It affects RAV4 Hybrid AWD or RAV4Prime AWD for model years 2019-present, Toyota Highlander Hybrids AWD for model year 2020, 2021 and 2022, Venza Hybrid AWD vehicles from 2021 and 2022, and LEXUS NX350h AWD for 2021 and 2022 and NX450H AWD plug in Hybrid for 2022,

10 year warranty on my Toyota hybrid RAV4 2001............Now it's 2022!!!!!

You probably meant to say 2021 Toyota RAV4..😆

We have a 2021 Venza Limited purchased 11/21 and now has 24k on it. The cable problem concerns me and that's why the Canadian government on behalf of 300 Rav4 owners have a class action lawsuit against Toyota because the cable is not covered even with the extended warranty. Most dealers plead stupidity and when secretly video taping two warranty guys and bringing up the issue they had no answers. I mentioned to my sales guy who used to work for Lexus I would have been been better off buying a CPO used RX350 or LS 350 (Regular No Lead) w/warranty 6yrs unlimited miles.😀Unfortunately purchase interest rates are now 4.5% when last year they we 1.9%. I may still pull the plug because if someone has to spend 6k on a cable repair it outweighs the cost of the gas savings.

@@dm285 I don't really like how warranty plans work as well as other add-on plans such as Toyota guard Platinum $699.00. My vehicle came with that and the only thing I will get out of it is 2 oil changes and 4 tire rotations.. One of the biggest ripoffs from Toyota motor company...

Did you read some posts? A 10 heck a 20 year warranty is of no substance if it does not include the corroding cable as some have said here. Very expensive to fix and it should be a component that lasts a cars lifetime. Poor design and bad of Toyota to let the customers pay for their inferiour R&D...

I don't think the cable is so expensive (probably a little), but rather the cost of installation of threading throughout the entire engine area and bottom of the vehicle.

Venza and Sienna hybrids too.

Wrap. Problem solved.

We're in NM too. We spent the first half of the year trying to find someone who would sell us a Prime and finally gave up. I called several CO dealers, and even with a $10k markup over MSRP they wouldn't sell us one. A dealer in Durango even had one that hadn't been claimed yet and they wouldn't sell it to us. The sales guy told me that next year's allocations are based on how many vehicles get registered in nearby counties this year, and since stock is already so short they'd like to have as many hybrids registered in the local area as possible.

@@darrylmelander6984 Yep! And why should I paint or skin a new car? I really don't get the black roof thing and why not offer all the current colors for the top end vehicle? I just don't get it

Probably not. Only in salted roads in heavy winters in states like wisconsin. The class action lawsuit started in Quebec which has similar weather.

It probably will, but I think since the weather conditions in Canada are harsher it will (hopefully, maybe) take longer to corrode. Of course, this is just a guess, but it will corrode at some point

Do you use salt on your roads?

@@SilentServiceCode only when freezing conditions are likely. However we get very little snow and if we do it only hangs around for a few days. I know Canada is a different ball game but I'm more interested in the varying customer service attitude with Toyota to issues.

@@SilentServiceCode It also depends upon how the salt is applied. Here in Minnesota, they no longer use the drop salt nuggets from a truck method. That type of distribution was quite crude, requiring significantly more salt than necessary and was poorly applied. Much of it ended up as runoff and contributed to vehicle corrosion. Now, they carefully spray a salt liquid prior to storms. That dramatically reduced salt waste, which in turn should also dramatically reduce impact to vehicles.

@@john1701a they do that here as well, depending on the road. Usually our freeways and highways get that method

I know that the models in Europe are not necessarily AWD. So those ones are exempt from this problem.

You should be worried about the transparency of Toyota, another problem could arise that affects all RAV4 everywhere and you would have to deal with a company that now doesn't care about its customers. The dieselgate ended up being a total disaster for VW, weird that Toyota didn't learn.

Well most ppl don't live there so the video has merits.

@@andersriksson100 exactly I’m in canada and wanted one now it doesn’t make sense. I will keep my gas highlander

I live in Canada so it’s a no go

Same thinking 💭 mine was made in Japan and this article keeps mentioning Canada.

@@ichaidmelendez4515 The reason they mention Canada is because Canada gets a lot of snow. The cablegate problem is due to corrosion, mainly from roads salts in snowy environments.

It affects all hybrids and plugin hybrids regardless of where they were made.

@@hadesomegamoto7639 thanks, at least I live in Puerto Rico.

What is the fix you'd recommend, taking it off, dielectric grease and covering the ends with hi temp rtv are what I've seen so far.​@@hadesomegamoto7639

There isn't a solid one. They have cut away half of the plug in order to drain the water so it's not trapped. They also put a plastic cover under the part in an effort to direct water away from getting to it as much. Seems putting the plug on top the generator instead of the bottom would have prevented it in the first place.

I’ll do the same most likely

Seriously considering doing the same.

Solid choice as the Honda has a driveshaft instead of a cable.

They do not have this cable as they are not yet AWD. The Rav is the only model with this issue.

@@jimdeschaine No, its any Hybrid awd model in both Toyota and Lexus. It's just the Rav that gets the attention. Toyota has said that, but only in the Rav 19-22 has Toyota now extended the warranty of the cable to eight years or 100k. I got my notice mid last year.

​@@dj3114 I've done plenty of Ravs but have yet to see any other model with the issue.

Maybe a Tesla is the answer.

Lmao a Nissan over a Toyota? I’m Sure that will work well for you 🤦‍♂️

Good luck getting a Sportage hybrid without paying $4k above the MSRP

한국사람이지만 스포티지 하리브리드는 엔진오일 증가 현상이 있어 구입 취소하고 지금 토요타 라브4 구입하여 잘타고 있습니다 만족합니다

@@gabrielhuin isn't Nissan a reliable car?

@@omesanni not anymore in my opinion

The issue is NOT where the vehicle was manufactured but where it is driven! Areas where salt is used on winter roads - Canada, northern regions of the U.S. can lead to corrosion of the cable apparently.

It's the same cable attached in the same manner. Location has nothing to do with it. Where the car goes in the issue - winters and salt.

You will be, they are phenomenal

Don’t forget about the flawed design allowing the wheels to fall off of them . Oh what a feeling while I’am free wheeling into traffic !!!

@@donaldpiper9763 Yes, this is worrisome. But are you sure it affects the RAV4? I told my wife about what you mentioned and we both researched the internet extensively for this issue. We didn't find anything about wheels falling off a RAV4.

@@donaldpiper9763 thats the bz4x and they fixed it already

Issue has been only identified and after getting sued, they extended the warranty to 8yrs, but still did not address the main issue. Its very flawed design, with unsuitable material for the connector in that general area. Its always going to be problem.

Did you buy it new or used? I bought a new 08 camry LE, it has 100k miles and hasn’t given me any problems

If you buy used ,it's at the mercy of the former owner

2 WD doesn't work so well in Canadian winter.

No, it started showing there first because of the long winters and salt they use so much of. It's in the U.S. too.

I had one and liked it - but it was the "beepiest" car I ever owned. The adaptive is worthless because it beeps when the car in front of you pulls away. I did like the paddle shifters because it enabled you to quickly slow down in winter appraching a yellow light. Also liked the AWD system as it was the best I've seen. Wouldn't own one now because they are all CVTs

Don't think so, all websites I've searched only mention the rav4.

The following are included in the complaint against Toyota: RAV4 Hybrid AWD or RAV4Prime AWD for model years 2019-present, Toyota Highlander Hybrids AWD for model year 2020, 2021 and 2022, Venza Hybrid AWD vehicles from 2021 and 2022, and LEXUS NX350h AWD for 2021 and 2022 and NX450H AWD plug in Hybrid for 2022,

@@carmelmccolgan5187 😲

It's the high tension cable that connects front and back motors in the AWD hybrid and PHEV (Prime). I have heard Venza and maybe another use the same design, so this may be a bigger problem.

I'm well aware of this problem with the hybrid models. Save yourself the trouble and buy a non hybrid in my opinion they are one of the best most reliable cars today. The regular models are better in my opinion because you can actually choose different interior colors etc. plus the killer 8 speed auto

It seems that was the issue with the gdi high pressure in Hyundais but it seems the latest gen has finally fixed that issue. And even the brake line it could be Korean and Japanese relying on more chinese parts that are causing this issue.

You are correct. Any hybrid with this system has the potential to have this problem under certain conditions, including RAV4, Venza, Highlander, and Sienna.