Mother in law has a 2011 Toyota rav4. Recently she said she's been having to add about a quart once a month to keep the oil level from going low. I've been knocking theories around in my head and would like input. 

 

I had her put cardboard under the car to see if it has been leaking. Nothing dripping. The exhaust isn't smoky nor smell like burning oil. The fuel mileage and performance and drivability is un changed. She's not growing coolant either. 

 

I don't get how she's losing a quart a month without noticing how? Any one have ideas? I told her next oil change have them look under the car for leaks. If nothing is found in thinking compression testing..

Gasoline engines have vacuum at the manifold so all you need is worn valve seals and it will draw in small amounts of oil into to the combustion chamber. 

Toyota 2006-2008 RAV4 with the 2AZ-FE engine has been experiencing high oil consumption due to poor piston rings and there is a service bulletin, T-SB-0094-11, that explains the fix.  There are other Toyota models in the 2011 year with the same problem.

  Toyota is not the only car manufacture to experience this problem.  The 2007-2011 Volvo 3.2L engine had the same problem due to poor piston ring material.

Is this a dealer covered item or is it a, "oh yeah, this is whats wrong, but you pay it." Type fix?

  The extended warranty covered 07-08 RAV4 along with other Toyota models and years. The warranty expired on October 31, 2014.

  Check the under hood emissions label that shows what engine type the vehicle has, 2AZ-FE.   

  You may want to call a Toyota specialist and see what info they my have for high oil consumsition on your model year.

Well last night i found out that her car is actually an '08. That's ridiculous that the coverage has an expiration. Leaves most people high and dry!

 

We bought the vehicle after that date from the dealer and they never warned us about this. That's frustrating...

Maybe this law firm can help.

https://www.classaction.com/toyota-oil-consumption-defect/lawsuit/

I told my mother in law to contact the dealer first to see what can be done. We'll escalate it from there if there is no remediation. Hoping it doesn't come to legal action...

I looked up complaints and problems with Toyota Trucks and you would not believe the litany of problems. Everything from paint falling off to many rusted frames that go beyond repair. Salvage tittle on a two year old truck because the frame was unfixable. Bad air intakes that cost 4000 bucks to replace bad oil seals on trans shafts. I'm talkin newer ones too. Many are leaving Toyota after having been loyal customers for years.

Edited June 27, 20177 yr by JAG1

They just don't make them like they use to.

49 minutes ago, IBMobile said:

They just don't make them like they use to.

Are those in your repossession yard from mechanics liens?