Hi everyone, i have a new 2008 toyota rav,and just a week ago the malfunction light as well as the 4wd light and VSC light all came on at the same time. I took it to the dealership, they cannot figure out the problem, mechanic shut lights off and said to bring it back in if happens again. One week later it happened again while i was driving. Has anyone else had this issue before or know of a reason why it is happening, any help would be appreciated. Thanks

My story exactly!! Have the techs been able to come up with anything? My dealer has no idea how to fix this! Please let me know how you are getting along with this and I will post any info on the situation here.

Got my rav4 back from the shop today. Would you believe that all those lights came on just because of a defective oxygen sensor in the engine? Lights are still off, anyway! Let me know if your problem was similar.

Noooooo!! LIghts are back on!! Does anyone know how to fix this??

What kind of a dealership can't fix a brand new RAV4?! They should be checking for TSB's and the code should be a dead giveaway. The MALF, 4WD and VSC lights usually all come on together with any type of code, just like the 4Runner's do. I will go research that tomorrow at work. There has to be something. If you know the code what is it?

I had the exact same issue with my 2007 Sport V6/4WD about several months ago. I only bought the car in August, so I was concerned as well. I called the dealer and told them about the 4WD light was on as well, and that I refused to drive any further, just in case it really was a 4WD problem.

They agreed, and picked it up with a flatbed. A few hours later, I got a call, they said it was a bad gas issue and recommended that I tried several drygas treatments. I did this, and it has been fine since then.

That morning when I had issues, it was also really cold, so I guess that combo of bad gas and cold temps were really the issue.

Since you don't have a solution, I would try the drygas treatment as well, it doesn't hurt, and after doing it 2 times (empty entire bottle before filling up), it should be better if it really was a gas issue.

I registered here just so I could respond to this thread, since I do understand the frustration.

edit: I believe my code was a cylinder misfire light. Next time this happens, take it to Autozone or something, and get a free code reading.

I'm a new user. I bought my new Rav 4 Ltd V6 on Thursday, two days ago, and have already had this same issue with the lights. I'm going again to dealership this morning, but it was already "fixed" once by rebooting the computer. That worked for the rest of Thursday, but by Friday (yesterday), the lights were back on.
I'm worried. I LOVE the car, but did I get a lemon? Any advice here would be appreciated.

I saw someone recommended the "drygas" treatment. I'm an ***** about cars. Can you tell me what that is?
Thanks.

I have 2007 Rav4 and have the same Mal,VSC and 4wd light on.The dealer told me the oxy sensor but I have to wait for the part to arrive.It looks like this is not the solution and I am also interested in the drygas treatment which I don't know what it is.Any help would be appreciate

Just a hunch, could it be a loose / dirty / damaged / possibly just f*cked ABS sensor at all? or Indeed some other problem with the drive or speed sensing?

I am assuming of course that VSC is Vehicle Stability Control, which I am assuming again is possibly a form of "braked" or "clutch" type traction control

[Possibly going with clutch / active 4wd is the 4wd light is on also]

I also just experienced the same problem on my 3500 mile RAV4.

I haven't brought it in yet -- next week, no time right now, so I'm going to bring this info with me. Thanks to you all.

On another note -- or maybe, it's not, there is a black plastic hose (with wires?) that was ripped apart underneath the driver's side door. I think this probably happened from some snow or road debris that tore it apart (bless our winter). Any thoughts on what that is and the likelihood it's related?

That could indeed be a sensor wire, not sure with that location though!

Let us know how you get on!

I've got the same problem with my 2008 RAV4 V6.

800km, all three lights came on, (eng, vsc, 4wd) Pulled into the nearest dealer and was told it was just a computer glitch and they reset the computer. 3 days later the lights came back on. Went to my local dealer and was diagnosed as a defective C02 sensor, still waiting for the part to arrive.

Oh.. by the way. When indicator lights are on... the cruise control doesn't function.

Love the truck, but concerned I may have a lemon. Don't understand why an O2 sensor should cause all lights to come on and cruise to malfunction.

Will post back if sensor actually fixes the problem, but I am sceptical at this point.

Cheers,

I can help. I wrote earlier describing the same problem with my RAV4, and was worried I got a lemon. The problem is now fixed AND the SUV is fantastic. No more problems.
It's not the O2 sensor -- though the computer the dealers use seem to think it is. Ask the dealers to check the exhaust manifold (I know jack about cars, so this is all from what my dealers told me). Apparently on my RAV4, at least, the exhaust manifold was not set properly, I think due to the manifold itself.
The dealership replaced the manifold (this took a couple days), reset computer and problem was solved. I haven't had an issue since and its been about two months now.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help you further.

and yes, when those lights were on, the cruise didn't work for me either. When problem was fixed, cruise control worked fine.

These three lights came on our 2008 Rav4 this summer when we were on vacation in Washington, about 1200 miles on the car. Took it to a dealer in WA and they said it was the oxygen sensor. They wanted to order the parts, but we were leaving for home before the parts would arrive. They reset the lights and said we would be OK to drive home. The lights came on again on the way home, so no cruise control. (and we got almost 30 mph with cruise on the way out !)

The dealer in Colorado couldn't find anything wrong and reset the lights.

It just happened again. I Googled and found this forum. I took it back to the dealer and told them to keep it until they found what was wrong. I also ask that they check the exhaust manifold. No exhaust manifold problem but they were able to duplicate the issue and have ordered a "charcoal filter". This will be installed today, so will let you know if that fixes it.

They did say the when the Check Engine light comes on, the Vehicle Stability Control, 4WD and cruise control are disabled. And the check engine light can come on for a whole lot of different reasons.