TonyWilliams
Well-known member
This is mostly for prospective used buyers:
Any RAV4 EV car (with or without some BS "dealer used car certification") should do the following at pre-buy / pre-purchase inspection (or have a responsible person go through the list and send you the results):
Prior to purchase or delivery:
1. RECALLS - check that all recalls have been done
**** Firmware 1.3.101 (US Government recall)
**** Wiper motor (all Rav4s)
**** Seat belts (all Rav4s)
2. FOBs / KEYs - make sure the both the mechanical keys work, as well as both fobs (very common problem)
3. 12 VOLT BATTERY - Change the 12 volt battery if it is the original black top Toyota one. They aren't known to last more than 3 years. If you let the 12 volt battery fail, it can cause all kinds of issues for the car. I recommend a Bosch AGM battery, Group 24F, 60 amp/hour
4. OWNERS MANUAL - you'll want this, if you aren't familiar with the car
5. CHARGING CABLE - the original is a 120 volt / 12 amp unit with a blue plug handle
6. ADJUSTMENTS TO SETTINGS
a. Adjust door unlock remote to open all doors with 1 press; only auto-lock when in drive
b. Adjust car reverse tone to single beep
c. Adjust seat belt reminder chime to only chime once
7. CABIN HEATER - turn the heater to full blast and feel heat come out. This is a $2500 - $6000 repair, which is why you want a warranty. (Frequently fails)
8. AIR CONDITIONING - turn on air conditioning and feel cold air (this rarely fails)
9. TIRES - Check tire wear (the original Yokohamas wear out at 30-40k miles)
10. BRAKES - check brake wear (rarely much wear)
11. DAMAGE - look for obvious damage BELOW the car (ran over curb and damaged battery case, etc)
12. CHARGING - plug it into a J1772 charge station and watch it charge
13. MOTOR NOISE - listen for motor noise (frequently replaced free of charge with 5 year / 60,000 mile warranty, or Platinum Extended Warranty... could be $10,000 to $15,000 otherwise)
14. CENTER INFO-TAINMENT SCREEN - make sure center navigation screen works ($4000 to replace when not in warranty)
15. BATTERY CAPACITY - Check the high voltage "traction" battery capacity http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1625
That's about it. It's not likely that MOST Toyota dealers are going to know the car very well, or even care to do so. Use your own due diligence and don't rely on others to check these things.
**************
Issues with RAV4 EV:
1) Speed sensor - RECALL ITEM - vehicle will pop into neutral and stop, power steering disabled)
2) Gateway / communications "ECU" (can disable vehicle, usually a Check EV light)
3) Motor / gear box noise (requires motor replacement)
4) Heater failure (which then takes out the DC to DC)
5) DC to DC failure
6) Onboard charger failure (can't recharge vehicle... except JdeMO equipped cars with CHAdeMO quick chargers)
7) Leaking oil from gear box (I've had this on both one RAV4 and our Mercedes B-Class ED that shares the same Tesla Model S drivetrain)
8) "CHECK EV SYSTEM" message du jour (requires four ON/OFF cycles)
9) Charge Timer
10) Entunes
11) 12 volt battery
12) Charge port door sticks
Heck, I'll let everybody else decide what else to add to the list and in what order.
Any RAV4 EV car (with or without some BS "dealer used car certification") should do the following at pre-buy / pre-purchase inspection (or have a responsible person go through the list and send you the results):
Prior to purchase or delivery:
1. RECALLS - check that all recalls have been done
**** Firmware 1.3.101 (US Government recall)
**** Wiper motor (all Rav4s)
**** Seat belts (all Rav4s)
2. FOBs / KEYs - make sure the both the mechanical keys work, as well as both fobs (very common problem)
3. 12 VOLT BATTERY - Change the 12 volt battery if it is the original black top Toyota one. They aren't known to last more than 3 years. If you let the 12 volt battery fail, it can cause all kinds of issues for the car. I recommend a Bosch AGM battery, Group 24F, 60 amp/hour
4. OWNERS MANUAL - you'll want this, if you aren't familiar with the car
5. CHARGING CABLE - the original is a 120 volt / 12 amp unit with a blue plug handle
6. ADJUSTMENTS TO SETTINGS
a. Adjust door unlock remote to open all doors with 1 press; only auto-lock when in drive
b. Adjust car reverse tone to single beep
c. Adjust seat belt reminder chime to only chime once
7. CABIN HEATER - turn the heater to full blast and feel heat come out. This is a $2500 - $6000 repair, which is why you want a warranty. (Frequently fails)
8. AIR CONDITIONING - turn on air conditioning and feel cold air (this rarely fails)
9. TIRES - Check tire wear (the original Yokohamas wear out at 30-40k miles)
10. BRAKES - check brake wear (rarely much wear)
11. DAMAGE - look for obvious damage BELOW the car (ran over curb and damaged battery case, etc)
12. CHARGING - plug it into a J1772 charge station and watch it charge
13. MOTOR NOISE - listen for motor noise (frequently replaced free of charge with 5 year / 60,000 mile warranty, or Platinum Extended Warranty... could be $10,000 to $15,000 otherwise)
14. CENTER INFO-TAINMENT SCREEN - make sure center navigation screen works ($4000 to replace when not in warranty)
15. BATTERY CAPACITY - Check the high voltage "traction" battery capacity http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1625
That's about it. It's not likely that MOST Toyota dealers are going to know the car very well, or even care to do so. Use your own due diligence and don't rely on others to check these things.
**************
Issues with RAV4 EV:
1) Speed sensor - RECALL ITEM - vehicle will pop into neutral and stop, power steering disabled)
2) Gateway / communications "ECU" (can disable vehicle, usually a Check EV light)
3) Motor / gear box noise (requires motor replacement)
4) Heater failure (which then takes out the DC to DC)
5) DC to DC failure
6) Onboard charger failure (can't recharge vehicle... except JdeMO equipped cars with CHAdeMO quick chargers)
7) Leaking oil from gear box (I've had this on both one RAV4 and our Mercedes B-Class ED that shares the same Tesla Model S drivetrain)
8) "CHECK EV SYSTEM" message du jour (requires four ON/OFF cycles)
9) Charge Timer
10) Entunes
11) 12 volt battery
12) Charge port door sticks
Heck, I'll let everybody else decide what else to add to the list and in what order.