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Oil leak on 2015 RAV4?!??

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57K views 75 replies 32 participants last post by  hsalami  
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#1 ·
Hello,
I looked under my hood today to keep things clean. I noticed on the engine block near the alternator, some brown gunk. after wiping some of it off, it appears to be oil. I checked my oil level and its between full and ¾ full. Not sure if I'm just being paranoid or what. My RAV4 has 7k on it and hasn't even had it's first oil change. It's only had its first maintenance done (tire rotation). Anyone else notice that on their BRAND NEW RAV4?:crying
 
#2 ·
You are likely being paranoid. Settle down. A new engine breaking in will use a bit of oil. That is normal. Have a quart of the correct oil to top off if required. Wipe off what you see and watch for it to reappear, if it does at all. Don't go bonkers over nothing.

I take it this is your first new car?
 
#4 ·
Was the oil near the filler cap? If so, some ham fisted tech probably spilled some during an oil change.
 
#6 ·
i noticed the same case with my rav too. first noticed this almost a year ago before i took my rav for its first 5k service. i told my service advisor from where i bought it and i was told that probably its leftover / oil sweat from heating up a new engine. i clean the said spot over and over and still get the same oil seepage. the last time i cleaned that spot was few weeks ago after my 15k mile service. i cleaned it with engine degreaser. I'll post a picture of that spot later when i get home and if we are experiencing this in the same spot, then probably there is a possible gasket failure or something else is not right with our ravs. i was planning to raise this issue with my SA if i see that it accumulates dirt again due to light oil seepage.
 
#11 ·
i thought so. i had a few b-new cars in the fast and never experienced this except with my 4.4. i haven't brought mine to the dealership yet coz i just finished my 15k service before i cleaned. will definitely bring this up once i'm due with my 20k. or if you get to your next service first probably you can mention this and will support you with your claim.
 
H
#12 ·
same thing here, brand new only at 4.5k miles and it's leaking.:mad: will have a word with them when i go in for first service.

seems the grey thing sandwiched in-between engine and oil pan (suppose I can call it gasket) is the issue, so I tighten the screws close by which hold the oil pan, will see in a few days if it solves the problem.
 
#13 ·
the grey rubbery thing is a silicone gasket. it seals the gap better than just having the rubber gasket in between. am not really sure how i can bring this up with my SA when i go back for a scheduled service. i'd be able to tell him/them that there's already three 4.4 (2013 and 2015) models that experienced this light oil seepage. but if asked for a proof, what do you think i can give them? suggestions???
 
H
#19 ·
problem fixed

Took the car in for first time service, they acknowledged the leak was caused by a manufacture defect in gasket and replaced it for free.



Great, now I have to find a cat. :nerd

Overall I'm happy with the service, although I wish it had never happened in the first place. Also I'm believe the cast aluminum oil pan with molded rubber gasket combination from the old days will last way longer than the silicon stuff, guess they don't make cars the way they used to...

Thanks guys!!!
 
#24 ·
Just out of curiosity, per your VINs can you share with the members here the location of your RAV4s final assembly (i.e. First letter of VIN is "J" indicates from Japan and etc.)? I spoke with a few RAV4 owners here locally, couldn't quit say if there is any commonality so I thought I ask here. Thx!

P.S. There a number of "VIN Decoder" websites in case you need it...
 
#27 ·
... of the 4 friends I have asked, 3 of them also observed oil leak now including you guys (stefen1990 and hhung516) a total of 5 RAV4s that were assembled in Canada, there seems to be a consistency up to this point. BTW, the one friend's RAV4 and mine (a 2014 model though) were built in Japan, so far so good keeping our fingers crossed. Thank you all for sharing! I wonder if "jest" VIN also starts with a "2".
 
W
#32 ·
Gasket leak at the oil pan is not such a big deal really, I know it's a new car and it shouldn't happen, and yes it would bother me too, but at least it's not like my 2013 Civic oil leak, turns out my brand spanking new 2013 Honda Civic coupe with 3300 miles on it possibly??? had a cracked engine block, no more Honda's for me!!!!!!!!!!
 
E
#34 ·
Hi,

I had an oil leak in my '14 Rav4. The alternator area was leaked with oil.

Mine one is assembled in Japan, bought in Spain beginning '14. The leak is due to a faulty sealing process. It will need an easy re-sealing, but to dissasemble and reassemble everything around the leak it will need 4-5 days in the dealer workshop. Mine one was serviced under warranty and no more oil leaks until now.
 
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#36 ·
Update

Just got my routine service done on 10-07-15 at 10k miles. They acknowledged there was a leak, they cleaned up the area in which the oil was seeping onto. they added dye into the oil so they can pinpoint exactly where the oil is leaking from. I was advised to keep an eye on it, come back if I see anymore leaking. Haven't seen any yet but, It's only a matter of time. At least it is documented and they saw it for themselves too.
 
#40 ·
Update in my oil leak issue:

I brought my Rav to my dealership and it stayed there the whole of last week (monday to saturday). Believe it or not, the Service Advisor who attended me shrug off the issue again it he said its normal. And i said "so now a days it's normal for a b-new car to have oil seepage". Surprisingly he's response was, "it ok long as it's not literally leaking oil or loosing oil for that matter". Infuriating on my part but i felt like i can't squeeze any resolution from him on their part. Anything you can suggest to me on how i can push that dealership (Elmore Toyota) to address my issue. Otherwise, i just have to charge this to experience and probably look into other toyota dealership.
 
W
#41 ·
I read this thread and wanted to ask if anyone else has had this issue. Hi, I just bought a new 2015 Rav4 and got it home with only 80 miles on it and looked under the car and noticed a small amount of oil seeping out of what appears to be where the tranny and engine are mated together. Has anyone else noticed this. I'm concerned that it may be a bad rear main oil seal but I don't want to jump to conclusions if this is just part of the assembly process from the plant. I wiped it clean and drove it and it now has 140 miles on it. I let it sit overnight and noticed a very small amount seeping out between the parts, however you could not really see it until you placed a white paper towel on the area. I would love to hear if anyone has an idea of being normal or should I be concerned. Thanks
 
#42 ·
Hi bud. Might not be the same spot where i experience it or for other people in this thread but yeah. Let me know what happens after you bring it back to your dealership. i've been having my own headache in terms of making my dealership acknowledge my complaint and not simply tell me bring it in when it gets worst. i said yeah right long as you don't charge me for letting my case get worst than addressing it early at this stage.
 
#43 ·
I have never had a new vehicle show any sign of oil leakage or seepage. Car assembly lines which I have seen assemble clean parts, including among others engines and transmissions. But my experience with assembly practices is limited.
 
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