Bought a brand new 2021 Rav 4 car is only 10 months old AC only worked twice. Brought the car in at Boch Toyota to have it looked at since it’s under warranty. I was told my condenser is damaged maybe due to debris falling inside my grill and it’s not under warranty and they want to charge me $1700 to repair it. Not to mention they charged me $145.00 just to have it looked at. So now I’m a pissed off Rav 4 owner. Toyota knows this is a problem and refuses to redesign the grill so basically this is a scam for Toyota to get more money out of you. Bought two other Toyota cars first was a highlander 2nd was a venza never had any issues. Not happy
Brand new RAV4 AC condenser damage
Dayna
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This happened to me last week. My 2022 is in the shop for this. I had just left a car wash. I suspect the high velocity air dryers caused the damage. They blow at over 100mph. Any debris is flying right into your grill. Can't prove it but I am opting for car washes without the high velocity blow dry.
So that would be no different than driving a bit faster on a highway….
I agree but there is still a huge difference in wind speed. I have hit 100 mph passing a line of cars and never seen my wipers flopping around or my hood bouncing. Google search suggests that the windspeed from the air blowers is in the 200mph range. I will be installing these guards on my RAV4 as well. I just wanted to share with everyone that there could be another reason for the damage. I called around to car washes and they can turn off the blowers for you. Some car washes do not blow thru the front of the car. The one I used does. These face 45 degrees toward the front and blow before you get to them. They are sending 200mph winds through the condenser and radiator. Just offering a heads up hoping to save someone a few bucks.
I did the same thing, after i damaged (or it was already damaged) my condensor within a month of ownership. Because it was not clear if the condensor was already damaged when i bought the car ( 2nd owner) the dealer replaced it under warranty.
Yes, i was. Put that grill on right after. I was not planning on paying for the next broken condensor. Got the idea of that grill from this forum. Told a friend of mine about the grill. He did not want to put on the mesh himself, so he bought the material and had the dealer put it on😀. They had never heard of it
So is that RAV4Stuff condenser screen plastic or metal? Their site does not say. The upper, larger radiator screen is said to be stainless steel. If the A/C condenser screen is just plastic, just use gutter guard... lifetime supply for about $5.
RAV4STUFF
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$40 and still available. I put in over the vent with zip ties in about 15 mins. Pay a little now or .......
Both top and bottom are stainless. I have both.
The one I bought was just plastic mesh, fitted and had bound edges. Yes, gutter guard, a safety knife and zip ties and you are good to go as well.
Most plastics rot in the sun -- UV exposure. That is why I think the stainless mesh is the way to go. I have the stainless mesh, and it is perfect after three years, but the plastic zip ties they provided have mostly broken due to sun exposure.
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Did you install the top mesh as well? If yes, do you have pics? I want to see how it look before I buy it.RAV4STUFF
As we continue to grow we are updating our digital space. Please see our new website by clicking the following link: https://voltstuff.com/rav4stuff.weebly.com
$40 and still available. I put in over the vent with zip ties in about 15 mins. Pay a little now or .......
Here is what the SS mesh looks like on the replacement grill I put on my RAV4 (back side then front side) :
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It is not a safety concern.
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I like the look. Do you need to install it in the back of the grill?
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What grill is it?
Go here and file a complaint. I think it should be a recall. https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index
Here’s why it is a safety concern
🔧 1.
Loss of Refrigerant (Chemical Exposure Risk)
- What happens: A hole causes refrigerant (usually R-134a or R-1234yf) to leak out.
- Risk: Refrigerants can be harmful if inhaled in concentrated amounts, and contact with skin or eyes can cause irritation or frostbite.
- In the event of a collision or repair mishandling, refrigerant leaking under pressure could spray out dangerously.
My
🌡 2.
Overheating (If Condenser Shares Cooling Path)
- Some vehicles use a combined condenser and radiator system or have closely linked cooling fans.
- A damaged condenser can affect airflow or system pressure, potentially leading to engine overheating, especially in hot weather or during towing.
- Overheating can cause engine failure, which is both expensive and dangerous on the road.
👃 3.
Foul Odors or Reduced Air Quality
- A leaking condenser may allow moisture and debris into the A/C system.
- This can lead to mold growth inside the evaporator or ducts, which worsens air quality and can trigger allergies or asthma.
⚠ 4.
Impaired Visibility and Comfort
- Without A/C, windows may fog up, especially in humid or rainy weather.
- This can reduce visibility and make driving more hazardous, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.
🚗 5.
Electrical or Mechanical System Stress
- If the A/C system keeps trying to cycle (turn on and off) without proper refrigerant pressure, it can cause:
- Compressor damage (expensive to replace)
- Electrical issues (like blown fuses or strain on relays)
- Battery or alternator stress, especially in hybrids or EVs.
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