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2020 RAVS4 XSE Hybrid: Sudden Static Noise, Hybrid System Malfunction warning

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7.5K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  TrueTexan  
#1 ·
Today I took my 2020 Rav4 hybrid out for a drive. Leaving the neighborhood, there was one short static crackle but it resolved and the radio played fine. Traveling at 70 mph on the highway, there was a sudden loud burst of static that traveled from the front dash and through the center console. The radio stopped for several minutes but then came back. That happened several times over the remaining 20 minutes to my 1st destination. It happened on FM and AM. After that destination, I drove about 7 miles on feeder streets, 30-40 mph, to my second destination. Another loud static pop as I turned into the parking place accompanied by the engine quitting and a hybrid system malfunction warning. I was able to restart the engine. I turned the sound system completely off and drove to the nearest dealer on regional roads at 40-50 mph and still heard the static a few times, but from more from the back and sides than the front or center. The hybrid system malfunction light did not come back on. I made it to the dealer safely, but they won't work on the vehicle until Monday because they were jammed with other customers and only had 2 techs on duty due to Covid-19. The intake tech said she didn't see any initial flags when she did a quick read on the system.

I saw some other threads about bad amps, but those weren't associated with hybrid system malfunction notices.

The SUV has less than 2000 miles on it, is kept in a garage and is driven at least once a week even if it is just 10 miles or so. This is the first time I ever had either the static or the hybrid system notice.

What is the likely problem behind the noise and the malfunction?

Thanks.
 
T
#4 ·
This is my wife’s RAV4 XSE. She picked it up from the dealer and got the same answer many of us have heard before. We couldn’t find anything wrong.

The only thing she had done differently was before this happen was to buy a power plug that plugs into the power socket to charge her iPhone since her RAV doesn’t have the charging mat. She had unplugged it after all the other stuff happened.
 
#9 ·
So for clarification the original poster is your wife?
... and the fault has not occurred again since the car was taken to the dealer?

If these things are both true then either the dealer fixed it without knowing or they found an embarrassing fault such as a loose battery terminal and didn't want to admit that it was missed on pre-delivery checks.
 
T
#14 ·
Well after 4 days in the Toyota dealer‘s shop they finally heard the squeal from the speakers. They had already elevated it to Toyota reigon. Toyota said replace the JBL amp. Same thing my shearch of these forums had uncovered.

It will be next week at the earliest and maybe up to thirty days before we get the replacement. It has to come directly from JBL.
 
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