They may mean the Hood Switch. At least on aftermarket systems they are pretty cheap. An electrical push-switch completely open to water & dirt. I'd locate and disconnect it to see if that helps.

 

The 2007 RAV4 sold in N. America didn't come with an alarm system, save for a "panic alarm" activated by the red button on the remote. Toyota did sell a VIP system as an option, but the vast majority of the RAV4's out there don't have them.

 

We recently inherited a 2007 Rav 4 with the Toyota security system, and after a big rainfall followed directly by a deep freeze (like 4F), the alarm has been going off randomly. We've ensured that all doors, etc. are closed - but they were frozen locked for a bit.

 

Low battery voltage can also cause an alarm to go off. Been there & experienced that. How old is the battery?

 

I have a 2016 Rav4 and it did this a couple of months ago. My brother just started pushing buttons on the key and it finally stopped after going off like 6 different times. Now it's doing it again! 4 times so far. I've turned it. I've tried pushing buttons. I've driven it.... still randomly goes off! Why?! What can I do? I'll take it to Toyota if I have to but right now it's almost 10pm on Christmas night.

 

Like others have said change the BATTERIES in the remote.

A weak car battery can also cause it.

It's the easiest thing to try. Is it an aftermarket alarm?

 

I had the issue of random alarm activation for the last 2 years or so. It was originally "occasional," (monthly?) but recently became unbearable...3 times a day. I searched and checked all the things mentioned and couldn't figure it out. It quickly devolved into once every 2-10 minutes....never more than that. So...I found installation instructions for the factory alarm system (entire harness and components with very good pictures and everything). Behind the glovebox, there are a couple of small electronic Control Units (ECU). One is deemed the "Security ECU," the other is the "Glass Breakage Sensor (GBS) ECU." The Security ECU is located above the cabin air filter housing. The GBS ECU is located to the right (on my American model) of the cabin air filter housing. The GBS ECU is about 3"x3"x1", and mine is black. There's a sensitivity adjustment screw on it...and apparently it's connected to a small microphone. I went in there with the intention of turning the sensitivity way down. Just for fun, I pushed on the wiring connector going into the GBS ECU. It slid in about 1/2"!!!
The connector goes into the GBS unit from UNDERNEATH...and unlike most connectors, it DOES NOT "click" into place. I can easily see how vibration + gravity + time could cause it to slip out. Also, accidentally pulling down on the wires while changing the cabin air filter, or any other downward pressure could pull it out a bit....or even all the way.
Going on 5 hours with no alarm activated yet!! If this happens to be the fix, I'll wrap a piece of duct tape around that sucker!
I hope this helps someone. Something easy to check, anyway. I'd check ALL the connectors.
If someone wants a copy of the installation instructions, send me an email. My username (DPE9) AT YAHOO. Apparently they're Toyota proprietary, and don't last long on the internet.

2010 RAV4 Base Model 3.5L V6 AWD

 

Hello everyone,
I had an issue with the alarm going off mainly at night without obvious reason.
I looked through forums and tried various things.
Whenever some ghostly issue like that happens the best process is to start from basics.

So when I checked a negative battery terminal - it was loose. When it gets cold at night the metal contracts and the flimsy connection to negative terminal may interrupt. Thats when alarm goes ballistic “thinking” a car being tampered with. So tighten it up, replace the connector if you have to. Also the connection to the actual wire from the connector may be corroded(green/white residue).
Also as many people said before the horn grounding to the chassis was corroded also on my 2014 rav4.

Hope this helps.

 

I'm wondering, does rav 4 has a bilt in alarm. toyota has security system and you can not start the engine without proper key, that what I know. As far as I know, each dealership installed KARR alarm on each car in order to use a single remote to open any car on the lot. You might want to check if you have one installed. I resently removed KARR from my second rav becaise it start acting randomly.

 

This Rav 4 was loaded, and we believe that the alarm is from Toyota. It also has remote start, we don't know how to use it, though we do know that when you're ready to drive, the engine cuts off.

 

I am having this issue now with my 2013 Toyota Rav 4 XLE. Dash blinks off and on like blinker clicking noise then the horn comes in intermittently. Just got it from the dealership service dept $658 and it is doing it again.

 

You had it to the dealer and they charged you $658 to fix the alarm? And it's still broke?