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Hugh whining sound when accelerating at or above 70mph

5.5K views 15 replies 5 participants last post by  rosenfield.lenny  
#1 ·
I have a 2012 RAV 4 with 82000 miles on it. At 70mph and above, while accelerating, you can hear s high pitch whining sound (especially passing by a guardrail on your right). The sound stops as soon as I take my foot off the accrlerstor. Comes back as soon as you depress the accelerstor. Dealer claims they cannot hear the noise. I have had a mechanic from a smaller shop confirm the noise. FRUSTRATED. Vehicle has already had the front diff, passenger side front drive shaft abd support bearing replaced. Too soon fir such major repairs!! Lemon!!!! Need help with the whining sound when accelerating under load. Thank YOU!!
 
#2 ·
I have the same noise with same vehicle on acceleration as soon as in OD. Took it to dealership twice and they claim they don’t hear it. From my mechanic experience it sounds like pinion bearing noise on older rear drive vehicles. Very anxious to know what problem is too. Vehicle is out of drive train warranty so expense will fall on me
 
#3 ·
I have been doing a lot of searching online, and found a TSB on2008-2012 Ravs......stating something about the transaxle. TSB0130-12. To me it dounds like a water pump bearing squeal, or possible tensioner pulley. I just turned 82000 miles, and my fesler has slready had to replace the front diff, the passenger side driveshaft due to a fried carrier bearing, and rear shocks. All this WAY TOO MUCH for only 80k. Thank God my wife purchased an extended warranty on this lemon. Thank you for your reply.
 
#4 ·
I have been to local Toyota dealer several times now, including today, for high pitch sounds at 70mph while accelerating. Alternator also making noise. 4 other people including my local mechanic (NOT the dealer) have heard the noises. I am DONE with Toyota. I believe they are more concerned with $$$ than customer satisfaction. Thinking about contacting Toyota HDQRTRS and telling them that my RAV4 with only 82000 miles is a POS LEMON. Perhaps I can reason with them. Signed.......PISSED .
 
#6 ·
They just said they cant hear either of the 2 noises that I reported. But they somehow stumbled upon a noise they were hearing from the front diff, that I never heard. They replaced the diff. Fortunate for me....perhaps. But they began a pattern of finding issues that I hadnt heard or seen, and writing off noises that I did expect them to hear...and address. Thanks for your reply!!
 
#7 ·
While hearing this, is your a/c or defroster on? My 01 Avalon had 2 a/c issues that made hard acceleration a screaming nightmare -- it turned out to be a combination of worn serpentine alternator/air con belt and slipping a/c clutch.

You might just have your mechanic of choice carefully check belt tension. With a gauge... insist on them using a gauge.
 
#9 ·
While hearing this, is your a/c or defroster on? My 01 Avalon had 2 a/c issues that made hard acceleration a screaming nightmare -- it turned out to be a combination of worn serpentine alternator/air con belt and slipping a/c clutch.

You might just have your mechanic of choice carefully check belt tension. With a gauge... insist on them using a gauge.
 
#10 ·
Thanks. The sound is only at interstate speeds when accelerating. When I let off of the accelerstor, the sound immediately stops. It occurs whether the AC is on or off. I talked with another mechanic who suggested it may just be the intake (?). I am not giving up on the noise, but I have given up with my local Toyota service dept. Considering traveling an hour ti the next closest Toyota dealer to check it out.Thanks again!!