2007 RAV4 Terrible radio reception

[Tundraengineer]

This is a known issue with the Toyota Rav4. I took our Rav in and they tried telling me it was a poor speaker connection. The thing they did not know is that I had done my homework and knew the head unit was the issue. So I asked them, if it was the speaker then I should be able to balance the sound to the opposite side and not hear any static. They agreed. So I did and took one of the guys for a ride. To there surprise the noise was still there. They then said it was the antenna cable. I told them it was a head unit issue, but they had to do it there way. So they replaced the antenna and a cable to the head unit.. The noise was still there as I expected. Next they replaced the head unit and the noise has gone away. I have had the new head unit in for 5 months and no more noise. One of the techs admitted quietly they new the head unit was the issue. They just hate replacing so many of them. Be persistent that they change your head unit and tell them you know it is the issue even though there is not a TSB yet. Hope this helps.

[grumpy in NH]

Toyota was in the bottom ranks for customer service - as bad as chevrolet. This has been my experience as well; Toy can keep their (internal metric) quality level up by denying problems and concerns. I am amazed how they cover up ALLDATA TSB's - keeping them from the general John Q Public; can't a consumer org calll themn on this bad practice? Just stay informed and call then on any conflicts - or immediately move issues up to the MGR LEVEL. They love to waste your valuble time and wear you down. Its endemic I enjoy slaughtering them on JD power surveys

[skate99]

I have an 06 RAV 4 with a base radio and single CD. The radio FM and AM radio sound is terrible, it lacks clarity and distinction. Sound from an MP3 player via the auxillary and the CD is great. That seems to say its a reception problem. A friend bought an FJ not long after and as soon as I asked him how his radio was he gave me the exact same complaint.
Sounds like others have had same problem. Any solutions found?

[Aptos Driver]

I love my RAV4 too. I've had it for a little over two weeks now and I haven't noticed any problem with radio reception (JBL with CD changer). For whatever it's worth, stations in our area are coming in with the same clarity as on the radio in our '00 Volvo S70.

[sberube]

Hi all;
We also have a 2007 RAV4 V6 Limited and have the exact same issue.
FM Stations come in absolutely horrible (have not tested am)

The antenna is fine, checked it many times. Testing against my 2003 Honda Accord its night and day. I'm about to bring it in to the dealer and show this thread regarding the head unit, was wondering if anyone else had any updates or links to any more information I can bring in to them.

Thanks
- Steve

[Aptos Driver]

I just had the original radio in my RAV4 Limited replaced under warranty. I hadn't noticed any reception problems (maybe because I didn't know what I might have been missing). But the display started cutting in and out, or showing weird, alien characters and sometimes the radio wouldn't turn on or wouldn't turn off. The new one actually seems to sound better to my non-audiophile ears than the original one. Reception seems OK, but if there's something I should be getting and I'm not, how would I know?

[sberube]

I think you would notice this issue. You can be listening to a station then the entire thing will go to static, w/out even moving. This happens on almost all stations. I'd say the static issue happens about 50-60% of the listening time on a bad unit.

I called IRA Toyota Manchester, they are aware of the issue, and confirmed about the Head Unit needing replacement. I'm bringing it in on saturday.

[Aptos Driver]

Originally Posted by sberube

I think you would notice this issue. You can be listening to a station then the entire thing will go to static, w/out even moving. This happens on almost all stations. I'd say the static issue happens about 50-60% of the listening time on a bad unit.

That's never happened with my radio -- not even the original one.

[RAV4er]

Wow, great forum!! I can't say that I am having a problem with my Rav4 V6 limited yet. I just purchased it 4 days ago. I've been jamming to the Upgraded JBL system, sounds great, bass is boomy though. I'll have to listen to the radio more often so I can't say that I'm having the same problems. Is there a product batch number that we can compare to? It is indicated in this forum that the head units are being replaced, with a NEW BATCH or are they just units that are not having problems? Food for thought to try and narrow this glitch down. I'd hate to have a bad unit, these new 2007 RAV4s are freakin' awesome, luv it. I'll post back if I run into any issues with my unit.

[run2far]

I have a 2006 Rav4 with base radio and it has the same problem. Early on I had the unit replaced but the reception issues persist. I have come to believe the radio is poorly grounded. The reception is effected when my cell phone is plugged into the power plug by the radio. Even if the phone pwr chord is plugged in without the phone.

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by grumpy in NH

Toyota was in the bottom ranks for customer service - as bad as chevrolet. This has been my experience as well; Toy can keep their (internal metric) quality level up by denying problems and concerns. I am amazed how they cover up ALLDATA TSB's - keeping them from the general John Q Public; can't a consumer org calll themn on this bad practice? Just stay informed and call then on any conflicts - or immediately move issues up to the MGR LEVEL. They love to waste your valuble time and wear you down. Its endemic I enjoy slaughtering them on JD power surveys

Yu are dead on correct regarding ALLDATA.

YU are very observant...I noticed this too.

LT

[LifeTech]

Radio reception problems have plagued many Fujitsu Ten /Denso Heads for the past 30 years. Some models more than others.

Short of being a disconnected or pinched antenna circuit...It is NEVER a defective Antenna or cable.

The Tuner's Phase Lock Loop circuit of the Head unit is always to blame. Major Radio Electronic Repair houses observe this to be true so often.

I feel that they are not calibrated to American freq's Spectrum well when manufactered. Poor quality control.

I'm surprised that Toyota hasn't gotten a grip on this over the years.

LT

[paraclete]

Hey Im having the same isssue with a 2008 rav4-Dealer has supposedly replaced the radio & tells me theres nothing else to do,Thanks for posting your info ill be suggesting the same solution for my car its just a few months old -Ill post again to keep you updated soon TY again!