2007 RAV4 Terrible radio reception

travelercary · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2006, 11:22 AM

I love my new 2007 RAV4 V6 LTD with one exception...The radio reception is terrible!!! I live in a major metropolitan area and I love listening to the radio in my vehicle. I have had Toyotas all of my life, and have never experienced this. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Is it the antenna or the JBL stereo or both? I wanted to get some feedback before I make my call to the dealer.

Quickdtoo · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2006, 01:40 PM

There have been several complaints about the Rav4 radio, lots have been replaced by dealers on 2006s, make sure the antenna is tight, they're only supposed to be hand tightened and some have reported they were loose. If that doesn't help, see your dealer.

grumpy in NH · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2006, 11:27 AM

My 2005 has a front fender antenna, reception is poor. As for the Radio head, its a $75 Sinapore radio at best -they are notoriously poor receptors. My Suzuki Aerio SX has a rooftop stub antenna and works great with an OEM clarion head. Sooo ... bad antenna location plus bad radio = disatisfied customer. I can see this in a base Corolla or Civic but not a $25K + car.

Grumpy

Quickdtoo · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2006, 01:35 PM

FWIW, the standard radio w/6 disk changer in my base model works just fine with no reception problems until I get about 50 miles from the transmission area. Have had the display problem once, tho.

grumpy in NH · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2006, 11:51 AM

Yeah, 50 miles is fringe reception, cant expect much there. But, this is a sorry-*** sounding stereo (which is typical, I suppose). I had a little 2000 mitsu coupe' econobox a few years ago that had a fantastic factory system, with excellent timbre, range and imaging. It's only drawback was low power. I am partial, as I was an audiophile in the 1970-90's. Vinyl!

alexlc13 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 04:28 AM

I just got my 2007 RAV4 Limited w/ JBL system last Saturday. I am also having poor FM radio reception. I don't listen to AM, so I don't really know if it's both. But anyway, I'll be taking my car into the dealer in a few hours. It's very annoying because I, too, really like to listen to my radio!! When I'm driving in the Black Hills of SD, I get scratchy reception where my old Mazda 626 would get great (or at least decent) reception. Also, when I am driving around town where I know reception should be strong, the stereo system intermittedly goes into "mono" with a little bit of static sometimes heard. I'll post what the dealer says.

-Alex

alexlc13 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 03:03 AM

I went to the dealer and they very quickly took a look at what was wrong. The first step was to make sure the mast antenna was tight. It did need to be tightened. I drove it around a little afterwards, but still noticed the weak reception (though it may have not been as bad). Now Toyota is going to replace the mast and the cable that goes from it into the radio. The mechanic said if that doesn't work, they will replace the entire radio. The cable and mast don't get in until next week, so I'll keep you updated.

-Alex

travelercary · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 06:38 AM

Thanks Alex for the info. It sounds like the identical problems I am having. I have not had time to take it to the dealer. My 2003 Camry had an excellent stereo and a radio with great reception! It concerns me that Toyota may be going cheap on features in the newer vehicles. I have never had to take a brand new Toyota to the dealer for anything...I will also post the resolution when I get time to take it in.

alexlc13 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 11:59 PM

I took my car to the dealer today to get the new antenna and cable. installed..well, they didn't even both. The mechanic heard the problem himself and was somewhat shocked. In fact, he had four other guys sit in the car with him while he drove around the parking lot so they "wouldn't think he was going nuts." Apparently the FM reception is in fact good. What seems to be happening is the treble in the right speakers is going in and out. That's what makes it sound "mono" for a short period of time. The mechanic called Toyota headquarters...and they are a bit shocked, too. It's the first they've heard of this happening. The local mechanic thinks it's an amplifier problem...and said that just a few days ago, a new Camry came to the shop with a similar problem on its JBL system. So it seems to be a JBL thing. He noticed that the speaker problem was happening most prominently at the local 106.3 FM radio station. They don't know why it doesn't happen at all with the CD player. Anyway, there is a ticket open for my case...and HQ is trying to figure out what is happening. The mechanic may try to replace the amplifier to see if that fixes it, but he has to get special approval because of how much that will cost Toyota...and HQ may want him to wait until they investigate it further.

I told my mechanic there was a person reporting a similar problem in Denver. He suggests you take it to the dealer and report it. That way HQ will start seeing that others are having similar problems...which may help solve the problem quicker.

-Alex

photorick · #10 (**permalink**) 11-20-2006, 05:54 PM

I bought my 07 Rav4 in September and so far everything has been great. Good reception and good CD sound. My antenna was loose when I brought the car home but I tightened it and all is good so far.

flyingn · #11 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 10:58 AM

ours is fine. Take it back to the dealer. Its a warranty issue. maybe the antenna lead is not connected on th eback of the radio

baze68 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-25-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickdtoo

FWIW, the standard radio w/6 disk changer in my base model works just fine with no reception problems until I get about 50 miles from the transmission area. Have had the display problem once, tho.

My wife has a 2006 RAV 4 Limited with JBL six disc changer, and she has had the radio display issue. The radio display becomes garbled or displays nothing. The local dealer replaced the radio once, and the display issue still happens on the 'new' replacement unit. Anyone else have this radio display issue?

kavatski · #13 (**permalink**) 03-26-2007, 11:39 AM

I haven't had any trouble with the JBL head unit in my 2006, but Toyota has released a TSB for the radio display issue that some people have had in their 2006 and 2007 RAV4s. If the dealer replaced yours before the fixed radios were available, you wouldn't have gotten an updated unit. The TSB is # AU001-07.

photorick · #14 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 10:25 AM

Hi All,
I have a 2007 Rav4 Sport 6cyl fwd and still have had no problems with the radio. I listen to AM, FM and CDs. Hopefully a visit to your dealership may solve the problem.

jaypines · #15 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 12:02 AM

same with 2004 rav. very poor reception. contemplating on changing it with an aftermarket navi system.