Oxygen sensors for 2011 Toyota Rav 4 Limited

OK now I don't want the step on toes or cause you any grief ('cause you're having enough stress about this already). But in my opinion, if the shop/mechanic is not able the solve this kind of problem at the first try and he/they are now asking you to pay them to change parts until they luck into a fix or you run out of money or patience; then I suggest going to a Toyota dealer to at least get their evaluation of the problem and to offer their plan of action and cost. If that makes since, then you can have them so the work or take your Rav to someone else with more confidence, of what needs to be done and the price from Toyota, to compare their bid to. Good Luck

I have the same problem, Toyota charges 87.00 to tell you what the code is showing is wrong. Someone else is saying had it repair and it did not remedy the situation. In my case not only the lights come on but the traction while driving is slow and it feels like is going to die any minute. I agree with the person that says it seems to be a repetitive issue Toyota should have a recall

I have had the same problem on my 2011 RAV4 (Sport V6 FWD) with 40,000 miles. The CEL and AutoLSD lights go on, the latter flashing, and the code indicates a bad O2 sensor in bank 2; however, if I disconnect the battery, the warning lights don't come back on for hundreds of miles or more. I've discussed this ad nauseum with Toyota North America, who refuse to fix anything if not obligated to do so by the National Transportation Safety Board. (I raised the question because there is apparently a recall on the 2012 models to replace, or at least update the software/firmware in the braking module's ECU.) I have offered to pay for the software update, but they won't do it without a complete inspection. So when the warning lights went on again Friday, I stopped at the nearest Toyota dealer and described my problems rather than making an appointment. Here's what I learned: Yes, they'll charge $160 to do a complete diagnostic workup, but they'll refund it if they find something that needs to be repaired. Although I don't think it's likely that the O2 sensors are going bad at 40,000 miles, he looked it up and found that, at least in California, emission control parts -- e.g. O2 sensors and catalytic converter -- are covered for 84 months; if they're bad, the dealer will replace them at no charge and, in this case at least, refund the inspection/diagnostic fee. Of course, I disconnected the battery again when I got home (because the flashing lights are annoying). But the next time they go on, I'll be heading down to the dealer. BTW, it's still a great little car. The only flaws are the side- hinged tailgate and the little person's driver's seat.

I do like my Rav4 but it isn't comfy for travel and I am sick of the 3 lights on the dash. They don't flash and they don't go away at all. Even came back on after I had the O2 sensor replaced the same day.

I went to Toyota today. Paid to have my 02 sensor changed Bank 1. Had bank 2 changed about 6 months ago. Roughly 25 miles driven and the lights came back on. I called my service adviser who stated to bring the car back tomorrow and they will not charge me labor to look into this further. Incredibly frustrated. Its January, I live in PA and I work on top of one of the highest mountains in the area. I have spent hours upon hours researching this online and I cannot find an answer/remedy. Thousands of people have this issue. Someone out there must have a resolution. The vehicles AWD and 4WD systems are disabled as a safety measure when ever the Check Engine light comes on. If this problem is not addressed the re-sale value on this vehicle is garbage. Here I am with a beautiful "looking" Rav4 with a $414 a month payment for the next 4 years, I owe more then the car is now worth and what makes the car valuable isn't functioning.

Having this very same problem right now. The code showed Bank 1 Sensor 2 needed replacing. Replaced it and maybe 50 miles later the lights came on again. I can't pass inspection in March without it.

I am having the same problem with my 2011 Rav4 V6 Limited. Checking Engine and Trac lights came on at same time. It is giving me code POO31, which means it could be one or both sensors.

I am in Canada, I have the same problem. Changed Bank 1 sensor 2 twice as the lights came back on one month after repair. Went into the service shop to have them replace it as we considered it may be faulty and still under guarantee. 2 days later same problem. Now I am being told I need to have bank 1 sensor 1 changed also....This is a common problem from what I see here. Toyota needs to answer this issue.

Replacing the upstream sensor totally fixed the issue for mine.

We have a 2012 Rav 4. 105K Miles. Trac Off, Check Engine, and 4WD warning lights all on. Auto Zone sales rep said error code showed we need an oxygen sensor. Spouse got under car and we have holes in exhaust. He patched, disconnected battery, reconnected battery. Warning lights off. I drove for a couple hours and stopped for gas. All warning lights came back on. We have no AWD it’s not working seemingly been disabled as a result of the sensor issue? It’s real dangerous as we live in winter climate. How does it make sense that an exhaust leak disables AWD and Trac control?!?! I deserve to get interested a wreck because of a hole in my muffler?!?!?

Same problem on a Camry .Code showed sensor 3 bad..Replaced sensor 3 twice.Took it to the dealer.and needed sensor 2 also with a $2700.00 Cailf.Cat convetor which was covered under warranty.Whew!

Had my oxygen sensor (Bank 1, Sensor 2) replaced yesterday. Not feeling very confident after reading this and MANY other postings online. This is a widespread issue, Toyota needs to address it by at least doing some research into long-term fix, if not a recall. When Traction control and 4WD are disabled, a safety issue results. Many of us rely on these for northern winters.

Same issue here with my 2011 RAV. My check engine, 4WD, and traction control indicator lights came on 50 miles after my extended warranty expired. (Now, when these indicators are lit, all traction control, 4WD, and cruise control gets disabled.) Plugged it up the computer, Bank 1 Sensor 2 O2 sensor code. Replaced the sensor, warning lights came back on within 24 hours from leaving the mechanic. Returned to mechanic, same code. Replaced the sensor thinking the new one was faulty, 15 miles later, the same indicators came back on. We used Toyota parts. Mechanic suggested to take to Toyota because there have been many issues with this, and to check for a recall. Called Toyota, no recall, and I have to pay $140 to diagnose, and if it's the sensor again (which I told them it was) I will need to pay for that repair again. Come on Toyota, you're a lot better than this, recall!!!

I have had the same problem with a 2012 Rav4. I had the downstream sensor changed at a cost of over 200$ and now must change the upstream one as all the lights have come back on my dash at a cost of over 500$ I am really angry and this will have been my first and last Toyota. This is a recurring issue and should be a recall.

I had the same problem as above. both check light and auto LSD light on at the same time. replace OS sensors didn't resolve the problem. well, only for short time. the lights are coming back again. Mach technician said most like Catalic converter may have problem. should have recall.

There is a toyota tsb for p0138 which in turn mostly is the b1s1 upstream air/fuel ratio sensor actually tricking/false info in the ECM causing p0138 for b1s2 downstream. Replacing upstream air/fuel ratio sensor and ECM flash/program required. This is verified with Toyota as i Previously was a Toyota Technician.

rdy1 you are absolutely right. The problem is not the O2 sensor. It's the air/fuel ratio sensor and Software update that resolve the P0138 problem. Toyota released a TSB for code P0138. Warranty for 84 month / 130.000 km.

By the way, the TSB was released in december 2018 .

Where can one find this TSB and what does TSB stand for? I have paid to have this problem repaired and there was no mention of it being under warranty.

Call your local toyota dealer and ask them to check for a technical service bulletin for your vehicule.

Thank you so much for this!

Hi, Adventurerider I hope I can get some advice in figuring this out. I had the repairs done in March, prior to the TSB being put out regarding the p0138. I am being told because of this I can not be covered for repairs even though I am well under 130000 km and 84 months. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

If the repairs has been done in a canada dealer and you have all your invoices and ecm print out of your diagnostic codes, I would take the chance to call Toyota Canada and ask them for a 50% goodwill policy parts and labor. You also have to go back to your dealer and have the TSB done to your vehicule if you can prove that you had problems with the repetitive P0138 fault code . Customer fidelity program .... ?

All I have are the bills for the repairs done, no ecm printouts. I had the downstream sensor changed first as an Indie garage thought this was the problem. All lights came back on, had it changed a second time as they thought maybe it was faulty. Changed, and problem came back. I then went to a Toyota dealership. They changed the upstream one in March and so far so good. I was told that because my vehicle is used, the TSB is not a recall and I had it fixed prior to the TSB coming out the repairs are not covered. I did call Toyota Canada, after all this said they told me to try with the Service manager at dealership and explain that it should be under emission component guarantee. I will call them Monday. We shall see. What was I supposed to do, wait for a TSB to come out?? Thanks for your advice, its very appreciated. Cheers to you!

Check this Webpage out on Toyota A/F Sensors! https://www.motor.com/magazinepdfs/072010_08.pdf

If it is bank 2 sensor 2 and light pops on change sensor1 on bank two... I found a statement that said on bank 2... You have to change both sensors... I found out the hard was this is mandatory to change both...

I had a p138 just pop up on my 2011 RAV4 V4 96k miles I changed my sensor and now I get a p136. The TSB states it's gotta be a p138. Incant understand why the code switched to 136 w the new sensor. Going to have to swap em back again and see what happens. Maybe this is actually a case of a bad new sensor?

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/MC-10132202-9999.pdf Had Auto LSD coming on sporadically and Check Engine for years. Finally found this explanation that it is a defect in the system. Toyota dealer needs to change sensor and reprogram the computer.