Q: Warning lights on the dash are always lit up

asked by on October 30, 2015

I keep having random lights pop up on the dash of my 2007 Toyota RAV4. Even though I just barely passed 30,000 miles in the car, the O2 sensor keeps sending out bad signals or something and makes me think something has broken. Even if I know the problem, if the check engine light is always on, I won’t know if something else has gone wrong! I replaced the sensor once and the last thing I want to do is spend the money to replace it again only to have it go bad. What can I do?

The O2 sensors on on this vehicle are a known issue, and generally speaking when the O2 sensors go bad they affect the Stability control system. There have been multiple instances of these sensors failing on Toyota’s between 60-70K miles. The general life expectancy of an average O2 sensor is around 100k miles depending on usage of the vehicle. You can reference Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) T-SB-0398-09 to help with identifying which O2 sensor is bad based off of the diagnostic code. Please also be aware that sometimes even though a system is showing as defective it may not always indicate the part is bad, just that the system the part is included in is having an issue. It could be wiring, bad fuel or a combination of these items. If you continue to have issues with the malfunction indicator light (MIL) light coming on, consider having a expert mechanic service, such as Your Mechanic, come out to diagnose and replace your oxygen sensor if needed. Additionally, if you take your vehicle to a dealership and provide your VIN, they can give you a list of recalls and TSB’s that affect your particular vehicle, one of which may also address the issue you are having.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

I want it to be louder
If louder is your thing, you should talk to someone at a local exhaust shop. I bet they'll have some aftermarket exhaust (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-are-the-benefits-of-an-aftermarket-exhaust-system) options for you. Just keep in mind, you may be meeting more of your local law enforcement...
ticking noise comimg from underneath ticks in all gears but 4th and only when clutch is out
If everything else looks good, there is one other thing that can create such a sound. Of course this forum is not replacement for a technician being present to diagnose the problem. What you need to check for next is...
question - broken ignition after car attempted to be stolen
I'm sorry to hear that someone attempted to steal your car (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-keep-your-vehicle-safe-from-theft). Unfortunately, there is no temporary solution for this. The car will continue to act this way until the ignition switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-switch-replacement) is repaired or replaced. With the ignition...
Transmission will not shift out of 1st gear
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 HD. If your vehicle will not shift out of first gear, the problem is not the fuses. The problem could be a shift solenoid, but more than likely,...
Car will not start or crank - 2005 Mazda 3
Rodent damaging wiring can sometimes be more extensive than first appears. Previous experience tells me that there can be more than the one wire you found damaged. Wiring throughout the engine compartment should be thoroughly inspected for damage. Not only...
Engine is over heating and I'm not getting heat. 2001 Pontiac Grand Am 3.4 V6
Hello - I agree with your diagnosis - a water pump failure (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-water-pump) is a prime candidate for both overheating and a "no heat from the heater". Lack of water flow will cause both symptoms, and cause damage to the...
My heater and airconditioner quit blowing out air.
Although the blower motor might not be running because a fuse blew, the problem is fuses usually blow due to an electrical malfunction in the circuit such as a short. Fuses are simply "protection devices" and when they blow it...
Last night I was driving home and I heard this knocking noise, a minute later the noise went away and my check engine light came on.
Hi there. The noise you heard could have been the engine knocking due to a lack of engine oil. If the brake pedal is pressed and the oil light comes on, then the oil level could be low causing the...
How to hook up the shift cable.
The kickdown cable is too tight and needs to be back off. The kickdown cable controls the throttle valve on the transmission which overrides the transmission shifting. If the cable is too tight, then the transmission will not shift and...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Doctor Who Makes House Calls
If If you are a doctor who makes house calls, reliability is likely to be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to choosing a used car. You also expect a certain level of comfort. We have evaluated...
How Long Does an Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Last?
In In many late-model vehicles, the need to manually adjust heat and air conditioning has been eliminated. You can actually set your car’s computer to regulate the cooling and heating process based on the temperature at which you feel most...
How to Replace a Car Battery Temperature Sensor
The battery has a battery temperature sensor that can fail if the Check Engine Light comes on, the battery voltage is low, or the RPM curve surges.