Ownership Isn’t Always Straightforward
Car ownership can be challenging, especially when buying pre-owned, as vehicles may come with underlying issues. That’s why dealerships offer Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs, designed to give buyers added confidence that a vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and is in excellent condition.
However, the owner of a Certified Pre-Owned 2019 Toyota RAV4 now finds himself in a difficult position after his SUV suffered a catastrophic engine failure – with neither the selling dealer nor his insurance provider willing to cover the repair costs.
According to Arizona’s Family, the owner, Jake Weir, purchased the RAV4 with roughly 60,000 miles on the odometer and an active warranty. After the SUV suffered a catastrophic engine failure, the dealer later determined the cause to be hydrolock – a condition in which water enters the engine’s cylinders. Because water is incompressible, even a small amount inside the cylinders can cause severe internal damage when the pistons attempt to compress it. However, Weir said he could not recall driving through deep water or encountering any conditions that would have allowed water to enter the engine, prompting him to dispute the dealer’s explanation.
Caught in the Middle
After contacting his insurer, Weir was informed that his claim had been denied, as there was reportedly “no evidence of water” in the engine. The insurer maintained that the incident was a mechanical engine failure and therefore should be covered under the vehicle’s warranty instead.
The Toyota RAV4 owner paid more than $1,000 out of pocket for the dealership to tear down the engine. Photos from the teardown show significant debris in the oil pan, indicating severe internal engine damage. Additionally, video footage appears to show fluid draining from part of the engine, with the liquid resembling a mixture of oil and water.
Regardless, Weir said he plans to file a lawsuit and submit a consumer complaint to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which may lead to a more thorough investigation and a formal legal review of the matter. For now, however, he remains responsible for the RAV4’s payments. He has also reportedly purchased another vehicle, choosing not to proceed with repairs to the compact crossover amid the ongoing dispute.
A Best-Seller in the Spotlight
Situations like this highlight that, in some cases, purchasing a new vehicle may offer certain ownership advantages compared to buying pre-owned. New cars typically come with a clear maintenance history, fewer unknown variables, and several full factory warranty coverages. These factors can make the ownership experience more predictable and, for some buyers, more convenient.
The RAV4 is not generally regarded as an unreliable vehicle, even ranking among the best-selling models in the U.S., alongside long-standing leaders like the Ford F-150. However, no matter how dependable a vehicle may be, external factors such as hydrolock can cause severe damage to virtually any engine, regardless of its overall reliability record.
