Service bulletin ZF4-WPB POL15-04

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10152282
Published by NHTSA	2018-12-17
Manufacturer's number	ZF4-WPB POL15-04
Manufacturer's date	2015-12-03
NHTSA component	POWER TRAIN

NHTSA's summary

WPB: In certain 2006 to 2012 model year Rav4 4WD vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front bearing.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Transmission and driveline

Vehicles listed
TOYOTA RAV4	2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
T-SB-0134-16-Rev	2019-09-03. Service bulletin. TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information. NOTE ECU is a Toyota term used to describe integrated computerized devices responsible for managing the operation of a system or subsystem. For the purposes of this bulletin, the term ?ECU? is used as a generic label for the following SAE J1930 standard references: ? Powertrain Control Module (PCM) ? Engine Control Module (ECM) ? Transmission Control Module (TCM) ? Any other Toyota specific control unit
ZF4-Dealer Daily	2018-12-17. Service bulletin. DD: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear Differential Coupling Growl Noise on 2006-2012 model year RAV4 4WD vehicles. In some of these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports that the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving due to contamination of the front bearing. Although the Rear Differential Assembly is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Powertrain Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever occurs first), we at Toyota care about our customers? ownership experience. Toyota is now extending the warranty coverage for Rear Differential Coupling Growl Noise in the covered vehicles. Please see the Warranty Enhancement Program Details for additional information. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement.
ZF4-Dealer Lette	2018-12-17. Service bulletin. DL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear Differential Coupling Growl Noise on 2006-2012 model year RAV4 4WD vehicles. In some of these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports that the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving due to contamination of the front bearing. Although the Rear Differential Assembly is covered by Toyota's New Vehicle Limited Powertrain Warranty for 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever occurs first), we at Toyota care about our customers? ownership experience. Toyota is now extending the warranty coverage for Rear Differential Coupling Growl Noise in the covered vehicles. Please see the Warranty Enhancement Program Details for additional information. The following information is provided to inform you and your staff of the program notification schedule and your degree of involvement.
T-SB-001-11 Rev1	2018-11-05. Service bulletin. TSB: REVISION NOTICE December 12, 2017 Rev1: The Warranty and Parts Information sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. Some 2009 ? 2011 model year RAV4 vehicles equipped with the 2AR-FE engine and four speed automatic transaxle (2WD and 4WD) may exhibit a rattle noise from the transaxle assembly between 25 and 35 mph. The Engine Control Module (ECM) (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module [PCM]) logic has been revised to address this condition.
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T-SB-0080-13 Rev	2018-06-11. Service bulletin. TSB: Some 2006 - 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front bearing. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
T-TT-0086-11	2018-04-23. Service bulletin. TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
T-SB-0391-08 Rev	2018-04-23. Service bulletin. This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
LSC BST Phase 3	2018-04-23. Service bulletin. As part of the settlement described above, Toyota will install Smart Stop Technology on the above listed model and model year vehicles. This feature will cut engine power in case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedal at certain speeds and in certain driving conditions.
T-SB-0080-13	2018-04-23. Service bulletin. Some 2006 ? 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front bearing. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.