2000 Toyota RAV4

The contact owns a 2000 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while inspecting the battery, there were white hard stains on the battery and the parts holding the battery in place, causing the battery to move independently, allowing the battery to leak. An Independent mechanic was contacted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic. The battery was replaced at Jiffy Lube, and the contact was informed that a screw was missing and that the battery was loose. The contact was informed to be careful while driving the vehicle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V734000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 172,000.

NHTSA ID

11697471

Incident

Nov 3, 2025

Mileage

172,000 mi

SENT FOR INSPECTION FAILED FOR BAD CONTROL ARM AND FOR RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE NEEDS REPLACED

NHTSA ID

10744622

Incident

Jul 29, 2015

Mileage

203,814 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,266.

NHTSA ID

10731517

Incident

Jun 28, 2015

Mileage

169,266 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS REMAINS ON THOUGH THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT CAN BE FOUND BY ANY REPAIR SHOPS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680322

Incident

Feb 2, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF FIFTH GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID

10532662

Incident

Jul 5, 2005

Mileage

62,000 mi

I SENT INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY RE MY MOTHER'S ACCIDENT BUT DID NOT HAVE THE VIN. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR, FATAL FRONT-END MVA INTO A SMALL, RESULTING IN WHAT THE MECHANIC CALLED "INCREDIBLE DAMAGE TO ENGINE - IT CAUSED MORE INTERNAL DAMAGE THAN YOU'D THINK" AND HE WONDERED ABOUT HIGH SPEED. I AM ASKING YOU TO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF RAPID ACCELERATION VS BRAKE ISSUE, RESULTING IN A HIGHER ENERGY (THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED) CRASH. I HAVE THE POLICE REPORT ETC. PREVIOUSLY, SHE HAD NEVER EVEN RECEIVED A TICKET (AND WAS ALMOST 59 YRS OLD). THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10506041

Incident

Jul 31, 2000

Mileage

3,894 mi

THE ENGINE CRADLE AND CONTROL ARMS ARE PREMATURELY CORRODED. THERE ARE UNUSUALLY LARGE HOLES IN THE STEEL. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10455380

Incident

Apr 10, 2012

Mileage

96,000 mi

I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT WILL NOT PASS NYS SAFETY INSPECTION, BECAUSE OF A RUSTED FRONT ENGINE SUBFRAME. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE FRAME AND SEEMS THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE EARLY IN THE CARS LIFESPAN, THE CAR HAS 108K MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10399068

Incident

May 4, 2011

Mileage

108,000 mi

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.