RoadVitals

2000 Toyota RAV4 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Nov 4, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 Toyota RAV4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Driver assistance721.2%
  • Tires & wheels412.1%
  • Transmission412.1%
  • Visibility39.1%
  • Fuel system26.1%
  • Body & structure26.1%
  • Engine26.1%
  • Other / unspecified26.1%
  • Brakes13.0%
  • Powertrain (other)13.0%
  • Seat belts13.0%
  • Suspension13.0%
  • Electrical13.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning13.0%
  • Airbags13.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 12, 2013

TOYOTA CRASHED INTO TREE, RESULTING IN FATAL INJURIES THAT MAY BE CONSISTENT WITH HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT, NO DECELERATION. 59 YR OLD DRIVER HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. NEW TOYOTA RAV4. MECHANIC REMARKED ON DAMAGE TO VEHICLE GIVEN LOCATION OF ACCIDENT. UPDATED 03/04/11 *BF*TR

NHTSA ID 10384256 · filed Feb 24, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BOUGHT 4 NEW GOODYEAR TRACKER 2 TIRES SIZE P22570R16 FROM WALMART THAT ARE WARRANTIED FOR 50,000 MILES. AFTER ABOUT 10,000 I NOTICED SOME DRY ROT AND CRACKING IN BETWEEN THE TREADS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO WALMART AND SHOWED THEM. THE TIRE MANAGER SAID HE'S SEEN A LOT OF THIS WITH THESE TIRES BUT SAID THEY HAD TO CONTACT GOODYEAR BEFORE ANYTHING COULD BE DONE. THE NEXT DAY THE STORE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THEY SPOKE WITH GOODYEAR AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND HAVE SOMETHING DONE AND THE TIRES REPLACED BEFORE IT DOES CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FATALITIES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10267612 · filed May 3, 2009

THE SPACE SAVER WHEEL IS MADE OF STEEL, AND THE VEHICLE WHEELS THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE ARE MADE OF ALLOY. THE SPARE SAVER WHEEL ONLY REQUIRES 3 LUGS:NUTS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WHEELS REQUIRE 5 LUGS:NUTS". CONSUMER FEELS THAT SPACE SAVER WHEEL WILL NOT BE AS SAFE AS THE WHEEL THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE MADE OF ALLOY, AND REQUIRES MORE LUGS:NUTS. *AK

NHTSA ID 10044425 · filed Oct 21, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CAME OUT OF FIFTH GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MPH. CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN REPAIR FACILITY OTHER THAN TOYOTA, WHERE A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS FOUND. CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. TOYOTA OF AMERICA WAS NOTIFIED. I WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA DID NOT CONSIDER THIS 'PROBLEM' WHICH THEY KNEW OF WORTHY OF A RECALL BECAUSE IT DID NOT EFFECT ENOUGH VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10197731 · filed Jul 28, 2007

MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CAME OUT OF FIFTH GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MPH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10099314 · filed Nov 3, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WINDSHIELD HAS LOTS OF SMALL CHIPS ON IT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN SANDBLASTED.*AK

NHTSA ID 8011125 · filed Jun 5, 2002

FUEL TANK ACCESS DOOR HAS DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN OPENED (TO GAIN ACCESS TO FUEL CAP), IT RUBS THE EDGE OF THE VEHICLE BODY PANEL SURROUNDING THE ACCESS DOOR. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH MODEL 2001, AS A FRIEND HAS REPORTED THE SAME COMPLAINT. AS FOR THE VEHICLE GLASS, IT WAS SCRATCHED EASILY FROM ROAD DEBRIS BEING RUBBED BY THE WIPERS, AND ALSO INSIDE OF THE GLASS GRIT. THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED WITH PREVIOUS VEHICLES OWNED, SO THE GLASS MUST BE UNUSUALLY SOFT.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****760761. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID 10008771 · filed Apr 16, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CODE SCANNER ON BOTH MY AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAWS TOYOTA RAV4 (2000 AND 2002) HAVE READ ERRORS WITH THE FUEL RATIO AND NOW OURS IS CLAIMING THAT THE AIR FUEL RATIO SENSORS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. OURS REPORTED ERRORS P1130 AND P1133. *JB

NHTSA ID 10157763 · filed May 17, 2006

FUEL TANK ACCESS DOOR HAS DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN OPENED (TO GAIN ACCESS TO FUEL CAP), IT RUBS THE EDGE OF THE VEHICLE BODY PANEL SURROUNDING THE ACCESS DOOR. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH MODEL 2001, AS A FRIEND HAS REPORTED THE SAME COMPLAINT. AS FOR THE VEHICLE GLASS, IT WAS SCRATCHED EASILY FROM ROAD DEBRIS BEING RUBBED BY THE WIPERS, AND ALSO INSIDE OF THE GLASS GRIT. THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED WITH PREVIOUS VEHICLES OWNED, SO THE GLASS MUST BE UNUSUALLY SOFT.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****760761. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID 10008771 · filed Apr 16, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10744622 · filed Jul 29, 2015

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 · filed May 4, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 1, 2015

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 · filed Feb 1, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2000 RAV4. THE WHEEL IS FAILING, DISINTEGRATING. SEVERAL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE WHEEL RIM, AND THE INNER PART OF THE WHEEL - THE SPOKES - IS SEPARATING FROM THE OUTER PART. THIS IS THE SECOND WHEEL TO FAIL ON THIS VEHICLE, WHICH MAKES IT SURPRISING THAT I HAVE NOT HEARD OF OTHERS. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I REPORTED THE FIRST FAILURE, ABOUT A YEAR AGO, TO TOYOTA CANADA, AND WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER, WHO LISTENED POLITELY, AND OFFERED NOTHING MORE BY WAY OF HELP OR SOLUTION. I HAVE NOT BOTHERED TO REPORT THIS ONE

NHTSA ID 10193021 · filed Jun 12, 2007

TOYOTA RAV4 2000, 210,000KM. THUMPING NOISE DEVELOPED IN VEHICLE. AFTER LONG SEARCH BY SERVICE SHOP AND BY FRIENDS, NOISE WAS TRACED TO REAR RIGHT WHEEL. INNER CORE OF WHEEL WAS SEPARATING FROM OUTER RIM. THREE BREAKS HAD OCCURRED AT THE WELDS. UNDETECTABLE WHILE ON VEHICLE HOIST. CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT FAIL ON A HIGH SPEED TURN. REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO TOYOTA CANADA BY EMAIL. CONTACTED DEALER BY PHONE. SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS SMALL DEALERSHIP SAID HE HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM "TWO OR THREE TIMES" PREVIOUSLY. *NM

NHTSA ID 10163394 · filed Jul 25, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 12, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 30, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA RAV 4. IN AN ATTEMPT TO FASTEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT, IT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO DOES NOT ADJUST PROPERLY. THE ENGINE SIZE OR THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID 10222197 · filed Mar 24, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10455380 · filed Apr 16, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 4, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER NOTIFIED, AIR CONDIONER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY (MOLDY) DEALER HAS INSPECTED SEVERAL TIME AND THE PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION TS

NHTSA ID 8021756 · filed Oct 28, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 1, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .