2002 Toyota RAV4 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 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
- Transmission26139.8%
- Powertrain (other)11818.0%
- Electrical9214.0%
- Engine639.6%
- Driver assistance527.9%
- Airbags223.4%
- Steering81.2%
- Interior & seats60.9%
- Other / unspecified60.9%
- Brakes50.8%
- Fuel system50.8%
- Body & structure50.8%
- Suspension40.6%
- Tires & wheels30.5%
- Visibility20.3%
- Exterior lighting20.3%
- Seat belts20.3%
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND IMMEDIATELY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,329.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's the same case as they saw from different RAV4's recall problem. This car was handled very carefully and this is the only occurring problem. With engine light being on and off, it is my concern that I need to have this car inspected, related to Toyota RAV4 recalls.
2002 Toyota RAV4 AWD transmission problems and will be available upon request. Transmission caused vehicle to disengaged , jerks, stalls with severed engine braking while driving creating a safety performance and hazard on the roads to myself and other unexpected drivers. Upon reading similar complaints of other owners reported similar transmission problems. This was believed to be a reproduced problem and should be investigated for Safety-Related defects. The vehicle was inspected by manufacture according to previous owner. Manufacturer recently replaced transmission and updated ECM per previous owner. The vehicle appeared in working order for 3-4 months then the transmission problems occurred again as mentioned above. There was no warning lights while I experienced this transmission problem.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 RAV4 ECU SHIFTING PROBLEM (DTC CODE P0755). THE CAR JITTERS WHEN SWITCHING FROM GEAR 1 TO 2 AS WELL ON REVERSE. IT ALSO JITTERS WHEN IT DRIVES ON LOW GEAR. THERE IS AN WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH RAV4 2001-2003 BUT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO RECALL IT, DESPITE BEING A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND BODILY INJURY. IT HAS THE HIGH LIKELIHOOD TO DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION.
THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS MY CAR HAD BEEN LAGHING MORE AN MORE WHEN AT COMPLETE STOP. THIS PAST WEEK IT HAS BEEN THE WORST. WHENEVER I TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM.A COMPLETE STOP MY CAR WITH LAG AND JERK LIKE IT IS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR BUT CANT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THEY SAID IT WAS MY ECM AND THAT THIS YEAR SPECIFICALLY HAS HAD PROBLEMS RECORDED FRON OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE EMC. ONE INCIDENT I HAD SPECIFICALY WAS WHEN INWAS TRYING TO GO UP A MOUNTAIN TO GET TO WORK MY RPMS WERE SPIKING AS MY RAV WAS TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS TO GET UP THE MOUNTAIN AND MY CAR STALLER OUT. I HAD NO CLUE IT DIED UNTILL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME A STRUGGLE. I HAD TO PUT ON MY E BREAK JUST TO STOP AND TRY AND TURN IT ON TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL SO I COULD GET DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. I HAVE HAD SERVERAL CASES WHEN I HAVE ALMOST BEEN RE ENDED BECAUSE OF THE JERKING HAS BEEN SO ROUGH.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's the same case as they saw from different RAV4's recall problem. This car was handled very carefully and this is the only occurring problem. With engine light being on and off, it is my concern that I need to have this car inspected, related to Toyota RAV4 recalls.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY LOUD WHILE IDLING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED ON OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,789.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's the same case as they saw from different RAV4's recall problem. This car was handled very carefully and this is the only occurring problem. With engine light being on and off, it is my concern that I need to have this car inspected, related to Toyota RAV4 recalls.
THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS MY CAR HAD BEEN LAGHING MORE AN MORE WHEN AT COMPLETE STOP. THIS PAST WEEK IT HAS BEEN THE WORST. WHENEVER I TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM.A COMPLETE STOP MY CAR WITH LAG AND JERK LIKE IT IS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR BUT CANT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THEY SAID IT WAS MY ECM AND THAT THIS YEAR SPECIFICALLY HAS HAD PROBLEMS RECORDED FRON OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE EMC. ONE INCIDENT I HAD SPECIFICALY WAS WHEN INWAS TRYING TO GO UP A MOUNTAIN TO GET TO WORK MY RPMS WERE SPIKING AS MY RAV WAS TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS TO GET UP THE MOUNTAIN AND MY CAR STALLER OUT. I HAD NO CLUE IT DIED UNTILL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN AND TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME A STRUGGLE. I HAD TO PUT ON MY E BREAK JUST TO STOP AND TRY AND TURN IT ON TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL SO I COULD GET DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. I HAVE HAD SERVERAL CASES WHEN I HAVE ALMOST BEEN RE ENDED BECAUSE OF THE JERKING HAS BEEN SO ROUGH.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE VEHICLE CRASH. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS WERE THE ONLY ONES NOT TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN FINGER, MULTIPLE BUMPS, AND BRUISES ALL OVER THE BODY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN JUNE 2016 WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD VEERED INTO MY LANE AND MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND ME AND MY SPOUSE SUSTAINED INJURIES. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. ALL OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE THAT HIT US HEAD ON WERE DEPLOYED, PROTECTING THE DRIVER. HOWEVER, MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHICH CAUSED ME AND MY SPOUSE TO HAVE SEVERAL INJURIES INVOLVING ME BEING ADMITTED TO THAT HOSPITAL.MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE THAT HIT US HEAD-ON WAS GOING MUCH FASTER. IF MY AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO THEN MY SPOUSE AND I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED LIKE WE WERE. THERE HAS TO BE A REASON THAT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER STEERING STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE MANUALLY STEERED TO LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. SHOP STATED THEY HADN'T SEEN POWER STEERING SPEWING FROM POWER STEERING FLUID WELL UPON REMOVAL OF LID WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON.
I PURCHASED THE 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ONE DAY WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK I ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE THE DRIVE BELT GOT HUNG UP ON SOMETHING AND IT CHEWED UP MY DRIVE BELT. ALSO, I STARTED NOTICING EVERY TIME THAT I WANTED TO SPEED UP MY RAV4 WOULD HESITATE AND NOT GO IN GEAR. IF IT DID GO IN GEAR IT MADE A NOISE LIKE A GRINDING TYPE OF NOISE. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOTHING. I CALLED THE TOYOTA MOTOR USA AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT MANUFACTURE ANY DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. THE I READ WHERE THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON ALL 2001, 2002 AND 2003 RAV4 TOYOTA VEHICLES BECAUSE OF FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. I THEN SENT A LETTER TO TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION USA AND AGAIN THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. THE RAV4 HAS BEEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND IT HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT AND EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I THOUGHT THAT WHEN A CAR MANUFACTURER HAS A RECALL THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE DEFECT. IN MY CASE TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. CAN YOU AGENCY ASK TOYOTA WHY THEY HAVE NEVER OFFERED TO DO ANYTHING FOR A LEGITIMATE RECALL WHICH INVOLES THE PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING. THANK YOU.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ACTUATOR IN LEFT & RIGHT FRONT DOOR FOR 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 NOT WORKING. *TR
IN THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I NOTICED MY RAV4 WOULD SLIGHTLY PAUSE WHEN I PRES THE GAS PEDAL AND WOULD JERK WHEN IT'S SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT GEARS, MY REGISTRATION IS DUE & OF COURSE I NEED A SMOG CERTIFICATE. THE "TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP" ONLY SOMETIMES. I'M JUST GUESSING IT'S THE TRANSMISSION. NOT SURE YET... OF COURSE MY "EXTRA CARE" EXPIRED 05/30/08 MILEAGE 100,000 BUT MY MILEAGE IS ONLY 91,000. I FIGURE THIS IS GOING TO COST ME A LOAD OF MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE AND THIS CAR HELPS ME GET TO WORK. WITH THE ECONOMY BEING SO BAD THIS DOESN'T HELP OUT MUCH AT ALL IT'S ALWAYS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER ESPECIALLY WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A CAR THAT IS ACTUALLY WORTH IT AND I THOUGHT SINCE I WAS BUYING IT BRAND NEW I WAS MAKING A GOOD CHOICE. MY FIANCE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME AND I WAS ON THE HWY 880 SB GOING ABOUT 65 MPH MY RPM SEEM A LITTLE HIGH BUT I WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL SO I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THAN MY CAR STARTING MAKING A NOISE, THAN MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND SOMETHING FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR FLEW OFF AND AS I LOOK IN MY REAR MIRROR I SAW PIECES OF AN OBJECT WENT FLYING AND I NOTICE CARS SWERVING TO MOVE FROM THE FLYING OBJECTS THAT WERE BURNING AND I WAS SOOO SCARED AS MY FIANCE SAID TO PULL OVER SLOWLY. I CUT CARS OFF AND I COULDN'T PRESS THE GAS PEDAL NO LONGER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SLOW LANE I CALLED AAA AND TOWED MY CAR TO MY HOUSE AND UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC YET B/C I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT I HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE HAND OR NO SENSOR. FOR EXAMPLE THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I NEED OIL/CHANGE, ETC. WHAT TYPE OF PAPERWORK DO I NEED TO SEND B/C I HAVEN'T TOOK IT TO THE SHOP YET AND MAY I ADD THAT THE LIGHTER DOESN'T WORK. ONCE I FIND OUT WHAT THE ACTUALLY PROBLEM IS THAN I WILL MAIL COPIES.I I TRULY BELIEVE IT'S A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I RECENTLY HAD A FAILURE OF THE CONTROL MODULE (ECU), I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM CAME UP FREQUENTLY FOR RAV 4S OF YEARS 2002 AND 2003 AND THAT TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE 2006 ' BUT NEVER RECALLED THE CARS! AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE AND EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE SAME MATTER FILED IN 2009. THE REPLACEMENT COST ME $758.50 TO REPLACE (WITH A REFURBISHED ONE) AND I HAD TO RENT A CAR DURING THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS ' WHICH COST ME $131.32 ' THEREFORE A TOTAL OF $889.82. *TR
I HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 2002. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A NIGHTMARE. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY CAR STARTED SHIFTING GEARS, SHAKING, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I BROUGHT IT TO HYANNIS TOYOTA. THE CSR TOLD ME IT WAS A DEFECTIVE COMPUTER. THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. APPROX. 3 WEEKS LATER, MY CAR STARTED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SHAKING, MOVING INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO HYANNIS TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD, "THIS IS NOT THE SAME PROBLEM." YOU NEED A NEW COIL. IT WILL COST YOU $250.00. ALSO, I HAD TO RENT A CAR. OF COURSE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. NOW, I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY. IF THE COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE, AND WAS REPLACED. WHY AM I STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS? *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAY 19TH OF 2007, MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 4X4 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOING 25-30 MPH. AFTER STRUCK, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TWICE, WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT AN INCREASING HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN HITTING A GLASS BUS STOP ENDING UP HITTING A BRICK SCHOOL. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ALTHOUGH I WAS UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA RAVE 4, I HAVE EVEN COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL WHEN I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT STILL DOES AND I CAN REPRODUCE IT EVERY TIME ON THE SAME ROAD. I ALSO HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT STEPING ON THE BREAKES AND THE CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME "IT WAS IN MY HEAD, AND THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT." I WAS ACTUALLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON MY WAY INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I REPORTED IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THEM AN I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2005.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY RAV4 DOWN MY ROAD WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE ACCELERATOR WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL AT ALL MY VEHICLE CONTINUED SPEEDING UP. I HAD MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKED WHICH SLOWED ME DOWN BUT COULDN'T STOP ME. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP BUT THE RPMS WENT UP TO 9000RPM'S IMMEDIATELY SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF IN HOPES SOMETHING WOULD RESET. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN MY DRIVEWAY. BOTH MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR AND I NEARLY CRASHED INTO AN INTERSECTION WHICH IS WHY I AM REPORTING THIS. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED AND MAINTAINED MY CAR OTHERWISE. *TR
FOUND FUEL LEAKS ON MY 2002 TOYOTA TRUCK RAV4. MY CAR WAS TOWED IN TO TOYOTA DEALER. THEY FIXED IT AND STATED "SECURE THE FITTING" ON THE INVOICE. THEY CHARGED ME $ 62.50. I ALWAYS SENT TO MY CAR TO THE DEALERS FOR MAINTENANCE. II DO NOT PERFORM ANY MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED AND ROTTED THROUGH. CALLED TOYOTA AND FILED A CLAIM BUT NO REAL HELP, AS I WAS THE ONLY ONE TO REGISTER WITH THEM. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE GIVEN THE TROUBLE THEY HAD WITH THE TACOMA FRAMES. THOUGHT I WOULD GET AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS OUT OF THIS CAR. CURRENTLY AT 191,000 MILES AND RUNNING STRONG NO RUST ANYWHERE VISIBLE. *JS
I HAVE A '02 TOYOTA RAV 4 WHOSE K- FRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING MECHANISM, RUSTED COMPLETELY IN HALF, WHICH CAUSED ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD WHEN I BRAKED SUDDENLY AND IT CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAS 150K AND I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP THE MAINTENANCE AND HAD NO IDEA THE RUST WAS THAT BAD. TOYOTA HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINTS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE COVERING EVEN OLDER TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS BECAUSE OF THEIR RUSTING FRAMES. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISCONCERTED IN TOYOTA PRODUCTS ,ESPECIALLY SINCE THEIR LATEST AD CAMPAIGN TOUTS THEIR LONGEVITY AND DEPENDABILITY. THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER, I'M SURE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY RAV4 OWNER WITH THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA AND MY WIFE WAS A PASSENGER. ALL OF A SUDDEN, A LADY RAN A STOP SIGN AND SWERVED AND HIT US HEAD-ON. WE COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE, THE DOORS WERE JAMMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT. AND POLICE CAME AND QUICKLY PUT THE FIRE OUT AND PRIED THE FRONT DOORS OPEN. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED. I INCURRED SEVERE INJURIES TO MY HEAD, CHEST, NECK AND LEFT ARM. MY TOYOTA WAS TOTALED AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS CITED FOR THE WRECK. I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE WRECK HAPPENED AND IF MY AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN SO SEVERELY INJURED. MY TOYOTA WAS TOTALED AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS CITED FOR THE WRECK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY VEHICLE. I PROBABLY HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS IN MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 WHICH DID NOT WORK.
RETURNED CAR TO DEALER DUE TO EXPERIENCING HANDLING DIFFICULTY A FEW DAYS AFTER DEALER PERFORMED FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT REAR WHEELS WERE ONCE AGAIN OUT OF ALIGNMENT DUE TO BEING FROZEN WITH RUST AND BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND CAM KIT/PLATE NEEDED REPLACEMENT . MY DEALER TELLS ME THAT SINCE MINE IS AN EARLIER MODEL, IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL OF LATER MODELS EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PERSON DID SAY THAT THEY HAD RECENTLY PERFORMED THIS REPAIR ON A NUMBER OF PRE-2006 RAV4 MODELS. SINCE THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE "REAR LOWER SUSPENSION ARM "RECALL NOTICE OUGHT TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE EARLIER YEAR MODELS. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER FUTURA SCRAMBLER C14L TIRES, SIZE: P215/70/R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT?S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 40MPH, REAR PASSENGER TIRE WITH OUT BLEW OUT. TOYOTA, TRANPATHS SIZE# 21570R16-99S DOT#- - - - - - - - - - - - - -DEALER NOTHING WE COULD DO. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING HEAVY RAIN STORM PASSENGER SIDE WIPER LINKAGE/MECHANISM BROKE. LUCKILY, THIS WAS WHILE THE BLADE WAS ON THE DOWN STROKE, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLADE. WAS TOLD ENTIRE MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $450. *JB
BY ACCIDENT, I PUT MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW APPROX. 1/2 WAY DOWN . UNKNOWINGLY, I LEFT THE WINDOW DOWN. WHEN I REACHED AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 40MILES PER HOUR, A VERY SEVERE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURRED. IT WAS SO SEVERE, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE IS VERY INTENSE. ONCE THE WINDOW IS UP, THE NOISE AND VIBRATION STOPS. IF A COMBINATION FRONT/REAR WINDOW DOWN HAPPENS, IT IS NOT AS NOTICABLE. I CALLED TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. FLAW OR NO, IT IS HORRIBLE. IT COULD BE TRAGIC IF A DRIVER UNAWARE PULLS OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE THEY FEAR A TIRE IS GOING TO BLOW.AT THE MINIMUM, I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD SEND OWNERS A LETTER DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM S THEY WILL NOT BE ALARMED. I WILL NOT PUT MY REAR WINDOWS DOWN, AND THAT IN ITSELF IS SAD TO SPEND 23 THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A NEW VEHICLE AND BE LIMITED IN THAT RESPECT. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. LINDA JONES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON, BUT AFTER CHECKING, NO ISSUES ARE TOUND
ON JULY 7, 2003 I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE BATTERY DISCHARGE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY. I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT SIXTY MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE. I ALMOST HIT THE MEDIAN DIVIDER BEFORE I COULD STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED THE DEARLERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN, THEY DIDN'T EVEN OFFER TO HAVE IT TOWED. INCIDENTALLY THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 1100 MILES ON IT AND I HAD ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ABOVE HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND I WENT TO GET MY RAV4 AND ASKED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEYS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED ON MY NEW RAV4 AND THAT CAUSED THE DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF OF THE PULLEYS AND BROKE THE TENSIONER AND THE HOUSING GUIDE. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING, THE NEW RAV4 WOULD NOT START. I JUMPED SRTARTED THE RAV4 FROM MY WIFES VEHICLE AND LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES THINKING THAT THE BATTERY JUST NEEDED A CHARGE. MY WIFE WAS GOING TO USE THE NEEW RAV4 VEHICLE THAT DAY TO SHOP. SHE CALLED ME ABOUT MID-MORNING AND INFORMED ME THAT THE NEW RAV4 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AS SHE HAD GONE TO THE MALL. THAT EVENING MY WIFE AND I WENT TO THE MALL AND JUM STARTED THE VEHICLE AGIN AND I FINALLY GOT IT HOME AND IT IS NOW IN MY GARAGE, IT JUST WILL NOT START. I CALLED AND TALAKED TO THE SERVICE DIRECTOR ABOUT ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I WAS HAVING WITH MY NEW RAV4 SUV. HE EQUATED MY BREAK-DOWNS TO GOING TO THE STORE AND BUYING A BOX OF FOUR LIGHT BULBS AND TAKING THE LIGHT BULBS HOME AND PUTTING A NEW LIGHT BULB IN A LAMP THAT HAD A BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB AND WHEN THE LAMP IS TURNED ON THEN THE NEW LIGHT BULB BURNS OUT. THIS REALLY MADE ME ANGRY. I TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS BIG DIFFERENCE IN A FIFTY CENT LIGHT BULB AND A $25,000.00 NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 1100 MILES ON IT. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL: I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-0N COLLISION AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEFLATE LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. THE OTHER VEHICLE THAT HIT ME, THEIR AIRBAGS DEFLATED. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE IMPACT PUSHED EVERYTHING BACK FROM THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE, WHICH BLOCKED THE DOORS SO THAT WE COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OTHER PARTIES FAULT AND SHE WAS CITED FOR THE ACCIDENT. I RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES WHICH RESULTED WITH ME BEING IN THE HOSPITAL FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE POLICE OFFICERS, THE AMBULANCE PEOPLE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PEOPLE ALL WONDERED WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. ALL OF THE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE ON THE ACCIDENT SCENE SAID THAT MY AIRBAGS WERE PROBABLY MADE BY TAKATA AND WERE DEFECTIVE. AS THE RESULT OF MY AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING CAUSED ME TO HAVE EXTENSIVE INJURIES AND I AM HAVING TO HAVE PHYSICAL THERAPY ON MY LEFT ARM AND HAND. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE NHTSA TO PERFORM A CHECK ON THE TOYOTA RAV4 2002 SUV'S TO SEE IF THEY ALSO SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AS THE RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, MY SUV WAS TOTALED AND IT ONLY HAD 33,000 MILES ON IT.
WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH TIRES SOMEHOW GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN PAVEMENT/GROVE ON SIDE OF ROAD. TRUCK THEN PULLED TO RIGHT, AND OWNER TRIED TO MAINTAIN STABILITY. TRUCK WENT OFF THE ROAD, ROLLING OVER SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT BELT BECAME LOOSE, AND NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THIS IS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .