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2000 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Toyota RAV4 are lower than the model-year median of 258.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 30 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

30 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Wheels

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 REQUIRE…

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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 ODI #10044425

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2002
Equipment

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 ODI #8021756

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH CONSUMER DEACTIVATED CRUISE CONTROL RPMS STAYED SPEEDED UP. IT WILL BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO SLOW DOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8017561

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002
Power Train

WHEN IN REVERSE THERE IS A LOUD NOISE AT ALL TIMES. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSSMISION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011127

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002
Visibility

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

NHTSA ODI #8011125

2,500 miles · Apr 16, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineVisibility

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 WI…

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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 ODI #10008771

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES HE BELIVES THAT VEHICLE HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNK SOUND, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS, HOWEVER DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THERE WOULD BE NO FURTHER REPAIR OR ACTION.*JB

NHTSA ODI #564161

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD IS NOT HOLDING UP AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE. WHEN DRIVING ON ROAD, AND WHAT EVER MAY COME FLYING IN WINDSHIELD'S WAY CAN EASILY CHIP WINDSHIELD. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 12 CHIPS CURRENTLY ON THE WINDSHIELD. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #881224

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

WE WERE ON VACATION AND TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT, 75, IN PUEBLO, CO WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. FROM WHAT WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THAT TIRE BEFORE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD ON TO A GRASSY MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT AN INCLINE, WENT AIRBORNE AND THEN LANDED MOTOR FIRST A…

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WE WERE ON VACATION AND TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT, 75, IN PUEBLO, CO WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. FROM WHAT WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THAT TIRE BEFORE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD ON TO A GRASSY MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT AN INCLINE, WENT AIRBORNE AND THEN LANDED MOTOR FIRST AND ROLLED FOR A GOOD BIT BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND FROM WHAT THE WITNESSES SAID, IT SEEMED TO HAVE ALL STARTED WITH THE SMOKING TIRE. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT BRIDGESTONE WAS MADE BY FIRESTONE BEFORE TAKING THIS DRIVE FROM DENTON, TX TO DENVER, CO (OUR FINAL DESTINATION). IT WAS REPORTED TO THE PUEBLO POLICE DEPARTMENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IT OCCURED ON I-25 IN PUEBLO, CO. IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED, PLEASE CONTACT ME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN PUEBLO FOR REPAIRS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )

NHTSA ODI #730851

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

WE WERE ON VACATION AND TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT, 75, IN PUEBLO, CO WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. FROM WHAT WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THAT TIRE BEFORE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD ON TO A GRASSY MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT AN INCLINE, WENT AIRBORNE AND THEN LANDED MOTOR FIRST A…

Read full complaint

WE WERE ON VACATION AND TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT, 75, IN PUEBLO, CO WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. FROM WHAT WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THAT TIRE BEFORE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD ON TO A GRASSY MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT AN INCLINE, WENT AIRBORNE AND THEN LANDED MOTOR FIRST AND ROLLED FOR A GOOD BIT BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND FROM WHAT THE WITNESSES SAID, IT SEEMED TO HAVE ALL STARTED WITH THE SMOKING TIRE. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT BRIDGESTONE WAS MADE BY FIRESTONE BEFORE TAKING THIS DRIVE FROM DENTON, TX TO DENVER, CO (OUR FINAL DESTINATION). IT WAS REPORTED TO THE PUEBLO POLICE DEPARTMENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IT OCCURED ON I-25 IN PUEBLO, CO. IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED, PLEASE CONTACT ME. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN PUEBLO FOR REPAIRS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )

NHTSA ODI #730850

Official recalls

3

20V033000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 22, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection, dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate one, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall is 20TB01 and 20TA01.

00V211000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE REPEATEDLY PARKED BY PLACING THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE "P" POSITION WITHOUT APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE PARKING LOCK ROD, A COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION PARKING LOCK SYSTEM, COULD BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RENDER THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK ROD.

00V212000 · Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor

Aug 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR, WHEN EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, CAN DEVELOP STRESS FRACTURES IF THE LUG NUTS ARE TIGHTENED WITH EXCESSIVE TORQUE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DISC ROTOR COULD BREAK (WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE WHEEL), RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND STEEL WHEELS WITH NEW DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND NEW ALUMINUM WHEELS. IN ADDITION A CAUTION LABEL THAT READS, "USE NEW GENUINE TOYOTA ALUMINUM WHEELS." WILL BE AFFIXED. VEHICLES ALREADY EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS WILL ONLY REQUIRE CAUTION LABEL INSTALLATION.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems