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2001 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

236 reports with mileage · 73 unknown

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 190 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Suspension complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesSuspension

2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming…

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2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a Toyota Dealership in Wooster, Ohio and requested a complete examination. I have their full report, and they have determined this car to be unsafe to drive. The brakes had been adjusted when in fact, the brakes and brake lines need to be replaced, this was the used car dealer at fault. I feel the used car dealership bought car at auction and was unaware of the gas tank leak and the bearing plates being fragile, the engine cradle could break at any given moment, causing the engine to fall out. The car was purchased at and maintained by an Akron Toyota Dealership since it was brand new in 2001. After 23 years why did this dealership allow this car to be released into the general public? Frame Damage so bad, the bearing plates that hold the engine up are beyond fragile, the cradle that holds the engine integrity is grossly compromised, and the gas tank has a hole in it. Bad brakes + leaking gas tank. One spark and = Ka Boom. I would be dead. So many things wrong in this situation. Personally, my physical and emotional health suffered. I had chronic diarrhea, headaches, and went to the Dr several times. Please let me know how this matter should be resolved. I am upset and financially compromised all from this car. Documentation available.

NHTSA ODI #11553634

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2019
Suspension

THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK UP ROTTED OUT AND OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11287626

150,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
EngineSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE TIRES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CURVES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, NEAR THE ENGINE AND WHEELS, STARTED TO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE TIRES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CURVES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, NEAR THE ENGINE AND WHEELS, STARTED TO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL

NHTSA ODI #10456838

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2001
Suspension

I PURCHASED THE RAV-4 IN MID-JUNE. IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT, SO I TOOK IT BACK INTO MOLLE TOYOTA TO HAVE IT ALIGNED. I MOVED UP TO THE CHICAGO AREA THE NEXT DAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT BY LOMBARD TOYOTA IN LOMBARD, IL. AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS AN…

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I PURCHASED THE RAV-4 IN MID-JUNE. IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT, SO I TOOK IT BACK INTO MOLLE TOYOTA TO HAVE IT ALIGNED. I MOVED UP TO THE CHICAGO AREA THE NEXT DAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT BY LOMBARD TOYOTA IN LOMBARD, IL. AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS AND NUMEROUS CALLS TO TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE THE CAR WAS ALIGNED AGAIN. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, IT STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I CONTACTED LOMBARD TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. I HAVE CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT HAS TAKEN 6 WEEKS FOR THEM TO AGREE TO LOOK AT THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP TO BE LOOKED AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS NOT THE TIRES THAT WERE CAUSING THE PULL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752061

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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