2000 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“The engine cradle and control arms are prematurely corroded. There are unusually large holes in the steel. Vehicle is unsafe. *js”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2012
“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”Owner report · Structure · May 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Was traveling approximately 45 mph in a 2000 toyota rav4. Moved to left lane to pass and accelerated to approx. 49 mph. Accelerator jolted to a very high rpm and speed increased dramatically. Moved into a left hand turn lane; and put the vehicle into "neutral". After 10-12 seconds the vehicle's acceleration returned to idle. Reported to (2) toyota dealerships. I was not aware of any notice or recall for this year/model of toyota. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2010
“When the car is stopped at traffic lights, the engine revs up on its own and starts moving. The foot is only on the brake and not touching the accelerator. This has happened several times in the past many years but not always. Whenever it happens, I bring it to 'neutral' from 'drive' gear position to stop it from moving. As I am hearing recalls somewhat related to this kind of issues, I am bringing it up so that it may also be taken into account in your investigation. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2010
“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”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2009
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2008
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 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”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2006
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK ROD.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact RAV4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Toyota RAV4. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota RAV4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 102,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Toyota RAV4 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.