TOYOTA RAV4 · model year

2000 TOYOTA RAV4

34 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000TOYOTARAV4 carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 RAV4 is vehicle speed control with 7 filings, followed by power train:manual transmission (4) and tires (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2000 RAV4, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

34
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

34 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4
TIRES3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD3
ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
WHEELS:SPACE SAVER WHEEL1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1
WHEELS:RIM1
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
SUSPENSION1

Recalls (3)

20V03300022/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

00V21200009/08/2000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

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.

00V21100009/08/2000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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.

Recent Complaints

20251104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 172,000

20150729STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 203,814

20150701ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 169,266

20150701AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 169,266

20150201ENGINE

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS REMAINS ON THOUGH THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT CAN BE FOUND BY ANY REPAIR SHOPS. *TR

20130730POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 62,000

20130412CrashFatalVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 3,894

20130412CrashFatalSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

Mileage: 3,894

20120416SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 96,000

20110504STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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

Mileage: 108,000

20110224CrashFatalVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

20100409VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 170,000

20100315CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

GAS PEDAL NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN DEPRESSED NO ACTION & THEN ACCELERATES QUICKLY. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20100313VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN THE NEWS CAME OUT REGARDING THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTAS, I RECALLED HAVING A SIMILAR PROGRAM WITH MY 2000 RAV 4. ON JULY 8,2002 I EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS GOING AROUND 55 MPH ON FREEWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. DESPITE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 70MPH FROM 55MPH. I TRIED PUTTING MY FOOT UNDER THE THROTTLE TO PULL IT UP WITHOUT SUCCESS, I ALSO TRIED PUSHING BACK ON THE MAT, THINKING THE MATT WAS IN THE WAY, BUT THE MATT WAS NOT STUCK UP AGAINST THE THROTTLE. I ALSO PUT ON MY FLASHERS TO TRY AND WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM. I KEPT THINKING, "WITH A GAS TANK HALF FULL, I WOULD NEED TO TRY AND DRIVE TO SEATTLE IN ORDER FOR THE GAS TO RUN OUT, WHICH WOULD THEN STOP THE CAR". MEANWHILE, I CONTINUED TO KEEP TRYING TO PUSH THE THROTTLE UP WITH MY FOOT AND APPLY THE BRAKES. AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY, BUT WAS PROBABLY ONLY A FEW

Mileage: 43,112

20100203VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 110,000

20090503TIRES

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

20080324SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

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.

Mileage: 179,000

20070728POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 72,000

20070612WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER

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

Mileage: 174,000

20060725WHEELS:RIM

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

Mileage: 131,000

Compare 2000TOYOTARAV4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 TOYOTA RAV4 have?
The 2000 TOYOTA RAV4 has 34 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 TOYOTA RAV4?
Yes, the 2000 TOYOTA RAV4 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 TOYOTA RAV4?
The most-complained component for the 2000 TOYOTA RAV4 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION and TIRES.
Is the 2000 TOYOTA RAV4 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.