2001 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 314 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 19 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 4 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: hydraulic
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 6, 2011
FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTOR BROKE WHERE IT MOUNTS TO STEEL WHEEL RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL. UPON TAKING TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, FRONT DISK ROTOR WAS REMOVED AND SHOWED STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATION FROM ROTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS 2001 VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS WHICH TOYOTA DID A RECALL ON IN 2000. THE FRONT DISK ROTORS WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD NEVER BEEN MACHINED.
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Feb 23, 2010, crash
I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY TO WORK AND IT HAD BEEN RAINING WHEN I PRESSED MY BRAKES TO STOP ( I BARELY PRESSED THEM) AND MY BRAKES LOCKED AND I COULDN'T STOP. I TRIED TO PRESS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND EVEN PUMPED THEM. I TRIED TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER AND MY STEERING LOCKED. I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH BEFORE I TRIED STOPPING, AND WAS NEVER ABLE TO STOP, AND WHEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. MY FRONT END WAS SMASHED END AND MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE LADY I HIT HAD JUST A DENT IN HER BUMPER. I DIDN'T HAVE MAJOR INJURIES BUT I HAD SOME BRUISING AND A KNOT ON MY KNEE. I NEVER WENT GET CHECKED OUT BUT I STILL HAVE PAIN SOMETIMES IN MY NECK AND BACK. THE POLICE DID FILE A REPORT AND EVEN THOUGH THE LADY I HIT TOLD THE OFFICER THAT I WASN'T CLOSE TO HER AND HAD PLENTY ENOUGH TIME TO STOP HE GAVE ME A TICKET FOR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE. IT TOOK ME WAY LONGER THAN 4 SECONDS TO HIT HER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 30, 2003
SQUEALING, HOWLING BRAKES. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE "NEW" IN NOV, 2000, AND IT IS THE 2001 RAV4 L MODEL, I HAVE GONE BACK 3-4 TIMES, AND NOTHING THEY DO HELPS THE PROBLEM. THEY TELL ME THE CAR IS SAFE AND THAT SQUEALING IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL SQUEAL, OR SCREECH, ITS MORE LIKE "HOWLING". *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2003
BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED.*JB,...*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Seat belts, Structure, Equipment, Apr 25, 2002
PREMATURE WEARING OF BRAKE PADS, MAKING VEHICLE HARD TO STOP. *AK THE VEHICLE MAKES NOISE. AT FIRST THE DEALER TURNED PADS, SECOND THE DEALER INSTALLED UPDATED FRONT BRAKE PADS, THEN REPLACED BOTH REAR DRUMS BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNSOLVED. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE A/C FAN ON THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN DASH AREA. THE ROOF RACK SCREW WAS LOOSE AND FELL OUT. THE CENTER SEAT BELT WAS MISSING TRIM PIECE. THE REAR DOOR RATTLES WHILE CLOSING. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 25, 2002
WHEN BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS THERE IS A GRINDING AND A HOWLING NOISE, ALSO EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM.*AK *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 15, 2002
A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2001 REGARDING A REAR BRAKE PROBLEM. CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD BEEN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS BUT DID NOT LEARN OF THE TSB UNTIL JANUARY 2002. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND REQUESTED THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE 36,000 MILE LIMIT. *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2002
BRAKES WERE SQUEALING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD BRAKES REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.THERE WAS A TSB ON VEHICLE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 22, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35MPH DOWN A HILL, HAD APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. VEHICLE JUMPED THE SIDEWALK, AND HIT A CEMENT WALL. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 27, 2001
BRAKES SQUEAL TOO MUCH. I BROUGHT IT BACK THREE TIME AND THE PROBLEMS IS STILL THERE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 6, 2001
REAR BRAKE DRUMS MADE A NOISE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES,THEY GRAB AND PULL, MAKING VEHICLE JERK. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES WOULD GRIND, AND STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON VEHICLE, BUT CONSUMER CAN'T GET ADEQUATE INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 12, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Oct 2, 2001
THE BRAKES SCREETCH WHEN APPLIED. THE SOUND IS PARTICULARLY STARTLING IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED QUICKLY. THIS SOUND IS NOT THE "WEAR SENSOR" SOUND (DEALER CHECKED BRAKES AND SAID THEY ARE FINE). THIS SOUND IS DIFFERENT THAN THE STANDARD SQUEKY BRAKES YOU HEAR ON SOME CARS AND IS VERY CONCERNING. THE WINDSHIELD WOULD RATTLE WHILE DRIVING (DEALER PUT IN A GASKET AND SOUND STOPPED).*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 24, 2001, crash
WHILE COMING TO COMPLETE STOP BY PRESSING ABS BRAKES, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A STONEWALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF VEHICLE/ WALL AND GROUND, SHOWING NO TIRE MARKS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2001
FRONT BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A CONSTANT BASIS, WINDSHIELD RATTLES AT LOW TEMPS LESS THAN 60 DEGRESS, REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOP
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 12, 2001
BRAKE SHOE OR DRUM GRIND WHEN COMING TO FULL STOP EVERYTIME. BRAKE MIGHT NOT BE WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER KEPT SAYING NO PROBLEM, GRIND SOUND IS NORMAL.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 30, 2001
BRAKES SQUEAL WHEN STOPPING. REPLACED ROTORS, PADS. STILL NOT CORRECTED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 23, 2001
CONSUMER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF BRAKE PEDAL ONTO THROTTLE AND ALMOST RAN INTO SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOO SMALL. MANUFACTURER HAD NO PLANS OF CHANGING DESIGN. *AK