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
314 reports, newest first.
Structure, May 1, 2002, crash
THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE GOING 65MPH ON A STRAIGHT PATH, THE VEHICLE WAS RAPIDLY THROWN TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT SEVERAL TIMES AFTER IT ROLLED OVER 8-10 TIMES.
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
Tires, Apr 11, 2002, crash
TIRES PROVIDE EXTREMELY POOR TRACTION IN RAIN OR SNOW. AT THE RECOMMENDED PSI, THE TIRES SPIN WHEN ACCELERATING AND SKID WHEN STOPPING ON WET PAVEMENT AT ANYTHING OTHER THAN EXTREMELY SLOW SPEEDS. WITH ANY SNOWCOVER ON PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT FROM SLIDING OR SKIDDING AT VIRTUALLY ANY SPEED. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE AT ALL DURING THE WINTER WAS TO REDUCE THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES DRAMATICALLY ... AND EVEN THEN I WAS TAKING MY LIFE IN MY HANDS EVERYTIME I DROVE ON EVEN LIGHTLY SNOW DUSTED PAVEMENT. I HAVE DRIVEN IN SNOW FOR 30 YEARS AND THESE ARE THE WORST TIRES I '*AK (TIRESIZE: P215/70R16)
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 13, 2002
THE VEHICLE DOESN'T RESPOND TO THROTTLE PRESSURE AND TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT DOWN PROPERLY. THIS IS NOTICED AS A HESITATION. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY DOWN SHIFTS IT SHIFTS ALL THE WAY TO FIRST GEAR, THEN ROARS FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN SHIFTS QUICKLY.
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
Visibility, Jan 24, 2002
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF RATTLE NOISE IN THE WINDSHIELD, VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *TT
Visibility, Jan 23, 2002
CONSUMER WENT TO THE GARAGE, OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR, GOT IN AND PUT ON SEAT BELT, AND CLOSED THE DOOR. CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSIVE SOUND OF SHATTERING GLASS, WHEN SHE LOOKED BEHIND HER SHE SAW A LRAGE GAPING HOLE IN THE WINDOW OF THE REAR DOOR. THE MANAGER AT RITE-WAY AUTO GLASS STATED IT MAY HAVE BEEN THAT THE ROBOT AT THE FACTORY PUT THE GLASS IN WRONG. *JG
Air bags, Jan 22, 2002, crash
WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL WHEN THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND JUMPED SIDE WALK. VEHICLE HIT CONCRETE WALL AND AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. DEALER CONTACTED. *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
Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2002
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WITH THE CAR IN PARK AND STILL RUNNING, VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A HUGE CLANKING NOISE AND WOULD SPEED FORWARD WITH UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION, VEHICLE RECEIVED BODY DAMAGE, DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *TT
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
Steering, Nov 28, 2001
I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THESE DATES FOR THE SA ME REPAIR FEB.9.2001,MARCH 12,MARCH 26,APRIL19 AND SEPT 14 AND INSTEAD OF FIXING IT THE NOISE IS WORSE . IT IS SO BAD THAT I TAKE NERVE PILLS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE . I HAVE TAKEN MY FAMILY DOCTOR FOR A RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AND HE HAD WORTE IN MY FILE THAT HE HAS HEARD ITAND IT VERY ANOYING IF I SHOULD TAKE SO MANY NERVE PILLS THAT I SHOULD HAVE A WRECK I WOULD HOPE THAT TOYOTA IS READY FOR A LAW SUIT MY ATTORNEY HAS ALSO HEARD THIS . I FILLED OUT THE LEMON LAW FORMS AND WAS DENIED AT THE ARBITRATION AS IT WAS A WENDY DAY AND THE ARBITRATOR EVEN SAID THAT HIS HEARING WAS NOT GOOD FROM WORKING IN FACTORIES . SO HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT HEAR THIS . I HAVE ALSO HAD A BODY SHOP RIDE IN THIS CAR AND THEY HAVE ALSO HEARD THE NOISE. I SURE HOPE THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS I HAVE 2 GRANDCHILDREN AND MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS WITH ME THE OTHER DAY AND SAID MIMI WHAT IS THAT NOISE ? YOU NEED A NEW CAR . THAT IS PRETTY BAD WHEN A 3 YEAR OLD SAYS SOMETHING LIKE THAT. 4. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Nov 26, 2001
VEHICLE DOES NOT RETURN THROTTLE TO IDLE POSITION WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE DOES NOT DECELERATE. WHEN PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL OR PRESSED CLUTCH RPMS WOULD GO UP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NORMAL.*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
Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2001
THE 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS A SIGNIFICANT HESITATION PROBLEM UPON ACCERATION RESULTING IN, MY OPINION, AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE VEHICLE. AT RANDOM TIMES THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO POWER PRODUCED BY THE ENGINE FOR APPROX. 5-10 SECONDS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE DEALER, ADMITTING THERE IS A PROBLEM, CLAIMS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES IT, NOR DOES TOYOTA. I HAVE NARROWLY MISSED BEING HIT BY OTHER TRAFFIC WHEN I EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO SMOOTHLY ACCELERATE OUT OF HARMS WAY WHEN IT DID NOT.*AK
Suspension, Sep 11, 2001
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
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 9, 2001
I AM EXPERIENCING A 5 TO 10 SECOND DEAD SPOT IN THE ACCELERATION OF MY NEW RAV4 SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. BASED ON INTERNET WEB PAGE FORUM POSTINGS, I HAVE FOUND OTHER NEW RAV4 OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT SLUGGISH ACCLERATION IS THE RESULT OF A NEW EMMISIONS CONTROL COMPUTER. THIS IS BEYOND SLUGGISH, THE CAR BARELY MOVES. PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, ACCROSS STREETS AND INTERSECTIONS, I AM AT RISK AND NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR IS GOING TO MOVE OR NOT. A NEW EMMISIONS CONTROL COMPUTER HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN RAVS SINCE 4/01 SO THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE NEW. I'M NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH TOYOTA ON THIS, AND NEITHER ARE THE OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 27, 2001
VEHICLE EXHIBITS INTERMITTENT HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR LOW SPEED.HESITATION HAS OCCURRED SINCE SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE, WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY DURING LAST 60-90 DAYS. HESITATION OCCURS BOTH WITH AIR CONDITIONONG ON AND OFF, AND WITH 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERDIVE ON AND OFF. 2-3 OCCURRENCES PER WEEK ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCED. MOST FREQUENT WHEN VEHICLE IS MAKING SLOW TURN (BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT) AND LASTS 5-10 SECONDS EVEN IF ACCELERATOR IS NEARLY FULLY DEPRESSED. HESITATION HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN MOVING STRAIGHT AHEAD FROM STOP OR FROM LOW SPEED (5-10 MPH) STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM OR OFFER A SOLUTION, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME BY DEALER'S SERVICE TECHNICIANS. DEALER INDICATES NO REPORT OF SIMILIAR PROBLEMS EITHER AT THIS DEALERSHIP OR TO TOYOTA USA ALTHOUGH I KNOW OF OTHER 2001 RAV4 OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED A HESITATION PROBLEM TO THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. WHILE THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, THIS IS,IN SOME WAYS, WORSE THAN IF IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO PEDICT THE EVENT AND COMPENSATE FOR IT.*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