2002 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 555 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 39 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 50 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
555 reports, newest first.
Structure, Feb 9, 2004, crash
I DRIVE A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I WENT BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME (2000 DODGE NEON) DIDN'T SO I REAR-ENDED HER. HER CAR WAS UNSCRATCHED, MY FRONT BUMPER PLATE WAS SMUSHED. AS A RESULT OF THIS COLLISION...I WAS, MAYBE, GOING 10 MPH...MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS. APPARENTLY THERE ARE WEAK SEALS AND CONNECTIONS IN THE RAV, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL LEAKAGE (AS YOU CAN GUESS, 3 HOURS AFTER THE FENDER BENDER, WHEN I WENT OUT TO LUNCH, THE CAR WAS SMOKING LIKE CRAZY!). I DON'T THINK A 10 MPH ACCIDENT SHOULD CAUSE THAT MUCH DAMAGE. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU I WON'T BUY A RAV4 AGAIN...WHAT IF IT HAD BEEN A REAL ACCIDENT? WOULD I BE DEAD?
Suspension, Jan 29, 2004
DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL HAS EXTREME TOE-OUT. HAVE OBSERVED THIS CONDITION ON ALL 2002 VIEWED,2WD AND 4WD.CAUSES EXTREME TIRE WEAR TO INSIDE TREAD.*AK
Tires, Dec 26, 2003
PURCHASED TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER IN AUGUST OF 2002. CAR NOW HAS 18,300 MILES AND BOTH FRONT TIRES (YOKOHAMA ADVAN A043 185/50R15) ARE WORN BEYOND RECOMMENDED TREAD DEPTH AND BLISTERED ON INSIDE(BECAUSE OF FRONT-END MISALIGNMENT ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP). *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 24, 2003
THE REAR LUGGAGE COVER DOES NOT STAY UP AND NUMEROUS TIMES IT HAS SLIPPED AND HIT ME OR ONE OF MY FAMILY ON THE HEAD. THIS WEEKEND, IT SLIPPED AGAIN AND CAUSED A CUT ON MY HEAD. I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT A FIX FOR THIS AND HE STATED NONE NOTED AND THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT NO TSB OR RECALLS ISSUED. THIS LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT COVER IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RE-DESIGNED. *LA
Power train, Oct 6, 2003
WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. *AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 17, 2003
ON JULY 7, 2003 I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE BATTERY DISCHARGE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY. I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT SIXTY MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE. I ALMOST HIT THE MEDIAN DIVIDER BEFORE I COULD STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED THE DEARLERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN, THEY DIDN'T EVEN OFFER TO HAVE IT TOWED. INCIDENTALLY THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 1100 MILES ON IT AND I HAD ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ABOVE HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND I WENT TO GET MY RAV4 AND ASKED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEYS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED ON MY NEW RAV4 AND THAT CAUSED THE DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF OF THE PULLEYS AND BROKE THE TENSIONER AND THE HOUSING GUIDE. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING, THE NEW RAV4 WOULD NOT START. I JUMPED SRTARTED THE RAV4 FROM MY WIFES VEHICLE AND LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES THINKING THAT THE BATTERY JUST NEEDED A CHARGE. MY WIFE WAS GOING TO USE THE NEEW RAV4 VEHICLE THAT DAY TO SHOP. SHE CALLED ME ABOUT MID-MORNING AND INFORMED ME THAT THE NEW RAV4 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AS SHE HAD GONE TO THE MALL. THAT EVENING MY WIFE AND I WENT TO THE MALL AND JUM STARTED THE VEHICLE AGIN AND I FINALLY GOT IT HOME AND IT IS NOW IN MY GARAGE, IT JUST WILL NOT START. I CALLED AND TALAKED TO THE SERVICE DIRECTOR ABOUT ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I WAS HAVING WITH MY NEW RAV4 SUV. HE EQUATED MY BREAK-DOWNS TO GOING TO THE STORE AND BUYING A BOX OF FOUR LIGHT BULBS AND TAKING THE LIGHT BULBS HOME AND PUTTING A NEW LIGHT BULB IN A LAMP THAT HAD A BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB AND WHEN THE LAMP IS TURNED ON THEN THE NEW LIGHT BULB BURNS OUT. THIS REALLY MADE ME ANGRY. I TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS BIG DIFFERENCE IN A FIFTY CENT LIGHT BULB AND A $25,000.00 NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 1100 MILES ON IT. *AK
Tires, Jun 3, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 40MPH, REAR PASSENGER TIRE WITH OUT BLEW OUT. TOYOTA, TRANPATHS SIZE# 21570R16-99S DOT#- - - - - - - - - - - - - -DEALER NOTHING WE COULD DO. *AK
Parking brake, May 15, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FORTY FIVE MINUTES AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. (MODEL/MR2 SPYDER) SCC *JB
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2003
2002 TOYOTA RAV4. THE LUGGAGE COVER HAS A RUBBER STOP ON EACH SIDE TO HOLD IT UP IN ORDER FOR THE HOOKS THAT ARE INSTALL ON THE BACK OF THE SEATS TO BE USED. IN COLD AND HOT WEATHER, THE RUBBER STOPS DO NOT HOLD THE COVER UP. IN APRIL 2002, THE COVER CAME DOWN AND HIT ME ON THE BRIDGE OF MY NOSE SO HARD THAT I WAS ALMOST KNOCKED OUT. IT WAS DARK AND FREEZING COLD. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, ROBBER OR ATTACKED. IF I HAD A CHILD IN MY ARMS, I WOULD HAVE DROPPED IT. TOYOTA DEEMS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SHIELD. I AM PROOF THAT THERE IS AND ASKED THEM TO PLACE A RECALL ON IT BUT THEY REFUSE. *NLM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 2, 2003
VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FOWARD DUE TO FUEL THROTTLE LEAKAGE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Visibility, Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2003
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE VARIOUS FEATURES THAT WERE DISPLAYED ON THE UNIT. THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD, AND THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS ABNORMAL AND THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM DID NOT PERMIT OUTSIDE AIR. *SCC *JB
Power train, Feb 12, 2003
THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE OUT OF GEAR, AND IF IT DID MOVE OUT OF GEAR, IT ABRUPTLY DOWN SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR WHILE DRIVING.*AK 2002 TOYOTA SPYDER) *JB
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2003
A "BAFFLE" IS INSTALLED INTO THE OIL FILLER CAP BEGINNING WITH THE 2002 TOYOTA'S. WHILE DRIVING THE "BAFFLE" BROKE CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN AND CONSEQUENTLY THE ENGINE TO FAIL. TS
Vehicle speed control, Jan 10, 2003, crash
VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATER. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB....*AK
Air bags, Jan 7, 2003, crash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Air bags, Jan 6, 2003
CONSUMER WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON CRASH.CONSUMER ALSO THAT SHE WAS GOING 35 MPHAT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. PH
Tires, Equipment, Dec 20, 2002
DEFECTIVE TIRES, VEHICLE JACK EQUIPMENT. WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRE EXPLODED WHEN IT RAN OVER AN ORANGE IN THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRE AND WOULD LIKE THE REMAINING 4 TIRES REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RETAINED THE TIRE FOR INSPECTION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE BLOWN TIRE THE CONSUMER REALIZED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY TO REPLACE THE BLOWN TIRE. WITH THE JACK PROPERLY PLACED AND FULLY EXTENDED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE TO REPLACE THE BLOWN TIRE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE JACK BE REPLACED. *NM
Fuel system, Other, Dec 4, 2002
THE DASHBOARD RATTLES WHEN DRIVING. TOOK TO DEALER AND THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DASHBOARD ABOUT FOUR TIMES. THE DASH IS STILL RATTLING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Tires, Oct 3, 2002
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SIDEWALL WAS TORN. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T REFUND THEM. THE TEAR IS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE SIZE OF THE TIRE IS 205/65R15 92T. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92. NLM
Parking brake, Oct 2, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN INCLINED SPOT. PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND CAR ROLLED OVER A CURB INTO A METAL POLE ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED. *PH (2002 TOYOTA MR2) *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768022
Vehicle speed control, Sep 27, 2002, crash
WHEN BACKING UP, THE VEHICLE EITHER ACCELERATED OR THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK. TS
Visibility, Aug 8, 2002
BY ACCIDENT, I PUT MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW APPROX. 1/2 WAY DOWN . UNKNOWINGLY, I LEFT THE WINDOW DOWN. WHEN I REACHED AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 40MILES PER HOUR, A VERY SEVERE NOISE AND VIBRATION OCCURRED. IT WAS SO SEVERE, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT A TIRE HAD BLOWN. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE IS VERY INTENSE. ONCE THE WINDOW IS UP, THE NOISE AND VIBRATION STOPS. IF A COMBINATION FRONT/REAR WINDOW DOWN HAPPENS, IT IS NOT AS NOTICABLE. I CALLED TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. FLAW OR NO, IT IS HORRIBLE. IT COULD BE TRAGIC IF A DRIVER UNAWARE PULLS OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE THEY FEAR A TIRE IS GOING TO BLOW.AT THE MINIMUM, I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD SEND OWNERS A LETTER DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM S THEY WILL NOT BE ALARMED. I WILL NOT PUT MY REAR WINDOWS DOWN, AND THAT IN ITSELF IS SAD TO SPEND 23 THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A NEW VEHICLE AND BE LIMITED IN THAT RESPECT. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. LINDA JONES. *AK
Suspension, Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 21, 2002, crash
WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH TIRES SOMEHOW GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN PAVEMENT/GROVE ON SIDE OF ROAD. TRUCK THEN PULLED TO RIGHT, AND OWNER TRIED TO MAINTAIN STABILITY. TRUCK WENT OFF THE ROAD, ROLLING OVER SEVERAL TIMES. SEAT BELT BECAME LOOSE, AND NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THIS IS WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Structure, Jun 17, 2002
AFTER HEAVY RAIN CONSUMER NOTICED WATER INSIDE VEHICLE FLOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AND THE CARPET WAS REPLACED, AND BACK DOOR SEAL ,THE DEALER COVERED THE COST OF THE DAMAGE. *MJ