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.
Suspension, Jun 12, 2002
CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT, TOOK IN CAR TODAY AND TOLD THEM TO ADJUST ALIGNMENT AND HAVE OIL CHANGED, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED BACK AND SAID THEIR WAS A MANUFACTURE RECALL AND THE CAR HAD TO STAY OVERNIGHT. IF IT HAD A RECALL NO NOTICE WAS SENT OUT THIS IS WHAT I'M UPSET ABOUT. CONSUMERS ARE SOPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED IF THERE IS A RECALL NOT FIND OUT AFTER THEY DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS AND FIND OUT WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES.*AK
Steering, Jun 11, 2002
STEERING COLUMN WILL STEER TO LEFT AND RIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE IS UNCONTROLLABLE IN TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 29, 2002
WHEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 15 MILES AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE SHAKES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE IS LOUD, WHEN STOPPING, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF THE POWER WINDOWS CONTINUE TO WORK AND THE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. *SLC
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2002, fire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE RIGHT AFTER CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Feb 5, 2002
RE: FUEL THROTTLE LINKAGE FAILURE: HIGH IDLE SPEED; UNPREDICTABLE IDLE SPEED OSCILLATION / SURGES, UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION / DECELERATION (PARTICULARLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD). CAR WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO DECELERATE AFTER TAKING FOOT OFF GAS WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS (10-25 MPH), FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THIS MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR WILL SOMETIMES DRIVE/LURCH FORWARD ON ITS OWN WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN IN 2ND OR 3RD GEAR, ONCE RPMS DROP TO ABOUT 1500. TOLD BY THE DEALER AND TOYOTA THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A NEW EMISSIONS CONTROL COMPUTER, AND THAT THE CAR IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. RE: STRUCTURE - ROOF RACK: PIECE OF THE COVERING TO THE ROOF RACK FELL OFF WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CAR DRIVING BEHIND ME AT THE TIME.*AK