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1998 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

20 reports with mileage · 57 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE PASSENGER IN THE PAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED A BLACK EYE, SEVERAL LEG BRUISES AND HAD TO GET 7 STITCHES IN HER HEAD. THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11403564

160,000 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Air Bags

MY VEHICLE IS BEING RECALLED FOR TAKADA AIR BAGS.

NHTSA ODI #11374940

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THROUGH LOCAL EMISSIONS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V033000 (AIR BAGS). THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO THE RECALL. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THROUGH LOCAL EMISSIONS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V033000 (AIR BAGS). THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO THE RECALL. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11311119

105,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A TRACTOR TRAILER. WHILE SWITCHING LANES, THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, CRASH INTO THE TRACTOR TRAILER AND THEN INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A TRACTOR TRAILER. WHILE SWITCHING LANES, THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, CRASH INTO THE TRACTOR TRAILER AND THEN INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EACH OF THE THREE PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS HOWEVER NONE OF THEM LOCKED ON IMPACT, CAUSING INJURY TO EACH OF THE THREE PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462724

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TRAVELING 45 MPH, NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A COMPLETE LOSS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #560045

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2000
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #875297

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2000
Air BagsCrash

VEHICLE WENT DOWN INTO AN EMBANKMENT, HIT SEVERAL LARGE WOODEN POLES, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #869166

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN AND HIT A TREE ON DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND BROKE CONSUMER'S FOREARM. CONSUMER FELT THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AT THAT SPEED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #864991

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR WAS SCRATCHED. DISTRICT MANAGER KEPT MAKING UNSCHEDULED VISITS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #863995

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. THE DRIVER / PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *YC

NHTSA ODI #848412

Official recalls

4

20V033000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 22, 2020

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 to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection, dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate one, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall is 20TB01 and 20TA01.

00V211000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 9, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RENDER THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK ROD.

00V212000 · Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor

Aug 9, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DISC ROTOR COULD BREAK (WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE WHEEL), RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND STEEL WHEELS WITH NEW DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND NEW ALUMINUM WHEELS. IN ADDITION A CAUTION LABEL THAT READS, "USE NEW GENUINE TOYOTA ALUMINUM WHEELS." WILL BE AFFIXED. VEHICLES ALREADY EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS WILL ONLY REQUIRE CAUTION LABEL INSTALLATION.

98V278000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Oct 19, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS (TDS) SUPPLIED BY AUDIOVOX CORPORATION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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