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1999 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

23 reports with mileage · 39 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports4 fire reports9 injury reports

Structure complaints

6 reports
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189,198 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Structure

WE TOOK THE RAV4 INTO THE MECHANIC FOR A BRAKE JOB & HE CALLED US TO SAY IT WASN'T ROAD WORTHY BECAUSE THE K-FRAME WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WE SHOULDN'T PUT OUR CHILDREN IN IT. HE SAID WE SHOULDN'T EVEN DRIVE IT OFF HIS LOT THAT IT COULD HIT A POTHOLE AND BREAK IN TWO. WE CAME & TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE RUST. HE SA…

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WE TOOK THE RAV4 INTO THE MECHANIC FOR A BRAKE JOB & HE CALLED US TO SAY IT WASN'T ROAD WORTHY BECAUSE THE K-FRAME WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WE SHOULDN'T PUT OUR CHILDREN IN IT. HE SAID WE SHOULDN'T EVEN DRIVE IT OFF HIS LOT THAT IT COULD HIT A POTHOLE AND BREAK IN TWO. WE CAME & TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE RUST. HE SAID THE K-FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ROCKER ARMS. WE CAME HOME & RESEARCHED TO FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A COMPANY LIKE TOYOTA WOULDN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECT LIKE THIS. IT'S CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. IMAGINE THE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND INJURY THAT WOULD OCCUR IF I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE DRIVING 65MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY (THAT I HAVE TO TAKE EVERYDAY TO GET ANYWHERE) AND THE FRAME ON THIS VEHICLE BREAKING! I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME OR MY CHILDREN. ALL BECAUSE TOYOTA DIDN'T MAKE SURE TO MAKE A FUNCTIONAL PART OF THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF THEIR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11012718

220,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE ONLY THING KEEPING IT FROM FRACTURING WAS THE STEERING LINKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE ONLY THING KEEPING IT FROM FRACTURING WAS THE STEERING LINKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

NHTSA ODI #10637042

120,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
StructureSuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. UPDATED 3/23/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10597426

163,000 miles · May 15, 2014
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

NHTSA ODI #10588670

120,000 miles · Sep 30, 2013
StructureVisibility

THERE IS RUST IN THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A BIG HOLE BECAUSE OF RUST. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546329

175,000 miles · Jan 29, 2011
Structure

WHILE CHANGING THE CONVERTER ON MY 1999 RAV4, WE DISCOVERED HOLES AND EXTREME RUSTING ON THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER. IF THIS CROSS MEMBER BREAKS THE WHOLE SUSPENSION COULD DROP OUT FO THE CAR AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. IT IS NO SECRET THAT TOYOTA HAS MANY PROBLEMS WITH FRAME ROT ON OTHER VEHICLES OCCURING ON SIMILAR YEARED MODELS. …

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WHILE CHANGING THE CONVERTER ON MY 1999 RAV4, WE DISCOVERED HOLES AND EXTREME RUSTING ON THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER. IF THIS CROSS MEMBER BREAKS THE WHOLE SUSPENSION COULD DROP OUT FO THE CAR AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. IT IS NO SECRET THAT TOYOTA HAS MANY PROBLEMS WITH FRAME ROT ON OTHER VEHICLES OCCURING ON SIMILAR YEARED MODELS. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND AFTER A LITTLE INVESTIGATING MYSELF, I HAVE DISCOVERED A DOZEN OTHER RAV4 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP. AND WAS TOLD MY CASE WAS THE ONLY OF ITS KIND BY THEM. AFTER TALKING TO DEALERS IN MY AREA I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURING AND BEING SEEN BY TOYOTA DEALERS AS WELL. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10379542

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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