← New search

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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all RAV4 years →

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
89,348 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TODAY I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND MY ENGINE SURGED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY BRAKING AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, AND EVEN THEN IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS SURGED WHILE BACKING UP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER THE YEARS THE ENGINE HAS SURGED WHEN THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN AT A STOPLIGHT OR STOP …

Read full complaint

TODAY I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND MY ENGINE SURGED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY BRAKING AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, AND EVEN THEN IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS SURGED WHILE BACKING UP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER THE YEARS THE ENGINE HAS SURGED WHEN THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN AT A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AND USUALLY WHEN I'M GOING UNDER 10 MILES AN HOUR. VERY SCARY! THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH MY FLOOR MAT, WHICH IS FASTENED SECURELY WELL BELOW THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS.ALSO, I'VE NEVER BEEN DISORIENTED AND UNABLE TO TELL WHERE MY FOOT IS. I DON'T DRINK OR SMOKE, AND HAVE A GOOD SAFETY RECORD WITH STATE FARM FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I'VE REPORTED THIS SURGING PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES TO TOYOTA AND THEY CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE. THAT'S BECAUSE THE SURGING PROBLEM OCCURS IRREGULARLY, ABOUT ONCE IN EVERY 50 TIMES I BRAKE. AT VARIOUS TIMES I'VE ASKED OTHER DRIVERS OF RAV 4 CARS IF THEY'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND SEVERAL HAVE SAID YES. TOO BAD I NEVER TOOK DOWN THEIR NAMES. I'VE ALSO REPORTED THIS BEFORE TO THE NHTSA, AND NOTHING CAME OF IT. I HAVE FAITH THAT ONE DAY THE PROBLEM WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED. I'M A RETIRED FEDERAL OFFICIAL, SO I HAVE TO THINK THAT WRITING THIS IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572976

107,579 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOU…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,579.

NHTSA ODI #10534122

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA BRAKING PROBLEM FM OWNER OF A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STATS SHE PUT ALL HER WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT ONLY STOPPED AFTER SHE TURNED THE …

Read full complaint

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA BRAKING PROBLEM FM OWNER OF A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STATS SHE PUT ALL HER WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT ONLY STOPPED AFTER SHE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN A MONTHS TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, AS SHE WAS BRAKING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO SLAM THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, SINCE IT WAS STILL MOVING AND IT STOPPED THE ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI #10316467

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

AS I'VE SAID IN PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE TO YOUR OFFICE, AND TO TOYOTA, ALL UNANSWERED, MY 1999 RAV 4 HAS OFTEN SURGED WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN ON AN INCLINE (THE ENGINE RACES) AND I CAN BARELY BRAKE IT TO A FULL STOP. I KNOW THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC, BUT THE TOYOTA DEALER IN BERKELEY, CA WHERE …

Read full complaint

AS I'VE SAID IN PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE TO YOUR OFFICE, AND TO TOYOTA, ALL UNANSWERED, MY 1999 RAV 4 HAS OFTEN SURGED WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN ON AN INCLINE (THE ENGINE RACES) AND I CAN BARELY BRAKE IT TO A FULL STOP. I KNOW THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC, BUT THE TOYOTA DEALER IN BERKELEY, CA WHERE I BOUGHT IT STONE-WALLS, AND REFUSES TO BELIEVE IT UNLESS THEIR MECHANIC TAKES IT OUT FOR A RUN. OF COURSE, IT NEVER HAPPENS THEN, BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS TO ME ABOUT ONCE IN A HUNDRED TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316272

85,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TOYOTA 1999 RAV4 WHEN RELEASING GAS PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, PEDAL STICKS AND CANNOT BE PUSHED DOWN TO FEED GAS WITHOUT STOMPING ON PEDAL 3 OR 4 TIMES. IT DOES NOT STICK ALL TIMES. USUALLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS 30 DEGREES OR LOWER. HAVE BEEN STUCK IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308130

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I SUBMIT THAT THE MOST RECENT RECALL (JAN. 2010) FOR STICKING GAS PEDALS EXTENDS TO OLDER YEAR MAKE/MODELS OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY 1999 TOYOTA RAV 4'S GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING NOW FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS, MOSTLY IN THE WINTER. I PRESS IT AND IT GETS STUCK AND I HAVE TO PUSH MY FOOT DOWN HARDER ON IT TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER, THE PE…

Read full complaint

I SUBMIT THAT THE MOST RECENT RECALL (JAN. 2010) FOR STICKING GAS PEDALS EXTENDS TO OLDER YEAR MAKE/MODELS OF TOYOTA VEHICLES. MY 1999 TOYOTA RAV 4'S GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING NOW FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS, MOSTLY IN THE WINTER. I PRESS IT AND IT GETS STUCK AND I HAVE TO PUSH MY FOOT DOWN HARDER ON IT TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER, THE PEDAL DOES SPRING BACK OKAY, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT. I'VE HAD IT LUBED RECENTLY AND THAT DIDN'T HELP AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304697

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION INTO SOME BUSHES. AFTER THE MINOR CRASH SHE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT INTENTION INTO SOME BUSHES. AFTER THE MINOR CRASH SHE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10293679

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 1999 RAV4. YESTERDAY I'M DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, I THOUGHT A ROCK HIT MY CAR. I STOPPED AT THE STORE AND I GO TO GET MY KEYS OUT OF IGNITION AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IS BROKE. THE BACK OF THE SWITCH WAS JUST HANGING. THAT WAS THE LAUD NOISE I HEARD. THE BACK POPPED OFF. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THER…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 1999 RAV4. YESTERDAY I'M DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, I THOUGHT A ROCK HIT MY CAR. I STOPPED AT THE STORE AND I GO TO GET MY KEYS OUT OF IGNITION AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IS BROKE. THE BACK OF THE SWITCH WAS JUST HANGING. THAT WAS THE LAUD NOISE I HEARD. THE BACK POPPED OFF. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS? THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10031075

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY REV WHILE COMING TO A STOP, FORCING DRIVER TO APPLY FULL PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE CAUSE. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE HAS TO SHIFT TO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING, THE TACHOMETER SHOOTS UP AND ENGINE ROARS. …

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY REV WHILE COMING TO A STOP, FORCING DRIVER TO APPLY FULL PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE CAUSE. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE HAS TO SHIFT TO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING, THE TACHOMETER SHOOTS UP AND ENGINE ROARS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #894620

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

ENGINE ON FOUR OCCASIONS REVS UP WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP AT 5 MPH. HAVE TO SHIFT CAR INTO PARK BECAUSE OF THE SURGE OF THE ENGINE. MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE WITH ALL MY STRENGTH, AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN I REPORTED THIS IN LATE MAY, TOYOTA DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY AND I TOOK CAR IN …

Read full complaint

ENGINE ON FOUR OCCASIONS REVS UP WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP AT 5 MPH. HAVE TO SHIFT CAR INTO PARK BECAUSE OF THE SURGE OF THE ENGINE. MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE WITH ALL MY STRENGTH, AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN I REPORTED THIS IN LATE MAY, TOYOTA DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY AND I TOOK CAR IN AGAIN TODAY FOR DEALER TO CHECK. WAITING NOW TO HEAR FROM DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #750551

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.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems