IllustrationTOYOTA 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
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
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
10–25K
025–50K
550–75K
375–100K
8100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
62 reportsI 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
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.
1999 TOYOTA RAV BEING DRIVEN BY MY 18 Y/O DAUGHTER. SHE COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR WOULD REV AND THEN JOLT WHEN IT WOULD FINALLY SHIFT INTO GEAR. WE BROUGHT IT TO A AAMCO DEALER TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY AT THE TIME WE DECIDED SHE SHOULD DRIV…
Read full complaint
1999 TOYOTA RAV BEING DRIVEN BY MY 18 Y/O DAUGHTER. SHE COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR WOULD REV AND THEN JOLT WHEN IT WOULD FINALLY SHIFT INTO GEAR. WE BROUGHT IT TO A AAMCO DEALER TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY AT THE TIME WE DECIDED SHE SHOULD DRIVE IT HOME AND PARK IT. IT DIED ON THE WAY HOME WHILE SHE WAS ON THE FREEWAY. IT JUST WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR AND SLOWED DOWN TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF PARLEYS CANYON (I-80) IN UTAH. NOT THE BEST SITUATION FOR A YOUNG GIRL TO BE IN! SHAME ON TOYOTA FOR NOT ADVISING THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THIS PROBLEM AND ADVISING US ON HOW TO PREVENT A WHOLE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS WEARING AT AN ANGLE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE TIRE PROTRUDES OUT TWO INCHES FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLTS IN THE BACK WERE FROZEN. EVEN THOUGH THE BOLTS WERE ADJUSTABLE, THEY C…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS WEARING AT AN ANGLE ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE TIRE PROTRUDES OUT TWO INCHES FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLTS IN THE BACK WERE FROZEN. EVEN THOUGH THE BOLTS WERE ADJUSTABLE, THEY COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $1,200. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE DEFECT ON OTHER RAV4 VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,915.
WE WERE IN A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4, AND HIT ANOTHER TRUCK IN THE REAR. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPERATE DEPLOY, AND THE RESTRAINT'S DID NOT WORK EITHER. RESULTING IN MY WIFE'S BROKEN LEFT ARM. *TR
TL*- WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH 80000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER THE TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF FOURTH GEAR AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE . SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WHILE THEY WERE REPAIRING THE GEAR SHIFT, THEY ALSO DETERMINED THAT FIFTH GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. AT 12,000 MILES THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILU…
Read full complaint
TL*- WHILE DRIVING A TOYOTA RAV 4 WITH 80000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER THE TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF FOURTH GEAR AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE . SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WHILE THEY WERE REPAIRING THE GEAR SHIFT, THEY ALSO DETERMINED THAT FIFTH GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. AT 12,000 MILES THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHILE IN 5TH GEAR. THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT THE SAME TECHNICIAN TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED CORRECTLY. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07. 8JB
WITHOUT WARNING, CAR POPS INTO NEUTRAL FROM FIFTH GEAR. THIS INADVERTENT ACTION IS STARTLING, AND, IN MY OPINION, DANGEROUS. I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF CAR, BUT ONLY BECAUSE I WAS ALERT AT THE TIME. *NM
THE GAS TANK IN THE CONSUMER'S RAV 4 WAS INSTALLED WITH A HOLE IN IT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOLE WAS HIDDEN BY THE CHASSIS AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION. *JB THE HOLE CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TANK. *NM
JUST GET A NETWORK ERROR NOTICE WHEN I TRY TO GET THE TSBS FOR A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. TRIED 2X GOT SAME ANSWER. BOB (PS WAS SUCCESSFUL WHEN I TRIED ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK
Official recalls
420V033000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.