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2002 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAV4 years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota RAV4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 258.5.

About this comparison →
527Owner complaints

Model-year median: 258.5

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
62
199930
2000309
2001527
2002314
2003154
2004141
2005
Compare all RAV4 years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
376Electrical System
92Engine And Engine Cooling
41Vehicle Speed Control
36Unknown Or Other
23
All reported categories
Air Bags
22Engine
22Electronic Stability Control (esc)
16Steering
8Latches/locks/linkages
5Structure
5Equipment
4Fuel System, Gasoline
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Suspension
4Tires
3Exterior Lighting
2Seat Belts
2Visibility
2Back Over Prevention
1Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Fuel System, Other
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Interior Lighting
1Service Brakes, Electric
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

478 reports with mileage · 49 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 376 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports15 fire reports26 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

92 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 29, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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 G…

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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

NHTSA ODI #8010645

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE RIGHT AFTER CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8008573

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

Toyota RAV4 transmission problems →Toyota RAV4 electrical problems →