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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.

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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

4 reports
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59,494 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

MAY 19TH OF 2007, MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 4X4 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOING 25-30 MPH. AFTER STRUCK, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TWICE, WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT AN INCREASING HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN HITTING A GLASS BUS STOP ENDING UP HITTING A BRICK SCHOOL. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ALT…

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MAY 19TH OF 2007, MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 4X4 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOING 25-30 MPH. AFTER STRUCK, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TWICE, WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT AN INCREASING HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN HITTING A GLASS BUS STOP ENDING UP HITTING A BRICK SCHOOL. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ALTHOUGH I WAS UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353287

112 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAVE MADE A NOISE WHEN APPLIED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE SPEED VARIES WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED HE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE WAS NEVER A RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT HAS SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THA…

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TL*THE CONTACT 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAVE MADE A NOISE WHEN APPLIED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE SPEED VARIES WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED HE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND THERE WAS NEVER A RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT HAS SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE. THE VEHICLE HAD 112 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 63,530. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. UPDATED 04/30/10

NHTSA ODI #10315127

7,500 miles · Mar 28, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND VICE VERSA A CLANGING SOUND IS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD FRONT BRAKE PADS NEED REPLACING AND ROTORS NEED TO BE RESURFACED AT A COST OF $250.00.+ TAX. CAR HAD ONLY 10,250 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. I WAS FINALLY TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. PROBLEM WAS NOT …

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WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND VICE VERSA A CLANGING SOUND IS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD FRONT BRAKE PADS NEED REPLACING AND ROTORS NEED TO BE RESURFACED AT A COST OF $250.00.+ TAX. CAR HAD ONLY 10,250 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. I WAS FINALLY TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. PROBLEM WAS NOT THERE UNTIL THE CAR REACHED 7500 AND THE FIRST TIRE ROTATION WAS PERFORMED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064052

20,000 miles · Feb 26, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE STOPPING DOWN A HILL, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUED TO TRAVEL TO FLOORBOARD. DEALER SERVICED VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10057725

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