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1997 Toyota RAV4Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 54 owner complaints about the 1997 Toyota RAV4, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

83
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years79% below the RAV4 median · #27 of 29 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints5417 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage113kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 15, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Toyota RAV4 has problems

54 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling101
Vehicle speed control71
Structure60
Air bags54
Power train50
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Seat belts32
Electrical system31
Fuel system, gasoline20
11 other systems141

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Toyota RAV4 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other RAV4 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAV4 median. How we score

'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Toyota RAV4 safety ratings

1997 Toyota RAV4 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What RAV4 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE). *AK
Complaint 10146145 · Dec 27, 2005 · 113,000 miles
MY RAV 4 - 57348 MILES. IT STARTED MAKING A TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND IT HAS MAKES A METAL ON METAL VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I MAKE A GRADUAL LEFT TURN AND DECELERATE. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAY IT MAY BE THAT THE LIFTERS ARE A BIT WORN AND THAT THIS WILL…
Complaint 10010158 · Mar 8, 2003
MY RAV HAS HAD 2 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS THE FIRST AT 16,000 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 49,000 MILES. THE FIRST ONE HAPPENED WHEN IT STALLED OUT GOING THROUGH AN EXTREMELY LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE ACCESS ROAD AND THE SECOND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NLM
Complaint 10010157 · Mar 8, 2003

Own a 1997 RAV4?

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