2002 Toyota RAV4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 527 owner complaints about the 2002 Toyota RAV4, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 24, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the 2002 Toyota RAV4 has problems
527 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 376 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 92 | 7 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 41 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 36 | 6 |
| Air bags | 22 | 20 |
| Engine | 22 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 16 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 1 |
| 15 other systems | 36 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2002 Toyota RAV4 recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
When do power train problems start?
96kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 354 power train complaints. 56% were reported before 100,000 miles.
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
105 owners mentioned a cost$4,000median
Electrical system
14 owners mentioned a cost$1,750median
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
2002 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
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2002 Toyota RAV4 safety ratings
2002 Toyota RAV4 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
What RAV4 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was…
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The…
2002 Toyota RAV4 AWD transmission problems and will be available upon request. Transmission caused vehicle to disengaged, jerks, stalls with severed engine braking while driving creating a safety performance and hazard on the roads to myself and other unexpected drivers. Upon reading similar…
Own a 2002 RAV4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.