VehicleVerdict

2000 Toyota RAV4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2000 Toyota RAV4 is among the quieter years of the RAV4 on NHTSA's books: 34 complaints (90% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (7), tires & wheels (6), and transmission (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

34

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other RAV4 years?

RAV4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted1,240 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 54 complaints1997: 61 complaints1998: 92 complaints1999: 75 complaints2000: 34 complaints2001: 418 complaints2002: 682 complaints2003: 392 complaints2004: 182 complaints2005: 168 complaints2006: 880 complaints2007: 1,240 complaints2008: 708 complaints2009: 397 complaints2010: 498 complaints2011: 402 complaints2012: 357 complaints2013: 331 complaints2014: 275 complaints2015: 399 complaints2016: 291 complaints2017: 408 complaints2018: 435 complaints2019: 1,168 complaints2020: 795 complaints2021: 505 complaints2022: 206 complaints2023: 234 complaints2024: 250 complaints2025: 101 complaints
RAV4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RAV4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Toyota RAV4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control721%
Tires & Wheels618%
Transmission618%
Visibility & Wipers39%
Body & Structure26%
Engine26%
Fuel System26%
Seat Belts13%
Brakes13%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)13%
Electrical System13%
Airbags13%
Suspension13%

Does the 2000 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V033000AirbagsJanuary 22, 2020 · 138,842 units

Defect

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

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.

00V211000TransmissionAugust 9, 2000 · 756 units

Defect

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

THIS CONDITION CAN RENDER THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK ROD.

00V212000BrakesAugust 9, 2000 · 780 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TOYOTA CRASHED INTO TREE, RESULTING IN FATAL INJURIES THAT MAY BE CONSISTENT WITH HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT, NO DECELERATION. 59 YR OLD DRIVER HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. NEW TOYOTA RAV4. MECHANIC REMARKED ON DAMAGE TO VEHICLE GIVEN LOCATION OF ACCIDENT. UPDATED 03/04/11 *BF*TR ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 31, 2000 · crash

“WE WERE ON VACATION AND TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT, 75, IN PUEBLO, CO WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. FROM WHAT WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THAT TIRE BEFORE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD ON TO A GRASSY MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT AN INCLINE, WENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 1, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER STATES HE BELIEVES THAT VEHICLE HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNK SOUND, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS, HOWEVER DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THERE WOULD BE NO FURTHER REPAIR OR ACTION.*JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 10, 2000

“WINDSHIELD IS NOT HOLDING UP AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE. WHEN DRIVING ON ROAD, AND WHAT EVER MAY COME FLYING IN WINDSHIELD'S WAY CAN EASILY CHIP WINDSHIELD. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 12 CHIPS CURRENTLY ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 1, 2001

“I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT WILL NOT PASS NYS SAFETY INSPECTION, BECAUSE OF A RUSTED FRONT ENGINE SUBFRAME. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE FRAME AND SEEMS THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE EARLY IN THE CARS LIFESPAN, THE CAR HAS 108K MILES ON IT. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 4, 2011

2000 Toyota RAV4 — common questions

Is the 2000 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 34 NHTSA complaints, below the typical RAV4 year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2000 RAV4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (7 complaints), tires & wheels (6 complaints), transmission (6 complaints).

Does the 2000 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2019, 2006, 2020, 2008, 2002. The cleanest record among RAV4 years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.