2002 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 682 complaints about the 2002 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 55.6% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 13.6%.
Complaints682
Crashes49
Fires20
Injuries71
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 55.6% · 379
Electrical system 13.6% · 93
Engine and engine cooling 6.0% · 41
Vehicle speed control 5.3% · 36
Air bags 3.4% · 23
Unknown or other 3.4% · 23
Engine 3.2% · 22
Electronic stability control (ESC) 2.3% · 16
Severity
Of those complaints, 49 describe a crash, 20 describe a fire and 71 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 25 model years of the Toyota RAV4 in this data, 2002 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 10 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 93,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that she experienced problems shifting. All of the gears were affected whether the vehicle was accelerating or slowing down. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the electronic control unit and the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 101,830. The current mileage was approximately 105,000. Power train · reported at 101,830 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota RAV4. The contact indicated that the vehicle failed to shift to reverse. The contact had to make several attempts and was able to change gears. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the ecm and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 216,000. Power train · reported at 216,000 miles
Yesterday, 2002 Toyota RAV4 transmission began to slip and hesitate jeopardizing passenger safety. I understand Toyota issued tsb 00206 but chose not to recall or otherwise inform customers. Further I understand replacement ecm is over $1,000 and a transmission rebuild may cost nearly $4,500. Toyota evidently is unwilling to correct or otherwise offer financial assistance to correct this dangerous defect. Power train · reported at 109,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…