NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 40 owner complaints for the 2000 Toyota RAV4. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (7) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 21–72 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each RAV4 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 47 |
| 1997 | 57 |
| 1998 | 85 |
| 1999 | 63 |
| 2000 | 40 |
| 2001 | 314 |
| 2002 | 555 |
| 2003 | 327 |
| 2004 | 154 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 704 |
| 2007 | 1,003 |
| 2008 | 575 |
| 2009 | 327 |
| 2010 | 400 |
| 2011 | 287 |
| 2012 | 266 |
| 2013 | 261 |
| 2014 | 207 |
| 2015 | 305 |
| 2016 | 239 |
| 2017 | 307 |
| 2018 | 333 |
| 2019 | 884 |
| 2020 | 639 |
| 2021 | 389 |
| 2022 | 149 |
| 2023 | 164 |
| 2024 | 176 |
| 2025 | 94 |
“I SENT INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY RE MY MOTHER'S ACCIDENT BUT DID NOT HAVE THE VIN. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR, FATAL FRONT-END MVA INTO A SMALL, RESULTING IN WHAT THE MECHANIC CALLED "INCREDIBLE DAMAGE TO ENGINE - IT CAUSED MORE INTERNAL DAMAGE THAN YOU'D THINK" AND HE WONDERED ABOUT HIGH SPEED. I AM ASKING YOU TO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF RAPID ACCELERATION VS BRAKE ISSUE, RESULTING IN A HIGHER ENERGY (THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED) CRASH. I HAVE THE POLICE REPORT ETC. PREVIOUSLY, SHE HAD NEVER EVEN RECEIVED A TICKET (AND WAS ALMOST 59 YRS OLD). THANK YOU. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF FIFTH GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.”
“COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 21,000 MILES. MAIN BEARINGS, CROSS-HATCHING GONE FROM CYCLINDERS WALLS, WATER PUMP LEAKING. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 EV · 2-Wheel Drive | 81 | 64 | 72 | $1,050 | — |
| RAV4 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 Soft Top 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 Soft Top 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 Soft Top 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| RAV4 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| RAV4 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| RAV4 Soft Top 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (7), power train (5), engine and engine cooling (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Toyota RAV4 at 21–72 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).