2002 Toyota RAV4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 555 owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota RAV4. Most complaints involve power train (381) and electrical system (93). The EPA rates it 22–78 mpg combined.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Power train381
- Electrical system93
- Engine and engine cooling42
- Vehicle speed control36
- Air bags23
- Engine22
- Electronic stability control (esc)16
- Steering9
- Latches/locks/linkages9
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.
View as table
| 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 |
- Crashes reported
- 39
- Fires reported
- 15
- Injuries reported
- 50
- Deaths reported
- 0
What owners report most
Power train
“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 told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's…”
Electrical system
“2002 RAV4 ECU SHIFTING PROBLEM (DTC CODE P0755). THE CAR JITTERS WHEN SWITCHING FROM GEAR 1 TO 2 AS WELL ON REVERSE. IT ALSO JITTERS WHEN IT DRIVES ON LOW GEAR. THERE IS AN WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH RAV4 2001-2003 BUT TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO RECALL IT, DESPITE BEING A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND BODILY INJURY. IT HAS THE HIGH LIKELIHOOD TO DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION.”
Engine and engine cooling
“DEFECTIVE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). AS A RESULT OF SENDING THE WRONG SIGNAL TO THE TRANSMISSION, IT GOT RUINED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ECM FOR THE 2002 TOYOTA RAV4, I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT, OR I STILL DID NOT OWNED THE VEHICLE. *TR”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- Electric motor · 2.0L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- 2-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Electricity · Regular Gasoline
- EV range
- 95 mi (EPA)
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 EV · 2-Wheel Drive | 87 | 69 | 78 | $950 | — |
| RAV4 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| RAV4 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| RAV4 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| RAV4 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
- RAV4 EV87 city · 69 hwy · $950/yr78mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| 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 |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
2002 RAV4 questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota RAV4 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota RAV4 problems?
Owners filed 555 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (381), electrical system (93), engine and engine cooling (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2002 Toyota RAV4 get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Toyota RAV4 at 22–78 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).