Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

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.

Combined MPG
22–78mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
555
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Toyota RAV4 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

555 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2002 – May 2024
  1. Power train381
  2. Electrical system93
  3. Engine and engine cooling42
  4. Vehicle speed control36
  5. Air bags23
  6. Engine22
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)16
  8. Steering9
  9. Latches/locks/linkages9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RAV4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199647
199757
199885
199963
200040
2001314
2002555
2003327
2004154
2005141
2006704
20071,003
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011287
2012266
2013261
2014207
2015305
2016239
2017307
2018333
2019884
2020639
2021389
2022149
2023164
2024176
202594
Crashes reported
39
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
50
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

381 reports7 crashes1 fire
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11590615

Electrical system

93 reports3 crashes3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2019Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11244996

Engine and engine cooling

42 reports1 crash1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10606141
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
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.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RAV4 EV
· 2-Wheel Drive
876978$950—
RAV4 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,700370
RAV4 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800386
RAV4 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900404
RAV4 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900404
  • RAV4 EV
    87 city · 69 hwy · $950/yr
    78
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • RAV4 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Toyota RAV4 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4629Vehicle 4677
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

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).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026