1997 Model Year

Toyota RAV4

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
54
Recalls
0
Crashes
9
Severe
17

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Electrical System
Aug 2019

VEHICLE ALARM ADD ON MODULE AND HARNESS WERE FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND HAS SHORTED OUT UPON INSPECTION OF MODULE I HAVE FOUND BURNT CIRCUITS . VEHICLE IS...

Structure
Feb 2016

1997 RAV4 AWD 109000 DEALER SERVICED TOOK IN FOR A OIL CHANGE 2/18/16 DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE CRADLE ASSY HAS A TENNIS BALL SIZE HOLE IN IT NEAR N...

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Jun 2015

RAV 4 TOYOTA 1997-WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 30 MILES WITHOUT THE RPR INCREASED WITHOUT CONTROL, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BECOME EXTREMELY HOT, FLUI...

Engine
Apr 2015

RECEIVED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE-ZE7, AS INSTRUCTED, DEALER TEST WAS PERFORMED. OIL LOSS TOTALS UNDER 1QT. FOR EA. 1200 MILES DRIVEN. WAS TOLD THI...

Structure
Apr 2014

MY SON WAS DRIVING, HIT A POTHOLE, AND THE SUB FRAME COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT IT HAD BEEN ROTTING OUT FROM THE TOP. *T...

Structure
Mar 2013

WE TOOK OUR 1997 RAV4 TO THE MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND DANGER...

Structure
Mar 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THEY DETECT...

Structure
Mar 2012

THE SUB-FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JS

Structure
Oct 2011

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SOME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO BE DONE AND WAS CALLED TO COME IN BY THE MECHANIC. HE SHOWED ME UNDER MY CAR, MORE SPECIFICALLY T...

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 2010

GAS PEDAL STICKS. *TR

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1997 Toyota RAV4 has 54 complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Engine. 9 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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