Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Toyota RAV4, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Vehicle speed control7
- Structure6
- Power train5
- Air bags5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Seat belts3
- Electrical system3
- Seats2
- Tires2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 9 1997 RAV4 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 7 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Toyota RAV4 failed the safety check 1.19% of the time — 26% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 154,008 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
72 first registered in 1997 are on Dutch roads; 51% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen54
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde30
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm16
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld16
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht15
- Band onvoldoende profiel12
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot11
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse10
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
282 cars built in 1997 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 614 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 513 of these cars first registered in 1997 took their annual MOT test. 58% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1997 the figure was 64%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12.9% | 12.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.9% | 16.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.8% | 9.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.4% | 7.2% |
| Brakes | 7.4% | 11.8% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.7% | 3.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
1,219 1997 cars are on the New Zealand register; 87% arrived as used imports, 11% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 10.4–11.5 L/100 km (about 20–23 mpg US), CO₂ 239–265 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 9.1 | 10.4 |
| RAV4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.3 | 9.3 | 10.4 |
| RAV4 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 10.2 | 11.4 |
| RAV4 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.6 | 10.3 | 11.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1997 Toyota RAV4.
| 1996170 21 Oct 1996 | Lights And Instruments THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 108 - LIGHTING. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) RELAY THAT SWITCHES THE DRL CIRCUIT TO THE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT, WHICH L… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1997 Toyota RAV4.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Toyota told its dealers about the 1997 Toyota RAV4: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 622975 | SUBJECT REGARDING BRANICK SPRING ADAPTER. *ET |
| 622728 | INFORMATION REGARDING SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR TAPE SET. *JB |
| 618314 | SUBJECT REGARDING IMPROVED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. *JB |
| 618313 | SUBJECT REGARDING SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC X05) - REPLACED TRANSAXLE RETURN PROCEDURE (4WD AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PINION GEAR WASHER REPLACEMENT). *JB |
| 610086 | SUBJECT REGARDING FINAL OWNER NOTICES FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN X05 - AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE INION GEAR WASHER. *TT |
| 608125 | INFORMATION ON THE IMPROVED COWL TOP VENTILATOR LOUVER SUB-ASSEMBY. *TT |
| 608119 | SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR WASHERS ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN A54OH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. *TT |
| 604667 | SUBJECT REGARDING TOYOTA DINGHY TOWING GUIDE. *TT |
| 601608 | REPAIR PROCEDURES ON TAILPIPE DURABILITY. *YC |
| 600865 | PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE DOOR LOCK OPERATION "FEEL". *YC |
| 600684 | REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT AXLE HUB NUT. *YC |
| 600201 | PROCEDURE THAT IMPROVES DOOR LOCK OPERATION. *YC |
| 600195 | A FIELD FIX PROCEDURE THAT IMPROVES THE FEEL OF THE FRONT DOOR LOCK KNOB OPEATION. *TT |
| 53041 | CLARIFYING THE INSTALLATION INSTURCTIONS FOR THE REAR STEP RECEIVER HITCH. *YC |
| 52150 | LARGE FENDER FLARE MUDGUARD INSTALLATION. *JD |
| 52146 | DOOR HANDLE OPERATION. *JD |
| 52119 | '97 RAV4 LARGE FENDER FLARE MUDGUARD INSTALLATION. *JD |
| 52116 | RAV4 FRONT DOOR HANDLE OPERATION. *JD |
| 10244113 | TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate. |
| 10214323 | TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions |
| 10207946 | POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well. |
| 10197476 | Replacement vin plates. |
| 10197473 | Product general information. |
| 10190460 | Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements |
| 10190453 | TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)