Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Toyota RAV4, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train376
- Electrical system92
- Engine and engine cooling41
- Vehicle speed control36
- Unknown or other23
- Air bags22
- Engine22
- Electronic stability control (esc)16
- Steering8
- Structure5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 48 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 31 2002 RAV4 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 26 people died inside them, and 5 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 2002 Toyota RAV4 failed the safety check 1.69% of the time — 16% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 145,799 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2002 Toyota RAV4 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 1.8 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 535 |
| 1.8 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 221 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
783 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 39% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde377
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk270
- Band onvoldoende profiel227
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen178
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld165
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm162
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse158
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)152
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
2,220 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,864 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, 3,760 of these cars first registered in 2002 took their annual MOT test. 62% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2002 the figure was 58%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.6% | 20.8% |
| Suspension | 8.4% | 15.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.6% | 6.9% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 13.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.3% | 9.7% |
| Visibility | 3.2% | 7.7% |
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 Finland
48 of these cars first registered in 2002 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 327,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
925 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 19% arrived as used imports, 78% 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 2 variants: combined 10.9 L/100 km (about 22 mpg US), CO₂ 251 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAV4 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.9 | 9.6 | 10.9 |
| RAV4 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.0 | 9.5 | 10.9 |
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 2002 Toyota RAV4.
| 2021723 24 Nov 2021 | Electrical Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicl… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2002 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 2002 Toyota RAV4: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634045 | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CALIBRATION UPDATE - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0420 OR P0430 AND ENHANCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TT |
| 634034 | LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. *TT |
| 634017 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A HIGH-PTICHED WIND WHISTLE FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT |
| 634014 | SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS - THE NEW IMMOBILIZER RESET FEATURE THAT ALLOWS THE REGISTRATION OF A NEW MASTER KEY EVEN IF ALL ORIGINAL MASTER KEYS ARE LOST. *TT |
| 634013 | THIS SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDES A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE FOR THE TOYOTA MAGNE CHARGE INDUCTIVE CHARGER MODEL TCG 2000. *TT |
| 630838 | VEHICLE MAY EXHIBIT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROULBE CODE P0442. *YH |
| 629481 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIND WHISTLE FROM FRONT EDGE OF HOOD. *YD |
| 628678 | INFORMATION ON NOISE FROM TOP OF DASH. *TT |
| 627202 | SUBJECT REGARDING REAR BRAKE SQUEAL NOISE. *YD |
| 11007445 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
| 11007444 | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. |
| 11007443 | Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, |
| 11006151 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
| 11006150 | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. |
| 11006149 | Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, |
| 11005153 | Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. |
| 11005149 | Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. |
| 11003649 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
| 11003647 | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. PD017-04. The entire bulletin has been updated. |
| 11003644 | Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, |
| 11003594 | The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation |
| 11003592 | To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. PD017-04. The entire bulletin has been updated. |
| 11003589 | Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, |
| 10253223 | This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website. |
| 10251070 | OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)