1997 Toyota RAV4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
111,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 34 complaints (8.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 14.7% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10010157 · 2003-03-08 (March 8, 2003)
MY RAV HAS HAD 2 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS THE FIRST AT 16,000 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 49,000 MILES. THE FIRST ONE HAPPENED WHEN IT STALLED OUT GOING THROUGH AN EXTREMELY LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE ACCESS ROAD AND THE SECOND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041719 · 2003-10-13 (October 13, 2003)
MY RAV 4 HAS HAD A VERY COSTLY AND DIFFICULT-TO-FIX ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE LAST 3 MONTHS. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAD STALLING PROBLEMS AND ONCE DIED COMPLETELY. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE WORKED ON IT AND NOBODY HAS YET BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. IT HAS ALWAYS COME BACK. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN SAID THAT IT HAS TO FAIL COMPLETELY AGAIN BEFORE THEY CAN ATTEMPT TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. THAT MEANS I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO BE STRANDED UNTIL SOMEONE CAN MAYBE FIX THE VEHICLE. I MAY BE FORCED TO SELL THE VEHICLE FO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010158 · 2003-03-08 (March 8, 2003)
MY RAV 4 - 57348 MILES. IT STARTED MAKING A TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND IT HAS MAKES A METAL ON METAL VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I MAKE A GRADUAL LEFT TURN AND DECELERATE. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAY IT MAY BE THAT THE LIFTERS ARE A BIT WORN AND THAT THIS WILL NOT HARM ANYTHING. THIS IS ODD BECAUSE A NEW ENGINE WAS PLACED IN THE CAR AT 49,000 + MILES. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT THE VIBRATION NOISE WAS AND SAID THAT IT IS POSSIBLY A ROCK IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I KNOW WHAT THAT SOUNDS LIKE AND STRONGLY DIS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724176 · 2000-06-19 (June 19, 2000)
UPON START UP OF ENGINE, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL "LOCKED UP" AS PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR. TURNED OUT ENGINE WAS STALLING OUT. CAR ALSO WOULD TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN AFTER RESTARTING ENGINE AND PUT INTO DRIVE. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS IDLE CONTROL VALVE PROBLEM AND REPLACED PART. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090936 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
FIFTH GEAR FAILED, NEED TO REPLACE ENTIRE MANUAL TRANSMISSION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10692661 · 2015-03-06 (March 6, 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, FLUIDS WERE DRAINED . CAR SENT TO DARCARS TOYOTA THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED, AND NOW FACING SEVERE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, BECAUSE LACK OF RECALL RPR 'S ISSUE VERY DETRIMENTAL AND RISKY . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 874720 · 2000-11-09 (November 9, 2000)
STEERING WHEEL NUT BECAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING, DAMAGING CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY WHICH CONTROL AIRBAG, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATED STEERING WHEEL NUT MUST HAVE COME FROM MANUFACTURER LOOSE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 874720 at NHTSA ↗