2000 Toyota RAV4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
102,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 30 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Tires: 3; Visibility:Windshield: 3; Engine: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 12 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 3; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10099314 · 2004-11-03 (November 3, 2004)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CAME OUT OF FIFTH GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MPH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197731 · 2007-07-28 (July 28, 2007)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CAME OUT OF FIFTH GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MPH. CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN REPAIR FACILITY OTHER THAN TOYOTA, WHERE A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS FOUND. CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. TOYOTA OF AMERICA WAS NOTIFIED. I WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA DID NOT CONSIDER THIS 'PROBLEM' WHICH THEY KNEW OF WORTHY OF A RECALL BECAUSE IT DID NOT EFFECT ENOUGH VEHICLES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10304547 · 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)
WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, THE ENGINE REVS UP ON ITS OWN AND STARTS MOVING. THE FOOT IS ONLY ON THE BRAKE AND NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST MANY YEARS BUT NOT ALWAYS. WHENEVER IT HAPPENS, I BRING IT TO 'NEUTRAL' FROM 'DRIVE' GEAR POSITION TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. AS I AM HEARING RECALLS SOMEWHAT RELATED TO THIS KIND OF ISSUES, I AM BRINGING IT UP SO THAT IT MAY ALSO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN YOUR INVESTIGATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10304547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319375 · 2010-03-13 (March 13, 2010)
WHEN THE NEWS CAME OUT REGARDING THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH THE TOYOTAS, I RECALLED HAVING A SIMILAR PROGRAM WITH MY 2000 RAV 4. ON JULY 8,2002 I EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS GOING AROUND 55 MPH ON FREEWAY, WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. DESPITE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 70MPH FROM 55MPH. I TRIED PUTTING MY FOOT UNDER THE THROTTLE TO PULL IT UP WITHOUT SUCCESS, I ALSO TRIED PUSHING BACK ON THE MAT, THINKING THE MATT WAS IN THE WAY, BUT T…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,112 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008771 · 2002-04-16 (April 16, 2002)
FUEL TANK ACCESS DOOR HAS DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN OPENED (TO GAIN ACCESS TO FUEL CAP), IT RUBS THE EDGE OF THE VEHICLE BODY PANEL SURROUNDING THE ACCESS DOOR. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH MODEL 2001, AS A FRIEND HAS REPORTED THE SAME COMPLAINT. AS FOR THE VEHICLE GLASS, IT WAS SCRATCHED EASILY FROM ROAD DEBRIS BEING RUBBED BY THE WIPERS, AND ALSO INSIDE OF THE GLASS GRIT. THIS HAS NEVER OCCURRED WITH PREVIOUS VEHICLES OWNED, SO THE GLASS MUST BE UNUSUALLY SOFT.**** DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****760761. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11697471 · 2025-11-04 (November 4, 2025)
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while inspecting the battery, there were white hard stains on the battery and the parts holding the battery in place, causing the battery to move independently, allowing the battery to leak. An Independent mechanic was contacted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic. The battery was replaced at Jiffy Lube, and the contact was informed that a screw was missing and that the battery was loose. The contact was…
Owner-reported narrative. 172,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11697471 at NHTSA ↗