2001 Toyota RAV4 problems
Owners have filed 418 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota RAV4. Transmission is the most reported problem area, at 31% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (15%) and electrical system (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 418 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Transmission 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 28 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 17 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 105,000 miles 309 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 13 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 33 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 77 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 70 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 49 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 23 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 20 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 7 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 309 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 105,000 miles. For transmission specifically, the median reported mileage is about 98,000 miles (119 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 28 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 17 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 22nd most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the Toyota RAV4 with enough data (88 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The consumer loss control of vehicle going 65MPH on a straight path, the vehicle was rapidly thrown to the right and left several times after it rolled over 8-10 times.
While traveling at approximately 50 MPH another vehicle crossed into consumer's path which resulted in front end of consumer's vehicle colliding with other vehicle. Passenger's seat belt failed to remain locked into buckle, which allowed restraint belt to come loose. Passenger was thrown against rear view mirror as a result of restraint belt releasing. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
While driving 35MPH down a hill, had applied brakes, and vehicle failed to slow down. Vehicle jumped the sidewalk, and hit a cement wall. Driver suffered injuries.
2001 rav4 transmission did not want to change gears. Took to dealer, denied problem. Took to another shop, changed to new ECM in transmission. Problem fixed. Toyota needs to own up to bad parts.
Apparently there was a TSB issued on this and a customer care ticket issued and a recall but being as my car is 11 years old and 137,000 it falls outside of the parameters toyota set of 10 years or 150,000 miles toyota will not fix this problem that will cost upwards of $4000!! I cannot understand how a problem that they acknowledge will happen has happened and they don't want to fix it. I don't know what else to do.