2002 TOYOTA RAV4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

682

Owner Complaints

49 Crashes 20 Fires

0

Recalls

NO ACTIVE RECALLS

8

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4

The 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 has received a total of 682 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (255 complaints), Power Train (118 complaints), and Electrical System (88 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4

There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. No Active Recalls

Owner Complaints for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4

682 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 255 6 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 118 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 88 2 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 34 5 Crashes 4 Injuries
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 23 1 Fire 1 Injury
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 23 1 Injury
Engine
Complaints: 22 2 Crashes 1 Fire 7 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 17 17 Crashes 11 Fires 34 Injuries
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 16
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 13 1 Crash 1 Injury
Steering
Complaints: 7
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 5 3 Crashes 1 Injury
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 5 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Suspension
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 1 Fire 6 Injuries
Tires
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 2
Equipment
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 2
Structure
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert
Complaints: 1
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 1
Equipment Adaptivemobility
Complaints: 1
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
Complaints: 1
Equipmentmechanicalcarrierrack
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherdelivery
Complaints: 1
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 5 Injuries
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11590615 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's the same case as they saw from different RAV4's recall problem. This car was handled very carefully and this is the only occurring problem. With engine light being on and off, it is my concern that I need to have this car inspected, related to Toyota RAV4 recalls.
#11590615 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's the same case as they saw from different RAV4's recall problem. This car was handled very carefully and this is the only occurring problem. With engine light being on and off, it is my concern that I need to have this car inspected, related to Toyota RAV4 recalls.
#11590615 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | N/A miles
My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's the same case as they saw from different RAV4's recall problem. This car was handled very carefully and this is the only occurring problem. With engine light being on and off, it is my concern that I need to have this car inspected, related to Toyota RAV4 recalls.
#11547973 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | | 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
#11463498 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
2002 Toyota RAV4 AWD transmission problems and will be available upon request. Transmission caused vehicle to disengaged , jerks, stalls with severed engine braking while driving creating a safety performance and hazard on the roads to myself and other unexpected drivers. Upon reading similar complaints of other owners reported similar transmission problems. This was believed to be a reproduced problem and should be investigated for Safety-Related defects. The vehicle was inspected by manufacture according to previous owner. Manufacturer recently replaced transmission and updated ECM per previous owner. The vehicle appeared in working order for 3-4 months then the transmission problems occurred again as mentioned above. There was no warning lights while I experienced this transmission problem.

View all Power Trainautomatic Transmission complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4

Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

POL-10-03 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TOYOTA: CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM (CSP ZTL) WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR SPECIFIC MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ON DIAGNOSTIC CODE AND/OR HARSH SHIFT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. *PE

00504 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

BACK DOOR RATTLES. *MJ

00402 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATION OR SLIGHT SPEED VARIATIONS WITH CRUISE CONTROL. *TT

SS00301 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

EV00202 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDES A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE FOR THE TOYOTA MAGNE CHARGE INDUCTIVE CHARGER MODEL TCG 2000. *TT

EG01002 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CALIBRATION UPDATE - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0420 OR P0430 AND ENHANCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TT

EG00802 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE MAY EXHIBIT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROULBE CODE P0442. *YH

NV00402 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

SUBJECT REGARDING WIND WHISTLE FROM FRONT EDGE OF HOOD. *YD

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 TOYOTA RAV4

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the TOYOTA RAV4

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Other TOYOTA Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report