The 2000 Toyota RAV4 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 140,378 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0330002020-01-22138,842 affected
Defect
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection,…
POWER TRAIN00V2110002000-08-09756 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE REPEATEDLY PARKED BY PLACING THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE "P" POSITION WITHOUT APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE PARKING LOCK ROD, A COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION PARKING LOCK SYSTEM, COULD BREAK.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RENDER THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK ROD.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR00V2120002000-08-09780 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR, WHEN EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, CAN DEVELOP STRESS FRACTURES IF THE LUG NUTS ARE TIGHTENED WITH EXCESSIVE TORQUE.
Consequence
THE DISC ROTOR COULD BREAK (WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE WHEEL), RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND STEEL WHEELS WITH NEW DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND NEW ALUMINUM WHEELS. IN ADDITION A CAUTION LABEL THAT READS, "USE NEW GENUINE TOYOTA ALUMINUM WHEELS." WILL BE AFFIXED. VEHICLES…
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
7
3crashes2deaths
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
4
TIRES
3
2crashes4injuries
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
3
ENGINE
2
AIR BAGS
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints34
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Sent for inspection failed for bad control arm and for rusted out engine cradle needs replaced”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota rav4. While driving 60 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the engine and the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 toyota rav4. While driving 60 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the engine and the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate…”
“The engine cradle and control arms are prematurely corroded. There are unusually large holes in the steel. Vehicle is unsafe. *js”
“I have a 2000 toyota rav4 that will not pass nys safety inspection, because of a rusted front engine subframe. This is an important component of the frame and seems that it is defective early in the cars lifespan, the car has 108k miles on it. *tr”
“Was traveling approximately 45 mph in a 2000 toyota rav4. Moved to left lane to pass and accelerated to approx. 49 mph. Accelerator jolted to a very high rpm and speed increased dramatically. Moved into a left hand turn lane; and put the vehicle into "neutral". After 10-12 seconds the vehicle's…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 Toyota RAV4 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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