There are no safety recalls for the 2001 Toyota RAV4, but owners have filed 309 complaints with NHTSA.
2001 Toyota RAV4 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Power Train | 191 | |
| Electrical System | 60 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 28 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 21 | |
| Air Bags | 13 | |
| Visibility | 12 | |
| Unknown or Other | 12 | |
| Engine | 9 | |
| Structure | 8 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 8 | |
| Steering | 6 | |
Most reported parts
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 121
- Visibility › Windshield — 7
- Air Bags › Frontal — 7
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc — 6
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 6
- Power Train › Manual Transmission — 4
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components — 4
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 4
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 102,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2001 Toyota RAV4 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Air Bags · reported Jan 30, 2024
My Rav4 is 23 years old and has 76K miles on it. Does it have Takata airbags? If so, I want them replaced. I plan on driving my car until I die and I don't want the airbags to take me out. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Nov 5, 2023
2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a…
Engine · at 111,219 miles · reported Mar 9, 2019
My 2001 silver toyota rav 4 had a sudden unintended acceleration problem when I was decelerating to a complete stop at an already congested intersection with traffic lights. I was applying brake pressure from 20 MPH, down to 15,10,5, down to 2 MPH, coming to a complete stop, my rav 4 engine suddenly started to rev-up/race wildly and very loud in a matter of 3, or 4-5 seconds (The engine/RPM sounded similar one would hear when you would be accelerating entering a freeway via the entrance ramp). My rav 4 shot forward so fast like it was on some rocket launching pad. My foot was on my brake pedal…
Structure · at 111,219 miles · reported Feb 22, 2019
My 2001 rav 4 rear ended a car in front of me, and it was due to a major unintended acceleration of the engine. I AM an experienced driver with no prior accidents and my foot was not on the wrong pedal when I was slowing down - applying my brake pedal when I was approaching a bumper to bumper congested intersection (Around 5pm). All of a sudden as I applied more pressure on my brake pedal de-accelerating from 20 MPH down to 10 then to 5 MPH to 2 MPH, my 2001 rav 4 engine suddenly accelerated (The engine started to race and the RPM was going crazy making a loud engine sound) I was only 10-15…
Power Train · at 120,000 miles · reported Mar 5, 2018
My rav 4 2001 has about 140,000 miles on it and has developed a serious problem. To clarify, a massive acceleration problem is occurring when I've been driving the car for 15 to 20 minutes, then suddenly - while I'm at a stop light, the SUV's engine races wildly loud like what you hear at the indy 500... It jerked and felt like it internally controlled my accelerator foot pad! I had to apply a massive amount of pressure on the brake pad before I had a chance to quickly shift my car into park to prevent running over pedestrians and hitting cars in front of me at the stop light! My rav 4 engine…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2001 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2001 Toyota RAV4 as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota RAV4?
Owners report power train problems most often (191 reports), followed by electrical system (60). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 102,000 miles.
Are Toyota recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.