There are no safety recalls for the 2002 Toyota RAV4, but owners have filed 527 complaints with NHTSA.
2002 Toyota RAV4 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Power Train | 379 | |
| Electrical System | 93 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 41 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 36 | |
| Air Bags | 23 | |
| Unknown or Other | 23 | |
| Engine | 22 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 16 | |
| Steering | 8 | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 5 | |
| Structure | 5 | |
| Equipment | 4 | |
Most reported parts
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 255
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 13
- Air Bags › Frontal — 5
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 4
- Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood — 2
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 2
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 2
- Power Train › Manual Transmission — 2
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 94,000 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 2002 Toyota RAV4 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · reported May 24, 2024
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…
Power Train · at 130,000 miles · reported Oct 3, 2023
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.
Power Train · reported May 5, 2022
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…
Power Train · at 123,000 miles · reported Jan 7, 2022
The contact owned a 2002 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard. The brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle spun 360 degrees and stopped on the opposite side of the road. No warning light illuminated. The contact called the independent mechanic who advised her to turn off the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and drove the vehicle approximately 3-feet before the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic and diagnosed with rear differential failure. The contact was informed that…
Power Train · at 104,000 miles · reported Aug 11, 2020
Erratic shifting especially at low speeds. Problem is intermittent. Car may lock in high gear (4 speed automatic) or seem to be stuck in 2 gears at once and refuse to move at all. Can bang harshly when shifting. Locked up at a busy intersection nearly causing an accident. At other times it works perfectly. Has not occurred at highway speeds, although the problem just began a few days ago. Before that there was no hint of a problem.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2002 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2002 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 2002 Toyota RAV4?
Owners report power train problems most often (379 reports), followed by electrical system (93). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 94,000 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.