2002 Toyota Rav4 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (249) · Power Train (100) · Vehicle Speed Control (34)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Rav4 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
474 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (116)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 116 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-05-24 · Vehicle Speed Control“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 betw…”
2023-10-03 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 130,000 mi“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 deter…”
2022-05-05 · Power Train“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 transmissi…”
2022-01-07 · Power Train · 123,000 mi“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…”
2021-03-03 · Power Train“2002 toyota rav. consumer writes in regards to transmission problems. *ld *js…”
2020-08-11 · Power Train · 104,000 mi“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, althou…”
2020-07-22 · Power Train · 77,010 mi“vehicle stalls and jerks constantly while driving; unable to accelerate after stoplight. very unpredictable.this is due to defective ecm which toyota has been aware of but refuses to list as a recall.i purchased the used car 1 month ago --- had no idea it had this serious, dangerous problem. took it to toyota dealer which is saying it will cost $5…”
2019-08-19 · Unknown Or Other · 129,000 mi“2002 rav4 ecu shifting problem (dtc code p0755). the car jitters when switching from gear 1 to 2 as well on reverse. it also jitters when it drives on low gear. there is an well known problem with rav4 2001-2003 but toyota has failed to recall it, despite being a safety hazard as it has caused accidents and bodily injury. it has the high likelihood…”
2019-06-15 · Steering · 225,000 mi“power steering stopped while driving. vehicle had to be manually steered to local mechanic for diagnosis. shop stated they hadn't seen power steering spewing from power steering fluid well upon removal of lid while vehicle was on.…”
2019-04-10 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 162,344 mi“the past couple weeks my car had been laghing more an more when at complete stop. this past week it has been the worst. whenever i try to accelerate from.a complete stop my car with lag and jerk like it is trying to shift into gear but cant. when i took it in to a transmission specialist they said it was my ecm and that this year specifically has h…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.