Toyota

RAV4 (2000)

2000 · Compact SUV · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.0)
31 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
5 Crash Reports
View all 5 generations of the Toyota RAV4 → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Toyota RAV4 Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.0)
30 complaints 30.0 per year
1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
8
wheels tires
6
transmission
5
body
2
engine
2

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (6 complaints)
Transmission Issues (5 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (2 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

3S-FE

2.0L 4-cyl / 120 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
1

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Toyota RAV4 regardless of engine variant.

Wheels & Tires Issues (6 complaints)
wheels_tires critical
Transmission Issues (5 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (3)

20V033000Jan 21, 2020critical
Air Bags

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 manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

00V212000Sep 7, 2000serious
Service Brakes, Air

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.

00V211000Sep 7, 2000serious
Powertrain

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.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 problems?

The 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 has accumulated 31 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Wheels & Tires, Transmission, Body/Trim. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Toyota RAV4 engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 a good used car?

The 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 31 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 have?

The 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 has 31 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4?

There are 3 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2000 Toyota RAV4 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Toyota RAV4?

Before buying a used Toyota RAV4, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Wheels & Tires, Transmission, Body/Trim, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the RAV4 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Toyota RAV4. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 31 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-07-24.

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