Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Toyota RAV4, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 15% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 15% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 12% |
| Tires | 4 | 10% |
| Wheels | 3 | 7% |
| Visibility | 3 | 7% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
SENT FOR INSPECTION FAILED FOR BAD CONTROL ARM AND FOR RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE NEEDS REPLACED
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 R
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS REMAINS ON THOUGH THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT CAN BE FOUND BY ANY REPAIR SHOPS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF FIFTH GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I SENT INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY RE MY MOTHER'S ACCIDENT BUT DID NOT HAVE THE VIN. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR, FATAL FRONT-END MVA INTO A SMALL, RESULTING IN WHAT THE MECHANIC CALLED "INCREDIBLE DAMAGE TO ENGINE - IT
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE ENGINE CRADLE AND CONTROL ARMS ARE PREMATURELY CORRODED. THERE ARE UNUSUALLY LARGE HOLES IN THE STEEL. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. *JS
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2000 Toyota RAV4. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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 t
Fix: 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
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RENDER THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK ROD.
| Reliability | 90 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 88 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 6 of them (15%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 90/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 88/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 78/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.