Most common 2000 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of the 30 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota RAV4 complaints by model year
Best RAV4 years: 2014. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
2000 Toyota RAV4 recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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 inflator.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the parking lock rod.
Service brakes, air › Disc › Rotor
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.
Remedy: 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 wheels.
What 2000 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Speed control & acceleration
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 caused more internal damage than you'd think" and he wondered about high speed. I am asking you to look into the possibility of rapid acceleration vs brake issue, resulting in a higher energy (than would be expected) crash. I have the police report etc. Previously, she had never even received a ticket (and was almost 59 yrs old). Thank you.
When the car is stopped at traffic lights, the engine revs up on its own and starts moving. The foot is only on the brake and not touching the accelerator. This has happened several times in the past many years but not always. Whenever it happens, I bring it to 'neutral' from 'drive' gear position to stop it from moving. As I am hearing recalls somewhat related to this kind of issues, I am bringing it up so that it May also be taken into account in your investigation.
Wheels & tires
We were on vacation and traveling the speed limit, 75, in pueblo, co when the rear passenger side tire blew. From what witnesses said they saw smoke coming from that tire before I lost control of the vehicle. We ended up going off the road on to a grassy median where we hit an incline, went airborne and then landed motor first and rolled for a good bit before the vehicle came to a stop. The airbags never deployed and from what the witnesses said, it seemed to have all started with the smoking tire. I did not realize that Bridgestone was made by Firestone before taking this drive from denton, tx to denver, co (our final destination). It was reported to the pueblo police department at the time of the accident. It occured on I-25 in pueblo, co. If any further information is needed, please contact me. The vehicle is still in pueblo for repairs.( dot number: tire size: 16 )
We were on vacation and traveling the speed limit, 75, in pueblo, co when the rear passenger side tire blew. From what witnesses said they saw smoke coming from that tire before I lost control of the vehicle. We ended up going off the road on to a grassy median where we hit an incline, went airborne and then landed motor first and rolled for a good bit before the vehicle came to a stop. The airbags never deployed and from what the witnesses said, it seemed to have all started with the smoking tire. I did not realize that Bridgestone was made by Firestone before taking this drive from denton, tx to denver, co (our final destination). It was reported to the pueblo police department at the time of the accident. It occured on I-25 in pueblo, co. If any further information is needed, please contact me. The vehicle is still in pueblo for repairs.( dot number: tire size: 16 )
Transmission & drivetrain
Manual transmission intermittently came out of fifth gear and went into neutral while driving 50-70 MPH. Car was taken to an repair facility other than Toyota, where a service bulletin was found. Car was then taken to Toyota dealer and the transmission was rebuilt. Toyota of America was notified. I was informed that Toyota did not consider this 'problem' which they knew of worthy of a recall because it did not effect enough vehicles.
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 the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage was 145,000.
2000 Toyota RAV4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 2WD | 81 / 64 / 72 MPGe | 88 mi | |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 26 / 23 | — |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 | — |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 24 / 22 | — |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 23 / 21 | — |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Toyota RAV4 a good car?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 RAV4 rates better than average: 92% fewer complaints than a typical year of the RAV4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Toyota RAV4?
The speed control & acceleration — 7 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the wheels & tires (6) and transmission & drivetrain (5).
How many recalls does the 2000 Toyota RAV4 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2000 Toyota RAV4, the most recent from January 22, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota RAV4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025. See the full Toyota RAV4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota RAV4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 108,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.