1997 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RAV4 years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 28th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Toyota RAV4. That ranks 28th out of 31 RAV4 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (10 complaints, 19%), typically at around 113,000 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 54owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Toyota RAV4 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 19% | 113,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 13% | 119,002 | — | — |
| Structure | 6 | 11% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 5 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 9% | 114,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 4% | 81,982 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 4% | 113,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 4% | 82,997 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Toyota RAV4 recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 1997 Toyota RAV4.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle alarm add on module and harness were found to be faulty and has shorted out upon inspection of module i have found burnt circuits . Vehicle is unable to start also leading to believe the ecm has been effected .
1997 rav4 awd 109000 dealer serviced took in for a oil change 2/18/16 dealer informed me that the cradle assy has a tennis ball size hole in it near next to left control arm , $2361.30 to replace or junk the vehicle not safe to drive, vehicle serviced every 5000 miles and its brought to my…
Received warranty enhancement notice-ze7, as instructed, dealer test was performed. Oil loss totals under 1qt. For ea. 1200 miles driven. Was told this did not qualify for repair. My concern is this: toyota service required for oil change is every 5,000 miles. My car has excessive oil consumption…
Rav 4 toyota 1997-was unable to drive more than 30 miles without the rpr increased without control, transmission and engine become extremely hot, fluids were drained . Car sent to darcars toyota thermostat was replaced, and now facing severe transmission issues, because lack of recall rpr 's issue…
My son was driving, hit a pothole, and the sub frame completely broke in half. Upon inspection, i found that it had been rotting out from the top. *tr
Other Toyota RAV4 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 RAV4 | 90 | 3 |
| 2024 RAV4 | 176 | 3 |
| 2023 RAV4 | 159 | 3 |
| 2022 RAV4 | 149 | 1 |
| 2021 RAV4 | 387 | 1 |
| 2020 RAV4 | 635 | 6 |
| 2019 RAV4 | 879 | 7 |
| 2018 RAV4 | 333 | 3 |
| 2017 RAV4 | 307 | 3 |
| 2016 RAV4 | 240 | 3 |
| 2015 RAV4 | 305 | 4 |
| 2014 RAV4 | 197 | 4 |
| 2013 RAV4 | 257 | 2 |
| 2012 RAV4 | 260 | 5 |
| 2011 RAV4 | 287 | 11 |
| 2010 RAV4 | 400 | 14 |
| 2009 RAV4 | 327 | 15 |
| 2008 RAV4 | 575 | 14 |
| 2007 RAV4 | 1,004 | 14 |
| 2006 RAV4 | 705 | 11 |
| 2005 RAV4 | 141 | 5 |
| 2004 RAV4 | 154 | 2 |
| 2003 RAV4 | 315 | 0 |
| 2002 RAV4 | 527 | 0 |
| 2001 RAV4 | 309 | 0 |
| 2000 RAV4 | 30 | 3 |
| 1999 RAV4 | 62 | 4 |
| 1998 RAV4 | 77 | 4 |
| 1997 | 54 | 0 |
| 1996 RAV4 | 47 | 0 |
| 1995 RAV4 | 1 | 0 |
See all Toyota RAV4 problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota RAV4?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control, structure problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 10 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Toyota RAV4?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 1997 Toyota RAV4 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RAV4 model years, the 1997 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.