MYRModel Year Report

1997 Toyota RAV4

▲ Better than typical
1997 Toyota RAV4
RENDERED 2026-09-16T07:24:04.963Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota RAV4 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaints 1996: 47 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1997 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 154 complaints 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 704 complaints 2006 2007: 1004 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 287 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2013: 257 complaints 2014: 197 complaints 2014 2015: 303 complaints 2016: 238 complaints 2017: 307 complaints 2018: 331 complaints 2018 2019: 876 complaints 2020: 633 complaints 2021: 385 complaints 2022: 143 complaints 2022 2023: 153 complaints 2024: 171 complaints 2025: 85 complaints 2025
1997: 54 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19944
19951
199647
199754
199877
199962
200030
2001309
2002527
2003314
2004154
2005141
2006704
20071004
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011287
2012260
2013257
2014197
2015303
2016238
2017307
2018331
2019876
2020633
2021385
2022143
2023153
2024171
202585

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%

19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

MY RAV 4 - 57348 MILES. IT STARTED MAKING A TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND IT HAS MAKES A METAL ON METAL VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I MAKE A GRADUAL LEFT TURN AND DECELERATE. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030308

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13%

13% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASH INJURY
STRUCTURE 11%

11% of complaints: structure — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing underbody shields and frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

WE TOOK OUR 1997 RAV4 TO THE MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131203

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120327

THE SUB-FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20120321

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission.

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STEEP HILL AT 35 MPH, AND UPON GOING DOWN A HILL, VEHICLE FISH TAILED OUT OF CONTROL. HITTING A MEDIAN STRIP. CONSUMER HAD TO SWERVE RIGHT, AND WENT INTO A TAIL SPIN OUT OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050214

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. THE FINAL ACCIDENT WAS A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT AT 40 MPH IN WHICH DRIVER WAS HURT. CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980714

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1996 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2019 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Toyota RAV4 is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota RAV4?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota RAV4 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.