1998 Toyota RAV4
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.
- Complaints
- 77
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
22% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 77 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 47 |
| 1997 | 54 |
| 1998 | 77 |
| 1999 | 62 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 309 |
| 2002 | 527 |
| 2003 | 315 |
| 2004 | 154 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 705 |
| 2007 | 1,004 |
| 2008 | 575 |
| 2009 | 327 |
| 2010 | 400 |
| 2011 | 287 |
| 2012 | 260 |
| 2013 | 257 |
| 2014 | 197 |
| 2015 | 305 |
| 2016 | 239 |
| 2017 | 307 |
| 2018 | 332 |
| 2019 | 883 |
| 2020 | 639 |
| 2021 | 388 |
| 2022 | 145 |
| 2023 | 163 |
| 2024 | 175 |
| 2025 | 91 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
22% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
Even after I replaced the brake pads while doing maintenance, the brakes are still loose at times, mostly after running on the highway.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-30
Air bags
17% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated while making a left turn at an intersection, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of their vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-03-17
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Toyota RAV4. The contact was driving 60 MPH and attempted to avoid a tractor trailer.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-22
Also filed under Seat belts
Consumer was driving approximately 50 miles and was impacted by a head-on collision of a 75 Chevrolet nova. The air bag deployed, shredding the steering wheel cover, injuring the driver. The vehicle was totalled during this crash.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-08-20
Vehicle speed control
16% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.
Show complaint excerpts
On September 9, 2010 my wife was approaching a parking spot in a walgreens drug store lot in our 1998 Toyota rav 4. She couldn't have been traveling at a speed of more than 5 to 10 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2010-09-18
Power train
13% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
I was driving uphill on 4 lane highway when I noticed speed dropping, I had dropped to 50 MPH, then started to hear metal banging, I was starting to head to burm when some very loud metallic bangs happened, and one or more wheels locked up and sent...
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-10
Engine and engine cooling
6% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
The consumer was parking the vehicle without prior warning the vehicle accelerated into wall please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem.…
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-10
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1998-11-03Electrical system98E035000 Equipment description: aftermarket theft deterrent systems used on 1998-1998 Toyota RAV4, avalon, and sienna model vehicles distributed by southeast Toyota distributors, inc. In the states of…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code label on the security system harness and any displaying the manufacturing/final date code will be replaced with newly produced harnesses. The date codes are: RAV4…
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2000-09-25Power train00V211000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the parking lock rod.
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2000-09-25Service brakes, air00V212000 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…
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2020-08-28Air bags20V033000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles.
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.
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Date not on fileElectrical system98V278000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles, mini vans and passenger vehicles equipped with a theft deterrent systems (Tds) supplied by audiovox corporation and distributed by southeast Toyota distributors, inc.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code label on the security system harness and any displaying the manufacturing/final date code will be replaced with newly produced harnesses.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 13 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 12 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V278000 · Electrical system
- Recall 98E035000 · Electrical system
- Recall 00V211000 · Power train
- Recall 00V212000 · Service brakes, air
- Recall 20V033000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Toyota RAV4 is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Toyota RAV4?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Toyota RAV4 have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.