MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota RAV4

● Typical for this model
2003 Toyota RAV4
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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, 2003 highlighted. 1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaints 1996: 47 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2003 2004: 153 complaints 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 704 complaints 2006 2007: 1003 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 286 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2013: 255 complaints 2014: 194 complaints 2014 2015: 302 complaints 2016: 234 complaints 2017: 301 complaints 2018: 327 complaints 2018 2019: 867 complaints 2020: 624 complaints 2021: 375 complaints 2022: 132 complaints 2022 2023: 140 complaints 2024: 161 complaints 2025: 69 complaints 2025
2003: 314 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19944
19951
199647
199754
199877
199962
200030
2001309
2002527
2003314
2004153
2005141
2006704
20071003
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011286
2012260
2013255
2014194
2015302
2016234
2017301
2018327
2019867
2020624
2021375
2022132
2023140
2024161
202569

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 34%

34% of complaints: power train — 106 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 32%

32% of complaints: power train — 100 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I BACKED UP IN REVERSE AND THEN PUT 2003 RAV 4 INTO DRIVE EXPECTING TO GO FORWARD WHEN MOTOR BEGAN TO RACE AND CAR FLEW BACKWARD OVER 12-FOOT HIGH EMBANKMENT INTO WOODS WHILE ENGINE CONTINUED RACING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121211

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the transmission slipped out of the intended gear.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231002

LONG STORY SHORT, BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS" FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER 2017, DID NOT KNOW OF THE TRANSMISSION/ECM PROBLEM UNTIL NOVEMBER 2017 (YES THAT FAST). GOT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE CODE SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180116

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 39 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

AS MY HUSBAND AND I DROVE WE SMELLED A STRANGE ODOR WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE AIR OUTSIDE. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD. HE DROVE TO THE SHOULDER AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041008

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 21 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (106 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (100 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (39 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1996 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2019 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota RAV4 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota RAV4?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.