Complaints
682
Crashes
49
Fires
20
Injuries
71
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Toyota RAV4 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1255 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:109,995 mi
Crash-related:6
Fires:1
#2118 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:100,387 mi
Crash-related:1
#388 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:98,108 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Toyota RAV4.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 255 | 6 | 1 | 109,995 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 118 | 1 | — | 100,387 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 88 | 2 | 1 | 98,108 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 34 | 5 | — | 93,262 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 23 | — | 1 | 97,078 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | 2 | 1 | 97,349 mi | |
| Airbags | 17 | 17 | 11 | 46,188 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 16 | — | — | 106,371 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 | 1 | — | 99,556 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | — | — | 59,532 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 3 | — | 67,367 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 5 | — | — | 83,000 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
255
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
109,995
Transmission / Drivetrain
118
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,387
Electrical Faults
88
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
98,108
Unintended Acceleration
34
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,262
Engine & Cooling
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
97,078
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
97,349
Airbags
17
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
11
Avg Miles
46,188
Electronic Stability Control
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,371
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,556
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,532
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,367
Latches / Locks
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,000
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota RAV4. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Toyota RAV4 Years
2002 Toyota RAV4 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Toyota RAV4 has 682 NHTSA complaints, 49 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 255 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Toyota RAV4?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (255 complaints, avg 109,995 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (118 complaints, avg 100,387 mi); Electrical Faults (88 complaints, avg 98,108 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Toyota RAV4?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 101,199 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Toyota RAV4 include 49 crash-related reports, 20 fire reports, 71 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Toyota RAV4 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Toyota RAV4?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota RAV4 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Toyota RAV4
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