Toyota RAV4 Complaints (1999)
62 consumer complaints on file.
- #11568936January 31, 2024AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I lost control of the vehicle and I overcorrected causing the car to go airborne. I hit head on into an embankment then continued to roll 3or 4 times before stopping. There were no indications or warnings to make me think these parts were going to malfunction. My airbags never deployed and the seatbelt did not lockup.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11352379August 31, 2020AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V033000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA OF WALLINGFORD (859 N COLONY RD, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492, (888) 927-7559) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11350005August 18, 2020AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V033000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNNAMED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11341617July 27, 2020AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V03300 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED STEVINSON TOYOTA EAST LOCATED AT 444 S. HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11337897July 7, 2020AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V033000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED BERGLUND TOYOTA LOCATED AT 3000 WARDS RD, LYNCHBURG, VA 24502, (434) 509-0770, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS *BF *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11337244July 2, 2020AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V033000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11012718August 3, 2017STRUCTURE:BODY
WE TOOK THE RAV4 INTO THE MECHANIC FOR A BRAKE JOB & HE CALLED US TO SAY IT WASN'T ROAD WORTHY BECAUSE THE K-FRAME WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WE SHOULDN'T PUT OUR CHILDREN IN IT. HE SAID WE SHOULDN'T EVEN DRIVE IT OFF HIS LOT THAT IT COULD HIT A POTHOLE AND BREAK IN TWO. WE CAME & TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE RUST. HE SAID THE K-FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ROCKER ARMS. WE CAME HOME & RESEARCHED TO FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A COMPANY LIKE TOYOTA WOULDN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECT LIKE THIS. IT'S CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. IMAGINE THE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND INJURY THAT WOULD OCCUR IF I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE DRIVING 65MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY (THAT I HAVE TO TAKE EVERYDAY TO GET ANYWHERE) AND THE FRAME ON THIS VEHICLE BREAKING! I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME OR MY CHILDREN. ALL BECAUSE TOYOTA DIDN'T MAKE SURE TO MAKE A FUNCTIONAL PART OF THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF THEIR VEHICLES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10819469January 11, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION IN THE EVENING, THE RADIO WAS ACTIVATED THE NEXT MORNING. ALSO, THE FAN IN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON SOME OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V278000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10637042September 17, 2014STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE ONLY THING KEEPING IT FROM FRACTURING WAS THE STEERING LINKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10597426June 10, 2014STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. UPDATED 3/23/2015*JS
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10588670May 15, 2014SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10572976March 17, 2014VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TODAY I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND MY ENGINE SURGED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY BRAKING AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, AND EVEN THEN IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS SURGED WHILE BACKING UP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER THE YEARS THE ENGINE HAS SURGED WHEN THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN AT A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AND USUALLY WHEN I'M GOING UNDER 10 MILES AN HOUR. VERY SCARY! THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH MY FLOOR MAT, WHICH IS FASTENED SECURELY WELL BELOW THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS.ALSO, I'VE NEVER BEEN DISORIENTED AND UNABLE TO TELL WHERE MY FOOT IS. I DON'T DRINK OR SMOKE, AND HAVE A GOOD SAFETY RECORD WITH STATE FARM FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I'VE REPORTED THIS SURGING PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES TO TOYOTA AND THEY CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE. THAT'S BECAUSE THE SURGING PROBLEM OCCURS IRREGULARLY, ABOUT ONCE IN EVERY 50 TIMES I BRAKE. AT VARIOUS TIMES I'VE ASKED OTHER DRIVERS OF RAV 4 CARS IF THEY'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND SEVERAL HAVE SAID YES. TOO BAD I NEVER TOOK DOWN THEIR NAMES. I'VE ALSO REPORTED THIS BEFORE TO THE NHTSA, AND NOTHING CAME OF IT. I HAVE FAITH THAT ONE DAY THE PROBLEM WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED. I'M A RETIRED FEDERAL OFFICIAL, SO I HAVE TO THINK THAT WRITING THIS IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10546329September 30, 2013STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
THERE IS RUST IN THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A BIG HOLE BECAUSE OF RUST. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10534122August 7, 2013VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,579.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10423150September 3, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ON 2 LANE ROAD APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE LIGHT TURNED RED AND CAR BRAKES FOR STOP, AT WHICH TIME THE THE LOWER A FRAME COLLAPSED, FORCING CAR TO THE LEFT AND INTO THE CURB, DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FORCED UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. NO INJURIES OCCURED DUE TO LOW SPEED!! HOWEVER WHAT IF IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED??? CHECKED THE OTHER SIDE AND THE "STEEL" A FRAME "CRUMBLED IN MY HAND!!! CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. HARD TO BELIEVE YOU HAVE FAITH THAT THIS CRITICAL MEMBER COULD FAIL SO VIOLENTLY?? HOPE THIS HELPS OTHERS, CHECK NOW!!!!! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10379542January 29, 2011STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE CHANGING THE CONVERTER ON MY 1999 RAV4, WE DISCOVERED HOLES AND EXTREME RUSTING ON THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER. IF THIS CROSS MEMBER BREAKS THE WHOLE SUSPENSION COULD DROP OUT FO THE CAR AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. IT IS NO SECRET THAT TOYOTA HAS MANY PROBLEMS WITH FRAME ROT ON OTHER VEHICLES OCCURING ON SIMILAR YEARED MODELS. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND AFTER A LITTLE INVESTIGATING MYSELF, I HAVE DISCOVERED A DOZEN OTHER RAV4 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP. AND WAS TOLD MY CASE WAS THE ONLY OF ITS KIND BY THEM. AFTER TALKING TO DEALERS IN MY AREA I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURING AND BEING SEEN BY TOYOTA DEALERS AS WELL. *LN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10316467April 7, 2010VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA BRAKING PROBLEM FM OWNER OF A 1999 TOYOTA RAV4. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STATS SHE PUT ALL HER WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT ONLY STOPPED AFTER SHE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN A MONTHS TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, AS SHE WAS BRAKING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO SLAM THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, SINCE IT WAS STILL MOVING AND IT STOPPED THE ACCELERATION.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10316272March 3, 2010VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I'VE SAID IN PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE TO YOUR OFFICE, AND TO TOYOTA, ALL UNANSWERED, MY 1999 RAV 4 HAS OFTEN SURGED WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN ON AN INCLINE (THE ENGINE RACES) AND I CAN BARELY BRAKE IT TO A FULL STOP. I KNOW THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC, BUT THE TOYOTA DEALER IN BERKELEY, CA WHERE I BOUGHT IT STONE-WALLS, AND REFUSES TO BELIEVE IT UNLESS THEIR MECHANIC TAKES IT OUT FOR A RUN. OF COURSE, IT NEVER HAPPENS THEN, BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS TO ME ABOUT ONCE IN A HUNDRED TIMES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10314451February 25, 2010AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AS VEHICLE ENTERED INTERED INTERSECTION, FRONT AIRBAG IMPLODED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT A PARKED TRUCK. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED AND DRIVER'S INSURANCECOMPANY PAID THE CLAIM, CHARGING THE VIOLATION AGAINST THE DRIVER, AND RAISING DRIVER'S RATES EXORBITANTLY FOR THREE YEARS!! DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT AGAINST THE DRIVER BY THE IMPLODING AIRBAG, THE DRIVER WAS VERY DAZED WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED AND UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10313981February 24, 2010FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAD A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP ON MY 1999 TOYOTA RAV4 WHICH GAVE ME PROBLEMS UP UNTIL IT STOPPED WORKING, WHICH I HAD TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0