1997 Toyota RAV4 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 6%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 54 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My rav 4 has had a very costly and difficult-to-fix electrical problem the last 3 months. Sometimes it starts right up, but it has also had stalling problems and once died completely. Three different mechanics have worked on it and nobody has yet been able to correct the problem completely. It has always come back. The dealership even said that it has to fail completely again before they can attempt to know what's wrong. That means I will have to wait to be stranded until someone can maybe fix the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10041719, filed 2003-10“Vehicle alarm add on module and harness were found to be faulty and has shorted out upon inspection of module I have found burnt circuits . Vehicle is unable to start also leading to believe the ECM has been effected .”
NHTSA complaint #11244233, filed 2019-08Related service bulletins
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 18% |
| 2024 | 32 | 18% |
| 2023 | 43 | 26% |
| 2022 | 40 | 27% |
| 2021 | 47 | 12% |
| 2020 | 119 | 19% |
| 2019 | 103 | 12% |
| 2018 | 130 | 39% |
| 2017 | 108 | 35% |
| 2016 | 59 | 25% |
| 2015 | 85 | 28% |
| 2014 | 69 | 35% |
| 2013 | 75 | 29% |
| 2012 | 30 | 12% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 19 | 6% |
| 2008 | 27 | 5% |
| 2007 | 76 | 8% |
| 2006 | 42 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% |
| 2003 | 42 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 17% |
| 2001 | 60 | 19% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota RAV4
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology