1997 Toyota RAV4 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 19%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Toyota RAV4, 19% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.
“Dt: the contact stated the driver's side seat shifted forward and backwards. Also, engine check light appeared. Took vehicle to dealer, who replaced gas recirculation valve (EGR valve).”
NHTSA complaint #10146145, filed 2005-12, 113,000 miles“My rav 4 - 57348 miles. It started making a tapping sound in the engine and it has makes a metal on metal vibration upon acceleration and especially when I make a gradual left turn and decelerate. I brought it into the dealer. They say it may be that the lifters are a bit worn and that this will not harm anything. This is odd because a new engine was placed in the car at 49,000 + miles. They could not identify what the vibration noise was and said that it is possibly a rock in the brake system. I know what that sounds like and strongly disagree with their analysis. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010158, filed 2003-03“The car has a stalling problem. I have taken back to the dealership twice for this problem. The car initially just had a starting problem where it will start and stalls immediately. The last time I took it to the dealership they told me it the starter and I had it replaced, but it is still doing the same thing. It does not matter if the car is cold or warm. I could just pull into a gas station and it won't start. If I wait about ten minutes, it will start again. But, I have no idea when this will happen. Yesterday, driving on the highway going about 60mph the car just stalled. …”
NHTSA complaint #711787, filed 1999-09“My rav has had 2 engine replacements the first at 16,000 miles and the second at 49,000 miles. The first one happened when it stalled out going through an extremely large puddle of water on the access road and the second for no apparent reason.”
NHTSA complaint #10010157, filed 2003-03“Problem of stalling and vehicle acceleration ongoing since june..now august and back to dealer again as this is very dangerous in traffic especially with children in vehicle..”
NHTSA complaint #728359, filed 2000-08Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 8 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 10 | 3% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 24 | 4% |
| 2007 | 41 | 4% |
| 2006 | 40 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 12% |
| 2003 | 26 | 8% |
| 2002 | 41 | 8% |
| 2001 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 5 | 6% |
| 1997 | 10 | 19% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota RAV4
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 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 27, 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