1997 Toyota RAV4 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 13%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,002miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Toyota RAV4, 13% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,002 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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 1997 Toyota rav 4 gas pedal was sticking I took it to two place they suggested that it was dangerous to keep driving the vehicle. I took it to dealership they fixed it. Was my vehicle a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10313982, filed 2010-02, 119,002 miles“Rav 4 Toyota 1997-was unable to drive more than 30 miles without the rpr increased without control, transmission and engine become extremely hot, fluids were drained . Car sent to darcars Toyota thermostat was replaced, and now facing severe transmission issues, because lack of recall rpr 's issue very detrimental and risky .”
NHTSA complaint #10692661, filed 2015-03, 100,000 miles“The idle air control (iac) valve controls the idle speed by metering air around the throttle plate, under control of the engine computer. The iac valve on my vehicle sticks when the engine is cold, requiring me to hold a slight throttle pressure to keep the engine running after cranking. On several occasions, as I was easing the car out of the garage at idle, the iac valve unstuck and caused the car to surge ahead. This is very abrupt and disconcerting, but it has not (yet) caused an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #713560, filed 1999-10“Each time you stop and then push on the gas pedal it sticks. You must push harder than usual to get the car to move. But that makes the car lurch forward at a greater speed than you would like. In traffic this is very dangerous. The dealer said it was the fuel injectors , but I think it,s in the linkage or the way the pedal was made that is the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #763305, filed 2002-06“Upon start up of engine, brakes and steering wheel locked up as putting car into gear. Turned out engine was stalling out. Car also would take off on its own after restarting engine and put into drive. Dealer diagnosed it as idle control valve problem and replaced part.”
NHTSA complaint #724176, filed 2000-06Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 8% |
| 2024 | 12 | 7% |
| 2023 | 7 | 4% |
| 2022 | 7 | 5% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 30 | 3% |
| 2018 | 20 | 6% |
| 2017 | 13 | 4% |
| 2016 | 12 | 5% |
| 2015 | 21 | 7% |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% |
| 2013 | 17 | 7% |
| 2012 | 49 | 19% |
| 2011 | 69 | 24% |
| 2010 | 83 | 21% |
| 2009 | 99 | 30% |
| 2008 | 92 | 16% |
| 2007 | 101 | 10% |
| 2006 | 74 | 11% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 20 | 13% |
| 2003 | 29 | 9% |
| 2002 | 36 | 7% |
| 2001 | 22 | 7% |
| 2000 | 7 | 23% |
| 1999 | 14 | 23% |
| 1998 | 12 | 16% |
| 1997 | 7 | 13% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota RAV4
10 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 31, 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