1998 Toyota RAV4 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 6%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,952miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Toyota RAV4, 6% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,952 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.
“On july 20th, 2002 my wife took her 1998 Toyota RAV4 in to have a recommended flushing of her oil, transmission, cooling system. A complete tune up of the motor. At this time she told the service person of a smoke discharge at start up along with a slight noise. The service person said it was probally the rubber valve seats and my wife didnt have to worry right away. In april 2003, after all the schedualed service maintaince was performed, my wife noticed the smoke was getting worse and the noise a little worse so she took it in to have the valve seats replaced. The next day the service dept. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070884, filed 2004-01, 81,905 miles“The contact stated while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, there was a very loud noise that sounded like an explosion. The vehicle stalled suddenly without warning. Upon inspecting the vehicle, there was oil all over the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop who determined the engine had failed due to oil sludge. Updated 10/25/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10165643, filed 2006-08, 94,000 miles“The engine idleing speed sometimes goes up to over 2000 RPM. I took the car into the Toyota dealer in concord, nh who said I needed a new computer costing $1300 but it would be weeks before it was availble. Next day the idling returned to normal. So I told Toyota that it was not necessary to get the computer. However, the problem reoccurs and seems to right itself. Having the revs so high can be very dangerous, especially in heavy traffic. Personally, I think the problem is in the fuel supply system but I'd have to spend the $1300 on the new computer first to prove this.”
NHTSA complaint #728392, filed 2000-08“The consumer was parking the vehicle without prior warning the vehicle accelerated into wall please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8024147, filed 2002-12Engine 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 1998 Toyota RAV4
16 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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