1998 Toyota RAV4 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 16%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 235,650miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Toyota RAV4, 16% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 235,650 miles. 3 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 september 9, 2010 my wife was approaching a parking spot in a walgreens drug store lot in our 1998 Toyota rav 4. She couldn't have been traveling at a speed of more than 5 to 10 MPH. She experienced a sudden unintended acceleration about a few feet before the parking spot which caused her to jump a curb and crash into a column outside of the store. Both air bags deployed and the damage to the car resulted in a total loss. My wife had extensive bruising and great pain in the chest area which necessitated a trip to the emergency room. Luckily the damage was only bruises. …”
NHTSA complaint #10356256, filed 2010-09, 71,300 miles“Engine light came 0n. Consumer applied brakes, and vehicle went forward and jumped curb. Consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle, and light went off. Next day, dealer checked system's computer and a sensor kicked up the idler. Sensor will have to be replaced. Consumer was unaware of the cause, and if it was an intermittent problem.”
NHTSA complaint #897021, filed 2001-09“1998 Toyota RAV4. Consumer states problems with accelerator pedal the consumer stated she has experienced problems with the vehicle for at least 7 of the 11 years she has owned it. When the consumer was at a full stop, and proceeded to step on the gas pedal, nothing happened. The vehicle would began to move when the accelerator pedal was applied with extreme force, so the vehicle jerked forward or when the accelerator pedal was pressed up and down and the vehicle would jerk forward. The service center lubricated the accelerator pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #10334835, filed 2010-06“When attempting to depress brake pedal will depress throttle pedal, resulting in vehicle surging forward. Consumer feels pedals were designed incorrectly because they are too close together and are of same height. ....”
NHTSA complaint #10002458, filed 2003-01“When applying brakes pedal goes to floor ,causing extended stopping distance. Also, vehicle continues to accelerate after brakes are applied. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #880767, filed 2001-02Related 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 1998 Toyota RAV4
16 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsEngine cooling
5 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 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