1999 Toyota RAV4 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 10%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Toyota RAV4, 10% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“1999 Toyota RAV4 caught on fire underneath the hood. The fire occurred while the consumer's son was driving. Smoke began to fill the cabin and the driver noticed flames coming from the engine. He was able to put the fire out with a towel. After the fire the taillights, dash lights, interior lights no longer worked. The passengers side front headlight and wiring were destroyed. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but they refused to provide any assistance because of the age and mileage of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10119282, filed 2005-04, 64,000 miles“The contact owns a 1999 Toyota rav. When the ignition was turned to the off position in the evening, the radio was activated the next morning. Also, the fan in the engine was running and caused the battery to drain. The ignition was turned to the on position, but the vehicle failed to start. While driving at an unknown speed, the engine stalled and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle restarted on some occasions, but the failures recurred numerous times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10819469, filed 2016-01, 110,000 miles“The connection to the alternator was heavily burnt causing loss of power to the vehicle, the consumer was trapped in the vehicle for 1/2 hour prior to the police dept. Arriving to help the consumer out of the vehicle, possible design flaw that did not allow for the consumer to exit vehicle under power loss.”
NHTSA complaint #558279, filed 2000-12“Vehicle was parked for 12 hours, fire started underneath the engine compartment due to the insulation by the fuse box catching on fire. Please provide further information and VIN#.”
NHTSA complaint #846657, filed 1999-09Related recalls
- 98V278000Oct 19, 1998Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles, mini vans and passenger vehicles equipped with a theft deterrent systems (tds) supplied by audiovox corporation…Covers: Toyota RAV4 1998–1999, Avalon 1998–1999, Sienna 1998–1999
Related 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…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10133917Jan 10, 2013technicians should confirm the following key points to minimize the potential for future MIL "ON" concerns after HV Battery Replacement.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 18% |
| 2024 | 32 | 18% |
| 2023 | 44 | 27% |
| 2022 | 40 | 27% |
| 2021 | 47 | 12% |
| 2020 | 120 | 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 1999 Toyota RAV4
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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