2002 Toyota RAV4 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 527 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Toyota RAV4, 1% of the 527 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 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.
“Purchased used 2002 Toyota RAV4 in oct 2004. Both visors were already sagging a bit and were a hazard to driving within 8 months. I purchased the replacement visors from the dealer in july 2005 for a total of $131.27. They told me the original owner must not have been careful and I needed to be very careful when using the visors. I took their word and was gentle when I put the visors up and down. Less than 3 years later and I already need to replace them again!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10228922, filed 2008-05, 80,000 miles“I have a '02 Toyota rav 4 whose k- frame, which supports the front wheels and steering mechanism, rusted completely in half, which caused me to run off the road when I braked suddenly and it cracked. The vehicle has 150k and I have always kept up the maintenance and had no idea the rust was that bad. Toyota has not responded to my complaints, even though they are covering even older tacomas and tundras because of their rusting frames. I am very frustrated and disconcerted in Toyota products ,especially since their latest ad campaign touts their longevity and dependability. …”
NHTSA complaint #10290912, filed 2009-11, 150,000 miles“I drive a 2002 Toyota RAV4. I was stopped at a stop light and when the light turned green I went but unfortunately the woman in front of me (2000 dodge neon) didn't so I rear-ended her. Her car was unscratched, my front bumper plate was smushed. As a result of this collision...I was, maybe, going 10 MPH...my car has been in the shop for almost 3 weeks. Apparently there are weak seals and connections in the rav, causing transmission fluid and oil leakage (as you can guess, 3 hours after the fender bender, when I went out to lunch, the car was smoking like crazy!). …”
NHTSA complaint #10056813, filed 2004-02, 17,000 miles“Front subframe rusted and rotted through. Called Toyota and filed a claim but no real help, as I was the only one to register with them. I find this hard to believe given the trouble they had with the tacoma frames. Thought I would get at least another 10 years out of this car. Currently at 191,000 miles and running strong no rust anywhere visible.”
NHTSA complaint #10455736, filed 2012-04“The bolts in the roof rack fall out. We have never used the roof rack. Over the past 3 years, we have lost 4 bolts. Fortunately, the loss of the bolt causes rattling. Otherwise, over time, it could have fallen off!”
NHTSA complaint #10145081, filed 2005-12Related service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11006151Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11006150Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 9% |
| 2024 | 16 | 9% |
| 2023 | 10 | 6% |
| 2022 | 19 | 13% |
| 2021 | 21 | 5% |
| 2020 | 62 | 10% |
| 2019 | 89 | 10% |
| 2018 | 14 | 4% |
| 2017 | 19 | 6% |
| 2016 | 15 | 6% |
| 2015 | 31 | 10% |
| 2014 | 18 | 9% |
| 2013 | 28 | 11% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 16 | 6% |
| 2010 | 13 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 5% |
| 2008 | 19 | 3% |
| 2007 | 24 | 2% |
| 2006 | 23 | 3% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 11% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota RAV4
376 complaintsElectrical system
92 complaintsEngine cooling
41 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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