2003 Toyota RAV4 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,668miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Toyota RAV4, 2% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,668 miles. 2 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 the subject date I was pulling into a parking spot, with cars on both sides of me. There was a curb and an island, with a tree in it, in front of me. My foot was on the brake; I brought the car to a stop and was about to put it into park when the car unexpectedly accelerated, jumped the curb and hit the tree. There were no injuries to the passengers but there was extensive damage to my car. I have filed a claim with the Toyota company holding them responsible for this unexpected acceleration based on previous incidents with this same year and model car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10691933, filed 2015-03, 72,336 miles“Experience a hard shift jerking motion when driving my car and almost got hit twice due to the car jerking and immediately slowing down. I took it in to kendall Toyota of anchorage right away and then read online that there was a class action lawsuit and enhanced warranty of 2001-2003 toyotas because of the malfunction of the ECM and transmission. This car is not safe to drive! Toyota kendall said it would be $6,000 to replace both the ECM and transmission and that Toyota would only pay half because the car was 10 years old. …”
NHTSA complaint #10551328, filed 2013-11, 65,507 miles“I backed up in reverse and then put 2003 rav 4 into drive expecting to go forward when motor began to race and car flew backward over 12-foot high embankment into woods while engine continued racing. Car did not roll over but swung around 130 degrees in a flat area and came to a stop facing a tree 4 feet straight ahead. A second or two later the car then leaped forward into the tree with engine roaring, car continued to race at high rpms with front bumper wrapped around tree. The only way I could stop the high revs was to turn off the ignition. I injured my back.”
NHTSA complaint #10487933, filed 2012-12, 69,000 miles“I have a 2003 Toyota rav 4. For several years now there has been a squeaking/crunching noise in the dashboard that no one has been able to get rid of. My mechanic has put packing behind my radio and in the vicinity and for the first day the noise is gone but it always returns. It is horrible in the winter in the midwest when everything is cold and stiff but gets a little more tolerable when its hot and humid.”
NHTSA complaint #10231351, filed 2008-06“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle made a loud noise and the came to a sudden halt. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the k-frame and the control arm was fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the k-frame and control arm needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 97,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10596474, filed 2014-06, 97,000 milesRelated 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 | 90 | 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 2003 Toyota RAV4
209 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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