1997 TOYOTA RAV4

1 recalls, 61 complaints - 67 TSBs

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Defect Description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES... Read more

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

16,270 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: SABERSPORT

Complaint Statistics

61 total complaints 10 crashes 2 fires 7 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	7
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION	5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS	3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2
AIR BAGS	2

Incident date: Aug 10, 2019

VEHICLE ALARM ADD ON MODULE AND HARNESS WERE FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND HAS SHORTED OUT UPON INSPECTION OF MODULE I HAVE FOUND BURNT CIRCUITS . VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO START ALSO LEADING TO BELIEVE THE ECM HAS BEEN EFFECTED .

Incident date: Feb 18, 2016

1997 RAV4 AWD 109000 DEALER SERVICED TOOK IN FOR A OIL CHANGE 2/18/16 DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE CRADLE ASSY HAS A TENNIS BALL SIZE HOLE IN IT NEAR NEXT TO LEFT CONTROL ARM , $2361.30 TO REPLACE OR JUNK THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, VEHICLE SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES AND ITS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION... Read more

Incident date: Apr 23, 2015

RECEIVED WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE-ZE7, AS INSTRUCTED, DEALER TEST WAS PERFORMED. OIL LOSS TOTALS UNDER 1QT. FOR EA. 1200 MILES DRIVEN. WAS TOLD THIS DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIR. MY CONCERN IS THIS: TOYOTA SERVICE REQUIRED FOR OIL CHANGE IS EVERY 5,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OF... Read more

Incident date: Feb 5, 2015

RAV 4 TOYOTA 1997-WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 30 MILES WITHOUT THE RPR INCREASED WITHOUT CONTROL, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BECOME EXTREMELY HOT, FLUIDS WERE DRAINED . CAR SENT TO DARCARS TOYOTA THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED, AND NOW FACING SEVERE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, BECAUSE LACK OF RECALL RPR 'S ISSUE ... Read more

Incident date: Feb 5, 2015

Incident date: Jun 30, 2014

MY SON WAS DRIVING, HIT A POTHOLE, AND THE SUB FRAME COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT IT HAD BEEN ROTTING OUT FROM THE TOP. *TR

Incident date: Dec 2, 2013

WE TOOK OUR 1997 RAV4 TO THE MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH ALL RAV4'S AND THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBIL... Read more

Incident date: Mar 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED TH... Read more

Incident date: Mar 21, 2012

THE SUB-FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JS

Incident date: Sep 14, 2011

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SOME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO BE DONE AND WAS CALLED TO COME IN BY THE MECHANIC. HE SHOWED ME UNDER MY CAR, MORE SPECIFICALLY THE FRAME ON MY CAR. IT HAD EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE. THE RUST WAS NOT JUST ON THE SURFACE, BUT HAD LARGE HOLES EATEN AWAY WITHIN THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE BO... Read more

Incident date: Mar 19, 2010

GAS PEDAL STICKS. *TR

Incident date: Nov 15, 2009

MY 1997 TOYOTA RAV 4 GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING I TOOK IT TO TWO PLACE THEY SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO KEEP DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP THEY FIXED IT. WAS MY VEHICLE A RECALL. *TR

Incident date: Aug 9, 2008

DRIVING ON I -10 IN BUCKEYE AZ @ SPEED OF 65-70 WHEN SAW SPARKS COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY RAV4 THEN A LOAD THUMPING SOUND AND THEN THE CAR WEAVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE RAV TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND WHEN EXITING THE CAR SAW T... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2001

TL*- THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 1, 2001.. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 59,000 MILES ON JUNE 30, 2001. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 98000 M... Read more

Incident date: Jan 15, 2006

POPS OUT OF 5TH GEAR! HAD FIXED, AND 6 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *NM

Incident date: Dec 20, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE). *AK

Incident date: Dec 20, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE). *AK

Incident date: Feb 5, 2005

WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STEEP HILL AT 35 MPH, AND UPON GOING DOWN A HILL, VEHICLE FISH TAILED OUT OF CONTROL. HITTING A MEDIAN STRIP. CONSUMER HAD TO SWERVE RIGHT, AND WENT INTO A TAIL SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE SEAT BELT EITHER RELEASED OR BROKE. THE ROOF CAVED IN. ALL THE WINDOWS BROKE. C... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 5, 2005

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Sep 12, 2004

FIFTH GEAR FAILED, NEED TO REPLACE ENTIRE MANUAL TRANSMISSION.*AK

Incident date: Jul 7, 2001

MANUFACTURER RECENTLY ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENTION TO CERTAIN COMPONENTS OF THE EMISSION SYSTEM AND SELECTIVELY EXCLUDED MY COMPONENT (EGR VALVE) EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATOR. I BELEIVE THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE INLCUDED IN THE LIST OF EXHAUST SYSTEMS WHICH SHOULD RECEIVE EXTENDED CARE DUE TO POOR WORK... Read more

Incident date: Nov 1, 2003

PRIOR TO A TURN, WHEN THE LEFT OR RIGHT BLINKER IS PUT ON, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. AFTER ABOUT 4 SECONDS THEY COME BACK ON. THEN, AFTER THE TURN, AS THE BLINKER AUTOMATICALLY CANCELS, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. *AK

Incident date: Oct 3, 2003

MY RAV 4 HAS HAD A VERY COSTLY AND DIFFICULT-TO-FIX ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE LAST 3 MONTHS. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAD STALLING PROBLEMS AND ONCE DIED COMPLETELY. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE WORKED ON IT AND NOBODY HAS YET BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. IT HAS A... Read more

Incident date: Dec 22, 2002

THE SUBJECT IS "IMPROPER CIRCUIT DESIGN CAUSED SELF IGNITED FIRE TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRIC ABNORMALITY WITHIN THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR" . THE TIME THAT HAPPENED THE MOTOR WAS OFF AND CAR IN PARK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. VEHICLE IS A 1997 TOYOTA RAV-4 MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 1997 BY THE TOYOTA ... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Mar 3, 2003

MY RAV 4 - 57348 MILES. IT STARTED MAKING A TAPPING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND IT HAS MAKES A METAL ON METAL VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I MAKE A GRADUAL LEFT TURN AND DECELERATE. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAY IT MAY BE THAT THE LIFTERS ARE A BIT WORN AND THAT THIS WILL N... Read more

Crash Fire

Incident date: Mar 12, 1998

MY RAV HAS HAD 2 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS THE FIRST AT 16,000 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 49,000 MILES. THE FIRST ONE HAPPENED WHEN IT STALLED OUT GOING THROUGH AN EXTREMELY LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE ACCESS ROAD AND THE SECOND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NLM

THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH ALLOY WHEELS BUT THE SPARE TIRE HAS STEEL RIMS IN WHICH THE EXISTING LUG NUTS DO NOT FIT SO THE SPARE TIRE CAN NOT BE USED. I THINK THE COMPANY SHOULD PROVIDE A USABLE SPARE TIRE. I CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THAT BUT THEY SAID THAT YEAR, THEIR RAV 4 CAME WITH STEEL RIMS S... Read more

Incident date: Aug 24, 2002

WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

EACH TIME YOU STOP AND THEN PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL IT STICKS. YOU MUST PUSH HARDER THAN USUAL TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE. BUT THAT MAKES THE CAR LURCH FORWARD AT A GREATER SPEED THAN YOU WOULD LIKE. IN TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTORS , BUT I THINK IT,S IN THE ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 31, 2000

THE FIFTH GEAR FAILED. *YD

Incident date: Dec 31, 2000

THE FIFTH GEAR FAILED. *YD

IT WAS RAINING, NOT HEAVY, THOUGH. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO BRAKE BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE CAR STARTED LOSING CONTROL AND I COULDN'T BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AT ALL. THEN THE CAR STARTED MOVING TOWARDS THE LEFT QUICKLY AND SPINNED FOR ... Read more

Crash

THE SEAT DESIGN IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND NOT SUPPORTIVE TO THE CONSUMER, THE SEAT BACK ANGLES BACK AND THE HEADREST ANGLES FORWARD, THIS OFFERS THE CONSUMER NO HEAD SUPPORT. *MJS

Incident date: Nov 5, 2000

STEERING WHEEL NUT BECAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING, DAMAGING CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY WHICH CONTROL AIRBAG, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATED STEERING WHEEL NUT MUST HAVE COME FROM MANUFACTURER LOOSE. *AK

Incident date: Aug 23, 2000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD COMING TO A RED LIGHT CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES AND PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE, CONSUMER SWERVED HITTING A SCHOOL BUS THAT WAS CROSSING IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO A MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS A... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jun 5, 2000

PROBLEM OF STALLING AND VEHICLE ACCELERATION ONGOING SINCE JUNE..NOW AUGUST AND BACK TO DEALER AGAIN AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE..

Incident date: Jun 1, 2000

UPON START UP OF ENGINE, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL "LOCKED UP" AS PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR. TURNED OUT ENGINE WAS STALLING OUT. CAR ALSO WOULD TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN AFTER RESTARTING ENGINE AND PUT INTO DRIVE. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS IDLE CONTROL VALVE PROBLEM AND REPLACED PART. *AK

Incident date: May 10, 1999

THIS HAS CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS FOR MY TOYOTA TRUCK RAV - SINCE MY CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT TOYOTA IS CLAIMING THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. PARTS OF RAV HAVE BEEN RUBBING AGAINST MY A/C WHICH CAUSED BOTH UNITS TO FAIL AT SEPARATE TIMES, CAUSING A MAJOR HEADACHE FOR MYSELF. I HAVE NOT NOTICED AN... Read more

I CANNOT FILL THE GAS TANK ON THIS VEHICLE; GAS GAUGE NEVER REGISTERS AS FULL. TOPS OFF SEVERAL TIMES, CANNOT TELL WHEN TANK IS FULL. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT NEEDS NEW SENDING UNIT, WHICH NEITHER THEY NOR TOYOTA WILL PAY FOR.

BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES GRINDING NOISE. YH

Incident date: Feb 27, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG SYSTEM DURING COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN HEAD, CHEST AND NECK INJURIES. INJURIES MAY NOT HAVE OCCURED IF AIRBAG'S WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. *YC

Crash 1 injured

THE IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE CONTROLS THE IDLE SPEED BY METERING AIR AROUND THE THROTTLE PLATE, UNDER CONTROL OF THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE IAC VALVE ON MY VEHICLE STICKS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, REQUIRING ME TO HOLD A SLIGHT THROTTLE PRESSURE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING AFTER CRANKING. ON SEVERA... Read more

Incident date: Sep 7, 1999

FRONT BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND THE BRAKES WENT TO METAL TO METAL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Sep 21, 1999

THE CAR HAS A STALLING PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR INITIALLY JUST HAD A STARTING PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL START AND STALLS IMMEDIATELY. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT THE STARTER AND I HAD IT REPLACED, BUT IT IS STILL DOING T... Read more

Incident date: Feb 5, 1997

CAR STALLED TWICE.

Incident date: Sep 1, 1998

AUTO CHOKE VALVE FAILURE.

BRAKE PADS WORE PREMATURELY. NLM

Incident date: Jul 22, 1998

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRANK BUT NOT START.

Showing 50 of 61 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1997 TOYOTA RAV4

67 manufacturer communications from 49 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	12
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	4
280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION	4
140000 AIR BAGS	4
160000 STRUCTURE	3
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	3
100000 POWER TRAIN	3
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3

350000 EQUIPMENT

TSB: 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 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the re

180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

140000 AIR BAGS

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any custom

200000 WHEELS

190000 TIRES

140000 AIR BAGS

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

280000 BACK OVER PREVENTION