2001 Toyota RAV4 Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (39.2% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 7.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 121 · 39.2% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 63 · 20.4% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 57 · 18.4% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 · 7.1% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 · 4.2% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 9 · 2.9% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 309 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“JANUARY 2008 I HAD THE ECM REPROGRAMMED BY TOYOTA AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER TO COME IN FOR THIS. ON JUNE 3, 2008, I EXPERIENCED A…”NHTSA complaint 10282391 — filed 08/31/2009 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 BEGAN ACTING UP AND WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. IT WOULD SHIFT VERY HARD, AND WOULD OFTEN HESITATE BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR…”NHTSA complaint 10282245 — filed 08/29/2009 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“MY TOYOTA RAV 4 (2001) SUDDENLY STARTED SLIDING, JERKING, MOTOR RACING IN MAY OF 2009. IT HAD JUST PASSED THE 80,000 MI MARK, AND THE…”NHTSA complaint 10282180 — filed 08/28/2009 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota RAV4?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 121 of 309 NHTSA complaints (39.2%), followed by power train (63), electrical system (57), vehicle speed control (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2001 Toyota RAV4 have?
309 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2001 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Toyota RAV4's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
