1997 Toyota RAV4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
61 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Toyota RAV4, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 7/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Engine leads the reports.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1997 Toyota RAV4 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 1997 sits among all RAV4 years
What owners report
Recalls (1)
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…
Fix: 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.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1997 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
The 1997 Toyota RAV4 drew 61 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 7/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 1997 Toyota RAV4 problems?
The top reported problems for the 1997 Toyota RAV4 are engine (13 complaints), speed control (7), and transmission & drivetrain (6).
Does the 1997 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 1997 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.