There are 4 owner-reported suspension complaints for the 2001 Toyota RAV4in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a Toyota Dealership in Wooster, Ohio and requested a complete examination. I have their full report, and they have determined this car to be unsafe to drive. The brakes had been adjusted when in fact, the brakes and brake lines need to be replaced, this was the used car dealer at fault. I feel the used car dealership bought car at auction and was unaware of the gas tank leak and the bearing plates being fragile, the engine cradle could break at any given moment, causing the engine to fall out. The car was purchased at and maintained by an Akron Toyota Dealership since it was brand new in 2001. After 23 years why did this dealership allow this car to be released into the general public? Frame Damage so bad, the bearing plates that hold the engine up are beyond fragile, the cradle that holds the engine integrity is grossly compromised, and the gas tank has a hole in it. Bad brakes + leaking gas tank. One spark and = Ka Boom. I would be dead. So many things wrong in this situation. Personally, my physical and emotional health suffered. I had chronic diarrhea, headaches, and went to the Dr several times. Please let me know how this matter should be resolved. I am upset and financially compromised all from this car. Documentation available.
THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK UP ROTTED OUT AND OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE TIRES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CURVES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, NEAR THE ENGINE AND WHEELS, STARTED TO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL
I PURCHASED THE RAV-4 IN MID-JUNE. IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT, SO I TOOK IT BACK INTO MOLLE TOYOTA TO HAVE IT ALIGNED. I MOVED UP TO THE CHICAGO AREA THE NEXT DAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT BY LOMBARD TOYOTA IN LOMBARD, IL. AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS AND NUMEROUS CALLS TO TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE THE CAR WAS ALIGNED AGAIN. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, IT STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I CONTACTED LOMBARD TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. I HAVE CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT HAS TAKEN 6 WEEKS FOR THEM TO AGREE TO LOOK AT THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP TO BE LOOKED AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS NOT THE TIRES THAT WERE CAUSING THE PULL.*AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026