1999 Toyota RAV4: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Toyota RAV4: 4 recalls, 62 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #98V278000 · 1998 · 1,960 vehicles
What's wrong: In the states of alabama, florida, georgia, north and south carolina. The alarm wiring harness plugs into the vehicle's ignition switch and the vehicle's ignition switch wiring harness plugs into the alarm harness to complete the circuit. A percentage of the female terminals used in the alarm connector were found to be defective, causing an 'open circuit' condition when mated to the male ignition switch terminals.
Why it matters: This condition can cause intermittent performance of the vehicle's electrical components such as the dash warning lights and/or HVAC fan speed controls. Also, the vehicle May not run smoothly and could stall.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the date code label on the security system harness and any displaying the manufacturing/final date code will be replaced with newly produced harnesses. The date codes are: rav4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; sienna - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; and avalon - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98,…
Brakes (air) Vehicle recall #00V212000 · 2000 · 780 vehicles
What's wrong: The front disc brake rotor, when equipped with steel wheels, can develop stress fractures if the lug nuts are tightened with excessive torque.
Why it matters: The disc rotor could break (where it mounts to the wheel), resulting in a loss of braking action on that wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the disc brake rotors. If the vehicle is equipped with steel wheels, Toyota will replace the front disc brake rotors and steel wheels with new disc brake rotors and new aluminum wheels. In addition a caution label that reads, "use new genuine Toyota aluminum wheels." will be…
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #00V211000 · 2000 · 756 vehicles
What's wrong: If the subject vehicles are repeatedly parked by placing the shift lever into the "p" position without applying the parking brake, the parking lock rod, a component of the transmission parking lock system, could break.
Why it matters: This condition can render the system inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the parking lock rod.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V033000 · 2020 · 138,842 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were equipped with non-azide driver air bag inflators (nadi) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the nadi inflators May absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag May not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle May be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Electrical Equipment recall #98E035000 · 1998 · 1,960 vehicles
What's wrong: Equipment description: aftermarket theft deterrent systems used on 1998-1998 Toyota rav4, avalon, and sienna model vehicles distributed by southeast Toyota distributors, Inc. in the states of alabama, florida, georgia, north and south carolina. The alarm wiring harness plugs into the vehicle's ignition switch and the vehicle's ignition switch wiring harness plugs into the alarm harness to complete the circuit. A…
Why it matters: This condition can cause intermittent performance of the vehicle's electrical components such as the dash warning lights and/or HVAC fan speed controls. Also, the vehicle May not run smoothly and could stall.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the date code label on the security system harness and any displaying the manufacturing/final date code will be replaced with newly produced harnesses. The date codes are: rav4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; sienna - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; and avalon - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98,…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (14): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (5).
- Airbags (14): the most common themes are fails to deploy (4).
- Electrical (6): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), fire / smoke (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Body & structure (6): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (6).
The 1999 Toyota RAV4 has 62 owner complaints, ranking #27 of 32 RAV4 model years for complaints (well below the 293 average). Complaints peaked in 1999 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 110,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (77 complaints, 4 recalls), 2000 (30 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Toyota RAV4.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Toyota RAV4, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Toyota RAV4 problems?
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (14), airbags (14), electrical (6).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Toyota RAV4 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.