FaultScore

1998 Toyota RAV4 acceleration problems

13 of the 92 complaints about the 1998 Toyota RAV4 are about the throttle and cruise control — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 235,650 miles.

F

13

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 6 46.2%
Accelerator Pedal 5 38.5%
Linkages 2 15.4%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Toyota RAV4 year

1998 13 1.5%
1999 14 1.6%
2001 23 2.7%
2002 36 4.2%
2003 29 3.4%
2004 20 2.3%
2005 13 1.5%
2006 75 8.8%
2007 101 11.8%
2008 92 10.8%
2009 99 11.6%
2010 83 9.7%
2011 70 8.2%
2012 49 5.7%
2013 17 2.0%
2015 21 2.5%
2016 12 1.4%
2017 12 1.4%
2018 20 2.3%
2019 30 3.5%
2020 14 1.6%
2024 12 1.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 71,300 miles Louisville, KY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 MY WIFE WAS APPROACHING A PARKING SPOT IN A WALGREENS DRUG STORE LOT IN OUR 1998 TOYOTA RAV 4. SHE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF MORE THAN 5 TO 10 MPH. SHE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ABOUT A FEW FEET BEFORE THE PARKING SPOT WHICH CAUSED HER TO JUMP A CURB AND CRASH INTO A COLUMN OUTSIDE OF THE STORE. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS. MY WIFE HAD EXTENSIVE BRUISING AND GREAT PAIN IN THE CHEST AREA WHICH NECESSITATED A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. LUCKILY THE DAMAGE WAS ONLY BRUISES. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE STORE COLUMN. IT IS ESTIMATED THE CAR MUST HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT 30 MPH OR MORE WHEN IT HIT.

NHTSA complaint #10356256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

1998 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 7 OF THE 11 YEARS SHE HAS OWNED IT. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS AT A FULL STOP, AND PROCEEDED TO STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGAN TO MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH EXTREME FORCE, SO THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD OR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED UP AND DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD. THE SERVICE CENTER LUBRICATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #10334835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 400,000 miles Winnipeg, 00

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THE GAS PEDAL BROKE OFF THE FIRE WALL , WITH BOLTS STILL IN TACT TO THE GAS PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #10237472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baldwin, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL WILL DEPRESS THROTTLE PEDAL, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD. CONSUMER FEELS PEDALS WERE DESIGNED INCORRECTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND ARE OF SAME HEIGHT. *NLM....

NHTSA complaint #10002458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hurley, NY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE LIGHT CAME 0N. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WENT FORWARD AND JUMPED CURB. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND LIGHT WENT OFF. NEXT DAY, DEALER CHECKED SYSTEM'S COMPUTER AND A SENSOR KICKED UP THE IDLER. SENSOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF THE CAUSE, AND IF IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #897021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

ACCELERATION PEDAL STICKS, MOSTLY ON TAKE OFF.

NHTSA complaint #882681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR ,CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE AFTER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #880767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethesda, MD Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING FORCED VEHICLE INTO A REAR END ACCIDENT. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #878473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Port Richey, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

FIREWALL IS CRACKED CAUSING GAS PEDAL TO MOVE SIDE TO SIDE AND LITERALLY PUSHING THROUGH THE FLOOR WITH NO SUPPORT STRUCTURE TO HOLD IT IN POSITION. A DEFINITE SAFTEY HAZARD!

NHTSA complaint #738839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Covington, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #730266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Covington, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #730266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Green River, WY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL KICKS OUT WHILE GOING UP HILL, BUT ONLY WHEN YOU ARE GOING WEST NOT EAST. GO FIGURE.

NHTSA complaint #716666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Elsinore, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #609756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Toyota RAV4 problems

← Full 1998 Toyota RAV4 report