Faults:

Manifold cracked about two years after purchase.

The brakes have always squealed at takeoff when it is raining -- it's annoying, not a mechanical problem.

Since reaching about 80,000 miles, the automatic door locks do not work consistently.

General Comments:

I've had the car for 12 years, and the other than the manifold thing ten years ago, it's has been the most reliable car I have ever driven in my life. It has started every morning, and gets me home every night.

I've had one flat tire in the past 12 years, and the only maintenance we've done are oil changes, light bulbs, and last year the engine coils went bad and had to be changed.

I seriously love my car, and plan on driving it until the bottom rusts out!

Faults:

Check engine light kept coming on.

General Comments:

Dealer said a code showed emission trouble. Replaced gas cap... didn't work. After the light kept coming on and going off, they found out that the emission hoses were put on the wrong way. Fixed it and have not had problems for months (knock on wood).

Faults:

We have had this 2001 Toyota RAV since April of last year (2009), and have had nothing but problems with it.

We have had to get a new transmission already (about $4,000) and the check engine light has been on for months. It will not pass emissions of course.

We received a letter for a recall concerning the check engine light, but they said the code that was coming up was not the one that was recalled. They said it was our timing chain along with everything that goes with that ($1200). We told them we were just going to pick it up and not have them perform the work at this time.

We thought Toyotas were supposed to be good vehicles? Apparently not. We are so frustrated with this one!

Never again will we buy a Toyota!

General Comments:

You would think with all the terrible publicity they have had that they would be willing to fix some of these cars that everybody's been taking in to the dealers! Shame on you Toyota!

Faults:

170,000 km - Had ECU (computer) sent away for fixing ($500 US).

Other than that, normal stuff, replaced battery, oil changes, etc.

General Comments:

Rav4's from this timeframe (01-03) have a known issue with the ECM causing problems shifting (ie: double-shifts, hard shifting, etc). I knew it had a tranny problem when I purchased it, and I was able to research and get a quick fix for it (ECM repair on eBay). Tons of people have this problem and when it's fixed it causes the shiftpoint to be increased.

Great vehicle - absolutely love it. Tons of space, excellent handling and fuel economy. Burns less fuel driving long distances on the highway than making short trips into town.

Cons: (other than known ECM issue)

1) Mine is slow to accelerate, especially up hills. But since I live in the country it's no problem. I've had it on very long trips (halfway across Canada) and it drives & handles great at highway speeds.

2) Find handling in deep snow/slush horrible without studded tires. It's like being on ice, but you don't lose control, you just feel like you're moving all over the place. I got 4 studded winter tires and now I have no problems.

3) I know a couple people had this problem too. Brake dust from pads makes tire squeal when moisture is present. Pressing hard on the brakes when leaving driveway helps this go away quickly.

Overall:

Absolutely love my Rav! Wouldn't want anything else.