2002 Toyota RAV4 3 door Limited 4x4 review from Australia and New Zealand

1. Driving home from dealership a chronic rattle from the dash appeared, could not locate where the noise was coming from. Rand the dealership who said the vehicle is new allow some time for it to settle. (currently still has rattle)

2. After a week I noticed that both front foglamps loose and just sitting in the casing took this into the dealership who said they fixed it, still loose today.

3. the rubber sealing around the side front windows on both side came loose by the side mirrors. (after 3000kms)

3. At 1st service of 15,000kms car running quite rough, feeling sluggish, found that the air filter was quite dirty, car ran fine after service tho at 22,000kms car was running rough again, told that the air filter was dirty again, changed the air filter, but no real improvement in performance still quite sluggish.

4. Changing from 1st to 2nd gear (manual) is an achievement in itself not as smooth as when we first purchased it.

5. around 10,000km could notice a knocking sound every time the vehicle braked or accelerating from traffic lights took the vehicle into the dealership and at the same time a female with a 5 door version was asking the serviceman what the problem with her vehicle was (same thing happening) she asked whether it was the ABS, serviceman said its to do with the 4x4 axle and it can't be repaired, but just a design fault by Toyota (THIS IS VERY COMMON I HAVE ASKED OTHER RAV OWNERS 2000-CURRENT)

6. The standard Toyota speakers are not worth keeping in vehicle. recommend to put in aftermarket speakers as the current stereo requires the bass to be set on -5.

7. A rattle has appeared from the rear door in the last 2000kms.

The vehicle is a pleasure to drive, it handles like a car and is great on long journeys. Though road noise is quite loud, though this has been rectified in the facelift version with the 2.4 VVTi engine.

New Zealand does not offer the 1.8 engine or the 2x4 option just the 4x4, it has great grip and good in all weather conditions.

What Toyota has really lagged on in this generation RAV4 is on quality all my previous vehicles have been Toyota's and I've never experienced any troubles, they include a corolla, a 4runner (american version) and a V6 Camry. It feels cheaply made especially the fit and finish, looks great on the outside tho and get plenty of comments on it.