Safety Tests

• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs safety tests for vehicles. In a Frontal Offset Test, the IIHS awarded the 2000 RAV4 with a "marginal" rating. The IIHS gives a "G" rating for good; an "A" rating for acceptable; a "M" rating for marginal and a "P" rating for poor. The test was performed on a model weighing 3,007 pounds with a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine. Side Impact, Roof Strength and Rear Crash tests were not performed on the 2000 model.
  
  The head/neck area; the structure and safety cage; and the chest area all received an "A" or acceptable rating. There was a large gap in ratings for the foot area. The right leg/foot area received the only "G" rating while the left leg/foot area received the lowest score of "P." The tests revealed chances for injuries in the event of a crash were greatest in the head area, the chest and the left lower leg area.
  
  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not perform crash or safety tests on the 2000 RAV4 model.
  
  

Fuel And Gas Tank

• Two consumers reported problems with the 2000 RAV4 fuel system or fuel tank. A problem with the fuel injection systems was reported on May 17, 2006, by a customer living in Douglas, Georgia. On Oct. 1, 2001, a consumer living in Falls Church, Virginia, reported a problem with the latch on the fuel tank storage system.
  
  

Transmission System

• Two consumers filed reports about a potentially dangerous problem with the RAV4's transmission. In 2004, a RAV4 owner in Cortaro, Arizona, reported the manual transmission slipped out of gear and went into neutral while driving at a speed between 50 and 70 miles per hour. The dealer was unable to identify the source of the problem. In 2003, another consumer living in Tucson, Arizona, reported the same problem. A service bulletin showed Toyota was aware of the problem but deemed it unworthy of a recall. Other complaints involving the transmission involve clanging noises and do not pose a safety issue.
  
  

Airbags And Seat belts

• On Sept. 1, 2000, A RAV4 owner reported a tire blowout that caused a loss of control of the vehicle while traveling at 75 miles per hour. Although the crash involved a rollover and involved injuries, the airbags never deployed.
  
  In March 2008, an owner living in Pasadena, California, reported that the front seat belt detached from the vehicle when at attempt was made to fasten it. The same owner reported problems with adjusting the seat belt on the front passenger side.
  
  

Wheels

• Two consumers reported problems with separation occurring in the wheel area of the 2000 RAV4. In 2007, a report noted cracks in the wheel and separating spokes. In 2006, another compliant reported breaks in the weld of the wheel and separation of the inner wheel from the outer wheel.
  
  

Speed Control

• Two complaints, one filed in August 2002 (Chico, California) and one on Jan. 2, 2010 (Plainfield, Illinois), involve problems with the vehicle speed control system. The first complainant stated he tried to deactivate the cruise control while traveling at 70 mph but the vehicle did not slow down. The second owner stated the car's engine revved up and the vehicle began moving on its own. At the time, the driver was stopped at a traffic light.