Toyota · 1997
1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD
Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 21 MPG.
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Having sold over 15 million units worldwide as of 2025, the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV of all time. The car is credited with popularizing compact crossover automobiles, often credited as the first modern compact crossover SUV.
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Highway | Combined | CO2 g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 19 | 24 | 21 | 423 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 19 | 24 | 21 | 423 |
Safety recalls (NHTSA)
1 campaign on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
61 complaints filed by owners for this model year (10 involving a crash, 2 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel economy of a 1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD?
EPA figures for the 1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD reach 21 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.
Are there recalls on the 1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign for the 1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.
What are common problems with the 1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD?
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA for the 1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD, most often about: Engine And Engine Cooling, Vehicle Speed Control, Power Train. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.
Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.