1998 Toyota RAV4 2dr HardTop Auto
All photo credits
- Photo: 1996 Toyota RAV4 Max 2.0 Front by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1998 Toyota Rav4 2-Door 4WD in Alpine Silver Metallic, Front Right, 2023-02-08 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1997 Toyota RAV4 FunCruiser 2.0i (52779317461) by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: RAV4 Toronto by PvOberstein, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1996 Toyota RAV4 Max 2.0 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1998 Toyota RAV4 2dr HardTop Auto is a 127-hp 2.0-liter SUV with a 4-speed automatic. It starts at $16,488 MSRP.
It makes 127 horsepower. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 24 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
The RAV4 measures 147.6 inches long on a 86.6-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,524 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $16,488 ($32,875 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.0-liter, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder |
| Displacement | 2 L |
| Horsepower | 127 hp |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 24 MPG |
| Highway | 29 MPG |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar and hydraulic shock absorbers |
| Rear Suspension | Double wishbone coil spring with hydraulic shock absorbers |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Ventilated disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | Drum |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 147.6 in |
| Width | 66.7 in |
| Height | 64.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 86.6 in |
| Curb Weight | 2,524 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 40.3 in |
| Headroom Rear | 38.6 in |
| Legroom Front | 39.5 in |
| Legroom Rear | 33.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 53.3 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 50.2 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.8 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 55.8 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1998 Toyota RAV4 2dr HardTop Auto with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota RAV4. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jan 22, 2020 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 1998-2000 RAV4, 1998-1999 RAV4 EV and Celica and 1997-1998 Supra vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, and increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and owners will have the option to self-inspect, or have a dealer inspect the steering wheel on their vehicle to determine if their vehicle may be equipped with an affected inflator. Potentially affected steering wheel serial numbers will be inspected by a dealer. Based on the inspection, dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator with an alternate one, as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall is 20TB01 and 20TA01.
NHTSA campaign 20V033000
Aug 9, 2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR, WHEN EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, CAN DEVELOP STRESS FRACTURES IF THE LUG NUTS ARE TIGHTENED WITH EXCESSIVE TORQUE.
Consequence: THE DISC ROTOR COULD BREAK (WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE WHEEL), RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND STEEL WHEELS WITH NEW DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND NEW ALUMINUM WHEELS. IN ADDITION A CAUTION LABEL THAT READS, "USE NEW GENUINE TOYOTA ALUMINUM WHEELS." WILL BE AFFIXED. VEHICLES ALREADY EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS WILL ONLY REQUIRE CAUTION LABEL INSTALLATION.
NHTSA campaign 00V212000
Aug 9, 2000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE REPEATEDLY PARKED BY PLACING THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE "P" POSITION WITHOUT APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE PARKING LOCK ROD, A COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION PARKING LOCK SYSTEM, COULD BREAK.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RENDER THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING LOCK ROD.
NHTSA campaign 00V211000
Oct 19, 1998 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS (TDS) SUPPLIED BY AUDIOVOX CORPORATION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN 'OPEN CIRCUIT' CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.
NHTSA campaign 98V278000
Oct 19, 1998 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS USED ON 1998-1998 TOYOTA RAV4, AVALON, AND SIENNA MODEL VEHICLES DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, INC. IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. THE ALARM WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS PLUGS INTO THE ALARM HARNESS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT. A PERCENTAGE OF THE FEMALE TERMINALS USED IN THE ALARM CONNECTOR WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN "OPEN CIRCUIT" CONDITION WHEN MATED TO THE MALE IGNITION SWITCH TERMINALS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE INTERMITTENT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR HVAC FAN SPEED CONTROLS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT RUN SMOOTHLY AND COULD STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE LABEL ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS AND ANY DISPLAYING THE MANUFACTURING/FINAL DATE CODE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY PRODUCED HARNESSES. THE DATE CODES ARE: RAV4 - 6/24/98, 6/25/98, 6/26/98; SIENNA - 6/25/98, 6/26/98; AND AVALON - 6/30/98, 7/1/98, 8/31/98, 9/1/98, 9/2/98, AND 9/3/98.
NHTSA campaign 98E035000
85 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota RAV4
Owner Complaints
85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Toyota RAV4 (20 mention a crash, 7 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Service Brakes | 19 |
| Hydraulic | 17 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1998 TOYOTA RAV4. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.