2000 Toyota RAV4

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

• Good find Soft Top Trim

  Sold in the US from 1998 to 2000 only⁴

  Why it is a good find: The Autopian calls the soft-top convertible an even cooler version of the three-door RAV4, and found none for sale.⁴

Recalls

• 00V212000 1998–2000

  Front brake rotors can crack if the lug nuts are over-tightened. Dealers replace the rotors, and the steel wheels with aluminium ones.^6,7,8

• 00V211000 1998–2000

  Shifting into P again and again without the parking brake can break the parking lock rod.^6,7,8

• 20V033000 1998–2000

  The driver airbag inflator can take in moisture, and then rupture or under-inflate in a crash.^6,7,8

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: The Soft Top All years

  Jalopnik calls the Soft Top the best RAV4 ever made, and The Autopian says Toyota fans regard it as rare.^9,4

• Sought after: The 2000 2000 One source so far

  SlashGear lists the 2000 among the used RAV4s to buy, as a reliable one.¹⁰

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.