ToyotaRAV42000L4/toyota/rav4/2000/l4/

2000 Toyota RAV4 — L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 RAV4 L4.

Body SUVEngine L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2000 Toyota RAV4 is a four‑cylinder SUV equipped with an automatic four‑speed transmission. It returns EPA figures of 21 city, 26 highway and 23 combined mpg and calls for 4.3 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil. Owner data show 41 total complaints for the year, the power train emerging as the top issue and three recalls recorded. Within the 1994‑2025 model span, complaint counts peaked at 1,002 in 2007 and hit a low of 1 in 1995, so the 2000 model sits well below the high‑water mark, signaling a relatively clean reliability profile.

Model year201120102009200820072006200320022000

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLOEM · verified
Tire size215-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter178017402083
Fuel filter2330079495 alt 2330079535
Front wiper blades8522242041 alt 8521247021
Serpentine belt993639076083 alt 909160235683
Thermostat9091603090 alt 1632563011

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length140.6 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase86.6 in
Curb weight2701 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.9 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 26 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2000 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

9.8–11.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.80 sec — 1999 SUV w/Soft Top 2-door
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1999SUV w/Soft Top 2-door 2.0L I-49.80 sec17.20 sec127 hpAWD
1999SUV 2.0L I-411.60 sec18.40 sec127 hpAWD
1998SUV w/Soft Top 2-door 2.0L I-49.80 sec17.20 sec127 hpFWD
1998SUV 2.0L I-410.20 sec17.80 sec127 hpAWD
1997SUV 2.0L I-411.40 sec18.40 sec120 hpAWD
1997SUV 2.0L I-411.70 sec18.50 sec120 hpAWD
1996SUV 2.0L I-410.00 sec17.50 sec120 hpAWD
1996SUV 2.0L I-410.50 sec17.50 sec120 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.3 qt
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.5 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts80 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance9700-16,700 ohms
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.61 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression142-178 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0019 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.709 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
136.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2000 RAV4 represents a transitional point in this generation's history: complaints dropped to 41 from 70 in 1999, recalls fell from 6 to 3, yet TSBs rose from 68 to 93, indicating that while the most acute problems were being addressed through recalls in the prior years, dealers were still fielding numerous technical service bulletins for ongoing issues. This relative calm was short-lived—the following years saw dramatic spikes, with 2001 complaints surging to 323 and 2002 peaking at 555, the highest of the entire generation. The target year's top complaint areas—Power Train and Vehicle Speed Control (each 6)—suggest potential drivability concerns, though crash complaints remained modest at 6 and fire complaints were zero. The 2000 model appears to sit in a trough before the major escalation of issues in 2001‑2002, making it arguably the most favorable year within this generation to purchase, as it avoids both the early-model teething problems and the later-years surge in consumer complaints.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
93
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
41
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 41 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train6
Vehicle Speed Control6
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Tires4
Wheels3
Visibility3
Structure2
Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V033000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 22/01/2020

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… 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…

00V212000Service Brakes, Air:Disc:RotorReported 09/08/2000

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 93 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…
T-SB-0062-23 Rev22024-12-03StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAV4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 RAV4 L4 take?

4.3 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2000 RAV4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the L4 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.