2003
Toyota RAV4

Starts at:
$16,625
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New 2003 Toyota RAV4
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Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Not rated
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Manual (Natl)
    Starts at
    $16,625
    25 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Auto (Natl)
    Starts at
    $17,675
    24 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Manual 4WD (Natl)
    Starts at
    $18,025
    22 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Auto 4WD (Natl)
    Starts at
    $19,075
    22 City / 27 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4

The good & the bad

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Safety review

Based on the 2003 Toyota RAV4 base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Nhtsa rollover rating
3/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
7 years / less than 85,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12, 000 miles
Dealer certification
160- or 174-point inspections
See all CPO program details

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Consumer reviews

85% of drivers recommend this car
4.3 / 5
Based on 47 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.3
Interior 4.3
Performance 4.0
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.3

Most recent

  • By Edro from Columbus, Ohio
    Owns this car
    December 28, 2023

    Very Reliable

    I was given my 03 RAV4 AWD manual transmission back in 2014 from my father in law only had 82k miles on it. He bought it new in 03 before deciding on buying a Tacoma to pull a large camper. I can definitely say to this day it has never left me stranded ever. It has 140k miles on it and still has the original clutch. It’s my daily driver for work and I have a 2015 Camry I drive now on the weekends. Definitely will never get rid of it
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Dannie C from Santa Monica, CA
    Owns this car
    November 27, 2023

    Miuch happier than imagined I would be

    I have escaped the vintage German "car repair poor" lifestyle and bid farewell to a beloved BMW e30 that was one thing after the other.. but it was 35 years old... it had a right.. I bought a 2003 Rav 4 with high miles that was well taken care of - in almost flawless shape.I LOVE IT ... love it's little tank style - it's comfy.. the a/c works great..it handles better than expected and is peppy as all get out for a 20 year old buggy.. I feel relieved - happy and should it meet a premature fallow end- i will seach for another one... LOVE LOVE IT
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Betty Gibson from Leitchfield, ky
    Owns this car
    September 6, 2023

    Toyota Rava 4. 2003. Got it used.

    If my car was to blow up tomorrow I would buy another. I have had very minimal problems and best of all I do not worry if I need to go someplace. I highly recommend Toyota Rava 4.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Delaney.Christina from Rapid City, South Dakota
    Owns this car
    December 5, 2020

    Perfect for your teens!

    I've owned the car coming up on a year after strictly owning junkers, and it's about to go over 200,000 miles. It's comfortable, safe, and gets me from point A to point B. Mostly driven on the interstate from home to school, or the occasional drive in the mountains with friends. I've had no problems that have required legitimate maintenance. It's been on road trips with me, and it does phenomenal. It's also been on trails to certain hiking spots and is a TANK. I absolute love it, and it does everything any other teenager could need. Easy to clean, and quite comfortable for it's age. Can haul small loads, and lots of friends. All around solid starter car, as long as you take good care of it!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    16 people out of 16 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Coach Hammer from Parkville, Maryland
    Owns this car
    September 1, 2020

    Perfect Car for a Rookie Driver

    Found a 17 year old 2003 RAV4 with only 71k miles. Front wheel drive and a manual transmission. Perfect! Fits 4 comfortably. Sits up straight so sight lines are good. Shifts and rides smoothly. I think the mileage is so low because of it being a manual it just didn’t get used but it is a Toyota so we should be able to get a few good years out of it as long as the 16 year old doesn’t wreck it. If she does, it got good safety grades back in it’s day. My daughter has taken to the car quickly and is loving it. She named it Ernie and is learning a lot quickly about maintenance and how to operate a motor vehicle.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Mary from MINNEAPOLIS
    Owns this car
    July 27, 2020

    I will always drive a RAV4

    I have over 230,000 miles on my car and have experienced very few repairs on this vehicle. It is dependable and has the room I need.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    11 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By SherIU from Twin Falls, ID
    Used to own this car
    September 22, 2019

    Most reliable car Ive owned.

    Great car. Great gas mileage. Drove to Ca every year w/ no problem. New computer was put in at 105,000 miles. No problems after that. A truck hit my passenger side doors & they couldnt be repaired so totalled it this year @ 127,000 miles. Very sad!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Jesse from Berlin, new Jersey
    Owns this car
    May 21, 2019

    Crooked salesman

    Jaun was very deceitful if a dealer ever crowds you and promises the moon walk away 3 days after getting a car exactly at 100 miles is when the cars check engine light came on cylinder 4 misfiring catalytic converter needs a replacement and a new gasket seal the only thing they couldn't hide were the back breaks which they had to tell me about and said if I bought them they would put them on for free as long as I left a good review what a crooked place don't believe most of these reviews most of the people probably have never posted a review before being asked to leave a good review for them and the others probably forgot to come back and change it, I personally didn't want the car and when asking to see the keys to other cars I was told it has this and that kind of problem which was a red flag but I couldn't get anyone to listen and leave, kept getting promises of a car that would work and wouldn't fail because I needed it for my kids 🙄 I hope you people are honestly happy and are able to sleep at night knowing I can't afford to fix the thing without sacrificing stuff my children need.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By PuddleRunner from Oakland, Ca
    Owns this car
    February 19, 2019

    Hindsight is 20/20

    I bought my '03 Rav4 brand new and absolutely LOVED it. Always took it to the dealer for scheduled maintenance. Got 130,000 miles out of it before the ECM failed in 2016. The same dealer that has always maintained it replaced the ECM, most likely with a refurbished one and although at first I thought it was good to go, that lasted all of 9 months and it's been nothing but CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, sensors and blown spark plugs, since. I wish I had traded it in when I got the Notice in 2010 about the potential ECM problem.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Margaret from Crosby, mn.
    Owns this car
    June 27, 2018

    I bought my rav4 new in 2003 and I still love it.

    Has over 189,000 miles when in Jan. 2018 began having minor hints of shifting issues, I assumed it needed spark plugs, but by June, shifting was much worse. Replaced Ecm, and had refurbished tranny put in. Shop had it for a month and still has issues. Toyota won't help even though they know of these same problems happen to many other rav4's from 2001-2003 suffer same things. Cost me $5,897.79 , only now, the tranny place is responsible for what further repairs it needs still. NOT HAPPY with them or TOYOTA.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tracy from DePere, WI
    Owns this car
    March 19, 2018

    Toyota RAV4!! Great little suv!!

    We just bought my daughter her Toyota RAV4. She is so so HAPPY to have found this little suv, she is so much in love with it. It drives really great and we know its gonna be a very safe, dependable and super reliable vehicle, Toyota's are just known for that. This little RAV4 really just ended up being the absolutely perfect little vehicle for my daughter.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By moman from chicago
    Owns this car
    January 17, 2018

    Great reliable all wheeled drive vehicle

    Very reliable and excellent to run. Great on gas, parts and maintenance very affordable. Hold their value well!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2003 Toyota RAV4?

The 2003 Toyota RAV4 is available in 1 trim level:

  • (4 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2003 Toyota RAV4?

The 2003 Toyota RAV4 offers up to 25 MPG in city driving and 31 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2003 Toyota RAV4?

The 2003 Toyota RAV4 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2003 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

The 2003 Toyota RAV4 has an average reliability rating of 4.3 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2003 Toyota RAV4 owners.

Is the 2003 Toyota RAV4 a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2003 Toyota RAV4. 85.1% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.3 / 5
Based on 47 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.3
  • Interior: 4.3
  • Performance: 4.0
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.3

Toyota RAV4 history

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