Sell your 1998 Toyota RAV4 for cash

The 1998 Toyota RAV4 is a vehicle that came with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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1998 Toyota RAV4 at a glance

Body styleSpecial Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
Engines2.0L 4-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy19–21 city / 24–27 highway / 21–23 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,900–$3,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂386–423 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA8 configurations: RAV4 2WD, RAV4 Soft Top 2WD, RAV4 4WD, RAV4 Soft Top 4WD
Age28 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 28 years old, most of a 1998 RAV4's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a vehicle, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 RAV4. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1998 Toyota RAV4 recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 1998 Toyota RAV4. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsJan 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V033000

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…

Risk: 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 se

Power TrainAug 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V211000

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.

Risk: This condition can render the system inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash.

Service Brakes, AirAug 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V212000

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.

Risk: 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.

Electrical SystemOct 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V278000

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…

Risk: 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.

Common 1998 RAV4 problems

Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 1998 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA. 19 reports involved a crash. Owners reported 12 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags7
  • Vehicle Speed Control6
  • Air Bags5
  • Vehicle Speed Control5
  • Power Train4
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Vehicle Speed Control71,000 mi
  • Air Bags160,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control400,000 mi
  • Power Train132,000 mi

1998 Toyota RAV4 service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 66 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Toyota RAV4. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment10
  • Equipment7
  • Unknown or Other6
  • Air Bags5
  • Equipment4
  • Electrical System3

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2024 · T-SB-0043-14

    OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2023 · TSB003220

    TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2022 · TTT063620

    TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2022 · Toyota PRO19-02

    POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Other Toyota RAV4 years

‹ Sell a 1997 RAV4 · Sell a 1999 RAV4 › · All Toyota RAV4 years

Other 1998 Toyota models

Selling a 1998 RAV4: questions

How much is a 1998 Toyota RAV4 worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1998 RAV4 that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1998 RAV4s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1998 RAV4 with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 Toyota RAV4; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1998 RAV4?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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