Toyota RAV4 Parts Guide (Where to Buy & More)

Eventually, soon, you will need to replace your RAV4 parts, either because they are broken, or you will need to modify your car more. The problem is not purchasing the parts; the problem is that you might receive inaccurate guidance as a mechanic. I have seen many people purchase those parts without knowing what they are. 

We will help you find the best part for your RAV4, whether you want OEM or aftermarket. We will also help you find the parts and how to use and install them. Just follow this guide. 

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The Best Places to Buy 

To find the RAV4 Toyota components, we must know what kind of parts you need. Whether it will be OEM or aftermarket, it is also important to know if you purchase online or in-store. 

Buying OEM (original equipment manufacturer) 

OEM components are made by automakers. These components are specially made to fit the RAV4 like the original ones. Dealerships always suggest you replace your parts with OEMs. 

PROS AND CONS 

Pros 

• It guarantees a perfect fit as the original parts, like those used by Toyota, 
• More durable than aftermarkets. 
• Great manufacturer quality. 
• Include warranty 

Cons 

• Higher prices than most aftermarket parts 
• It is very difficult to search for old vehicle parts. 
• Sometimes there is a shortage of stock. 

1. TOYOTA PARTS CENTER ONLINE 

This particular online parts center gives you the opportunity to buy original Toyota components and accessories that fit perfectly on your vehicle. You can find your RAV4 parts very easily by its model year, driveline and trim year. 

It’s an official Toyota parts site. You will get 100 percent original OEM parts. The very same as your RAV4 manufacturer parts. 

It’s much cheaper than a dealership, but it’s more expensive than an aftermarket option. 

Some users on Reddit, like Shanester951, can find some cheaper parts online by using the part number on the website. But some users, like Daidai1414, will tell us that sometimes the site can be very slow to update for the latest model years. 

Most people are happy with these sites, but some have some issues. 

2. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 

If you are going with Toyota original components, then visit a nearby dealership or check the online store. In this way, you will get the perfect and original parts. It’s a very good thing if you already have it. 

The dealership is very convenient for us. If you need to know about parts, you can chat with them online or directly order them. You can also schedule your service. 

But let me be clear: this is a very expensive process rather than a mechanic. If you want your car to run properly, then I suggest the dealership. In the end, it depends on your budget. 

Toyota Nation Forum named Joncogar is a user according to him it a very cheap to buy from the Toyota site and be shipped to the local dealer. There is no shipment charger, and it will be quickly delivered to you. 

3. OEM Genuine Parts 

This online parts platform sells original and genuine Toyota components and accessories. As some people know, it’s run by Revolution Parts, but it’s connected to certified Toyota dealerships all over the country. Joining their competitor departments to give OEM parts for every Toyota model. 

Now you can easily look for your RAV4 parts by their model year, trim level, or VIN for better accuracy. Some of the sites can provide you with proof that some of the parts are discounted by 35% by the producer. So don’t be late and check it out. 

The only big issue is that the parts might not be available in the stock or shipment delay if you need parts urgently and the stock isn’t available at the time. If you’re not in a rush, it’s worth your time. 

Buying Aftermarkets 

Here are some pros and cons of buying aftermarkets. 

Pros 

• Commonly way less expensive than OEM 
• There is no out-of-stock problem. 
• They have more auto shops in person or online to be purchased. 

Cons 

• Less quality than the brand 
• The majority do not have a warranty. 

1. ROCKAUTO 

They mostly focus on aftermarket products, with at least more than 300 brands selling at a low price. The rock auto has a large collection of parts. 

I know this website looks a little bit old. But check carefully; they do give a warranty on some products. 

Quora and Reddit are huge websites where people say some good things. But some people are complaining about shipment problems after seeing that they quickly fix shipment problems. 

2. AMAZON 

As most people know, Amazon is a huge and vast site. You can find new and after-sales parts; it depends on your budget. If you have trouble finding parts, don’t worry; Amazon has a vast selection. And if you are at Amazon Prime, you will receive some items for free. 

And be careful to read all the reviews before buying car parts. Some sellers will not refund your money, so select the right seller and make sure you get the right products. 

Some advice on Reddit varies. One person mentions that Amazon is a good platform you can use to buy, but you should also search some more to see if the parts are fit for your vehicle or not. And some people mention buying car parts from Amazon, but the majority are fake and of low quality. They advise us to buy from Rock auto. 

I personally advise beginners to search more than buy. I personally purchased from Amazon because I have experience and have thoroughly researched. 

3. EBAY 

Like Amazon, eBay is also a big and vast site where you can find new and aftermarket Toyota parts. Even you can find used parts at a cheaper price. 

But the same problem, like Amazon, maybe the dealer is fake, or product quality is not that good. Before buying anything, search deeply. 

On Reddit, someone mentions it. It’s a good site, but you must know what you’re looking for. 

Buying Online 

If you have time and do not need parts urgently, I will suggest you purchase online because it has a vast selection, and you will also read peer reviews about that product. But there is a risk; maybe the dealer is fake, or the product is very low quality. You must research before purchasing. 

I will tell you about some good sites where you can purchase auto parts. 

1. TOYOTA PARTS CENTER ONLINE 

The online Toyota auto parts retailer supplies very good OEM parts directly from the producers. So, you don’t have to worry about the quality; it will be the perfect fit for your vehicle. 

2. ROCKAUTO 

As I mentioned earlier, Rock Auto is a great and vast site to purchase online auto parts for your car. If you want to know more, then read the above article.  (Source)

As with other websites, this one is different; they also have great auto parts for Toyota at a very cheap price. But they also provide you with installation and a local service center. And most parts come with a warranty, and shipment may take longer. 

On Reddit, one person reviews that the site is very good and legit; you must try it, and the other person’s review is totally opposite. 

The comments are mixed now; it’s up to you whether you are willing to take a risk or not. 

Buying In-Store

If you are in a hurry and need a part as quickly as possible and want to get advice from people you must look for in-store, then you don’t have to worry about product quality; you will see for yourself, and you will promote the local business. 

The issue is stock; most of the time, stock is not available, and negotiating with a physical retailer is difficult. 

1. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 

As I said in the above article, buying from local suppliers is good because it saves you a lot of time and you don’t have to worry about the original and right product. And they installed it right away; there was no need to wait for shipment. 

2. AUTO PARTS STORES 

Most of the places have available auto parts like AutoZone, Advance Zone, NAPA, or O’Reilly. They mostly have available auto parts. If they don’t have what you need, they can order it from other places. . Many stores also match prices from other places. 

3. SCRAP YARDS 

Many people choose the third option, the scrap yard. They bought used parts for a low price, but there is no guarantee that they will work. 

Finding Parts Diagrams 

Finding the right parts of your body is a very difficult thing, and most people cannot do it. So parts diagrams help you a lot. It will show you where each part is in the car. These diagrams are very important for car systems. 

You can find these diagrams on autoparts.toyota.com. You can also check Partsouq.com. If you are willing to do it for yourself, we suggest you get a factory service manual. Or you can get help from the local dealership with these diagrams. 

Getting Parts Installed

There are three options. 

TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 

I personally suggest you go to the dealership. They are professionally trained, certified technicians and mechanics with lots of experience, and they use original Toyota parts. And they guarantee their work. 

It will take some time for your vehicle to get back. First, you need to make a proper appointment for your service. I will make that clear: it is a very expensive process to get your RAV4. 

INDEPENDENT MECHANIC 

A local mechanic is not well-trained as a Toyota technician. But they can handle repairs. And you can build a good relationship with your mechanic. 

In this way, you can save a lot of money because local mechanics use aftermarket parts. But if you ask them to use Toyota original parts, they might use them because some machines have original parts. 

DO-IT-YOURSELF 

If you want to do it for yourself, it will save you a lot of time and money, as well as reducing labor costs. You can get help with YouTube and other online channels. 

But make sure what you are doing. If you make a mistake, it might cost you even more expensive and time-consuming repairs. 

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)