CarComplaints.com Notes: If you're looking for a vehicle with one of the most complained about transmission on the road, look no further than the 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4.
In 2001 Toyota completely redesigned the popular SUV. While some enjoyed the new look, they did not enjoy the harsh shifting, jumping from gear-to-gear and eventual transmission failure that cost owners well over $3,000 to fix. The problem stems from a malfunctioning Electronic Control Module (ECM).
Consumer outrage coupled with pressure from different agencies led Toyota to extend the warranty nationwide back in 2010. The previous power train warranty only covered 5 years/60,000 miles, while the extended warranty now covers the transmission and ECM for 10 years/150,000 miles. Toyota also pledged to reimburse any owners who had previously paid for repairs, if they had "proper proof". Good luck collecting on that one.
8.5
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,540
Average Mileage:
111,900 miles
Total Complaints:
119 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (46 reports)
replace transmission (28 reports)
replaced ecm (21 reports)
new tramsmission (8 reports)
replace transmission & ecm at the same time (7 reports)
added a bottle of Lucas transmission treatment (2 reports)
Toyota Extends Warranty on Troubled 2001-3 RAV4 - Toyota is extending the warranty on automatic transmissions and electronic control modules on almost one quarter of a million 2001-2003 RAV4s and offering to reimburse owners who had already paid for repairs.
this is really getting worst everyday and now i need to push the car because it won't go reverse anymore it just don't move and i can't drive more than 25mph and sounds so awful.
I have a Toyota Rav 4, 2001, 2.0 with transmission problems for the ECM......only the ECM was the problem...they put an other ECU from the dealer $ 680 CN dollars, now the Rav 4 running good.
I had never had any problems with my RAV4 until the check engine light came on in March 09. I took it to a local gas station and they found that there was an O2 sensor that needed to be replaced. During that visit, the gas station recommended a transmision flush so I had it done--- WORST MISTAKE EVER!!!! About 1 month later, my car started losing acceleration and spiking RPMs or jumping when shifting around 25 MPH. By the next day, the car did not want to accelerate and I had to have it towed to the gas station. They had no idea what was wrong with it other than 'it wasn't there fault', so I had it towed to a transmission shop. It ended up have a rebuilt transmission. After 2 weeks, I got it back, but within a few days, started have the same troubles and back to the transmission shop it went. After replacing the clutch and multiple other pieces that had been thought to be faulty, I got it back another 2 weeks later. As soon as I got it, it was having the same exact problem, so when we spoke to the transmission guy, he was at lost and recommended that we take it to the dealer to get reprogrammed because he having trouble doing it manually. After 5-6 days, the same problem happened for the THIRD time and it had to go back. This time they replaced the clutch and other possible faulty parts for a 3rd time, and when they ran the tests, found that the transmission would shift perfectly when done manually but still had the same problem when in automatic mode (it is an automatic transmission). The transmission shop called their tech people and was told that the problem is a faulty computer. Now, they are trying to find out from Toyota if they will cover the costs because it was there recalled piece or if I have to cover it. But it's at a point that I either pay for the computer or I can't even resell/trade the car in! SOOOO FRUSTRATING!!!
Return from a trip to learn that my Toyota would not start after the engine was washed. A local licensed mechanic suggested it was the 'brainbox'. He managed to get a secondhand replacement and got the car started. A couple of days later came to realize that the gears were not really changing and jerks sometimes. The problem has been on and off but now seems to persists annoyingly. Local Toyota Dealer/Agency wants me to change the whole brain box at almost US$ 3,300.00. I feel like abandoning the car but I don't want to miss this smooth ride.
My 2001 RAV4 is also acting up and I don't know where to start to get it fixed
it definitely needs a new transmission. When I took it to the mechanic he told me to
drive till it fails on me because it needs it anyways. He also warned me that once the transmission is fixed that I will need to take it to Toyota and have the new transmission flashed with the computer in my car. Nine out of ten times the computer does not register with that transmission so I will need to purchase a whole new computer. I don't think I have a warranty on it. I have only had it almost 3 years and put an extra 30,000 miles on it.
- ecanal,
Merced, CA, US
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I am very upset with my Toyota Rav4. I bought this vehicle used after my 1999 Honda CRV was wrecked. I thought it would be great as I had heard that Toyotas last a long time. Well I have had it for about 2 years and the engine light had been on most of the time. I had to have the Catalytic Converter replaced (over $1,000) then about two weeks ago, I pulled away from a stop sign and the car lurched into 2nd gear and 3rd. Almost every time I leave a stop it either won't go into gear at first then finally pop into 1st. I had the transmission fluid pumped out and replaced along with a new filter and pan gasket. It didn't help a thing. From the postings I see, this can be very expensive.....so my car is parked for the time being. I wish I had bought another model or another Honda CRV. Also when I turn a corner it seems to shift into neutral or low momentarily then pop back into gear...the transmission is just doing whatever!
I have a 2001 Toyota RAV 4. I love this suv, but now the trans is going bazuca on me. To fix the problem is going to be from $1,300-$3,500?????????????????????????What...???
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO WAY.... so I went to car max and they will give me $3500.00 dollars for it. What the hell, I thought that this Toyotas went over 200K miles...From what every one tells me about this AWD rav 4 trans they go bad around 80K miles....We need to get a recall on this ravs....
I'm having problems with my 2001RAV4. First it would hard shift from 1st to 2nd, then my check engine light came on. I took it into Aamco and they charged me $700 to open it up to see what was wrong. They then proceeded to tell me it was going to cost $4,128 to fix it, by replacing the transmission and I can't remember what else they told me had to be replaced. I was pissed! Here I am retired, thinking I wouldn't have to buy another automobile and shame on me. I don't have that kind of money laying around. I need help on the class action suit against Toyota.
Man I have the same problem with my car, just like the rest of you nice people. We have to do something about this issue, it looks like some of you people have spent a lot of money for nothing. What we need is a lawsuit. We need someone that is a lawyer up in here. Sounds to me like, "Toyota" knows about this problem but no one has done anything about it yet. So they just keep on doing what that do best, take people's money.
For anyone that is reading this, do not get anything fix at dealer shops, unless it is a recall. They will try to take anything they can...go find some other small repair shop to do the job.
So, here's what I did to help my car run a little better, but not perfect. I undid the battery and cleaned up all of the ground wires with a wire brush and fine sandpaper and reconnected it. I hope that will help you a little, like it did me.
Was the class action suit filed against Toyota? If so, anyone has an update? I had my catalytic converter replaced at 65K in 2004 and fortunately, it was covered under warranty. Fast forward to 2009 and the same issues are still there today. I encountered the same issues as everyone else with the transmission having difficulty from 1st to 2nd gear. In 2008, I spent over $1,200 on a new ECU because the Toyota dealership said that I needed to have it replaced because the engine was misfiring. I asked if this was a common problem at the time and they said that they had not heard about it before. Yeah right...My check engine light has been on for 5-6 months since late 2008 and I'm now needing to replace my catalytic converter again. I'm tired of this BS that Toyota is claiming to not acknowledge any of this. Any thoughts or suggestions?
I am having problems with my transmission and have been told that it's due to a faulty Powertrain Control Module (which I received a recall on and brought into the dealership as instructed). Now I not only have to rebuild my transmission but I also have to purchase a new PCM. I spoke with customer service and waited two entire days to hear back from them. When I called back I received VERY poor service and I threatened to start a class action. I've since been googling and am realizing that this is a very big problem
Toyota should be held accountable for this faulty error. They do know of the problem, there is a class action law suit against them...were signing up people, getting the word out...The only true way to fix your car, replace the transmission, replace and reprogram the ECU entirely...running you, thousands of dollars.
So much for a reliable Toyota! In addition to the transmission problem, I also have had check engine light issues for over 2 years. I have taken it to Toyota on more than one occasion to have them not be able to turn it off. I now find myself with a failed transmission after taking excellent care of this car since I purchased it in 2001. Shame on Toyota for not owning up to this huge problem!
The transmission was slow shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Also the car jumped. I had the transmission rebuilt. I got the car back, but the same thing began happening again. Now I am told that the problem is the computer. It ruined the transmission and if I use the car, it will ruin the fixed transmission. What is going on???? Does anyone know if there has been a recall for the computer?
Toyota RAv4 2001 AWD, from 1/31/09 onwards the transmission problem starts. It do not shift, it tries to shift but do not. during this it gives jerking and stalling or stopping. after reading some transmission problems reported regarding the same kind, I am going to contact dealer tomorrow. i will write up later after that.
Hard shifting from 2nd to 3rd. After driving around town, the car will not accelerate and will jump down the road until it finds 2nd or 3rd gear. Sometimes, I will shift into reverse or drive and the car will not move. Had it towed to a dealer. They said they checked the computer, but I needed a new transmission. Then, I received a notice from Toyota to reprogram my computer for free. Took it to another dealer. Just had the computer reprogrammed for free b/c of the recall. They said I needed a transmission flush, and my fluid was a little low. We decided to drive the car home b/c we are new to the area and do not trust the dealers here. Car drove fine home. Now, it's happening all over again. Going to have it towed once more to see what the problem is. I hope it's just the transmission fluid/flush. If not, I have a feeling my computer damaged the transmission. I had a Corolla for YEARS and never experienced problems like this.
Update from Oct 22, 2009: MY ADVICE TO EVERYONE IS TO REPLACE YOUR ECM. REPROGRAMMING IT DOES NOTHING! DO NOT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FIRST.
THIS IS A MONEY MAKING SCHEME. IF TOYOTA TOLD YOU YOUR ECM WAS DEFECTIVE, THEN THEY WOULD BE ADMITTING THE DAMAGE TO YOUR TRANSMISSION IS CAUSED BY THEIR DEFECTIVE PART (ECM).
AAMCO IS ALSO SCHEMING CUSTOMERS INTO PURCHASING A TRANSMISSION WHEN THEY KNOW THE ECM SHOULD BE REPLACED.
I HAD TO PURCHASE AN ECM FROM A DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON FOR A DISCOUNTED PRICE. IT CAME WITH A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. I HAD A MECHANIC INSTALL IT. OVERALL, I FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR LESS THAN $900.
THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME ALMOST $7,000 FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ECM. THE ECM ESTIMATES WERE AROUND $1500. THIS IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THIS IS A TOYOTA CREATED DEFECT AND PROBLEM. BELIEVE ME, REPLACING THE ECM IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN WHAT THE DEALERSHIPS WILL CHARGE YOU TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THEN THE ECM.
THEY TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT, AND MY COMPUTER WAS FINE. I REPLACED THE COMPUTER, AND THE HARD SHIFTING WAS ELIMINATED. I KNOW MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT GOING TO LAST FOREVER, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY CHEAPER TO FIX THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM FIRST.
Please help! I'm having problems with my 2001 RAV 4 shifting gears. I was told by toyota to replaced the chip, and the cost associated with such is close to $3000 dollars.
I'm not quite sure what to do! I can not stand the jerk and the noise that the makes while trying to shift gear. Toyota need to fix this problem right now!
I have this 2001 RAV4 with the same problem with the rest, the ECU is malfunctioning and the shifting is really bad in 1st and 2nd gear. I almost got an accident twice in the freeway. I called toyota regarding this issue and had told me that there was no recall regarding RAV4 ECU's malfunctioning and told them to visit this website.
I'm sad to add myself to this list of unhappy 2001 rav4 complaints about the transmission. Has anyone had any luck getting this resolved with the deal/toyota? or has a law suit been filed?
I would like to share my frustration with the transmission of my 2001 Toyota RAV4. The car is in excellent condition (no problem what so ever) but recently the car jumps when shifting from 1 to 2 gear. I had the transmission fluid flushed (may be not needed) and I am curious to know whether anyone out there has any opinion what could be the cause of this?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
this is really getting worst everyday and now i need to push the car because it won't go reverse anymore it just don't move and i can't drive more than 25mph and sounds so awful.
- Eliza O., Honolulu, HI, Pacific Islands (US)