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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)
transmission problem
Helpful websites
- 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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought the car used from a dealer in 2006. I didn't purchase the warranty because it didn't seem worth the money per month since I was buying a well made, long lasting Toyota. While I still believe that once upon a time Toyotas were great, they clearly have not been making them like they used. I had the car for a year and half and the transmission failed. It started to shift smoothly in and 'uh oh something is really wrong way' and then it finally just stopped, in the middle of the road. I had to be towed and subsequently had to fork over $2800 for my transmission to be replaced. Am I angry? Yes! I loved my car, was very excited to have it. Now I curse it everyday for being a stupid money pit. I had heard of these things happening to Fords and Chevy's, not toyotas and hondas. And now my husbands 2002 Honda accord seems to have the same issue!!!
- danieb, Playa Del Rey, CA, US