Attempting to enter highway, car lost power, eventually kicked in, immediately brought car to dealer. They serviced fuel injection, fuel system, spark plugs. Found no problem with transmission. 4 weeks following repair, hesitation happened again, this time check engine light came on, returned to dealer and was told the transmission and ECM unit needed replacement. Going through all my previous service records, came across a service ticket dated 05/18/2012, showing a service performed on a faulty ECM unit. Toyota was aware of this problem, but never informed consumers that the faulty units could affect the transmission, and driving ability of the vehicle. I am stuck with a $5,000. Repair bill, but I also could have been involved in an accident, had I been merging onto a busier highway. There have been many complaints filed, but yet no action taken by the national highway traffic administration...will it take a loss of life, or serious injury before action is taken?

- Calverton, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the accelerator failed to respond to acceleration attempts. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle erroneously decelerated while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that the transmission was causing the problem and the computer would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Corona, CA, USA

This is a well-known problem with the engine control module (ECM) malfunctioning, causing hard shift conditions, transmission damage, possible accidents and injury.this problem is affecting up to 235,500 Toyota rav 4 models between 2001-2003. My experience is typical of the numerous complaints that can be seen posted here; www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Rav4/2002/transmission/problems_shifting.shtml Toyota needs to issue a complete recall on the defective ECM units and compensate for losses incurred.

- Bothell, WA, USA

On September 9, 2013 while driving my rav 4 to work, I experienced a strange behavior, the car suddenly stopped moving and I had to press on gas several times and it would move as if like it is choked, in a minute everything went normal as it has always been, I was a little worried but then after driving about 2 miles and stopping at a stop light, this thing happens again and when I try to push on gas it started moving a little and then there is this "thud" sound as if something was holding wheels of my rav 4 from moving and then suddenly it let the wheels run. I took the car to Toyota service center (Toyota Scion of concord) and been told that my car needs a ECM to begin with and that Toyota has a tsb out there as well "extended warranty" which in my case is expired since my car is 2002 and the warranty is 10Y/150 K miles, whichever is earlier. I am concerned as to why this discrepancy, Toyota knows or had known over a period of time that their vehicle had an issue and they cant be putting life's of buyers at risk by not doing a recall of that. Please I am requesting that some action needs to be taken on this and such continued acts of concealing information with owners / sub-owners of vehicles and that this condition leaves at lot of lives at risk besides financial loss.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Today my Toyota Rav4 2002 began to have automatic transmission shifting issues. It has an excessive jerk when shifted from park to reverse, it is slow to shift from 1 to 2, and it jerks like I was rear ended when shifting to the next gear. I contacted my local Toyota dealer and was told there are no outstanding recalls on my car, the ECM software was updated before I purchased it used. I asked if they had any issues with the transmission on this model and year and I was told "no". they recommended I bring it in for a diagnostic check for $104 just to check it out. Afterwards I thought I would check the net. I found numerous threads regarding the 2001-3 ECM/transmission issue. It appears a number of owners have submitted complaints to NHTSA. Please add me. They are ignoring this issue and pretending they do not know anything about it.

- Fredonia, NY, USA

Original owner of 2002 Toyota Rav4 AWD. Was driving home from a friend's house and stopped off near my home for an errand. Left the store, (car was running, family inside) and proceed to drive towards my house. The engine was running but the car was barely moving. The tach was at 4,000 and I was barely going 5 mph. Suddenly and without warning the car raced forward at a high rate of speed. I slammed on the brakes to avoid a rear-end collision. After it was safe to move, I stepped on the gas again and the car sluggishly moved at about 5mph again. The whole ride home (less than 5 minutes) the car was either slow or fast without much pressure on the accelerator. Upon arriving at home and trying to parallel park the car, I noticed that the transmission was sluggish and made loud noise when shifted into reverse. This wasn't normal and it troubled me. I looked up online the symptoms and saw the tsb and the class action lawsuit against Toyota. I never received any information on this. This is my first time hearing about this. Ok 10 years/150,000 miles from 1st drive. Here's my problem - I bought the car in 11/2001 - I am over the years and under the mileage, so I don't qualify" the class action lawsuit was settled in Jan/Feb 2012. Tell me what happens to the people who purchased their car before Jan/fen 2002 - are the out of luck" I am no longer driving this car till this is fixed and safe. Please NHTSA - make it a mandatory recall - over 250,000 SUV's are affected. Make it right - make it safe!!

- East Meadow, NY, USA

I just got a Toyota rav 4 2002 auto and when driving with family the vehicle started to run sluggish, jerks when pressing gas, starts slow real slow after coming to a stop and this situation almost got us into an accident in us 81 near front royal Virginia. Additionally the check engine light came on. After taking vehicle to a mechanic it shows a code P0755 and reading about the problem is not a solenoid but it is ECM or ECU malfunction that the Toyota rav 2001-2003 are presenting which makes the car show a ghost code not a transmission code but rather a defective computer malfunction that cannot be repaired but replaced. Toyota knows about this problem and I do not see Toyota assumed responsibility and had passed the cost to vehicles owners and not a general recall to be fixed at manufacture expenses. Please research and make this issue a immediate recall because it had caused accidents due to the malfunction.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

Transmission slipping, engine racing, hard shift with a loud noise.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

We were just informed from our local Toyota dealership (gateway Toyota in toms river, NJ) that there is a known problem with the 2002 Toyota rav 4 automatic transmissions (high failure rate) and we were just informed that our transmission needs to be replaced. I believe NHTSA needs to investigate Toyota to see if a recall is in order.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that when shifting gears, there was a delay before the vehicle would engage, causing the vehicle to hesitate and lunge forward abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ECM was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 80,600.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

The dreaded 2001-2003 Toyota well known ECM safety defect began causing the transmission to shift harshly, and start in high gear instead of first gear, especially dangerous when pulling out in traffic. Sometimes it would cause the transmission to slip, causing high rpms. If not fixed the ECM failure will eventually destroy the transmission. Toyota increased the warranty as a result of a class action suit to 10 yrs or 150,000 miles instead of having a recall. I was over the years and under the mileage, so Toyota did not cover the costs for repair of this known defect..

- Strafford, NH, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and jerked while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where a diagnostic was performed that indicated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact that the transmission replacement warranty was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 67,950. Updated 10/29/13

- Avon , CT, USA

While driving on hwy I85 at 70mph my Toyota Rav4 suddenly locked up and caused vehicle to skid off the road. Thankfully, no one was injured, but car was towed to mechanic and estimated that the transmission transfer case may be cause...since then I have learned that Toyota had a recall on their ECM for rav 4 cars 2001-2003 that resulted in transmission shifting problems yet I was never notified because my VIN number was N/a indicating that my car would not experience any of the transmission shifting problems commonly associated with this recall. Unfortunately, the transmission shifting and lock-up problems that I am having is directly related to the computer faulty design of Toyota's ECM and yet they are not taking any moral or financial responsibility for my repairs. I'm filing this complaint because there has to be other Toyota owners that were not informed about the ECM recall such as myself that also like me, could be driving along the road in a well maintained car and suddenly skid out of control perhaps next time causing a fatality that could be avoided! proper notification regardless of VIN numbers so consumers can have cars inspected specifically for recall issues would have been the right thing to do and potentially offset the car repair issues I currently face.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Trans began to race, while car was moving slowly. Shifting became slow and loud. Acted like it was stuck in the low gears and was having difficulty shifting from 1 to 2 to 3, etc. The trans was laboring to make the necessary shift from the low to the higher gears have not driven car since that date except for analysis, etc.. to date, the various experts (joke) ( Toyota included ) say I need either the ECM, trans., or both the current price for repair is $6,775 + tax ( this was a special price that was quoted by a Toyota dealer ) I have dealt with the car dealer, Toyota(Corp) sales managers, etc and, to a person, received their sympathy, but, no support whatsoever. How is it possible for this Corp. To continue to refuse to correct an obvious fraud ( they new abt this problem since day one ) and continue to refuse to provide corrective steps" I bought this auto in Aug of 2011 with 47,00 miles on it. I drove it for 4,400 miles when the trans. Failed. Now, having learned about the prob. With this model, how is it possible that this auto was sold without any of the problems ever being disclosed at the time of the sale ? as a matter of fact, it was stated that "this car will last me a lifetime, given its low mileage and pristine condition " I have learned that Toyota issued a directive in 2001( ") that extended the warranty to 10years or 150,000mls, , whichever comes first. I then found out that I was not entitled to any assistance as I was outside the 10 year period. How is it they can use this logic when they have acknowledged that a problem exists and one that will not go away or correct itself regardless of time or mileage? knowing the inherent problems with the auto, the manufacturer should be held accountable and correct all problems without any exclusions or fine print items.

- Phila, PA, USA

My wife drive a 2002 Rav4 to work. On April 15 2013 while on her way to work like always she stopped at a red light. As the light turn green she pressed the gas the car started moving and suddenly lost acceleration, the driver behind her did not have time to reacted and rear ended them. My 2 year son and my wife shocked my son cried for a little bit and my wife had a sore back. An the beginning when she told me these I didn't think much of it. One week after the incident she told me the check engine light came on I told her maybe you didn't close the gas cap good when you put the gas if it still on I will get it check. Sure enough the engine light went off on its on.shortly after she told me the car is not driving normal if we could swap cars. I drove her car for couple days and occasionally I start experiencing a low acceleration and sometimes a hard shift. Took the car to the Toyota dealership and was told that Toyota has an open bulletin for the ECM witch control the gear of the transition but the bad news the said even do I had only 80100 miles they said the warranty is out by time. Once I read about this problem on several forum I realize that was exactly what my wife try to explain me. I contacted Toyota about what happen and told them about the accident they give me a case number and told me some one will contacted you with in 24 hours.

- Houston, TX, USA

In 2009, 2010, and 2011 my 2002 Toyota Rav4 exhibited sharp, rough shifting into and out of gear, often when on the freeway. The vehicle also had a check engine light that repeatedly came on. I was initially advised by a non-Toyota repair shop that the issue was with the transmission and it had to be replaced. However, upon taking the car to a Toyota dealership they stated the problem was with the ECM. In 2009 they re-programmed the ECM, in 2010 they re-programmed the ECM and in 2011 (after the extended warranty was issued by Toyota Corp) they replaced the ECM. They never did any service on the transmission. Now in April 2013 just 17months after they replaced the ECM it happens again and they tell me I need a new transmission and I have to pay for it because it's out of the extended warranty. Since the ECM was throwing the transmission in & out of gear for 3 years, isn't it obvious that the transmission was damaged by the ECM? it was even mentioned in the service bulletins that the ECM was possibly causing damage to the transmission and the dealerships may also have to replace the transmission at the same time the ECM was replaced. Yet because they chose not to repair or replace the transmission on my car in 2011 while it was under warranty, I now have to pay for what should have been done in the first place. Toyota has been aware of this problem since 2006 yet they never issued a recall or notified owners until a class action lawsuit was filed. Toyota needs to satisfy their customers by issuing a recall and admitting that both the ECM and transmission need to be replaced on any 2001-2003 Rav4 that experiences rough shifting, or shifting in & out of gear, or codes that reflect a problem with the ECM or transmission. This is dangerous for drivers and Toyota is negligent in preventing injuries and deaths due to a known defect.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

About a week ago my car began having issues shifting gears. If I pulled into a turn lane I would slow and start creating a danger for both me and other drivers. I took my car to a transmission specialist, with over 30 years of experience. He let me know that 2002 Rav4's have a recall on the computer that controls the transmission. He also said that in certain cases he knew Toyota had replaced the transmission as well. I took it to the dealership where the computer was replaced and I was told that the transmission had an extended warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles. My car was 19 months and 10,000 miles over the extended warranty. The transmission specialist let me know that the transmission was directly damaged by the computer. When I called the manufacturer they let me know that they didn't agree with the program, thought that it should have been a recall instead of extended warranty but there was nothing they could do for me. The manufacturer representative also let me know that there are others in my same situation.

- Graton, CA, USA

My car started to shift gears erratically and uncontrollably. I found out that Toyota has a technical service bulletin on this problem for 2001 - 2003 Rav4 cars and have extended the warranty to 150,000 miles. When I contacted Toyota they said my VIN# is not included even though my date of manufacture and symptoms are the same. My mechanic says this is the same problem as other Rav4S. Toyota refuses to explain why they exclude certain VIN#S and I think they simply trying to reduce their financial exposure. Need your help to deal with Toyota. I have always followed up with factory commended serviced, mainly through Toyota. The VIN# for my car is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Encinitas, CA, USA

This past summer the 2002 rav 4 started giving indications that something might not be right. The car had always gotten its required mileage maintenance which was also due at the time. So those things were done. However, over the last three weeks the following started: --the engine light came on, then off; --there was hesitation when accelerating/ a harsh jerk and shift when changing gears --the vehicle would sometimes slip back into neutral and stall while driving three independent Toyota-certified technicians diagnosed that there is a problem with the transmission, so we took it to darcars Toyota where the car was purchased. The technician there confirmed the diagnosis but said we needed to contact the warranty enhancement department. After placing me on hold for about 5 minutes, she told me that the car had exceeded the time for the warranty by about 3 months and therefore nothing could be done. Is Toyota willing to jeopardize the long-term customer loyalty and more importantly, the safety of their customers, just because the car chose to display its problems 3 months later?

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Out of the blue while in rush hour traffic, my car started shaking, jerking, slamming into gear, not accelerating, and at times it felt like the brake was being applied when I stepped the gas. When I first took it to the dealership a day after this happened the first time, they could not find anything because they could not duplicate the issue during a test drive. Literally minutes after picking my car up and driving off the dealership lot, it started happening again in stop-and-go traffic. This time it was much worse and I was afraid as the person behind me almost rear-ended me. I took it back to the dealership and they tell me I either need a new ECM or a new transmission. But after researching this on the internet, it is a huge issue that is happening to a lot of 2002 Toyota Rav4 owners. And we as the owners are at the mercy of the unknown - this happens out of no where and is horribly unsafe and yet Toyota takes no responsibility.

- Lakewood, CO, USA