8.7
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$3,811.00
Average Mileage:
99,786 miles
Total Complaints:
28 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace transmission (23 reports)
- not sure (5 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Toyota RAV4 transmission failure
2009Sep 19
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 151,000 miles
If you have a 2002 Toyota RAV4 and the transmission has failed, PLEASE file a formal complaint with The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It will take a few minutes online. The more complaints, the better. Toyota will get pressure to step up and do what is right! My transmission failed on the freeway and I nearly died! PLEASE file a complaint so we can all get our money back! $4800 to fix...ouch!
2009Aug 18
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
I have had this Rav 4 for 2 years, bought it from the same place I bought my last toyota corolla which I kept 12 years. Should have kept it , no problems. So far have replaced the gas tank, hole in neck, replaced catalytic converter, stopped up, and now the transmission, all since November 2008. I wish I had found this web site when my car first started acting up. It just started one day jerking and bucking, and getting stuck in high gear, the first local place I took it to said shift sensors, kept if for 8 days, did nothing, My brother said take it to AAmco, they said $3605. 67 and probably still need computer, have brought it back to my hometown, and am trying to find a rebuilt or transmission. but did not know about these problems. The Aamco woman did say it was a technical issue Toyota knew about but was not bad enough to issue a recall. I feel like such an idiot. Now I am stuck and do not know the best or right thing to do. When I first bought the car, the engine light did come on after a couple of weeks, I called the dealer, he told me to just unhook battery cable and it would reset itself. What an idiot I am. If anyone else with this problem has resolved this issue, and can tell me where in NC to find a transmission, please feel free to contact me. stedsel@gmail.com
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Aug 01
RAV4 EX
- Automatic transmission
- 107,000 miles
I bought a Toyota because I wanted reliable transportation for a long time. I treated it well: all service was done according to schedule, oil was changed religiously, drove it gently... and now the transmission needs to be replaced. I do not have $4,000 sitting around and not sure if I want to sink that kind of money into a 7 year old car anyway. Evidently this is a known issue with 2002 RAV4s because I see many complaints about this problem online. The people at Toyota even acknowledged it but will not fix my problem. Hate, hate, hate this car now!
2009Jul 20
RAV4 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
We are an auto shop and found out about this website just thought id let everyone know that we got another rav4 with a bad trans and computer
2009Jun 17
RAV4 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
Well I want to add my complaints to the others. My transmission starting jerking, etc and I took it to the shop and they say I have to have to replace my transmission and will probably have to replace the computer too. I am shocked. This is a Toyota that should go to at least 200,000 before it starts with any major problems like this. I called our local Toyota dealer here in Clanton, AL again This time I (Talked to the Assistant Service Mgr, ) and he said they have only had one recall on my car and that was something to do with the computer (SSC60I) which I had fixed just before my car reached 70,000 miles. This was the 2nd time I had talked to them about the Rav4 transmission problem. I asked him for the Toyota Hdqs Number and he gave me the Toyota Customer Experience Center in Torrance CA. I talked to a representative there and he denied that Toyota was aware of any problem with the 2002 RAV4 transmission. He said even if there had a been that my car was way past the warranty and they wouldn't do anything now. I asked him if he was aware of all the complaints on this vehicle on the web and he said there was no way anyone could prove that they were valid.
Well I can because I was given a case #. Make sure you call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 and voice your complaint and get a Case Number. There is no doubt in my mind that the Toyota Folks are well aware of this problem but knows that in most cases the transmission will hold up through the warranty. I will be willing to joiin in a Class Action Case. I think we should write ads to our local newspapers and let folks that have these vehicles know what to look for before their warranty expires.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Apr 27
RAV4 2.0L I4
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
My wife insisted we buy Toyota based on Consumer Report and other sources touting reliability. In fact, I just checked their website and the RAV4 is still on the top of their list! Hello?! Are they getting pay-offs? We bought a certified used vehicle from the dealership which included a 2 year warranty. One month out of warranty our ECM and transmission crapped out. A quick google search for rebuilds reveals this is an obvious problem. The reliability sucks, the interior quality is a joke for an "L" model, and now I'm stuck with a $5200 repair bill on a car we hate. Thanks for nothing Toyota, and CONSUMER REPORTS GET A CLUE!
2009Feb 24
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 105,000 miles
Toyoya knew that there was a problem with their computer module that created a problem with the transmission. I am a single woman trying to make due during tough times and this just wiped out my savings plus i had to borrow to pay for these repairs. The fact that Toyota does not stand behind their product is inexcusable. The government sends bailout money to you which translates into my money and yet you pass on your product failure to me. I had to rent a car so my car could be serviced only to find out the amount of damage this compute module created and the price tag of $4452.54 needed to fix it. That this is not cover even in part by warranty is a down right crime. You don't mind taking my money through the bailout plan and then take it thru a product defect that you knew of. I would never recommend Toyota has a honest up standing company. If you would honest you would assume some of the cost of a replacement computer module and transmission. I doubt if I should hold my breathe for that rebate check from you. It might eat into your bonuses. Can't have that happen can we? Please review your policy and do the right thing for all the customers that have shown you loyalty.
2008Oct 17
RAV4 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
First of all, I would like to say that Toyota is doing nothing to fix this problem. I am filing a class action law suit against them.
Back on 07/07, my check engine light came on. It was right at about the time I needed to have my car inspected. I took it to the Toyota dealership and they did a reprogramming of the ECM (engine control module) at no cost. My car had 67K and was still under warranty. In Oct. 08, my wife was driving the car and it started sputtering. The check engine light was also on. I took it into a shop and they said based on the codes that it was misfiring. I changed the spark plugs and everything was fine. I drove our car to the coast for vacation a few weeks later and noticed what felt like the transmission slipping. Check engine light was back on. I brought the car back home and took it to a transmission shop and they said that the second gear was damaged and the transmission would need to be replaced. He pulled up a code "P0755 shift solenoid b faulty4."
I took it to another transmission shop and he told me basically the same thing but he also gave me a TSB (bulletin) stating that the ECM may exhibit a harsh shift condition and that improvements have been made to the ECM that will reduce the possibility of this condition occurring. The shop told me that it wasn't a recall and because the vehicle is no longer under warranty that I will have to have this fixed at my expense. I asked him as to whether or not the faulty ECM could cause damage to the transmission and he said yes. I went back to the other shop and he told me the same thing, that it could cause damage to the transmission. I then took it to a near by Toyota dealership. and they concluded that the transmission was in fact damaged and it would be up to about $4,000 to fix it. I believe they said that the computer needed to be replace also. I'm assuming they were referring to the ECM. I then called Toyota corporate and filed a claim with them. After review, the District Service Manager over at the dealership denied the claim stating that the car was no longer under warranty. I never spoke with him. This came down through one of the Toyota personnel at corporate. Very elusive. Unable to contact the person who makes the final decision.
I have since continued making payments of $319 a month on a car that I can't drive. I don't have $4,000 to fix this and I feel that Toyota is completely responsible in this matter and should claim 100 % liability. I am filing a class action law suit. I will post with further details and would like to advise you all to do the same.
2009Jan 23
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 103,000 miles
Thought toyota was a good product will never buy one again..transmission crapped out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 07
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 108,000 miles
much like the other owners of a rav 4 i have trouble with transmission. Out of the blue it felt as if i was driving with the parking break on or was trying to pull a heavy trailer. Shifting between first and second gear slammed. Took to dealer and they wanted to charge me for an expensive diag. check. On the way home the car shifted without problem and for about a week i had no problem. After being on the expressway one day my luck changed. my check engine light came on and the gear change was terrible. i crippled into a parking spot and took it to a transmission repair shop. they told me i needed a new ECM and that they had found damage to the trans because of it. I do not have the money to repair it especially if the repairs wont fix this toyota problem. Any advice would help, should I just get a new ECM or spring for the whole 4000.00 repair, help
2009Jan 17
RAV4 LX
- Automatic transmission
- 52,312 miles
I bought my used 2002 Toyota Rav 4 in October of 07. In the 14 months that I have owned the car, I have only put about 4000 miles on it. So, you can imagine my disgust when my car started about 6 weeks ago to violently shake, jerk and race at any given time. I took it to the dealership today and it needs a completely new transmission and the computer is fried. This is going to cost me $4,100 and it would have cost $6,100 but fortunately, the computer is covered under some 8 year/80,000 mile warranty. I am even more disgusted to find out about all of the problems that have been ongoing with the 2002 Toyota Rav 4 transmission from reading complaints on this site and Toyota has done NOTHING about it and dealers still continue to sell these cars. Now, I can't even trade it in because it's only worth $1,000. It's RIDICULOUS! I will be writing a complaint to Toyota and the dealership where I purchased it and demand that they do something about this. If anyone out there is reading this, trying to determine which car to buy, take my advice....STAY AWAY FROM A TOYOTA AND IF YOU LIVE IN PITTSBURGH, DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR CAR AT #1 COCHRAN!!!
2008Sep 26
RAV4 4
- Automatic transmission
- 115,673 miles
I purchased a used toyota rav4 six months latter i had transmission problems . My dealer said they had a recall on transmission problems . I called toyota and they said I had to many miles on it . They did nothing . So ended up replacing it . 2000 miles latter my rav is back in the shop getting another transmission in it . Not only the cost but no one would furnish a car for me I now have 500.00 in rental fees . This happened four days before Christmas . No one from toyota will help me at all . I am very sad and upset .
2008Aug 18
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 62,256 miles
this is the second of 4 separate complaints that will encompass 4 new transmissions in as few as 900 miles...
On August 18, 2002, my car was exhibiting the same transmission banging and gear shifting delay as it did when i brought it to them on July 9, 2008. Regardless of it being the exact same problem, I still needed to go through the wait of having the extended warranty company come out and approve it. On September 22, I got another new (rebuilt) transmission for the car.
again, my dealership and warranty company were great, but i decided to call Toyota out in California to see what they had to say. I got a case number and everything, but, it was really a waste of my time. (It's absurd to think back now on how unusual i thought it was to have 2 transmission replacements...! Now i'm on my 4th!) 2 more complaints to follow!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Nov 13
RAV4 LX
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
I took the Toyota RAV4 2002 to the dealer and they said that to fix I will need the ECM and Transmission totaling $5000. After looking through all the 2002 RAV complaints about the transmission problem. It sounds like Toyota has a defective product and they recall and fix the problem.
2008Nov 05
RAV4 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 106,000 miles
I used to be a staunch Toyota supporter until this little escapade. The car suddenly started having difficulty shifting between 2nd and 3rd gears. We immediately drove to Dublin Toyota (California) where we have had every piece of work done on the vehicle since it's purchase from that dealership. We were told that the Rav had to have the transmission replaced at the cost of $5700. I contacted my husband who questioned the dealership asking if this was symptomatic for the Rav4, if there were any other reported occurrences, any recall, etc. We were told NO! Dublin Toyota stated no cases at all. Later that afternoon the service tech contacted me again and stated that they would give us a break on the transmission itself and that all we had to pay for was the labor. We thought we were so fortunate. However now after reading all of the other instances of this same problem AND some of the other quotes of cost of repairs, we feel that they "just took us for a ride" and basically we're paying for the entire repair, they just initially over quoted.
Please let me know if anyone was successful in getting Toyota to cover the entire expense. We're not giving up and intend to visit Dublin Toyota tomorrow with copies of all of these complaints. Does anyone know if there been a class action suit filed? I didn't find any through my research to date.
2008Aug 18
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
A long time Honda owner, I decided to buy a Toyota and have been happy with the Rav4. Recently, the car began to "hiccup" when going from 1st to 2nd gear. I took it to the Toyota dealer and they told me that it needs a new ECM for $1230 and a new transmission for $4600. Are you KIDDING ME? I am not about to put $6000 into a car that has 92,000 miles on it. I offered to pay half if they pick up the other half since this appears to be a known problem. I am awaiting their decision as the dealer has to go to Toyota corporation to see if they have any "goodwill" money available. I am very disappointed because I really thought that Toyota stood behind their products and prided themselves on service quality. I have no faith that they will agree to the 50-50 split. I found a transmission place that will rebuild and put in a new ECM for $2700 but Toyota tells me that it won't be fixed right because the clutch package required is simply not available and that is why a whole new transmission is needed. They tested my transmission fluid and found metal chips which means my transmission is already damaged and can't be rebuilt. I don't know who to believe. I guess I will write to Toyota's president, file a complaint with the Better Business folks, call the Lemon Law group and do some other things; however, I don't feel optimistic. Has anyone pursue this matter legally? What other options do we have???
2008Aug 04
RAV4 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Just found out my RAV (which only has 50,300 miles, mind you) needs a new transmission. Huh?! This screams DEFECT to me.
At my last (faithful) oil change, my mechanic said I needed new tranny fluid asap. So I took it to a specialist in Culver City, who drained & replaced the fluid (which was black -- very bad news). He informed me the ECM (computer command module) is just fine...the prob is the tranny, which "is about to be blown"
I'd love a recall to happen but HQ says there's been no pattern of reports of failed transmissions. Pls call Toyota HQ to report your problem!!! -- apparently: "if they get enuf complaints, they turn it into an investigation, then possibly a recall. Also, if there ever IS a recall in the future, you can try to get reimbursed for past tranny $ spent." That's Toyota HQ talking, I hope it's all true. Peace, out. ~Julie
2008Jul 18
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
In October 2004, I purchased a 2002 Toyota RAV4 from Modern Toyota in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on a six-year payment plan. I also purchased out what was left of the three-year warranty, and a one-year maintenance plan. I have continued to get oil changes and tune-ups at regular intervals.
The car is at about 93,000 miles. On Friday, July 18, I was driving to a doctor's appointment, and quite suddenly, it began shifting improperly. In the lower gears, it lurched and bucked as if it was having trouble catching. Immediately, I drove to Emporia Motors, the local Toyota service center. It was about 11 AM. Emporia Motors was too busy to diagnose the problem by the end of the business day. The car was not drivable, so I had to do without a vehicle over the weekend.
On Monday, July 21st at 8:30 AM, I was informed that the transaxle/transmission would need to be replaced. The part and work needed was quoted at $3.450.00. After running an Internet search at www.carcomplaints.com, I found that there were 103 complaints about transmission problems on the 2002 RAV4, most of which were focused on problems with shifting, often occurring after the vehicle's mileage reached the 90,000 mark. This is clearly not a random problem, the costs of those repairs to other consumers are comparable to mine, and yet, Toyota has not taken any responsibility whatsoever for this problem.
The vehicle is only six years old and I have not even finished paying it off, and now I'll have to make additional monthly payments for the transmission replacement. The high cost of this unexpected repair is a serious burden in these difficult economic times. I am extremely disappointed with the quality of this car. I live in a rural state and I need to know that my car is reliable and that its quality is backed by the manufacturer. It was my plan to make my next car purchase a Toyota hybrid, but I can assure you that this is no longer a consideration.
2008Jun 21
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 113,000 miles
My car has 113,000 miles and the transmission has started to slip. I have done all the proper maintenence required, and I had a recall at 60,000 miles to correct a problem with the check engine light being on. I am bringing it to a transmission specialist tomorrow. I will come back and let you know what the answer is. I'm pissed, this car was suppose to run good until at least 200K miles!
2008May 03
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
AS ANYONE WITH A RAV4 THE ECM MODULE BROKE THE PLANETARIUM OF THE TRANSMISSION AND BECAUSE THE CAR HAS OVER 80,000 MILES (87,000 TO BE EXACT) TOYOTA DID NOT WANT TO FIX IT. WE SHALL FILE A SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA, ALL OF US SO THAT THEY PAY FOR THE FIXING.
2008May 27
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
I am highly upset that the Toyota Corporation will not do anything about the problem with the toyota transmission or computer problems. They should be willing to pay for the fixing the computer problem which looks like that is what is causing the transmission problem in the first place. They should also honor the power train warranty even if it is past the year mark and accept it if vehicle is still under the mileage required, after all this is their problem/defect, not the consumer. If it wasn't for the consumer they wouldn't be in business. I am very disappointed in the toyota quality. I have had two previous toyota's with no problems. This is going to cost me 4-5000 that I do not have. Toyota needs to take responsibility for this.
2008Jun 04
RAV4 4WD 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
I took my RAV4 into the dealership to have the ECM recalibrated in Jan 08. Since that time I had subtle changes - did not accelerate or pick up quickly especially when going up inclines. On yesterday, the car really started to stutter and it sounded like it was even backfiring. The engine light came on and I took it to the dealer. I was told I had transmission failure, lucky to get there and that I also had to get the ECM replaced. Cost $4900!. The advisor told me it was nothing I could have done to prevent this. I had done all the recommended maintenance on the vehicle. Now I discover that this is not an isolated problem for this year/model of Toyota. I am not looking to purchase another Toyota. Anyone have any luck with Toyota headquarters?
2008Mar 27
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
The first time I noticed that my transmission went bad was in October 2007. I went to my mechanic and they notified me that I had to get a new transmission, which cost me $1,900.00 to replace. Within seven days of getting my car back, I had problems shifting again. So I brought my car back into the shop where they went from checking the fluid, to rebuilding the transmission. From October 2007 - March 2008, it was a continuous cycle. They even rebuilt the transmission and put it back into my car three times. So everyone was stressed out because my mechanic and the transmission specialist were losing time and money, and it was very inconvenient for me where I had to borrow other people's cars to get to places or even pay for rental cars at my own expense and called in for work due to car issues.
February 2008, my transmission was having problems AGAIN. Like most people with this issue, I dreaded stopping at intersections as my car would slowly accelerate when I hit the gas. Sometimes it would even jerk while my poor car is trying hard to pick up the speed that it's supposed to be in. It was very dangerous and embarrassing.
I tried to ignore the issue (because I was so tired of bringing my car to the mechanic) but after almost getting stuck on a intersection on a hill, I brought it back one more time. They rebuilt the transmission for the third time and later found out that I need a new ECM computer for the engine/transmission. The old computer has been causing the transmission to fail. They wouldn't let me drive the car out of the lot because they knew that the transmission would break again ....unless, I get the computer replaced.
They towed my car to the Toyota dealership and I had my ECM computer replaced. Which cost me $1,200.00. It wasn't under warranty since the mileage was over $80k. So now I got Ravvy back, and it's been good so far.
2008Mar 05
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 90,800 miles
Another victim of Toyota. I had the same problem with the transmission. While driving the car seems to downshift and this is very dangerous - I have a child in the car! Toyota is very well aware of this problem and yes, I got hit for $1,400. Very important that you don't drive the car with this problem because instead of the $1,400 fix you might damage your transmission and then we're talking the $1,400 fix + a new transmission. Any comments on there being a class action suit or anything further? I did put a complaint into Toyota and I think it's shameful that they're aware of this problem but don't recall the cars. I want to get my money back from Toyota. Let me know if anyone knows about a suit.......
2008Jan 14
RAV4 Limited 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 141,968 miles
I have the similar problems. I was notified by Toyota by by the recall notice for the Engine control Reprogramming notice mailed to my home. I was also called on the phone. This recall notice was on the check engine light problem , which I currently was having. I made my appointment and brought my car in on Jan. 14, 2008. The dealership involved was Rudy Luther Toyota in Golden valley Minnesota. Within a short time, the service manager called and stated there there was some additional testing that needed to be preformed. He stated that there would be a charge of qpprox. $112.00. I advised him only to do the warranty work and to let me know when the car would be done. He stated there were about 300 codes that could be affecting this problem. After I picked up my car I notice a vibration, I only live about 2 miles away so I didnt have to drive far. I started having problems right away , My car was shaking, and it felt like it wanted to stall out . It is an automatic and it would not shift right. The Rpms would rev up real high and would drop down. I kept thinking my engine was going to stall. I have had a hard time getting off free and on freeway ramps. I had been close to many accidents , almost two just this morning. This is a safety hazard and someone is going to be hurt. I have complained to Toyota customer service and the local dealership. The customer service center states that I have to deal with the dealership. No one will accept responsibility for this. I did not have any of these problems until I went in for this recall. I have stated this over and over. I called the highway traffic nd auto safety board at 1-888-327-4236 to register a complaint with them. I am urging you to do the same. Maybe we can get some help. The service manager at Rudt Luther Toyota said that i needed to bring my car in to replace the Ecm. The cost could be anywhere from$950.00 and up to $5000.00 depending on what they would find at my cost. I asked the to reprogram my computer , they would not do it, and even when I asked them to test drive my car, he refused. I asked him for the general managers phone number and name, he would not give me a phone number, a name , but when i asked to talk to her, he said she wasn't available this week, i then asked him for her managers number and name he declined to give me that information. He said he would have to make some calls and get back tome. He never did. When I called this morning to reach the service manager they said he was not in , he was at a meeting. We need to stick together, has anyone done any research regarding a class action lawsuit? The dealership just called me and said they would make me a one time offer, they would pay a third of the cost , the dealer would pay a third and i would have to pay a third of the cost which would be Around $300.00. This was a one time offer by the Technical service representative Mike Horejsi in customer service thee Chicago region. They said Toyota is going way beyond what they would normally do. I can either take it or leave it. If I don't take this offer I am out of luck.. We all need to call and do something soon about this, I never had a problem with my car until they did the reprogramming. please comment or help..Thanks Sue
2008Jan 14
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 106,000 miles
My mechanic has been trying to figure the shifting/jerking issue for over a month. They finally found metal shavings in the transmission pan. I've called Toyota corporate and left a complaint, but I'm not expecting any results. I called my dealership and they denied the issue and even tried telling me that it's normal for a transmission to go out after 106K miles in hopes I would trade it in for another Toyota.
I do plan on suing Toyota over this. If anyone is interested on helping me fight this cause, please contact me at melodyb78@comcast.net. Toyota needs to take responsibility for this piece of crap car they made! I'm looking at a $4000 replacement for the transmission. I'm not confident this will fix the issue.
I've also had to replace my catalytic converter. I haven't seen this issue posted on here yet.
2008Jan 28
(reported on)RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
Sludge and metal in transmission, stopped running. The engine also went in the car at the very same time. This cost me 3500 dollars.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your transmission problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Sep 15
RAV4 L I4
ECU was reprogrammed in April 2009 to address spurious PO420 (Catalytic converter) errors. In September, transmission began slipping, downshifting, etc. Dealer says new ECU and transmission will be required and offered to do it for 'half price' ($700 + $2200).
bob1602
Austin, TX, USA
SEND A COMMENT »