transmission problem
7.7
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$3,697.00
Average Mileage:
91,935 miles
Number of complaints:
15 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace transmission (11 reports)
- not sure (4 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2002 Toyota RAV4 transmission failure
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.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Aug 18
RAV4
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!
Susan Q.
Baltimore, MD, USA
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