8.3
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
no data
Average Mileage:
92,214 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints
Most common solutions:
- i need to pay $5000 for 2003 rav 4 problem (5 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful Websites About 2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission jerks
2009Jul 23
RAV4 4x4 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
I am having the same problems like the rest of you. I had taken my Rav4 for service at the dealer in July 7, 2007 and was not told about the ECM news bulletin which Toyota had put in. I never got anything in the mail either. I really never had any problems with the Rav4 until 8 days ago. I took it to my mechanic and he told me that the engine light came on and he checked it and it was ok. He did not charge me but told me to come back if the problem reoccurred. The car started jerking again while driving. I took it back to the Mechanic first again and was told that I should take to the dealer to check the problem out. I then took it to the dealer which is Millennium Toyota today and was told that the ECM needs to be replaced and that would cost me around $1800 which they give me a 10% off and it would be $1600 and if the problem still persists the transmission would have to be replaced too. My husband lost his job a few months ago and then he had a massive heart attack last month and now I have this car problem which is going to cost me more than $5000. I would like to complain to Better Business Bureau of why we have to pay for the transmission and the ECM. This is absurd. I don't have this kind of money to spend. Anyone who reads this, please help and let me know what needs to be done.
2009Jun 28
RAV4 2.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 69,500 miles
I thought I had a good truck but this problem is very serious I have to put it in the shop and see what the problem is hope there is a recall on this I don't have the money to have this fixed I'm still paying on the truck can anyone help with this one .
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 11
RAV4 LX V4
- Automatic transmission
- 127,000 miles
From what I've read of others' complaints, I've had the exact same problems. This is dangerous because when the car hesitates to shift gears, it slows and the cars behind me come close to rear-ending me. Toyota put out what they called a service bulletin to avoid doing an expensive recall of both the 2002 and 2003 RAV4 models. The problem does not start with the transmission, but actually with the computer and this is Toyota's FAULT ! THEY SHOULD FIX OUR CARS FOR NOTHING BECAUSE THEY KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT AND DID NOT NOTIFY THE OWNERS. The " service bulletin " was sent to the dealerships, who just keep telling people they have to pay for their own repairs. From what I can gather, the problems crop up after the cars are driven, usually just after the warranties expire ! I drive many miles to do therapy with kids with autism, they are depending on me, and I can't afford to get stuck somewhere when my car fails me; and I can't afford to spend thousands of dollars to repair the car either. I bought this car because it was recommended by the Consumer Reports Car review -- I wonder what they would say now if they knew about both the 2002 and 2003 models' problems. I plan to send a print out of this site to them and the dealership. I am glad to have found this site and thank you for allowing me to vent my frustration.
2008Sep 24
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
It is very incovinient for me, since I have 2 daughters that ride with me all the time and its very dangerous because every time I make a turn and try to press the gas it takes a while to go, and every time I'm in a red light and try to go when green light changes it takes a while to start, I can't even travel to California anymore and I have to spend on renting a car every time I want to go to California, that problem may cause a very bad accident. I also talk to one of the representative in Toyota dealership and he said the problem is not a recall and that they never heard of that problem for Toyotas. My mechanic print all the recalls and problems that this cars have and I show them the form where it says and stated the same problem and it is stating that there is a warranty coverage on 80,000 miles or 96 months which ever happens first, and the representative wasn't nice and helpfull at all, I feel I was ignore by them, he just said there is nothing he could do for me and that it is not a recall. My mechanic cannot find what's the problem but I was told by him that the problem may cost me up to $5000 or more to replace the transmission. I think Toyota has to cover all the costs, I hope that they add this as a recall soon!!!!!
2008Oct 30
RAV4 Sport 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 101,000 miles
i have a 2003 rav4. it won't go up hills. the transmission is jerking, then is makes a loud popping sound. toyota services told me it was probably the transmission and the computer. they already flushed the transmission. cost me 225.00 dollars, but that didn't work, so guess whats next.i'm really upset about this. i'm disabled and no income coming in. don't know what to do.
2008Oct 19
RAV4
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
PLEASE DON'T BUY TOYOTA!! BAD AUTO TRANSMISSION. I DIDN'T EXPECT FOR TOYOTA.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Aug 08
RAV4
The morning of August 8th, i was ready to go to connecticut. I began to put the car in reverse and I felt a heavy jerk. So i tried again and the jerk persisted. I began to drive and next thing you know the car starts jerking between 10-20 miles per hour. After 30 miles per hour the car would be smooth sailing. The problem is very serious and can lead someone to rear end you as the car really slows down to jerk itself. I'm very upset to see this problem and to see that Toyota did not send any information about this problem to any of its customers. I have two toyotas and am seriously considering selling both for Hondas.
Viranchi P.
Piscataway, NJ, USA
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