The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while trying to shift into reverse she encountered extreme difficulty. The contact was able to shift into drive and the vehicle was able to be driven to a private mechanic where it was determined that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 71,300.

- Columbus, OH, USA

I was driving my 2002 Toyota Rav4 down the interstate when the check engine light came on at the same time that the RPM's of the vehicle began escalating far beyond where they normally would. After testing the vehicle at different speeds, I determined that the car would not shift from fourth to fifth gear. Took it to my local mechanic, who determined that there is nothing wrong with my transmission. What's wrong is that the electronic control module (ECM) that controls the transmission had failed. He contacted a local Toyota dealer to see if he could source the part and discovered that it was a known failure and we needed to take the car to the dealership. We did so, where we were told because we purchased the car new in may of 2002 (ten years, five months ago) that they were refusing to repair the car's ECM as it fell outside of their 'adjusted' warranty period. I contacted Toyota's corporate customer assistance, where I was told that yes, Toyota knows that the part is going to fail. They extended the warranty to cover more of the cars that would be affected. However, since I purchased my car five months longer than their arbitrary ten year coverage period regardless of the fact that the mileage of the car falls far below the listed coverage that they are not going to do anything to repair my vehicle. Not only that, but the dealership quoted $1400 for the ECM repair and another $4800 for the transmission - saying that the transmission had to be replaced, even though they hadn't inspected it (I asked!!) and I had already had an independent mechanic check it out and said that it was fine. I do not understand how it is okay for Toyota to sell millions of people cars with known safety defects and say that they are not responsible for the repair - knowing that if the repair isn't made, that people will be killed driving these cars.

- Dallas, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked abnormally while driving and would lose acceleration. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic which located the failure at the electronic control module (ECM). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied any assistance with the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 100,600. Updated 10/11/12

- Fairfield, CA, USA

Dangerous transmission problems occurred in this car. The car would stall before going into second gear. Once it occurred as I was in an intersection. There are low miles on this so there should not be a need for repair or replacement at this time.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

We had just left a parking lot in our 2002 rav 4 and as we came up to speed the transmission began to jerk and try to shift into different gears. I all of a sudden had no power and a truck coming down the road almost hit us. As I depressed the accelerator the car revved up and all of a sudden engaged and spun out. Very scary and we were lucky!.

- Pinole, CA, USA

My 2002 Toyota Rav4 has been sluggish since day 1, about 2004. This past weekend it was more sluggish than usual, after take-off. I drove it a few more times and after every drive, the transmission wouldn't shift easily, and when it did shift it was very hard. Almost a whiplash hard. It is getting worse, and this is only the 3rd day. I called the national Toyota number, because I found the extended warranty policy bulletin on-line, but I am 9 months over the 10 year limit, and even though it does not say 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, I was told that the whichever comes first is an automatic...hmm should be in writing that way. And I called my local dealership, they told me the same thing. I called the local Toyota customer line, but was put through to voice mail. Really 9 months...my car has 130,000 miles. I need help!

- Leonardtown, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced harsh shifting. The contact also stated that when attempting to accelerate, there would be an increase in the engine rpms but the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the ECM would need to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the transmission fluid needed to be drained and replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 122,000.

- Browns Valley, CA, USA

The contact owns 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to shift gears. The contact attempted to accelerate, but the vehicle failed to respond or shift gears. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the electronic control module was found defective. In order to repair, the electronic control module would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware; however no assistance was provided. The failure and current mileages were 35,000.

- San Jose , CA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle hard shifted independently into a different gear without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as the transmission needing to be replaced. The dealer offered to cover the cost of fifty percent of the repairs costs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted.the failure mileage was not available and the current mileage was 118,000.

- West Plains, MO, USA

I have a 2002 Toyota Rav4. About a month ago it started intermittently skipping/jerking and being stuck in gear. I took it to two Toyota dealerships, the first one informed me of a factory warranty extension for the ECU for my vehicle, but because the check engine light is not on they cannot get any codes, the second dealership told me the same thing as well as the Toyota company. The warranty is for 10yrs or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. I have 70,000 miles and it will be 10yrs the 25th of this month. I have researched this problem online and have found that hundreds of people have the same problem with this vehicle. Do I have any options to have this taken care of, asap because of the 10yr warranty that will no longer cover me for this?

- Fairmont, WV, USA

Harsh shifting and jerking, particularily 1st & 2nd gear slow to accelerate launching and bucking hard engagement when put in reverse revs up from 2 to 3 - 4 rpms.

- Marietta, GA, USA

The 2002 Toyota rav 4 transmission is now slipping & missing gears had some service on the transmission in 2011 October, but to do a full rebuild starts at $1700.then goes $$$up.

- Quarryville , PA, USA

Very unsafe transmission Toyota 2002 rav 4 shakes doesn't go into gear.called Toyota will pay only if one of three codes come up on dealer only test charged 140 rip off. Dealer says transmission bad but no code. Toyota will not cover. Dealer and Toyota act like they never heard of this until you let them know you read about it. Problem shifting out of the blue.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

I was going North on molly lane and going to turn right on us hwy 92 going East. I pulled into oncoming traffic when my car stalled and it acted like the transmission slipped. I was almost rear ended. I drove and picked up a pizza on townlake parkway and the same thing happened when I pulled out of papa johns. I knew there was a bad problem at that point. I was going to drive it home and have it towed to Toyota. Upon turning onto the entrance ramp it stalled again and had no power. The cars behind me were blowing their horns. At the top of the ramp it revved and then surged. I drove it home and had it towed. Toyota says that the ECM is bad and needs to be replaced and then they can check the transmission. I looked on the internet and found there have been numerous problems with the 2001 - 2003 Rav4's. this is a definite safety risk and Toyota should be made to do a recall to fix the ECM boards.

- Canton, GA, USA

I experienced sputtering and hesitation while driving my 2002 Toyota Rav4 a few weeks ago, the Friday before memorial day. The car has around 72,800 miles on it. Over the memorial day weekend the car was fine. The next week I experienced the same problem. Once I stopped the car at a light and then accelerated, the car would lurch and sputter. I feared the car would shut off in traffic or I would not be able to keep up with the flow of traffic. I stopped driving it. Two different mechanics (non-Toyota) have told me I need a new transmission. I then took it to a Toyota dealer after calling the national customer service number, mentioned in a New York times article from August 2009. There was a recall on the ECM which the dealer who I bought the car from was uncooperative in replacing. So far the car is still at a different Toyota dealership undergoing "diagnosis".

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

Driving normally nearing a stop sign/light/potential need to stop. Apply brakes, vehicle jerks. Beginning to release brake and continue driving engine shuts off and all warning lights on panel light up. Shift gear normally into park, start engine, it turns over, shift gear into drive and engine shuts off. Try shifting into 2nd gear, 1st gear and engine shuts off. If car sits for a while (not able to determine that amount of time it varies) it may start. Has happened at intersections and am placed in the center of an intersection trying to get started. This has occurred in rush hour traffic several times. Have taken car to dealer where it is now for the fifth time. They placed a computer on the computer to get a reading and it did not display anything. I cannot afford to purchase a new car and cannot afford thousands in repair costs.

- Maple Heights, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that she experienced problems shifting. All of the gears were affected whether the vehicle was accelerating or slowing down. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the electronic control unit and the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 101,830. The current mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Dundy, OR, USA

I have a 2002 Toyota rav 4 and am experiencing transmission problems. I understand that there are numerous Toyota customers with the same problem. I also understand that Toyota will do nothing to fix the problem and that writing you would be my best bet. The problem is caused by a faulty ECM (engine control module) and costs about $1200 to replace. Driving the vehicle as is also hurts the transmission which can lead to an additional $4000 to fix. Please let me know what or if anything can be done. Thanks. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Old Forge, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. While driving 30 mph up a hill, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. Report 1006100118 was filed with the manufacturer; however, they will not offer any assistance with the repairs since warranty has expired. The failure and the current mileages were 47,680.

- Henderson , NV, USA

Transmission slipping and slamming into gear. Vehicle shudders like it was going to stop running, then RPM's jumped up to about 4,000 and slammo! slams into gear. Almost got hit by a large truck behind me. Check engine light doesn't come on. Took it to dealership and they say without error codes they cannot diagnose the problem. Had a recall on ECM a couple of yrs. Ago. Had it done(re-flashed) at dealership. No help from Toyota.

- Attleboro, MA, USA