CarComplaints.com Notes: If you're looking for a vehicle with one of the most complained about transmission on the road, look no further than the 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4.
In 2001 Toyota completely redesigned the popular SUV. While some enjoyed the new look, they did not enjoy the harsh shifting, jumping from gear-to-gear and eventual transmission failure that cost owners well over $3,000 to fix. The problem stems from a malfunctioning Electronic Control Module (ECM).
Consumer outrage coupled with pressure from different agencies led Toyota to extend the warranty nationwide back in 2010. The previous power train warranty only covered 5 years/60,000 miles, while the extended warranty now covers the transmission and ECM for 10 years/150,000 miles. Toyota also pledged to reimburse any owners who had previously paid for repairs, if they had "proper proof". Good luck collecting on that one.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,313 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2003 Toyota Rav4 - transmission slipping; ends up it is a computer (ECM) problem which is skipping 2nd gear and hesitating on acceleration and jerking into 3rd gear from 1st gear.
Check oil light came on and would go out, after checking the oil level all appear fine, the car would burn 1 quart every two months. After driving along the express way for 30 miles and using a two lane road for about 3 miles the check engine light and oil light all came on at a stop light and then the engine make noise and quit running, after towing the car to a auto repair shop we were told the car needed a new engine. The car is a rav 4 2003 with about 89,000 miles on it.
Computer failed that led to transmission to fail. After fixing it still glitcheseses. It is ok one day and glitches another very unpredictable and transmission mechanic can not figure out the problem. Computer was put in new and transmission was rebuilt cost about $ 4000. It is hard to effort this during these economic hardships. Not to mention all this happened only on 88000 kms.
Was slightly skipping gears. Was taken to dealership. Was told that if it was the ECM, the engine light would have come on, it did not. Was told that it was the transmission, hard to believe as there were no noise except the rpms. They recommend transmission replacement and transmission computer est. $5512,00 +tax. 2003 Rav4 should of at least go beyond 10 years without any mayor repairs. I told them no. Do not start work on it, I will pick it up this evening. About 4:45pm I arrived at the dealership to pick up the SUV and noticed that it was much worst than when I dropped it off. Luckily my wife was behind me to slow traffic in order for me to get our SUV back in our garage before anything happens especially during traffic hours. The gears and the loud transmission shift could now be heard. That did not happen before then. Going up hills now it took its time. Have to put it reverse so that I can get it in straight into the garage and boom, then I heard like coil springs popping. I put it back on drive and was able to get into the garage. Toyota knew about this problem a long time ago and failed to notify us. Bennet Toyota @2300 hanover avenue @ (610)437-6711, did not even want to talk to me. They must have done something to the transmission when I told them no. Because now it is 99% failing compare to when I took it when I noticed the safety hazards/ and the noises when I shift gear from drive to reverse. Now I hear big thumps when I shift and coils springing. The Rav4 is automatic by the way. Hope you can help with this. Just remember, Toyota new about this. P.S. almost hit a little girl on a bike the same day.
S10 appropriate handling-letter to the secretary from re Toyota problems 2003 Toyota Rav4. The consumer stated when plugged into the electric charging system, the vehicle rolled away. The consumer stated it can happen if the gear is inadvertently shifted out of park and into neutral if the vehicle is parked on a slight slope.
- Woodland, CA, USA
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In 2009, without notice my 2003 Toyota rav 4 was "jerking and going". then it would barely move once stopped. Then when it would move, it would drag. In August of 2009, the transmission was replaced by palmer's Toyota superstore. This cost $1,721.93.
Hello, I just recently submitted a complaint on the Toyota Rav4 that is having wide spread transmission problems due to a faulty ECM. I just spoke to the dealership and they are aware of it, but the consumers are not. It is only taken care of after the problem starts and if you take it to a Toyota dealer who runs a service bulletin check. This is just not acceptable for all these people that are suffering the huge expense of this, and was not even aware of a problem with this cars main computer (ECM). I just hope I can help to make a difference for all of us. Not a safety issue....bs! my teenage daughters are driving this car and I'm afraid of what would happen if this problem continues and the car stops working on the freeway or where ever it may happen. Who is to say the new ECM is even good. Please go to aboutautomobile.com on TC002-06 and see complaints. Also just search TC002-06 Rav4 to see how many people are having problems. Thank you!
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. She noticed that when she stopped the gear will fail it will stay in drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the diagnosis indicated that the failure was caused by the electronic control unit. The dealer replaced the ECU and the failure was corrected. The failure mileage was 102,000 and the current mileage was 104,236. Updated 03/30/10. The consumer stated when she made a stop, the vehicle would not go into gear and the engine revved, then slipped into gear and lurched forward. The consumer was told it was a computer problem and sending faulty signals to the transmission. The consumer stated there have been no other problems since. Updated 07/15/10
This is a well known safety hazard Toyota will not acknowledge with 2001-04 Rav4S. My well maintained 2003 Rav4 with 135K miles suddenly hesitates/jerks on acceleration. Never had issues with car until few days ago with mild hesitation intermittently. Now car bucks violently, shakes, skips gears and lurches ahead when accelerating and before coming to full stop. Car is at dealership and no defects found. They are now testing for engine control module failure at my request based on what I have learned from reading scores of similar complaints. Part is estimated at $1500 but Toyota will not cover as it has over 80000 miles - they knew of this defect since at least 2006 and issued a service bulletin but did not alert me and other owners to get this issue repaired. It is a serious safety hazard.
My wife's 2003 Toyota Rav4 2 wheel drive transmission suddenly stopped driving in traffic while at a traffic light. It revved up but wouldn't move. Then it finally took hold and drove off in a higher gear. Then while driving on the road in traffic it did it again (very dangerous-she could of been hit from behind. Apparently after reading up on it, Toyota issued in March 06' a report to Toyota service centers about their ECM causing this problem, but hasn't warned consumers, or done anything about it.
I own a Toyota rav 4 2003. In a matter of days, my car started slipping gears while accelerating. My car was unable to accelerate safely in 45 mph bumper to bumper traffic. I took my car into the dealer to find out that there is a faulty ECM that affects transmissions that Toyota has known about. I think it is unethical practice for a car maker to know that there is a faulty design in a car that can affect something as an important and as expensive as a transmission. What would have happened if I was merging on to the highway, and it did not accelerate?
Toyota 2003 Rav4- car started bucking when accelerating after traffic light. Did not accelerate evenly into traffic. Had to pull over and let cars pass. Onboard computer (ECM) had failed and was not communicating with the transmission. Toyota had not informed consumers of this known defect.
I have a 2003 Toyota rav 4 that began shifting hard in the lower gears and the transmission was skipping. I took my vehicle to the shop that I normally use and was told that I would need to take it to the dealership since there was a bulletin out about a possible computer problem. A month before the problem, my car was serviced at my normal shop and a transmission flush was performed. I picked my car up from the shop and took it to the Toyota dealership in duluth, ga the following morning for a diagnostic test. Within 2 hours the dealership called me and told me that I would need a transmission flush but no computer problems were found. I was told various other recommendations that needed to be done as well, such as changing the belt, 90K service, and a few bulb replacements. I told the dealership that I had the transmission flushed a month prior and they said that the wrong fluid was probably used since I did not have it done at a dealer. I opted for only the transmission flush and bulb replacement at this time. A couple hours later, the dealership called me back and told me that I did need to have the computer replaced and possibly a new transmission. I was told that there was a bulletin out concerning the computer but I am over the warranty and the cost would be $1,286. I have done some research on the internet and found several other people that have had the same problem. Had I known about the bulletin, I could have had the computer replaced while still under warranty.
I have a 2003 Rav4 brought new at 0 miles with 92,000 miles never a problem or check engine light until May 31 09 on my way home from work the transmission did not want to engage properly. The car was taken to the dealers tech the next morning. They have always serviced this car they informed me that I needed a remanufactured $3122.24 trans and a $1145.89 ECU.I was never told that there was a problem with the ECU in this model or that a tsb had been issued. They was never a issue with the car before that one day yet these repairs are what I'm told I would have to pay for an issue that Toyota as it turns out is well aware of to the point of making and upgrade for the ECU but are not recalling. This is a safety is your trans just goes in traffic.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. The contact has experienced multiple failures with the vehicle ever since it was purchased. While driving at any speed, the transmission stalls and prevents the vehicle from accelerating. The computer was removed from the vehicle and sent to the manufacturer to be serviced. The vehicle is currently being repaired at the cost of $400. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 100 and current mileage was 111,000.
For a few months now the problem has progressively gotten worse. It is a constant issue. When in park or stopped the car idles high. When driving the car (automatic transmission) the shift of gears is not smooth, it is jumpy and jerky. Also when switching to drive, reverse etc, its not a smooth transition. I feel like the transmission is not safe and could fail while im driving. My passengers often tell me I am a crazy driver as of late, because the car is jerking them around, although I haven't changed my way of driving. I have done some research online and feel that this is a common problem among 2003 Toyota Rav4's.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. Whenever the vehicle is at a complete stop, it lost power. If the air conditioning were to be on, the vehicle would not lose power. While driving when the vehicle changed gears there wasn't a smooth transition and the vehicle would jerk. He took the vehicle to aamco transmission and the mechanic stated that the vehicle has a worn clutch. Also, the second and third gears failed. The contact was informed that the cause for the transmission failure was due to a faulty power train control module. The dealer stated that there was no recall; therefore, they were not liable for the repairs. The dealer also stated that the vehicle would have to have less than 80,000 miles for the warranty to be in effect. The current mileage was 106,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.
I have a 2003 Toyota Rav4- seems to be exact same problem everyone else is having--no problems until early this year 2008, transmission was skipping gear 2 to 3, took to mechanic then to transmission specialist, where the same procedure occurred. Computer chip replaced, few days later, same problem occurred. Transmission replaced at 89,000 miles, 3400 dollars total. Otherwise, the car is great. No accident, just too much hassle, money, and several stressful, scary rides home.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- New Berlin, WI, USA