2002 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 555 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 39 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 50 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
93 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2010
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR RAV 4 WITH MY SON ABOARD. THE CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING TROUBLE ACCELERATING, CAR WOULD HESITATE, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD. IT WAS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THAT POINT. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY ECM WHICH HAS CAUSED THIS VEHICLE TO BE EXTREMELY UNSAFE. II TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND SURE ENOUGH THE CAR SHOWED THE P0755 OBD II CODE WHICH INDICATES THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THE ECM. F LEFT UNATTENDED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $4000 - $5000. I TALKED TO TOYOTA ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID A REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER A CUSTOMER SUPPORT WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM (*CASE # 1010011845). HOWEVER, NOW I TALK TO FITZGERALD TOYOTA IN GAITHERSBURG (JUDITH) AND THEY INDICATE THAT THEY HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD OF THIS PROGRAM. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 14, 2010
ECM/TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2002 RAV 4. I ENDED UP CLEANING OUT MY SAVINGS OVER THIS CAR. AFTER RECENT BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA, I SUBMITTED NECESSARY PAPER WORK FOR SOME REIMBURSEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS MADE IN PUERTO RICO, NOT US!!!!!! I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN VA. WHY DID TOYOTA SEND ME THE NOTICE????? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2010, crash
MAY 19TH OF 2007, MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 4X4 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOING 25-30 MPH. AFTER STRUCK, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TWICE, WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT AN INCREASING HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN HITTING A GLASS BUS STOP ENDING UP HITTING A BRICK SCHOOL. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ALTHOUGH I WAS UNABLE TO GO ANYWHERE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 29, 2010
2002 TOYOTA RAV4. AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION I TOOK OFF AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE IN HIGH GEAR, THEN IT JERKED AND THE ENGINE RACED AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED. THIS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES WITHIN 10 MILES. THE ECM UNIT HAD FAILED. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON-LINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED IN 2008 ON THIS VEHICLE BUT WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE MAY OF 2007 AND DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS DONE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 17, 2010
I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA OWNER WITH A 1995 CAMRY AND A 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4. I NOTICED THE TERRIBLE JERKING THAT STARTED WHILE DRIVING THE RAV4 ON MY WAY TO WORK. I COULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO SPEED UP WHEN NECESSARY AND ONCE I DID, THE CAR JERKED SO MUCH, I HAD TO PULL OVER AND EVENTUALLY GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE PROBLEM SO WE PAID TO REPLACE IT AND RESOLVE THAT ISSUE. NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER, I HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS GOING HOME FROM WORK. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND NOW IT'S THE ECM THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT REPLACED SINCE I JUST PAID FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE ECM BUT THAT DID NOT HELP AT ALL. NOW WE ARE DOWN TO THE 95 CAMRY AND CROSSING OUR FINGERS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ISSUES WITH OUR "OLD RELIABLE". *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 4, 2010
I PURCHASED MY USED 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 ON 12/10/05 FROM SOUTH COAST TOYOTA OF COSTA MESA. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, I RECEIVED SOME KIND OF "ADJUSTMENT NOTICE" ASKING ME TO BRING THE CAR IN, WHICH I DID. I ASKED WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO TO THE CAR, THEY WOULD NOT DIRECTLY ANSWER MY QUESTION AND SAID IT "WAS NOTHING, JUST A MINOR ADJUSTMENT." IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, SHORTLY AFTER MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND MY CAR WAS JUST OVER 83,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING COMPLETELY OUT OF GEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT, AND THEN IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR, AND I WOULD SUDDENLY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR SO I HAD TO STOP, AND THEN TRY TO GET IT IN GEAR, OR DRIVE HOME IN 1ST. I HAD TO DRIVE FROM 1ST GEAR OR 4TH. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY TO GET TO WORK, AND HAD TO STOP DRIVING IT ALL TOGETHER ON THE STREET. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE PRICE HE QUOTED ME TO "REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND ECU" WAS AROUND $4,500. I WAS FURIOUS, AS THE REASON I PURCHASED TOYOTAS WAS BECAUSE THEY DROVE 200,000 MILES AS LONG AS YOU PROPERLY MAINTAINED THEM, WHICH I ALWAYS DID. I WENT AND HAD TO PAY $2,593.00 AT IRVINE TRANSMISSION CENTER IN IRVINE, CA ON 9/24/08. AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AND TEST DRIVING IT, IT WAS READY FOR PICKUP. WHEN THEY GOT IN THE CAR TO DRIVE IT UP TO ME, SUDDENLY THE NEW TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT. SO, THEY RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THE COMPUTER (ECU) APPARENTLY HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO, AND THEY HAD DISCOVERED THROUGH ONLINE SITES THAT TOYOTA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $500 TO REPLACE THE ECU. THE DEALER SOLD ME A RAV4 THEY KNEW WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION AND ECU FAILURE. I WROTE TOYOTA A COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE MONEY I AM OUT, AND THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED. I REQUEST YOU TAKE ACTION! *TR
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING IN APRIL 2010. IT WAS INTERMITTENT, AND WASN'T CAUSE FOR CONCERN UNTIL MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MAY 2010. THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE ARE THAT IT STALLS, HESITATES, AND HAS A STOP / GO (JERKING) TYPE OF ACTION WHILE DRIVING IT. AT THAT TIME, I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED BOTH OF MY TOYOTAS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ECM HAD TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST AROUND 1,300 DOLLARS. MIND YOU, I HAD TO PAY 75 DOLLARS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, I TOOK MY RAV4 TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP, HAD IT DIAGNOSED FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE ECM UNIT WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH COST ME YET, ANOTHER 75 DOLLARS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. HE ALSO INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT COULD POSSIBLY HARM THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE DOING SO, I HAVE BEEN DOWN TO ONE CAR FOR TWO AND A HALF MONTHS BECAUSE I SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2006. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC, OR TRYING TO MOVE FROM A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AS YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR OR NOT. TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, NOR HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I AM DISGUSTED THAT IN 2006 TOYOTA REALIZED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ECM, WHICH COULD RUIN THE TRANSMISSION. INSTEAD OF LETTING CONSUMERS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS THEY REALIZED, THEY SENT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO DEALERSHIPS AND SERVICE AREAS, BUT FAILED TO LET THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS KNOW. ACCORDING TO INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM GENERALLY STARTS AROUND 90,000 MILES AND CAUSES CONSIDERABLE DANGER WITH JERKING AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS. ACCORDING TO INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM GENERALLY STARTS AROUND 90,000 MILES AND CAUSES CONSIDERABLE DANGER WITH JERKING AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 11, 2010
2002 TOYOTA RAV4 STARTED JERKING AND SHAKING,, THEN SLOWING DOWN AT 111K MILES AT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC CONCERNED FOR SAFETY, HAD TO PULL OVER AND CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TOW CAR HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY SAID THAT IT COULD BE ECM, WHICH IS $1500, BUT NO GUARANTEES IT WOULD WORK. RESEARCHED ISSUE, AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE SINCE 2006, BUT TOYOTA DIDN'T NOTIFY OWNERS. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 6, 2010
I RECENTLY HAD A FAILURE OF THE CONTROL MODULE (ECU), I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM CAME UP FREQUENTLY FOR RAV 4S OF YEARS 2002 AND 2003 AND THAT TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE 2006 ' BUT NEVER RECALLED THE CARS! AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE AND EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE SAME MATTER FILED IN 2009. THE REPLACEMENT COST ME $758.50 TO REPLACE (WITH A REFURBISHED ONE) AND I HAD TO RENT A CAR DURING THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS ' WHICH COST ME $131.32 ' THEREFORE A TOTAL OF $889.82. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 5, 2010
WHIPLASH AND CERVICAL DISC HERNIATION DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA RAV 4 2002 TRANSMISSION AND ECM PROBLEMS. AROUND 4/20/10 I TOOK MY TOYOTA TO THIS DEALERSHIP DUE TO ONGOING JERKING AND FORWARD THRUST WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP POSITION, ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY KEPT MY TOYOTA FROM 4/19/10 TILL 4/21/10. RESET THE ENGINE STATING THAT IT IS O2 SENSOR PROBLEM AND REPLACED IT. ALSO DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP PERSONA,L" I DON'T WANT TO STAMP YOUR CAR AS CONDEMNED, TAKE IT BACK AND WHEN PROBLEM GETS WORSE BRING IT BACK" HE DID NOT WARN ME THAT IF I DID NOT GET IT CORRECTED RIGHT AWAY, I CAN BE JEOPARDIZING MY SAFETY AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IT IS APPARENT FROM THE PAPERWORK THEY HANDED ME THAT THEY HAD DIAGNOSED A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED IT RIGHT AWAY. AROUND MIDDLE OF MAY THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION GOT WORSE, ON 2 OCCASIONS THE CAR STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE GOING AT 30 MPH AND THEN SEVERELY THRUST FORWARD AGAIN. IN ANOTHER 3-4 DAYS I STARTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS AND HEADACHES. SINCE THEN I HAD BEEN TO ER, RECEIVED CT AND MRI SHOWING DISC PROLAPSE AND TEAR OF MY 2 VERTEBRAL DISCS. I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING PHYSICAL THERAPY, CERVICAL TRACTION, PAIN MEDICATION, CERVICAL COLLAR, AND AM SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE AN EPIDURAL INJECTION IN 2 WEEKS. I HAVE SEEN MY PCP TWICE, A NEUROLOGIST, 2 NEURO SURGEONS AND HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS MEDICATION, SOME WITH SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS AND HAVE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THESE VISITS. I AM A PHYSICIAN AND DUE TO THIS PROBLEM HAVE MISSED DAYS AT WORK JEOPARDIZING MY CLINICAL CARE. YESTERDAY ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING AND I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR, THIS INCIDENT MADE ME REALIZE I CAN HURT OTHER PEOPLE IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO DEALER TODAY AND THEY ARE GOING TO RUN A DIAGNOSIS ON IT AGAIN, AND IT MIGHT COST ME 6,000 DOLLARS. PLEASE HELP.*TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 26, 2010
2002 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED EXCELLENTLY WITH ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES PERFORMED AT TOYOTA DEALERS OR AUTHORIZED FACILITIES. IN 2009, TOYOTA SENT A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A "FAULTY ECM" (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN AND THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THIS SERVICE, THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING ERRATICALLY AND AS OF JUNE 26, 2010, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WITH 118,000 MILES ON THE CAR. TOYOTA KNOWS THAT THE ECM CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IS REFUSING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS LACK OF INTEGRITY AND FOR PUTTING CONSUMERS AT RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY, DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 2002 RAV4'S, CAMRY'S AND COROLLAS. GOOGLE THIS INFORMATION TO SEE THAT THIS IS BECOMING MORE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR, NOW THAT THEY ARE REACHING 100,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 11, 2010
2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT HAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT CAUSE THE CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO DISINTEGRATE WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 25, 2010
2002 TOYOTA RAV4 ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULDN'T SHIFT BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. TO OK IN IMMEDIATELY INTO DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. SAID IT WAS THE ECM. IT WAS ALREADY TAKEN IN FOR RECALL AND IS ANOTHER MALFUNCTION OF SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU DRIVE IT WILL RUIN YOUR TRANSMISSION. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE DEALERSHIP AS THEY ONLY SAID TO CALL TOYOTA. I HAVE DONE THAT AND AM WAITING A RESPONSE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND 220,000 TOYOTA VEHICLE HAVE ISSUES. MY CAR ONLY HAS 56000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD STILL BE COVERED BUT THEY STOP AT 8 YEARS. I AM 25 DAYS PAST WARRANTY. DUE TO THEM KNOWING AND ALREADY RECALLING THEM THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment, May 22, 2010
I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE A 2002 RAV4, AUTOMATIC, NEW. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. APPROXIMATELY IN MARCH OF 2010 MY VEHICLE STARTING JERKING, I LOOK AT MY GAS GAUGE AND THOUGHT I MUST BE LOWER ON GAS THEN THE GAUGE IS SHOWING. I GOT GAS AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM. I GOT GAS AND THE SITUATION STOPPED. SPORADICALLY, IN THE 2 WEEK TIME FRAME MY VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. I DID TAKE MY CAR INTO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAD THE CAR AND DID TEST DRIVES WITH NO PROBLEMS. AGAIN, IN APRIL THE PROBLEM AROSE AGAIN AND THE CAR WHEN TO MY MECHANIC AND AGAIN THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. ON APRIL 22, 2010 UPON LEAVING WORK I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE JERKING, SHAKING AND AT TIMES SEEMED TO HAVE NO POWER I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME (1 MILE AWAY) WITH THE TIRES BARELY ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY, THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND AS WE WERE DOING A TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE BEGAN THE JERKING, SHAKING AND LOST POWER, THE CAR WAS NOT OPERABLE ANY LONGER. THE DIAGNOSIS: TRANSMISSION BURNT AND NEW ECM (MY THIRD IN THIS VEHICLE). THE VEHICLES ENGINE CHECK LIGHT NEVER CAME ON OR ANY OTHER SENSORS IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE ECM WAS TESTED IT DID NOT DISPLAY ANY CODES OR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND WAS ADVISED I NEEDED TO BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I EXPLAINED TO THEM IT DOES NOT RUN AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND WOULD THESE (I WOULD HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED WITH AN EXPENSE OF ANYWHERE FROM $250 TO $300.00, A HOURS DRIVE AWAY) EXPENSES BE COVERED. RESPONSE "WARRANTY EXPIRED 60 DAYS AGO." AFTER MANY DAYS OF AN AGONIZING DECISION, I ADVISED MY MECHANIC TO GO AHEAD AND FIX THE CAR AT THE TUNE OF $3500.00, REPLACING THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS STILL BEING REPAIRED AND I WILL HAVE IT BACK NEXT WEEK. *TR
Electrical system, May 19, 2010
MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT WENT OFF A FEW DAYS LATER, BUT MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ECU (COMPUTER) FAILED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING, AND IT STARTED BUCKING ON THE HIGHWAY. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. THERE WAS A TOYOTA INTERNAL MEMO WRITTEN IN 2006 ADMITTING THE DEFECT. MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. THE CAR HAS ONLY 60,000. MILES ON IT. WE CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY (WE ARE THREE MONTHS OVER THE WARRANTY) AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID NO, AND TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS GAVE US A CASE NUMBER, AND REFERRED US BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMERS. WE ALSO BOUGHT A 2007 TOYOTA SIENNA. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT A COMPANY IS PUTTING ITS CUSTOMERS AT RISK WITH A DEFECTIVE PART, AND THEN HIDING IT FROM THE VEHICLE OWNER. WE NEVER RECEIVED A MEMO ABOUT THE DANGER OF THIS VEHICLE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED IN ORDER FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO GET INVOLVED? TOYOTA SHOULD BE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT IT WILLFULLY SOLD TO ITS CUSTOMERS AND THEN TRIED TO COVER IT UP! *TR
Power train, Electrical system, May 13, 2010
STARTING THE END OF APRIL 2010 MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 STARTING GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING GEARS AND WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR IT DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE AND REALLY SLUGGISH AND WOULD JERK. I WAS AFRAID THAT SOMEONE WOULD REAR END ME. I KEPT UP ALL MY MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD A TRANSMISSION SERVICE DONE MARCH 2008. THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS 90,000 MILES. I HAD ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SERVICE DONE, BUT IT JUST GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A COMPUTER DEFECT AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 22, 2010
2002 TOYOTA RAV4: ECM COMPUTER PROBLEM CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO BURN OUT. THE ECM HAS A DESIGN BLUNDER WHICH CAUSES IT TO LOSE ITS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE SOLENOIDS. THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED QUITE SUDDENLY. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Electric, Mar 30, 2010, crash
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA RAVE 4, I HAVE EVEN COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL WHEN I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT STILL DOES AND I CAN REPRODUCE IT EVERY TIME ON THE SAME ROAD. I ALSO HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT STEPING ON THE BREAKES AND THE CAR NOT WANTING TO STOP. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME "IT WAS IN MY HEAD, AND THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT." I WAS ACTUALLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON MY WAY INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I REPORTED IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THEM AN I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 2005.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010
IN THE FALL OF 2008, THE FACTORY INSTALLED CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD ON ANY LONG TRIP THEN WILL CAUSE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. SOMETIMES CANNOT GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. LIGHT WILL FLASH ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO CANNOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE. THE MECHANIC STATES EVERYTHING IS FINE. DUE TO SEMI-FUNCTIONAL CRUISE, THE MILEAGE ON A LONG DISTANCE TRIP HAS DECREASED FROM 30-32 MPG TO 24-26MPG.REPORTED THIS TO TOYOTA IN 2009 AND GIVEN A CASE # WHICH I HAVE MISPLACED. THEY DID NOT APPEAR TO BE CONCERNED OR ADMIT THEY HAD A PROBLEM. EXTENDED WARRANTY (TO 100,000 MILES) WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. THERE IS INDEED AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE GOING ON, BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR CARE. IN SEARCHING I HAVE FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE POSTED COMMENTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WITHOUT RESOLUTION. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 2, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I PURCHASED MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 FROM MY DEALER, RICH TOYOTA OF HUNTINGTON, WV IN SPRING 2002'IT WAS HIS DEMO CAR, VIN#[XXX] ; MODEL #4416A. AT 107,00 MILES, OUT OF THE CLEAR-BLUE, THE RAV4 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS, THEN WENT OUT, BUT THEN SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC. I HAVE SERVICED THIS VEHICLE FAITHFULLY SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND EXPECTED TO GET ANOTHER 100,000 MORE MILES, BUT, MY DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT HAS BEEN SERVICED SINCE PURCHASE, SAID IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER $1,200 FOR THE ECC/ECM (ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE), AND EVEN IF I REPLACE JUST THE ECC/ECM, IT STILL MAY NOT WORK WITH THE OLD TRANSMISSION, SO IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TOO FOR ANOTHER $3,500 BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE ECC MAY HAVE DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THEY ALSO SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR-FUEL SENSOR FOR A TOTAL OF $5,189.00 IN REPAIRS BEFORE TAXES. I HAD NEVER REALIZED THAT THERE WERE EVER ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THE TOYOTA PRODUCT LINE UNTIL I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHAT AN EYE-OPENER!!! THERE WERE MANY, MANY PROBLEMS DOCUMENTED WITH MANY OF TOYOTA'S PRODUCTS! CONSIDERING THAT THIS RAV4 WAS A $22,000 VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT, DOESN'T IT SEEM STRANGE THAT AFTER JUST 6 YEARS IT IS INOPERABLE AND EVEN DANGEROUS! AFTER E-MAILING AND SENDING A LETTER TO TOYOTA USA IN TORRENCE CALIFORNIA ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-331-4331 AND TALKED WITH A REAL PERSON. PLUS, I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER, WHICH GOES INTO THEIR DATABASE AND LOGS THE ISSUE SHOULD THEY HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL OR OTHER REMEDY. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND DEFECTIVE ECU AT A COST OF ABOUT $4,500. AFTER RESEARCHING YOUR COMPLAINT FILES ON THIS RAV4 ISSUE, WHY HASN'T NHTSA DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT WITH TOYOTA!!!!???? *TR
Electrical system, Feb 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ECU BOARD FAILED ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ECU BOARD NORMALLY FAILED AT 75 MILES ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. AFTER THE ECU FAILED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN IT SHIFTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 05/11/10. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2010
AFTER HAVING AN OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 ON 02/02/10, I NOTICED THAT MY CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING SLUGGISHLY. APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES AFTER THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, I NOTICED MY CAR JERKED WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH GEARS 1-3 AND THE TACHOMETER WOULD REV TO 3000 RPMS. THE CAR THEN RAN FINE FOR APP. 4 DAYS WITH NO GEAR SLIPPAGE. A WEEK LATER THE GEARS STARTED SLIPPING AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE NO POWER WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS FULLY ENGAGED DURING A RIGHT HAND TURN TO MERGE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR THEN BUCKED VIOLENTLY. THIS RESULTED WITH MY PASSENGER AND I BECOMING ANXIOUS/SCARED BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW IF THE TRAFFIC COMING TOWARD US WOULD HAVE HIT US IF WE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE MY CAR HOME WHERE IT HAS REMAINED PARKED AND SET AN APPOINTMENT WITH A TOYOTA DEALER EXPLAINING THE PROBLEMS. ACCORDING TO SIMILAR STORIES FROM FELLOW RAV4 OWNERS, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT 'OFFICIALLY' DIAGNOSED ALTHOUGH IT ONLY CODES TO HAVE THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED, WHICH I DID. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Feb 10, 2010
WAS DRIVING IN A 55 MILE HIGHWAY CAR FELT LIKE WAS DRIVING THROUGH SLUDGE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN CAR STARED JERKING GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER SHIP SAID THE TRANSMISSION CHIP WAS BAD COST AROUND $1300.. AND NEW TRANSMISSION ALTOGETHER WOULD COST ME $6000.*TR
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 5, 2010
TOYOTA ISSUED A SECRET BULLETIN ON 3/3/2006 (TC006-02), BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF 2001-2003 RAV4 VEHICLES REGARDING THEIR HARD SHIFTING, ECM PROBLEMS, AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES. DESPITE MY REPORTING THIS PROBLEM WITHIN WARRANTY PERIOD AT 54,000 MILES IN 2006, AND AGAIN IN 2007, TOYOTA CLAIMED UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THEY ARE NOW CHARGING ME 1/2 THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION AT APPROXIMATELY $2,000 INCLUDING THE COST OF FLUSHING THE OLD ONE AND DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 3, 2010
PURCHASED 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 NEW FROM TOYOTA DEALER IN OCTOBER 2001. EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN TRAVELING UPHILL AND A HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS SHIFTING FINE. NOW THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB IN 2008 BUT I WAS NEVER INFORMED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE THE CAR CAN STOP AT ANY TIME. *TR