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
555 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jun 15, 2010
TL*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.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 15, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4,STARTED DRIVING ERRATIC,WHILE FOOT ON GAS PEDAL,CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN,THEN SPEED UP WITH BANGING SOUND. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS COMPUTER BAD REPLACING IT,WHICH INCLUDED A TOW IS$ 1,440.00 .CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD WITH 91,000 MILES. *TR
Power train, Jun 14, 2010
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). *TR
Power train, Jun 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND BEGAN DECELERATING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,450. UPDATED 07/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/03/10*JB
Power train, Jun 13, 2010
THE MAIN COMPUTER IN THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO BEGIN SHIFTING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED THE LAST WEEKEND IN MAY, 2010. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS NOW, IT IS CURRENTLY WAITING REPAIR. TOTAL COST THUS FAR $1,586.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER SO THAT THE COMPUTER CAN TELL THEM WHAT OTHER DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE A FUNCTIONAL USED COMPUTER FOR REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Jun 13, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 RAV4 WHICH IT ALMOST HAD MY FAMILY LIFE TAKEN. LAST WEEKEND WE WERE GETTING IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DIDN'T SPEED UP A ROLLBACK MANEUVER HIS WAY OUT LUCKILY THE DRIVER ACTED QUICK AT SCENE. MY VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAIL TO PROCEED, IT WOULDN'T SPEED UP. WE WERE LIKE BAITS FOR THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC NOT KNOWING IF TO GET OUT OF CAR OR GET HIT. WE WERE TERRIFIED SO WE ALL SCREAM. LATER THE TRANSMISSION REP UP. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE TO RELAX. NOW I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPEN, WHAT WENT WRONG? BUT NOW I NOW I KNOW IS THE FREAKING CAR. MY QUESTION IS WHY TOYOTA DID NOT GAVE US A WARNING ABOUT THE DEFECTS OF THE VEHICLE? I HOPE FOR OTHERS FAMILIES NOT TO GO THROUGH THIS TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. PLEASE INFORMS TO OTHERS TO TAKE ACTION WITH THIS VEHICLE OR IT MAY BE TO LATE. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO OR WHAT TO DO NOW WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'M NOT DRIVING IT AND PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK AGAIN!!!. BE CAREFUL DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. BUT PLEASE LE ME KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. SHOULD I JUNKED THE CAR OR GO TO THE DEALER AND DEAL WITH THEM. I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE AWAY TO TO HER . THAT WILL BE LIKE GIVEN THEM A TICKET TO THE CEMETERY. *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
Power train, Jun 10, 2010
TOYOTA RAV4 (2002) JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY INTO TRAFFIC WHILE PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY BOULEVARD. CARS SCREECHED TO A HALT. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. RAV4 HAS FAULTY COMPUTER (ECM) THAT TOYOTA DID NOT RECALL AND HOLDS CONSUMERS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING (APPX$1400). FAULTY COMPUTER OFTEN DESTROYS TRANSMISSION ALSO. I AM FACING $5500 IN REPAIRS AND TOYOTA HAS ADMITTED THAT THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR AND PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES. I AM LUCKY I DIDN'T. *TR
Power train, Jun 10, 2010
TL*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.
Power train, Jun 8, 2010
ON MAY 25TH, MY WIFE WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON A LOCAL BYPASS (SPEED LIMIT 55 MPH). AS SHE BEGAN TO MERGE, OUR 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 HESITATED AND WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. MY WIFE HAD TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED BY TRAFFIC. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND ADDED NEW FLUID. THEY TESTED THE CAR AND IT WAS OK SO I PICKED IT UP AND BROUGHT IT HOME. BY THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WAS HESITATING AGAIN SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE PROBLEM. I THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY REPAIR PERSON STATING THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD WITH 61,000 MILES ON IT BUT ALL WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED. I THEN FIND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH 2002 RAV4 TRANSMISSIONS BUT HAVE NEVER CONTACTED THE BUYERS OR HAD A RECALL DUE TO EXPENSE. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT DOESN'T WORK OR A REPAIR BILL FOR $5,000 PLUS. I BOUGHT A TOYOTA BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS DEPENDABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR IT WITHOUT COST TO ME SINCE I HAVE NO MORE WARRANTY COVERAGE. I'M NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR SINCE I'M NOT PUTTING $5,000 INTO AN 8 YEAR OLD ONE. DO I HAVE ANY LEGAL ALTERNATIVES SINCE TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT SAID NOTHING? *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2010
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHIFT HARD,GOING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK WITH A HUGE CLUNK. ALSO, SLIPPING AT TIMES. WHEN MAKING A LEFT/RIGHT TURN FROM A ROAD TO ANOTHER, CAR WOULD SLUGGISHLY MOVE-VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD A NEW COMPUTER WAS NEEDED TO VERIFY IF THE PROBLEM WAS ECU RELATED OR THE TRANNY..I ASKED WHY A NEW COMPUTER WASN'T AVAILABLE TO TEST WHETHER IT WAS THE COMPUTER OR TRANNY."WE DON'T STOCK COMPUTERS". I WAS QUOTED $1200.00 FOR "NEW" ECU TO SEE IF IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK THEN A "NEW" TRANNY FOR 4000.00 TO 5000.00 WOULD BE REQUIRED. THIS IS A 2002 2WD WITH 99K MILES WORTH ABOUT $5000.00(IN GREAT SHAPE OTHERWISE). ALSO LEARNED THAT THE ECU TENDS TO THROW CODES UNRELATED TO THE TRANNY ISSUE. WHEN I BROUGHT MY RAV4 IN I TOLD THEM ABOUT MY ISSUES WITH THE TRANNY AND THAT THERE WAS A TSB TO INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE TO TRY TO FIX THE ISSUE. I WAS THEN TOLD NO, YOU NEED TO TRY A NEW ECU FOR $1200.00. WHY NOT THROW A "NEW" ECU IN TO SEE IF IT FIXES THE PROBLEM? WHY DON'T THEY ACKNOWLEDGE A DEFECT INSTEAD OF EASTER EGGING AT MY EXPENSE? CHARGE ME $1200.00 FOR AN ECU(OR ANY PART) THAT MAY OR MAY NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE IS CRIMINAL AND TO HEAR THAT THE ECU PROBLEM EATS THE TRANNY IS ALSO CRIMINAL QUICK TO TAKE YOUR CASH BUT TO DENY A VERY COMMON PART DEFECT (ECU) THAT ULTIMATELY DESTROYS ANOTHER EXPENSIVE NEEDED COMPONENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE MADE LEFT/RIGHT TURNS AND THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO BUCK/HESITATE AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS EXPECTING MY VEHICLE TO MOVE APPROPRIATELY. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2010
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. *TR
Power train, Jun 2, 2010, crash
TOYOTA RAV4 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT CRAZY AND CAR STARTED LUNGING FORWARD AND THEN NOT GOING WHEN IT SHOULD. IT CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT SOME TIME AGO, BUT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE AND WE HAVE NOT FELT SAFE ENOUGH TO EVEN KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. IF PEOPLE ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE AS US TO HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED, IT COULD VERY WELL CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. WE ARE SURPRISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUSINESS WITH THEM. OURS ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES WHEN IT HAPPENED TO US AND FROM WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET THERE IS MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN. *TR
Power train, May 30, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA RAV-4. I HAVE TAKEN PROPER CAR OF THE CAR, LIKE OIL CHANGES, TUNE-UPS, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS. EXCEPT RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR HAS FAILED. IT JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAPPENING AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS ISSUE HAS COME ABOUT. I AM ALMOST AT 102K MILES ON MY CAR. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER SUV DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND ARTICLES BY USA TODAY AND CBS5 STATING HOW OWNERS OF TOYOTA RAV-4'S 2001-2003 MODELS HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURES. *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, May 23, 2010
TOYOTA RAV4 2002 TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 88,000 MILES WITH A PERFECT MAINTENANCE. SINCE TWO DAYS AGO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN. I SEARCH IN THE INTERNET AND TOYOTA KNEW THE PROBLEM SINCE 2006 WITHOUT TELLING THE OWNERS, NOW TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION COULD COST AROUND 5,000 AND ITS SUPPOSE TO BE THE COMPUTER. *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
Vehicle speed control, May 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO GAIN SPEED AND WOULD SUDDENLY JERK FORWARD WHEN DRIVING OVER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 87,000.
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, May 14, 2010
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 SUV BEGAN SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD. TOOK IT TO TRUSTED GARAGE AND THEY DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN RESEARCHING THE VEHICLE AND THE MODEL'S SERVICE HISTORY FOR RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION INVOLVED WAS ONLY USED FOR 16 MONTHS BY TOYOTA BEFORE IT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF POOR PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY ISSUES. THE ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. (TOYOTA TSB TC002-06). TOYOTA DEEMED NOT TO ALERT VEHICLE OWNERS OF THIS CONDITION OR TO OFFER ANY PREVENTIVE ACTION TO BE PURSUED TO PREVENT THE ULTIMATE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT. WARRANTY ON REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION NOT VALID IF THE ECM UNIT IS NOT ALSO REPLACED. TOTAL COST = $5,000. ORIGINAL WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 96 MONTHS OR 80,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE HAS 119,000 MILES IN 90 MONTHS OF USE. TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE VEHICLE PARTS WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. *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
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2010
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA VEHICLES SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FWD FM OWNER OF A 2002 RAV4, 2002 COROLLA AND A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT NONE OF THE 2002 VEHICLES WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HER OTHER TWO VEHICLES, WHICH ARE MUCH NEWER WERE NOT RECALLED EITHER AND COULD POTENTIALLY ACCELERATE AND CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. THE CONSUMER ALSO ADDRESSED QUESTIONS IN HER COMPLAINT. *JB UPDATED 05/24/10
Power train, May 12, 2010
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING VERY HARD FROM GEAR TO GEAR AND HAD PROBLEMS STARTING IN FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP. IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS VERY COMMON ON 2001-2004 RAV4'S PER COMPLAINTS ONLINE. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS PUT OUT BY TOYOTA IN MARCH OF 2006 ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS RECOMMENDING REPLACEMENT OF THE ECU. THE BULLETIN PROVES TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE ECU. MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED TO BUY A TRANSMISSION ALSO AFTER THE FAULTY ECU DESTROYS THEIRS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SUCH AS DRIVING ONTO A FREEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION STALLING WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, May 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ENTERING A BUSY HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND WITHIN MOMENTS, THE FAILURE SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF BUT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT ADDRESSED THE FAILURE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10019667). THE DEALER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED NOR HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
Power train, May 4, 2010
2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS AT ODD TIMES. ESPECIALLY THOUGH, WHEN TRYING TO MERGE OR PASS IN TRAFFIC. *TR