2003 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 326 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 19 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
326 reports, newest first.
Power train, Mar 11, 2014
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND UPON ACCELERATION MY VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY SLUGGISH. AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT SEEMED TO "JUMP" INTO GEAR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN IT WOULD ALMOST DO THE SAME THING, BEING SLUGGISH. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MY VEHICLE, BUT I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW SEVERAL THOUSAND OF THEM HAD BEEN RECALLED.
Electrical system, Mar 4, 2014
ECM FAIL. HEADING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 53 AND MADE A TURN TO GO SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 53 CAR SEEM TO APPLY BRAKES AND GEARS WAS HUNTING WHICH GEAR TO GO IN ALL THE TIME I GIVING IT GAS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ON COMING CARS,, MADE IT HOME, NEXT DAY DROVE CAR AND AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN SAME THING AGAIN WENT BACK HOME AND CALL TOYOTA DEALER THEY SAID IT SOUND LIKE THE TRANMISSION WAS FAILING, GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE ECM HAD FAIL ON THE CAR, I CALL TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1400 AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT PAY OR DISCOUNT ANY OF IT EVEN THEY HAD KNOW ABOUT THE FAIL OF THE UNIT SINCE THE BEGINNING, I PULL THE ECM UNIT MYSELF SENT IT TO BE REPAIR GOT IT BACK AND REINSTALL IT AND CAR WOULD NOT CRANK HAD IT TOW TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID A WIRE HAD TO BE REPLACE, AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP IT RUN GOOD BUT FRONT POWER DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, I CAN LIVE WITHOUT THOSE 2 SYSTEM FOR NOW SINCE I DON:T WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR RIGHT NOW. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE REPLACE THIS SINCE THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO FAIL AT SOME TIME WITH THE 2003 RAV4 BUT NO THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, NO HELP FORM THEM. NO MORE TOYOTAS FOR ME OR MY FAMILY, I AM GOING BACK TO A HONDA FOR SURE. TOTAL COST TO ME WAS $833.05 NOT COUNTING WITHOUT THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS.
Power train, Feb 19, 2014
2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON MAY 14, 2013, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND, WHEN SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TRANSMISSION COMPUTER.
Power train, Feb 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ECM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Power train, Feb 5, 2014
MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 HAD A FAULTY ECM AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT VERY ERRATICALLY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS FAULTY PART AND THERE WAS NOT A PUBLIC RECALL; THEY REPLACED PARTS AS THEY FAILED AND EXTENDED THAT WARRANTY BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. NOW THE WARRANTY IS 10 YRS/150,000. SO I AM OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY BY MAYBE A YEAR AND NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE MILEAGE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA TO INFORM THEM THAT MY ECM HAD FAILED HOPING THEY WOULD AT LEAST APOLOGIZE (REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE WELCOME TOO) BUT THE LADY I TALKED TO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO MY VIN NUMBER, WHICH I KNOW TO BE A LIE! TOYOTA PUT OUT A FAULTY PART AND MUST BE MADE TO REPLACE ANY THAT FAIL NO MATTER THE MILEAGE OR LENGTH OF TIME! THIS FAULTY PART HAS ALSO DAMAGED SOME TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY MUST BE MADE TO REPLACE/REIMBURSE FOR THOSE AS WELL. MY ECM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND I AM NOT SURE BUT AM AFRAID I AM ONE OF THE ONES WITH A DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Power train, Feb 5, 2014
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 0 - 5 MPH, TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74500. *TR
Power train, Jan 19, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 RAV4, ENTERING A HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN I ACCELERATED. IT HESITATED FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN FINALLY LURCHED FORWARD. I WAS VERY NEARLY STRUCK BY A VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. NOW THE RAV FREQUENTLY BEHAVES ODDLY WHEN SHIFTING, SOMETIMES REFUSING TO UPSHIFT, SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTING AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES. THE DEALER ADVISES THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AS COVERED IN A TSB. FROM RESEARCH RECENTLY I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS ECM DEFECT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BEGINNING IN 2006. I AM AMAZED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL TO REPAIR THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. NOW IT APPEARS I WILL BE ON THE HOOK FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE ECM REPLACEMENT. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE RELIGIOUSLY TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER REGULARLY FOR MAINTENANCE, THEY NEVER ONCE MENTIONED THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. YET WHEN I DISCUSSED THIS BEHAVIOR WITH ONE OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISORS YESTERDAY, HE SEEMED QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE. PLEASE CALL FOR A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Dec 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,597.
Power train, Dec 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TR
Power train, Nov 29, 2013
TOYOTA HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT ITS ECM UNIT WOULD ULTIMATELY FAIL. THIS FAILURE HAS CAUSED TRANSMISSIONS TO FAIL AS WELL. PULLING OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION IN 3 RD GEAR, AS THEY ARE PRONE TO DO COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THESE. MY VEHICLE IS EXACTLY 3 MONTHS TOO OLD TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2013
HI I OWN A TOYOTA RAV4 2003 SINCE 2009 THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO ORDER A RECALL TO HAVE TOYOTA FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR OFTEN DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. WHEN HEADED UP AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR SPUTTERS BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR AND ACCELERATING. AND THEN ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS LATER THE CAR WOULD JOLT INTO GEAR. ALSO, WHEN ALREADY MOVING AND GOING UP EVEN A SLIGHT HILL, WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO MAINTAIN SPEED, THE CAR SPUTTERS AS IT SHIFTS FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR BEFORE JERKING INTO THIRD GEAR. THROUGH THE INTERNET,I ALMOST GOT HIT A FEW TIMES. I LEARNED THAT THE ECM IS A COMPUTER (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ECM MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON 2001 TO 2003 RAV4S NOW I HAVE TO SPEND LOTS OF MONEY THAT IT WASN'T IN MY BUDGET,..THE TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHY THEY NEVER HAD A RECALL? CAN SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? *TR
Power train, Nov 8, 2013
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED OUR 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN JUNE 2003. THE CAR NOW HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT. IT RECENTLY BEGAN TO HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. ASIDE FROM THE ISSUE OF FAIRNESS TO THE CUSTOMER, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO ORDER A RECALL TO HAVE TOYOTA FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR OFTEN DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. WHEN HEADED UP EVEN A SLIGHT HILL AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR SPUTTERS BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR AND ACCELERATING. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN IN THAT SITUATION AND ALMOST GOT BROADSIDED WHEN MY CAR SPUTTERED AND AN ONCOMING CAR BARELY SLOWED DOWN IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING ME. ALSO, WHEN ALREADY MOVING AND GOING UP EVEN A SLIGHT HILL, WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO MAINTAIN SPEED, THE CAR SPUTTERS AS IT SHIFTS FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR BEFORE JERKING INTO THIRD GEAR. THE TOYOTA DEALER TO WHOM I TOOK THE CAR SAID THE PROBLEM IS THE ECM AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS ABOUT $1,000. THROUGH THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT THE ECM IS A COMPUTER (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ECM MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON 2001 TO 2003 RAV4S SINCE AT LEAST 2006, THAT TOYOTA HAS ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS TO ITS DEALERS ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT TOYOTA HAS EVEN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES TO COVER THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE NHTSA WEBSITE SHOWS OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE LIKE ME WHERE THE PROBLEM SURFACED JUST AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED. TO REITERATE, THIS IS A KNOWN WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 2001 TO 2003 RAV4S, IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT AFFECTS THE CAR?S ABILITY TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN NEEDED, AND AS SUCH IT REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE RECALL THESE RAV4S BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED! *TR
Power train, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 7, 2013
EXPERIENCE A HARD SHIFT JERKING MOTION WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AND ALMOST GOT HIT TWICE DUE TO THE CAR JERKING AND IMMEDIATELY SLOWING DOWN. I TOOK IT IN TO KENDALL TOYOTA OF ANCHORAGE RIGHT AWAY AND THEN READ ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND ENHANCED WARRANTY OF 2001-2003 TOYOTAS BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! TOYOTA KENDALL SAID IT WOULD BE $6,000 TO REPLACE BOTH THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD ONLY PAY HALF BECAUSE THE CAR WAS 10 YEARS OLD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENHANCED WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TWICE DUE TO COMPLAINTS WITH THE COURT. I DID NOT GET MY CAR FIXED BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD PAY THE FULL 6K TO FIX IT. I'M AMAZED AT HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND TOYOTA FIRST ISSUED A RECALL AND WAS SUED IN COURT BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUS MALFUNCTION OF THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 24, 2013
INSPECT AND REPLACE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT ON FEB 2009, ENGINE ISSUE AGAIN FEB 2012 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON/FLASHING - ESTIMATE $955.98+TAX - FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT $69.95+TAX TECH ROAD TESTED AND FOUND FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS ARE WORN/LOOSE $435.82+TAX (REPAIRS COMPLETED) FEB 2012 BRAKE NOISE ~|~CUSTOMER STATES NOISE WHEN BRAKING ~|~FRONT AND REAR BRAKE INSPECTION DONE AT THIS TIME ~|~INSPECTION ONLY NO CONCERNS FOUND AT THIS TIME (ANOTHER MECHANIC REPLACED ENTIRE FRONT BRAKES SHORTLY AFTER AS THEY WERE FOUND HIGHLY DAMAGED) TRANSMISSION SERVICE ~|~CUSTOMER REQUESTS TRANSMISSION SERVICE W/DIFFERENTIALS ~|~MAINTENANCE ~|~DRAINED AND REFILLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID W/TRANSFER CASE AND DIFFERENTIALS AS NEEDED (LESS THAN YEAR LATER HAD TRANS FLUID AGAIN REPLACED AS CONTINUED ISSUES) NOW IS SEEMINGLY WORSE AND MORE OFTEN. STEP ON GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THEN JERKS FORWARD, LOUD THUNKING SOUND, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS UNKNOWN WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. HAVE NOT BEEN USING VEHICLE VERY MUCH BECAUSE OF IT. IF THIS ISSUE WAS KNOWN ABOUT IN 2006 WHY WAS THIS NEVER REPAIRED BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT IT OR NOTIFY ME OF WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 20, 2013
2003 RAV4 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THERE SEEMED TO BE HARDLY ANY POWER WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, AND THEN ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS LATER THE CAR WOULD JOLT INTO GEAR. THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN ALSO WHEN INCREASING SPEED, OR ANY TIME THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO SHOP WHERE THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER (I NEVER TRY TO ACCELERATE TOO QUICKLY), AND THIS TRUSTY TOYOTA HASN'T EVER HAD ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS... EVER! THERE ARE LESS THAN 77,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 30, 2013
I PURCHASED THE RAV4 IN LATE JULY, 2013. THE RAV4 HAD 78,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I PAID $9,000+ FOR THE RAV4. AT 80,000 MILES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS SUCH AS JERKING BETWEEN GEARS, VERY SLUGGISH RESPONSE DURING ACCELERATION AND HORRENDOUS GAS MILEAGE. I GET ABOUT 8 MILES PER GALLON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON MY CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEMS FALL "WITHIN THE PARAMETERS" OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: TC-10-034 EXCEPT THE "IN SERVICE" DATE OF MY VEHICLE WAS MARCH 8, 2003 THEREBY MAKING ME INELIGIBLE FOR THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY BY 4 MONTHS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! THIS IS A TOYOTA SCREWUP AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ROAD CONDITIONS OR OWNER NEGLECT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR SO MY DAUGHTER CAN CONTINUE HER DAYCARE. SHE SHUTTLES PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN TO VARIOUS RECREATION FACILITIES AND MY WIFE, WHO HAS TERMINAL CANCER, OFTEN ACCOMPANIES HER SO SHE CAN SPEND AS MUCH QUALITY TIME WITH HER BEFORE THE EVENTUALITY. NOW I'M READING THAT THIS PARTICULAR RAV4 PROBLEM CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IF TOYOTA "CARES FOR IT'S CUSTOMERS", HOW CAN THIS BE A SERVICE BULLETIN AND NOT A RECALL. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR DATE OF SERVICE. I JUST SPENT OVER $9,000 FOR A 10 YEAR OLD CAR BECAUSE IT WAS A TOYOTA. "IT'LL LAST FOREVER". I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER COMPLAINT PHONE NUMBER AND ALL I GOT WAS CONTEMPT. HER NAME WAS [XXX] AND HER ARGUMENT WAS "TOYOTA WAS VERY KIND IN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR YOU", IT'S YOUR FAULT FOR NOT READING IT". YEAH RIGHT, IT'S MY FAULT FOR NOT FOLLOWING YOUR SCREWUPS FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS. I WANT MY CAR FIXED!! I CAN'T AFFORD $5,000 FOR A TRANSMISSION, ECM AND COMPUTER REBOOT. THIS IS A TOYOTA PROBLEM AND I, THE CUSTOMER, DEMAND TO BE HEARD. IF TOYOTA TRULY "CARES FOR ITS CUSTOMERS", THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO THE RIGHT THING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2013
BASICALLY TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY ECM BECAUSE I NOTIFIED THEM 10 AFTER THEIR "EXTENSION" HAD EXPIRED. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I SPENT A WEEK FROM MECHANIC TO MECHANIC, GETTING ESTIMATES. FINALLY SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL AND SUGGESTED I REACH OUT TO TOYOTA. THEY REFUSED TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION BECAUSE THE DELIVERY DATE TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS 8/31/2003. THEY EVEN HAD THE PREVIOUS OWNER ON THEIR DATABASE. MY DAUGHTER PLEADED WITH THE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO AND SHE REFUSED TO EVEN REVIEW THIS AGAIN WITH HIM. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS DECISION AND NEED GUIDANCE AS TO WHAT IS LEGAL. THE DEFECTIVE COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED BY THEM AND SOLD TO THE CONSUMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T THEY BE RESPONSIBLE REGARDLESS OF THE TIMEFRAME THEY SET ON THEIR OWN? IT IS ABSURD TO HAVE THEM ADMIT IT WAS PART OF THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES THAT WERE THEIR FAULT, BUT SINCE I CALLED A WEEK LATER, THEY GOT OFF SCOTT FREE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING VIOLENTLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER AND THE POWER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,900.
Engine, Aug 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2013
OFTEN (AND UNPREDICTABLY), VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE FROM STOP. IT CREEPS FORWARD AS TACK JUMPS, THEN WITH A LOUD "CLUNK" IT JERKS INTO 2ND (OR 3RD) GEAR AND SUDDENLY LEAPS FORWARD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALER MORE THAN ONCE AND TOLD "NO PROBLEM FOUND." WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS FINALLY DEMONSTRATED, THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT SOLENOID B IS FAULTY AND ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED STARTING AT $4600. NOW I READ THAT MANY OWNERS OF 2001-3 RAV4S HAVE EXACT PROBLEM CAUSED BY A FAULTY EMC THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN TOYOTA ORIGINALLY ADMITTED THE PROBLEM IN 2006. INSTEAD THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE HAS PROGRESSED TO A REPAIR 4 TIMES THAT AMOUNT. I HAVE FOUND NO REASONABLE REPAIR RATE SO FAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 16, 2013
I STARTED EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM ON 7/2/13. IT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THAT DATE. ON 7/10/13 THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED AND FREQUENT. WHEN PROCEEDING FORWARD FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO ADVANCE, THEN SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. IT HAS RESULTED IN NEAR MISS REAREND AND SIDE CRASHES. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MECHANIC FOR 7/15/13. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SHOWED THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER. RESEARCH TURNED UP A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 015610) DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY CHOSE NOT TO DO REPAIRS UNTIL THE PROBLEM MANIFESTED ITSELF. *TR
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jul 2, 2013, crash
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN NO GAS, TURNED DOWN HILL IN SNOW CAR ACCELERATED GOING STRAIGHT INTO DOWNED TREE. MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND HAS HAD STICKING ACCELERATOR, REAR END CLUNKING NOISE AND POWER STEERING HAS MADE IT WHERE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE. MY SERVICE ANIMAL HIT THE WINDSHIELD THAT SHATTERED WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES AT ANOTHER TIME. I'VE HAD OTHER NEAR MISSES AND TWO LEFT OF CENTER TICKETS WITH POWER STEERING ISSUES. I HAVE TAKEN INTO TOYOTA FOR STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN WRITE SERVICE TICKET. THEY FILLED POWER STEERING FLUID SAID NO PROBLEM. THEY KEEP RESETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STATING ITS GAS CAP. THIS CAR IS A LEMON, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMPUTER. THIS IS THE FIRST NEW VEHICLE I EVER BOUGHT AND WISH I WOULD HAVE STUCK WITH USED. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 1, 2013
THE CAR WOULD ENGAGE 2ND AND 3RD GEARS AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING TEMPORARY LOCK UP OF THE REAR WHEELS AND LOSS OF CONTROL. FOUND OUT ABOUT A TSB AND CLASS ACTION SUITE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AFFECTING THE ECU WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED TOYOTA REGARDING THE ISSUE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY 2003 RAV4 WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN PUT IN SERVICE JUNE OF 2003. I AM APPALLED THIS IS NOT A RECALL AS IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE IF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS POSSIBLE. THIS COULD BE FATAL IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN TO ON A SLIPPERY ROAD OR GOING AROUND A CORNER. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 27, 2013
ON OR ABOUT MAY 5, 2013 I NOTICED MY CAR STARTED TO HARD SHIFT, THOUGH I WAS DRIVING AS USUAL. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS OFF AND ON AND IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN WAITING AT A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT OR DRIVE THRU AT A RESTAURANT. THE SHIFT JOLT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN NEEDING TO ACCELERATE OR SHIFTING INTO DRIVE--IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHEN I GO INTO REVERSE. THE SHIFT JOLT SOMETIMES IS ACCOMPANIED BY A THUD NOISE. ON MAY 7, 2013 I CONTACTED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND DISCUSS THIS WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT 1-800-331-4331. SHE TRANSFERRED ME TO A RUDE AND CANTANKEROUS WOMAN WHO SEEMED TO HAVE HEARD THE STORY BEFORE. SHE STATED I NEED TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP AND GET A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH COSTS $100 IN MY AREA. SHE THEN STATED THAT IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CODES APPEAR: CODES: P0750, P0753, P0755, P0758 OR P0760 THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE ECM MODULE FIRST, IF STILL PROBLEM THE FAULTY MODULE COULD'VE MESSED UP THE TRANSMISSION. SHE CONCEDED THAT TOYOTA ISSUED A BULLETIN TO THE DEALERSHIPS AND APPARENTLY IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. AT SOME POINT I RECEIVED A TOYOTA INTERNAL CASE NUMBER. SHE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO FOR ME AS I AM NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE 188,000+ MILES ON MY CAR AND APPARENTLY IF IT IS NOT UNDER 150,000 MILE WARRANTY. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND IT IS NOT MY FAULT THE PROBLEM DID NOT APPEAR WITHIN A RANDOMLY SELECTED MILEAGE THEY CHOSE. TOYOTA ADMITTED THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE LIABLE FOR ANY MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT OF THE ECM/TRANSMISSION. I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED FOR FREE AS IT IS TOYOTA'S FAULTY/DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS NOW CAUSING MY CAR PROBLEMS. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER GETTING THE REPAIRS DONE, TOYOTA REFUSED TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER PARTIAL PAYMENT. EVEN THOUGH, A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INITIALLY TOLD HER SHE WOULD NEED TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE AND TEN TOYOTA WOULD REIMBURSE HER. UPDATED 12/16/13
Power train, May 16, 2013
I PURCHASED MY VEH IN JAN 2003.NEXT DAY, I NOTICED MY VEH WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE UPHILL. AT 50K MILES IN 2010, I WENT TO DEALER WITH A RECALL LETTER. MY COMPLAINT:CUST HAVING DIFFICULTY DRIVING UPHILL-WON'T ACCEL-GET STUCK AT 45-50 MPH. VEH IS SHIFTING HARSH & CUST STATED THAT SHE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANS.CUST THINKS THAT THIS IS PART OF THE ZTL LETTER SHE GOT IN MAIL. THEIR RESPONSE WAS:TEST DROVE VEH & DUPLICATED THE LACK OF POWER FOUND VEH HAD 3 FLOOR MATS UNDER THE ACCEL PEDAL NOT ALLOWING FULL TRAVEL REMOVED MATS & VEH RAN & SHIFTED FINE. I LEFT DISAPPOINTED & THEY CHARGED ME. PROBLEM GREW & MY CAR STARTED ACTING STRANGE EVEN THOUGH I WAS KEEPING UP WITH MAINTANENCE. IN MARCH 2013, MY CAR WOULDN'T EVEN START & I THOUGHT IT MUST BE THE BATTERY, & GOT IT TOWED & HAD BATTERY REPLACED.WHEN I WAS DRIVING, IT STARTED SHAKING. IT WAS STRANGE BUT I DIDN'T READ INTO IT UNTIL LATE APRIL 2013, I WAS WAITING FOR GREEN LIGHT TO MAKE L TURN & MY CAR RESISTED & PULLED BACK HARSHLY. SINCE THEN I WAS SCARED OF DRIVING MY VEH. ONE DAY IT WAS FINE MOSTLY BUT ANOTHER DAY SIMILAR ISSUE, STOPPING & DRIVING WAS SCARY & IT COULDN'T GO HIGHER THAN 20 MPH. THE LAST TIME I DROVE, I COULD HARDLY PUT MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO TOYOTA FOR SERVICE. MY CAR HAS 65K MILES & THEY TOLD ME ECU HAS TO BE REPLACED & IF DOESN'T WORK, I SHOULD PAY FOR A NEW TRANS. I CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THEY WILL PAY FOR THE ECU BUT NOT FOR TRANSMISSION (IF NECESSARY) NOR FOR LABOR COST. I'M FRUSTRATED WITH THIS ISSUE, THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY TRANS EVEN IF NEW ECU MAKES IT LOOK LIKE MY CAR IS REPAIRED BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT. THE DEFECT SHORTENED THE TRANSMISSION'S LIFE.I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE AGAIN IN MY CAR WITH THE EXISTING TRANS. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY, PAY FOR DAMAGES, NOT DEMAND ON WARRANTY, INFORM CUSTOMERS & APOLOGIZE FOR ACTING LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG. *TR