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, May 2, 2013
2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER LEARNED TOYOTA KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION TO 10 YEARS/150,000 MILES IN 2006. THE CONSUMER HAD A 110,000 MILES ON HIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS FIVE MONTHS OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER STATED IT COST $800 PLUS TAX, TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD COST $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Apr 10, 2013
THE VEHICLE JERKS, MISSES GEARS. WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT..IT DOESN'T MOVE THEN SUDDENLY TAKES OFF. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM IN 02/03 & 04 RAV 4'S ALSO SAYS THE ECM IS A PROBLEM. HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED, REPLACED THE FILTER & TRANSMISSION FLUID ONLY TO HAVE IT STILL ACTING THE SAME WAY...WE WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. MY RESEARCH INDICATED TOYOTA KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM & EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS OR 150,00 MILES. WHEN WE CONTACTED FREEDOM TOYOTA IN HAMBURG, PA. (THIS IS WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE) THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT *CHUCKLED* AT US. TOLD US, $91.00 JUST TO PULL IT IN THERE GARAGE TO LOOK AT IT!HOW SAFE IS IT TO DRIVE IF IT JERKS OR JUST WON'T GO? WHERE IS TOYOTAS LOYALTY TO IT'S CUSTOMERS IF THEY *CHUCKLE* AT US ? NEEDLESS TO SAY WE STILL OWE MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Feb 10, 2013
WE PURCHASED OUR RAV 4 AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM FOLWER TOYOTA INC. 955 NORTH INTERSTATE NORMAN OKLAHOMA JANUARY 2005. WE WERE TOLD THE CERTIFIED USED CAR INCLUDED A 160-POINT QUALITY INSPECTION, CERTIFYING THE CAR IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. THE DEALER NEVER TOLD US ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AND THEY NEVER TRANSFERRED THE NAME OF OWNERSHIP TO TOYOTA, INC. IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR WE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION JERKING FORWARD AND SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. IT ALSO SHIFTED HARD INTO REVERSE. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED THAT WE SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION AND SEE IF THAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WE CALLED TOYOTA AND TALKED TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT THAT INFORMED US THAT TOYOTA HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE WARRANTY FOR OUR CAR RAN OUT DECEMBER 31ST 2012 AND WE WOULD NOT QUALIFY. WE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION DEFECTIVE COMPUTER UNTIL WE CALLED TOYOTA AND AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET DISCOVERING THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS THE RESULT OF A CLASS ACTION SUITE. TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER BUT FAILED TO INFORM US ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NOW WE ARE TOLD THAT TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER IS BETWEEN $1500.00 AND $1900.00 AND IF THERE HAS BEEN DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE COMPUTER IT WILL COST US $5000.00 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. WE BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA DEALER THAT SOLD US THE RAV 4 SHOULD HAVE ENSURED THAT OUR NAME AND ADDRESS WAS SENT TO TOYOTA INFORMING THEM OF OUR PURCHASE IN CASE THERE WAS A RECALL OR IN THIS CASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING A DEFECTIVE PART. WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT LISTEN TO OUR APPEAL BECAUSE WE CALLED AFTER THE WARRANTY TIME LIMIT.
Power train, Feb 7, 2013
TROUBLE WITH HARSH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING - DELAYS - CLUNKS - NOISE. DEALER SAYS 99% SURE TROUBLE IS ECM HENCE THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION NEED REPLACEMENT . TOYOTA CANADA DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOODWILL WARRANTY ON THE PHONE - EVEN AFTER CHECKING WITH A MANAGER. AND SAYS IT IS ONLY A USA ISSUE EVEN THOUGHT THE DEALER READILY ACKNOWLEDGES AN WAB #### SERVICE BULLETIN. THE DEALER SAYS I WILL HAVE TO SUBPOENA THE SERVICE ADVISORY THROUGH A LAWYER TO GET THE INFORMATION THAT TOYOTA CANADA SAYS THEY DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT? (IN 2013!!!) THE DEALER SAYS I AM 2 MONTHS PAST THEIR SECRET DEADLINE IN THE SECRET GOODWILL WARRANTY SO TOYOTA DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. FEELS LIKE VERY SHODDY CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT I FEEL WILL COST TOYOTA FAR MORE THAN THEIR ACTUAL MINUSCULE COST (<$200 THEIR COST?) TO REPLACE WITH A PROPER ECU - ENGINE CONTROL UNIT BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR! THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT TEST THE ECU UNITS AND DO NOT KNOW WHICH ONES ARE BAD UNTIL THE CUSTOMER (LIKE ME) COMES IN NEEDING MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. OK GO AHEAD AND WAIT BUT AT LEAST WARN THE CUSTOMER TO WATCH FOR ISSUES AND HAVE IT CHECKED IF ANY ISSUES ARISE RIGHT AWAY. - NOT WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER A SECRET TIME LINE PASSES HOW CONVENIENT FOR THEM! THIS IS A LUDICROUS SITUATION. LESS THAT 90,000 MILES AND TOYOTA HAS THE GALL TO TELL ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX A PART THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IS DEFECTIVE AND THEN PAY AN EXTRA LUMP OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE TRANSMISSION THEY THEMSELVES SAY IS 99% CERTAIN TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE FAULTY ECU PROBLEM FOR GOOD MEASURE! HAVE YOU NO SHAME TOYOTA CANADA, OR IS IT TOO MUCH FUN ROLLING AROUND IN A PILE OF MY MONEY? - THE CANADIAN BORDER SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING A GIANT ELEPHANT OF A COMPANY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HIDE BEHIND IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. THE WAY TOYOTA CANADA IS HANDLING THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR FAIL FOR TOYOTA! *TR
Power train, Jan 14, 2013
ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. THIS WAS ALREADY COMPLAINED ABOUT ON 7/2010. TOYOTA NEEDS TO HONOR WHAT YOU TOLD THEM TO DO. TRANSMISSION/ECM. I WANT A REFUND FOR MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE ON THIS ISSUE $995.98. EXTENDED WARRANTY 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES ..UPDATED 01/17/2013 *BF
Power train, Structure, Dec 11, 2012, crash
I BACKED UP IN REVERSE AND THEN PUT 2003 RAV 4 INTO DRIVE EXPECTING TO GO FORWARD WHEN MOTOR BEGAN TO RACE AND CAR FLEW BACKWARD OVER 12-FOOT HIGH EMBANKMENT INTO WOODS WHILE ENGINE CONTINUED RACING. CAR DID NOT ROLL OVER BUT SWUNG AROUND 130 DEGREES IN A FLAT AREA AND CAME TO A STOP FACING A TREE 4 FEET STRAIGHT AHEAD. A SECOND OR TWO LATER THE CAR THEN LEAPED FORWARD INTO THE TREE WITH ENGINE ROARING, CAR CONTINUED TO RACE AT HIGH RPMS WITH FRONT BUMPER WRAPPED AROUND TREE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP THE HIGH REVS WAS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. I INJURED MY BACK. *TR
Engine, Nov 1, 2012
TL* THE OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,700.
Electrical system, Oct 13, 2012
THE CLIPS SECURING THE ELECTRICAL CONSOLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR GAVE WAY AND FELL INTO THE DOOR, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOW THE CONSOLE IS LOOSE AND KEEPS RIDING UP FROM IT'S POSITION. I'M CONCERNED THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE OR WILL GET WET WHEN DOOR OR WINDOW IS OPENED DURING RAIN, SNOW ETC. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AT A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL CONSOLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT'S ONE UNIT....NO WAY TO JUST REPLACE THE CLIPS. THE COST OF THE PART ALONE WAS QUOTED AS $514.00, WITH LABOR EXTRA. IF THIS WAS CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART I WOULDN'T MIND, HOWEVER I DID NOTHING TO IT. I JUST HEARD A NOISE AND SOMETHING FELL INTO THE DOOR, THEN SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SO TOYOTA ABSORBS THE COST, NOT ME. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 98,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT HAPPENED AND IT HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR
Power train, Sep 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
Engine, Jun 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREAMS IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT WAS FAILING AND WOULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
Engine, May 22, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST WITH THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 14, 2012
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. MY CAR WAS RUNNING IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, WITH JUST OVER 99,000 MILES ON IT. ON MAY 2ND 2012, I EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION AND ECM. THE CAR WOULD REV WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, THE CAR WOULD SLOW TO A BRAKE AND THEN THERE WAS BE A BUMP OR GRINDING IN THE GEARS BEFORE THE CAR WOULD PROCEED TO MOVE. THIS WOULD PUT ME IN DANGER OF A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY BRAKE WITHOUT ME PRESSING ON THE BRAKES TO SIGNAL THE DRIVER BEHIND ME THAT I WAS GOING TO SLOW DOWN. I HAVE LEARNED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH MANY OF ITS RAV4'S (2001-2003). IS THERE ANY HELP ON TOYOTA'S PART TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE THAT THEY KNOW OF WITHOUT PASSING ALONG THE COST TO THE INNOCENT CUSTOMER? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR UPDATED 06/22/2012 *JS
Power train, Apr 11, 2012
MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4 STARTED SHIFTING POORLY AND INCONSISTENTLY BY NOT SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR, SLIPPING IN BETWEEN GEARS AND SLAMMING INTO GEAR. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTIONS CORRECTLY AND THEN THERE ARE DAYS WHEN IT NEVER DOES. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOT KNOWING WHETHER IT WILL BE A GOOD DAY WHEN MY RAV4 BEHAVES AS IT SHOULD OR IF ITS GOING TO LEAVE TRANSMISSION PARTS ALL OVER THE ROAD, GET US IN AN ACCIDENT OR AT THE VERY LEAST, LEAVE US STRANDED. NERVE RACKING AND INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. *TR
Power train, Apr 5, 2012
MY CAR LOST POWER. I COULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN 10 MILES AN HOUR. INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES LAST YEARS AND THIS YEARS. JUST RECENTLY ON 04/04/2012 AT 4:55PM I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND HER SISTER AND I HAD TO PULL ON SHOULDER AND TURNED ON HAZARD WARNING LIGHT AND DRIVE IN LOWER GEAR ( 2ND GEAR ). *TR
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2012, fire
ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2003 RAV4. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHEN NOTIFIED BY COLLEGE SECURITY THAT CAR HAD ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. CAR WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED BY FIRE AND WAS WRECKED AT JUNKYARD. THE CAR HAD NEVER BEEN CRASHED, HAD ALL MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE AND WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE. *TR
Visibility, Jan 1, 2012
THIS SUN VISOR DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT WHICH CAN BE MADE TO FIX IT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA DEALER IN NEWARK DE A NEW VISOR IS NEEDED. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALER THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT AND COMMON PROBLEM, WITH MANY MODEL YEARS.' *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 21, 2011
10/28/11 WHILE DRIVING APPROX 25-30 MPH WITHOUT APPLYING THE GAS, THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BRAKING WAS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK RPM REVVED TO 4. MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE THROTTLE WAS OUT A LITTLE AND WHEN HE TOUCHED THE AREA IT SNAPPED BACK. 10/29/11 DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, APPROX 35-40 MPH CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY AND THE CAR WAS AGAIN REVVING WHEN PLACED IN PARK. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND TOUCHED THE AREA OF THE THROTTLE. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY AND I DROVE HOME CAUTIOUSLY. CAR TAKEN TO CERTIFIED TOYOTA GARAGE FOR REPAIRS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS LIT WHEN TAKEN AND SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM AND LUBRICATED CAR AND RETURNED TO US. 11/1/11 OCCURRENCE #3, I DROVE THE CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS THEN DRIVING AT APPROX 35 MPH WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, I COULD FEEL CAR ACCELERATING UNINTENTIONALLY AGAIN. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE PERSONAL EXPERIENCED CAR WHEN STARTED WAS REVVING WITHOUT APPLYING THE GAS. SERVICE FOUND SCRATCHES IN THE COVER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FELT THIS CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO STICK. HOLE WAS CUT IN THE COVER AND CAR RETURNED. 11/5/11 OCCURRENCE # 4, I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CITY CIRCLE AT APPROX 25 MPH THE CAR AGAIN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I GOT OFF THE ROAD, CAR REVVED TO A 5 WHEN PLACED IN PARK. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ON FLAT BED. UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION WAS EXPERIENCED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. CAR LEFT FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Power train, Nov 9, 2011
THIS IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRST NOTICED THE HERKY/JERKY OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE IT IN REVERSE TO BACK UP, SHE THEN NOTIFIED ME OF THE PROBLEM. I PROCEEDED TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY, WHEN WE WERE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM A PARKING LOT, IT SUDDENLY SHUDDERED BETWEEN GEARS AND FINALLY SETTLED INTO THE PROPER GEAR AFTER I LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. ONCE WE MADE IT HOME AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES, WE PARKED THE CAR UNTIL I HAD A CHANCE TO DRIVE IT TO TOYOTA FOR AN ASSESSMENT. THEY DROVE IT AROUND AND NOTICED THE SAME HERKY/JERKY OPERATION, BUT STATED TO ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY RECEIVED A CODE FROM THE COMPUTER STATING EITHER ECU OR TRANSMISSION TROUBLE, AFTER 2 OR 3 DAYS THEY WERE UNABLE TO RETRIEVE ANY SUCH CODE. *TR
Power train, Nov 4, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Power train, Oct 9, 2011
CAR WILL NOT MOVES VERY SLOWLY WHEN IT STOPS AND YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, VERY DANGEROUS! *TR
Visibility, Oct 9, 2011
THE SUN VISOR DROPS SUDDENLY CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE ROAD AHEAD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 11, 2011
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HAD I NOT ALREADY HAD MY FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. WITNESS' SAID VEHICLE LURCHED UPWARD JUST BEFORE ACCELERATION. I SLAMMED IT INTO PARK AND CUT ENGINE TO MAKE IT STOP. AFTERWARDS, TRYING TO GET IT HOME, WHEN I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WOULD SHUTTER AND ALMOST DIE, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND REV ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM DYING. *TR
Power train, Aug 17, 2011
VEHICLE STARTED TO BEGIN TAKEOFF REALLY SLOW AND HESITANT, AND THEN SHIFT REALLY HARD WITH A JERKING MOTION INTO SECOND. NOT SAFE FOR TAKING OFF WITH TRAFFIC OR CROSSING INTERSECTIONS. VERY SCARY TO OPERATE. COULD RUIN TRANSMISSION, SHAFTS, AND OTHER PARTS. QUOTE FROM DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE ECM IS AROUND 1500+. THEN TRANSMISSION AROUND 3000+. I AM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH TOYOTA BACK AND FORTH ON GETTING REPAIR APPROVED. PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. ALL NECESSARY CALLS HAVE BEEN DONE UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. THEY ARE NOT WARRANTING THIS CLAIM AT THIS TIME. *KB
Power train, Aug 15, 2011
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. *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2011
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE WHEN HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. SOON AFTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. WE SOON DISCOVERED OUR 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS A DEFECTIVE ECM AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SEVERELY DAMAGED DUE TO THE ECM. IT COSTS OVER $5,000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ECM AND THE TRANSMISSION. WE ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE WE FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS. *TR