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, Jul 14, 2010
I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. IT TERRIFIED ME BECAUSE THERE WAS A TRACTOR TRAILER TO MY LEFT THAT ALMOST HIT ME. AS I PRESSED HARDER ON THE PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE CAR, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD REVVING SOUND, AND THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FORWARD, IN THE SENSE THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE: SOMETIMES THE CAR ACCELERATED HARSHLY WHILE AT OTHER TIMES IT WAS LIKE IT WAS ON NEUTRAL. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, AS SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, NOR WAS THERE ANY HINT THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE OCCURS AT LOW SPEED, RIGHT AT THOSE CRUCIAL MOMENTS WHEN YOU NEED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE YOU ARE MERGING WITH TRAFFIC, OR ARE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AFTER HAVING STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. PEOPLE REPORTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM), SO I HAD THAT FIXED, AND NOW THE CAR SEEMS TO BE RUNNING FINE. THE WORST THING IS THAT ONLINE PEOPLE DISCOVERED THAT TOYOTA ISSUED AN INTERNAL MEMO IN 2006 NOTIFYING DEALERS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT NOTIFY THE OWNER, LET ALONE RECALL THE CARS AND HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. APPARENTLY, TOYOTA DID NOT FEEL THE PROBLEM WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH, THOUGH I AM CONVINCED THAT IT WAS ONLY LUCK THAT I SURVIVED THAT DAY ON THE HIGHWAY! *TR
Power train, Jul 10, 2010
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH ONLY 63K MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS TRYING TO INSTALL A REBUILT TRANSMISSION THAT THEY CONTACTED A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE YEAR AND MODEL TOYOTA I HAVE WAS KNOW TO HAVE A FAULTY COMPUTER THAT CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DEEMED THE COMPUTER FAULTY AND FIXED THE CAR FREE OF CHARGE. ONCE THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PUT IN THE NEW COMPUTER, THE TRANSMISSION STILL WOULDN'T WORK. IT IS BACK AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR FOR OVER FOUR WEEKS. I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING TOYOTA TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS RESISTANCE WHEN HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND RPMS INCREASED INSTEAD OF THE VEHICLE RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58000.
Power train, Jul 6, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW SPEED THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. THE DEALER CHANGED THE OIL, THE FUEL FILTER AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE AND THAT IF THE ECM DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR $5500.00. TOYOTA WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND STATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID THEY COULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 124,600.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Power train, Jun 30, 2010
CAR JERKS, HARSH SHIFTING, STAYS STUCK IN GEAR, WILL NOT GO BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. HAVE DONE OIL CHANGE, TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, LEFT AND RIGHT 02 SENSORS, STILL SHIFTING HARSH CONDITIONS, FEELS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 30, 2010
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ON A 2003 RAV4 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IT STARTED AT 100,456 MILES. NEVER HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BEFORE. IT STARTED TO OCCUR ONCE IN A WHILE IN FIRST GEAR, THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, GOT IT CHECK. CAME UP CODE PO755. NOW IS OCCURRING MORE OFTEN. LIGHT GOES OFF AND AFTER A COUPLE OF DAY GOES ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA. THEY SAID IT NEEDS A REMANUFACTURE TRANSMISSION AND THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE ECM. COST 5,995 THEY TOLD ME I'M BETTER OFF TRADING THE CAR. *TR
Power train, Jun 23, 2010
NO WARNING WHEN TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM STOPPED TO FIRST. WOULD JERK THEN BE FINE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON. TOOK TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP & WAS QUOTED $3,200 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. NO MENTION OF THE ECM BEING THE CAUSE OR NEEDING REPAIRED. WILL HAVE TO TRADE IN. FAILURE 110,000. *TR
Power train, Jun 18, 2010
CAR SUDDENLY STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEM, HESITATES FROM A START, VERY JERKY, THEN DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR
Power train, Jun 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND AFTER TWENTY SECONDS OF THE VEHICLE MAINTAINING 25 MPH, IT ACCELERATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONNECTION FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK TO THE BODY EXHIBITED A BROKEN ELECTRICAL GROUND CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 68,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
Power train, Jun 16, 2010
RAV4 TRANSMISSION SLIPS, JERKS AND SLAMS INTO GEAR. VERY UNSETTLING AND UNSAFE. NO "CHECK" LIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY GAVE A LAME EXCUSE ABOUT MY HUSBAND DRIVING IT AND CONFUSING THE COMPUTER. SYMPTOMS NEVER STOPPED SO I TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED INDEPENDENT SHOP AND AM HAVING TO PAY $4000 FOR REPAIRS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND EVEN ISSUED A TSB ON IT. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT ONLY COVERS UP TO 80K MILES. PLEASE LEAN ON THEM TO MAKE THIS RIGHT! *TR
Power train, Jun 3, 2010
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. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, May 28, 2010
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW 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. *JB
Power train, May 28, 2010
MY TOYOTA RAV4 2003 HAS 85,200 MILES AND TRANSMISSION IS GIVING ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS. IT'S JERKING THE FIRST AND SECOND SPEED AND WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER(FINDLAY TOYOTA) THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO WARRANTY SO I HAVE TO SPEND $1,600 BUYING A NEW COMPUTER AND IF THE PROBLEM PERSIST I WILL HAVE TO SPEND MONEY FIXING THE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA ABOUT THIS FAILS(RAV4 2001-2003) BUT WAS SENT TO DEALERS AND NO TO OWNERS. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2010
MY 2003 RAV4, SUDDENLY BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS - THE TRANSMISSION STICKS IN FIRST GEAR THEN BANGS INTO SECOND; JERKING SPORADICALLY - NOT MOVING, THEN LUNGING FORWARD. IT IS DANGEROUS. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TOYOTA AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS IT. $3,500. MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 100,000 MILES. IT IS "YOUNG. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THE NEW YORK TIMES DID AN ARTICLE IN AUGUST 2009. TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS SINCE 2006. THE ARTICLE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A "BULLETIN" THAT SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM UP TO 80,000 MILES AND 8 YEARS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW MY CAR IS UNDER THE YEARS AND OVER THE MILES. AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM I FOUND A LOT OF OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS. MOST OF THE MILEAGE IS OVER 80,000. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF MY MILEAGE...THEY CAN'T HELP ME. BUT, IT WAS THEIR DEFECT. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED EARLIER SO IT COULD BE REPLACED? THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE ISN'T A RECALL. IS THAT BECAUSE NO ONE DIED BECAUSE OF IT YET? *TR UPDATED IVOQ 10/01/10 THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED IVOQ 10/08/10.
Power train, May 18, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND WOULD ABRUPTLY JERK WHEN DOING SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
Power train, May 18, 2010
MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 IS SLIPPING, BUCKING, AND DRAGGING: TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, JUST LIKE ALL THE REST! WHAT MORE IS THERE TO SAY? BESIDES THE FACT THAT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT WITH MY 6 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THERE, AND I HAVE NO MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED! *TR
Power train, May 15, 2010
DRIVING MY RAV 4 2003 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT HAD NO POWER STRUGGLED TO SHIFT IT FELT LIKE I WAS RIDING A BULL. IT IS VERY SCARY. WHEN YOU HAVE NO POWER AND NEED TO ACCELERATE AT A LIGHT. PLEASE PROTECT THE PEOPLE. FORCE TOYOTA TO SO A RECALL. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. DO NOT WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER.$3300. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP SO I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN# PLUS WHEN YOU TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT DOES NOT SHOW ON THE COMPUTER THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION OR THE ECU. *TR
Power train, May 12, 2010
VEHICLE JERKS, SOMETIMES FAILS TO ACCELERATE OR IT WILL SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN WHILE IN MOTION AND THEN SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD. IT IS REALLY A SCARY SITUATION EVERYTIME IT HAPPENS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 11, 2010
OUR 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAS BEGUN TO HAVE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD OR HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. WE IMMEDIATELY HAD THIS INVESTIGATED, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER NEEDED REPLACING AT A RIDICULOUS DOLLAR AMOUNT. THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR HAS YET TO BE COMPLETED. MEANWHILE, WE'VE HAD TIME TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM, ONLY TO FIND THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DANGEROUS LURCHING AND HESITATION OF THEIR VEHICLE. TOYOTA SAYS THAT OUR CAR IS EITHER TOO OLD OR HAS TOO MANY MILES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED, AND NOW THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS SERIOUS UNCONTROLLABLE PROBLEM. WE JUST FELT YOU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Power train, May 4, 2010
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION JERKS AND CHANGE GEARS FOR NO REASON ALL THE TIME VERY DANGEROUS! ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT HAS 91K MILES NOT REPAIRED YET (WAITING TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM) IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR RAV4. *TR
Power train, Seat belts, Apr 29, 2010
ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AWHILE. I SPENT 1400 TO GET IT FIXED LAST YEAR SO THAT I CAN PASS EMISSION BUT STILL FAILED AND HAD TO GET A WAIVER. ON DECEMBER OF 2009, A FRIEND OF MINE AND I WAS DRIVING AND IT STARTED TO LOSE ITS POWER AND STARTED JERKING. WE IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. WE WAITED A LITTLE WHILE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET HELP SOMEWHERE BUT WE WERE IN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN'T GET ANY CELL SIGNAL SO WE DECIDED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND AT LEAST TRY TO DRIVE TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GET SIGNAL. CAR DROVE OK THAT DAY BUT SINCE THEN HAD JERKING OR SHIFTING PROBLEM SEVERAL HOURS AFTER FIRST USED IN THE DAY. I HAD THE ECU CHANGED THIS YEAR AND IT COST 1500. IT DRIVES BETTER NOW BUT NOW THE PROBLEM STARTS DURING THE FIRST USE OF THE CAR EACH DAY. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT IS ANNOYING AND MIGHT DAMAGE MY ENGINE MORE THAN THE OLD EMU HAD DAMAGE IT. ALSO THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER BACK SEAT DURING THE USE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS(IT DIDN'T HAVE MUCH USE BEFORE 2008) HAD STARTED SNAGGING TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS UNRAVELED. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE METAL LOOP THAT THE SEAT BELT GOES THOUGH IS VERY SHARP AND HAD CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO GET SHREDDED. *TR
Power train, Apr 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. WHILE RETURNING TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLLED THE TRANSMISSION ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; THE COMPUTER WAS ALSO REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AFTER SEVEN YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,911.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 28, 2010
I OWN A 2003 RAV 4 PURCHASED USED TWO YEARS AGO THIS APRIL 2010. THE CAR HAS 80,188 MILES THE VIN # IS XXXXX MY WIFE AND I ALONG WITH MY 1 YEAR OLD BOY IN THE BACK SEAT (CAR SEAT) WERE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT OF THE LOCAL GYM. WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD ALMOST CAUSING HER TO RUN OVER A PEDESTRIAN. (I REALLY MEAN RUN OVER, NOT JUST HIT). I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR... HE MENTIONED THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE... THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) MAKES THE CAR SHIFT IRREGULAR IN AND OUT OF 1ST AND 2ND GEAR ( MY RAV 4 IS AUTOMATIC). BETTER SAID... WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTS MOVING IN SECOND GEAR... WHICH MAKES IT VERY SLUGGISH.. WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSES THE GAS PEDAL TO COMPENSATE, THE CAR THEN UNSUSPECTINGLY AND SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTS INTO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL. THIS TIME WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THINGS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN DIFFERENT... WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. THE REPAIRS ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC CAN RANGE FROM $1500 TO $7000. CHANGING THE ECM MAY FIX THE ISSUE BUT THERE NOW MAY BE DAMAGE DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF. WE WILL NOT KNOW TILL I HAVE THE ECM CHANGED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)*TR
Power train, Apr 27, 2010
I PURCHASED MY TOYOTA RAV 4 2003 ON OCTOBER 2007 WITH ABOUT 58,000 MILES. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO MY CAR STARTED JERKING WHILE CHANGING GEARS. I HAD MY CAR PARKED AND WHEN I WANTED TO MOVE IT WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND MAKING A JUMP. AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IF I PRESS THE GAS. NOISE BEGAN TO BE LOUDER AND WHEN DRIVING IN HIGHWAY IT WAS NOT CHANGING GEARS. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT TIMES EVEN IF IT WAS ON DRIVING. PROBLEMS BECAME MORE SEVERE. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEED A NEW COMPUTER TRANSMISSION AND THE COST WILL BE AROUND $1400+TAX+PART AND LABOR. I HAD BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT IS NOT COVERING ANY COSTS AT ALL. I HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. *TR