2001 Toyota RAV4: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jul 2, 2017 · Transmission · CA

The ECM on my 2001 rav4 was calibrated in 2008 by a local dealer. Under recall 601. In 2008 the car had just over 63000 miles. It now has 124000 and the transmission is hard shifting again.

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · CA

The automatic transmission is shifting irratically, sometimes it will take off slowly until the gear engages. Sometimes there is a clunking sound as the transmission shifts gears.

Filed Jun 7, 2015 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · CA

Have been experiencing harsh shifting for the last week or so but the most debilitating transmission problem occurred on 6/5/2015 while driving 35 MPH. I ended up driving directly home using "low" gear because I was afraid of damaging the car further. I am the original owner of this car and purchased it new in 2001. 7 years after purchase, back on 3/10/2008, it was serviced by toyota under a "special service campaign" where they reprogrammed the ECM under warranty. I imagine it was for the harsh shifting problem (see t-sb-0156-10). It has obviously come back 7 years later. Programming only good for 7 years?

Filed May 13, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 86,155 miles · PA

Harsh shift between 2 and 3, probably due to ECM failing

Filed Jan 27, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

While in cruise control on an incline my rav4 accelerates out of control so I have to apply the brake to get it out of cruise control. I had this on 2 rav4s, both 2001, one was 4wd and the other 2wd. Toyota tried to repeat the problem in the first vehicle by sending it home with a tech who drove to modesto. They could not repeat it...on my current car it does the same and toyotas best answer was not to use cruise control after he asked why I was using it anyways. I was worried about the ecus in these cars and before buying it, sent the private dealer to toyota to remedy this. Now I find out they only flashed the ecu under the recall which they new didn't fix anything. Now 2 years later I face the harsh shifting condition....all on me. Im lucky not to have been hurt by either of these issues not addressed properly by toyota, and thank god my 9 year old wasn't with me when the car stopped shifting properly.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 166,000 miles · CO

I was driving along and came to a stop. When I started to go, my rav had no power, then it lurched and almost stopped. I had to nurse it-slowly accelerate-in order for it to move. Every time I stopped and started it did this. Once it made a noise like a hard shift from the rear of the car. I had to put my emergency flashers on to drive it safely, and drove to a transmission shop. In speaking with them, they said that toyota has a known recall on this situation! The computer locks up the transmission. They called toyota and gave them my VIN, it has not been replaced. Its going to cost anywhere from $1500 to $5000 to fix, depending on if the transmission is actually messed up or if it is the computer causing the problem. He has to pull the transmission to check it first. If it is the computer they said about $1000. Who do I contact to get reimbursed for this recall? When I put my VIN number in your site, it says there are no known recalls. The internet says differently. I need help!

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 177,882 miles · TX

Vehicle accelerated by itself while driving at 45mph. I had to use both brakes to stop the car and experienced a harsh shift condition while trying to shift to park. Dealership checked it out and stated that the ECM has been reprogrammed in 2007 and they were unable to duplicate anything at this time because no warning light came on during the incident even though I reminded them about the class action lawsuit for 2001-2003 model year rav4s.

Filed Oct 27, 2013 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · CO

I was sent a letter about the class action suit on the 2001-2003 toyota rav4. I asked to have my vehicle fixed, but was denied, because I did not request until after the extended warranty and the 150,000 had passed. I appealed their decision and I was denied again. I did have the module replaced with a new toyota one, which was installed by a mechanic that does not work at a toyota dealership. This module worked for a short period of time, but my rav is back to the same hard shifting safety issues it had before. I can't afford a new transmission or the new module to completely fix the safety issue. Even if they replaced the module again, I believe it has done too much damage to the transmission that will not be repaired by the replacement of this part. You pay for an extended warranty and maintain it like you are supposed to and toyota does not take care of their customer. They made their money and that's that.

Filed Apr 5, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 109,008 miles · WA

My vehicle has begun experiencing harsh shifting. It will not accelerate immediately and it will jump forward at times. This is a reported problem with the 2001 rav 4. I received a letter stating there was the possibility of compensation after one has this fixed. As one a person who cannot afford to fix this out of pocket that is not a lot of help. This is a known issue and should be recalled!

Filed Dec 1, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · MI

My vehicle was experiencing harsh shifting and hard engagement. I took it to the dealer today and was told the ECM needed to be replaced. I did some internet research and discovered toyota received thousands of complaints regarding this issue as far back as 2006 in the 2001-2003 models. They extended the warranty to 10 years and 150, 000 miles. However, my vehicle is 6 months beyond the date (only 103,000 miles). I contacted toyota and they will not pay for any repairs. In addition, I discovered that owners had issues with the replaced emc unit within 2 years-causing transmission failure or repeated ECM failure. I questioned toyota as to why this was not a recall issue. They couldn't tell me. If it had been a recall issue, toyota would be responsible for the repair and not me. In addition, how do I know that once I have my car repaired today, that I won't have the same issue or worse in 2 years--like many other customers? Toyota should be required to make this a recall issue--especially since there are thousands of people with this issue.

Filed Aug 31, 2011 · Electrical · 81,000 miles · FL

We received a letter last year from toyota notifying us about an extended warranty on a part that they expected to malfunction, the ECM - something to do with transaxle and a harsh shift condition. We were not currently experiencing the problem, so we did as the document recommended and filed it. Last week out of no where, we started experiencing this harsh shift condition. The car stalled out when we attempt to accelerate and then jerks into gear quickly and on traffic filled roads, dangerously. We promptly took it to the dealership and they diagnosed the car as needing that part replaced. Then they told us sorry, the extended warranty expired december 2010. Two months after we'd received the notification. I am unemployed, we are a one car family and now we have a vehicle we can't drive and can't afford to fix through no fault of our own and because of this extended warranty instead of a proper recall toyota refuses to take responsibility for the malfunction of their product which could cause hazardous road conditions and jeopardize the safety of my family, so now due to transportation issues, my husband's job and our one source of income is at stake. Toyota has put my family in a bad situation and refuses to take responsibility. I want the ECM recalled and for them to take responsibility for their product.

Filed Aug 11, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 60,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal failed to respond and a loud popping noise was heard. After numerous attempts, the vehicle began to operate normally and was driven to the side of the road. The identical failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and they stated that the computer module and transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer for repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. ..updated 09/19/11 *bf there consumer stated there was an ongoing harsh shift. At times, the transmission had an ongoing sluggish/slip. According to the service invoice from the dealer, the transmission had an internal wear and tear malfunction. The fluid was very dirty. The dealer recommended a transmission replacement. Updated 12/30/11