2001 Toyota RAV4: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Dec 20, 2017 · Transmission · 103,034 miles · IL

The rav4 would not shift. The transmission needed to be replaced

Filed Feb 4, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 135,000 miles · VA

When I change gear or press accelerator to give gas, my car doesn't pick up race and doesn't shift the gear. It will do on its own. The engine light keeps coming turned on, even though thisngs have been replaced.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Engine · 113,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and the transmission would not shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the engine control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 113,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 3, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · 160,000 miles · NE

Started having problems with my 2001 toyota rav4. It seems to happen mostly after I have come to complete stop and try to accelerate. It will start to move and then automatic transmission will not shift and it stops accelerating. I have almost been hit from behind several times. Also check engine light has been on for two years. Dealership told me it was due to needing new catalytic converter, which I found out later had already been replaced once in 2005. After searching for info online I found out about safety recall for the engine control module (ECM), this has been replaced, and engine light is now off, but transmission is bad. And toyota is not taking any responsibility for ruined transmission.

Filed Mar 10, 2011 · Transmission · 158,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota rav 4. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift gears while driving. Once she was able to get the vehicle to shift, the vehicle began jerking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the failure was diagnosed as an electrical failure within the computer. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 158,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2010 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · OH

Entering highway and the vehicle would not shift. The vehicle would not go over 30 MPH and had to pull over to avoid being hit.

Filed Sep 17, 2010 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota rav-4. The contact was driving 10 MPH when he discovered that the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where they suggested that the transmission computer would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired yet the failure persisted. The contact was advised by an authorized dealer that the entire transmission would need replacing. The dealer reprogrammed the ECM in 2007 but that did not remedy the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer should be liable for the vehicle failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. Updated 12/21/10*bf updated 12/29/10

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · OH

Toyota 2001 rav4 transmission shift problem since march 2009. Approx miles to date 95,750. When I first took it in, I checked with autozone for diagnostic check which was free because the check engine light came on. I then took the readings to toyota who told me they wouldn't accept autozone's diagnostic and I had to get another one from them which cost $100. Then they told me it was just the gas cap and turned the check engine light off. Within 2 days, after my e-check, the light came back on has been on ever since. I have taken it back several times for oil changes and they never said that there was a problem. The diagnostic from autozone stated the shift solenoid was bad but toyota said it was the gas cap. I have done some research and I am now aware that I am not the only one with this type of problem. This is shameful that they choose to ignore this serious malfunction to get major money from the consumers. I am more upset with the fact that I bought the car in may of 2006 and they knew then that there was a problem. The warranty is a joke, that's a major part that they won't honor and they are purposely ignoring it so that it's not covered or their problem. Why wait until someone gets hurt or killed because they don't want to own up to their defective parts. My car will get stuck in first gear and jump to second very hard. I have taken the car to a foreign car repair shop last spring and they did a quick fix by trying to see if replacing the transmission fluid to see if that worked but it lasted for only a week. During my last maintenance check at toyota, I was told I probably had six months, still never acknowledging that it was a defect in their part or that it was covered. It's not fair to the consumer to be ignored and taken advantage of by this company. Please don't ignore our complaints they are real and serious.

Filed Feb 22, 2010 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · IL

I bought new[ dec. 2000] a 2001 toyota rav.4 limited ..with 4cyl/.automatic 4spd.o.d.transmission +all the xtras...I have kept it up -mechanically and body wise near perfect...almost all thru toyota dealers,as I plan to pass it on to my granddaughter. During the first week of aug. 09 I was driving on a 4 lane local highway @35/40 MPH and the "check engine light "came on and then a loud bang and growl all while bucking down to10 MPH and dropped into first gear. After pulling over to a stop,I checked under the hood and body--no leaks or hanging parts...after I phoned the local toyota dealer I drove the car [now stuck in 2nd. Gear the short distance back home..the next day the dealer found 2-codes stored--indicating a defective ecu.or electronic control unit also known as a ECM or electronic control module....this $1500. Computer part sends all the signals to the solenoids in the auto tans. When to shift gears..now comes the safety concern--seeing that the ecu can go bonkers at any time,it is only a matter of time before someone is moving along at 50/60/65mph and boom the car drops down in 1st. Gear god forbid if there are 2 or 3 children in the car and a 80,000lb.semi is on their rear-worst yet at night with bad weather...as mine is not the only one in your files and the internet has thousands of near misses on this problem toyota knew about as far back as 2003.that the 01--02 and 03 rav 4 had this safety concern so they tweaked the ecu per a tsb in 06 I had purchased the premium 100k. Warranty and the e.c.u.went out at 105k. With some phone calls to chicago area rep.toyota agreed to send me a long awaited check for one-half part only cost..nothing for troubleshooting-towing -or labor fees....my main concern is toyota [I feel ]isn't one bit pro active on safety concerns when owners call the 800# in california..I hope the federal safety agency can get this on fast track for safety..thank you...p.s. I have old part...

Filed Feb 13, 2010 · Acceleration · 129,000 miles · MD

Toyota 2001 rav4 hesitating transmission. Mechanic said the transmission could possibly be done and metal is grinding. Started all of the sudden. Does not shift out of gear from first to second, etc. Description of exact problem is here: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/toyotas-reaction-to-transmission-woes-draws-customers-ire/#more-23445.

Filed Dec 10, 2009 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · TN

2001 toyota rav4. While driving on the interstate vehicle suddenly lurched and jerked, coasted then lurched again, suddenly losing speed, then stalled. Engine revved and transmission kept jerking, would not engage fully. Traffic was heavy and was nearly run over by truck. Extremely dangerous! Managed to pull over to shoulder. Eventually, managed to drive home at reduced speed on back roads. Dealer replaced computer chip, $1,000 bill. Toyota notified dealers in 2006 of faulty chip, not me. Now, 12-11-09, transmission will not go into gear at all. Began hesitating in traffic, as if cutting out.

Filed Nov 18, 2009 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · TX

After not having problems for nearly 4 years, the cil came on and the transmission began hard-shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The ECM code was for an o2 sensor heater. Changed the sensor, light came back on calling out a gear and the shifting was worse. Took it to the dealership. They flushed the oil and flashed the ECM per tsb. Ran fine for one day. Cil came back on and hard shifted horribly while on the freeway on the way home. Pulled over and checked fluids. All fluids looked clean and were at appropriate levels. Headed for dealership again. Got on the freeway and low gear hard-shift went away, but suddenly lost all power and narrowly avoided an accident at 60 MPH! Car regained power and shifted fine in low gears but would not shift above 3rd. Drove rest of the way to dealer at 35 MPH and dropped it off for diagnostics. I have spent almost $2k in diagnoses, parts, and labor and the problem is not fixed. Now, we nearly were killed on a major freeway! This is dangerous! This problem manifested in september and peaked yesterday (11/17/09). We cannot afford to keep paying to repair this obviously unsafe defect.