2002 Toyota RAV4: check engine light

Filed May 24, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MA

My car engine light goes on and off due to transmission fault. It continuously has a hard time shifting gears in between 2500-3000 rpm and gives a jerky stop before continuing to speed up/accelerate despite when I have not let go of my foot from the pedal. After taking it to the auto shop, I was told this is the same problem other Toyota RAV 4 between 2001-2003 experiences and the mechanics told me that there was a lot of recall for the same code my car is giving (2 codes that the computer diagnosed were p0775 and p0161). While Toyota extended the warranty to 10years/150,000k and my car is 1-2 years past the warranty, it's only been barely 80,000mi and it should not be causing this problem. This transmission/ECM problem puts me and the passengers to risks because both the speed and RPM don't go past certain numbers which is low at most times, limiting myself as the driver to go even within the speed limits. All the more, with this happening more frequently these days than it had in the past, I am highly concerned for my safety and not feel safe to have someone in my car. I have been to 4 different mechanics and they have told me the same problem and that it's the same case as they saw from different RAV4's recall problem. This car was handled very carefully and this is the only occurring problem. With engine light being on and off, it is my concern that I need to have this car inspected, related to Toyota RAV4 recalls.

Filed Oct 3, 2023 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2019 · Engine · 91,789 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota rav4. While driving low speeds, the vehicle was abnormally loud while idling and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle unintentionally accelerated on occasion. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,789.

Filed Jan 27, 2017 · Lights · TX

Check engine light constantly comes on, but after checking, no issues are tound

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Driver assistance · 107,000 miles · CA

Rav4 check engine light on so had a diagnostic test done. Codes indicate there may a problem with catalytic converter. My vehicle only has 107k miles. I am the original owner and have maintained all service recommendations. Mechanic indicated I should have received a campaign notice for this problem. Now looking at a repair bill of approx. $2k. Toyota should be responsible for fixing this. I have had the same address for years.

Filed Oct 14, 2015 · Transmission · 174,519 miles · MA

I purchased the rav in 2007 with less than 50,000 miles. Soon after the purchase the check engine light would come on and off. When I took the vehicle multiple times to be serviced the engine light would not be on and the dealer service department did not check for codes because dealer policy is if engine light was not on, codes would not be check. This vehicle was subject to a 2007 recall on ecu and the ecu was reset per recall instructions per the toyota dealership. Since that time I have had to replace multiple components with the most recent repair of $3,600 for a rebuilt transmission. I believe that if computer would have been checked back in 2007 these repairs (replacement of multiple solenoid, oxygen sensors and valve switch) would not have not taken, including the recent failure and replaced of the transmission and I would not be in this situation now. Per multiple toyota service department staff, I was told this model has a history of ecu problems causing transmission failures. Resetting the ecu only masked or put a band aide on this transmission problem.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 74,123 miles · CA

Several times during the week of june 2, 2014, my check engine light went on and off periodically. I had my mechanic check the codes, but she found nothing wrong. On june 13, 2014 I was driving n. On highway 101 near redwood city, ca. It was about 6p.m. In good weather; I was in stop-and-go commute traffic. I had slowed to a stop in the far left lane,of 5 lanes, due to slow traffic. When traffic began to move again, I accelerated and the transmission seemed to be "slipping"; I revved the engine,but there was no power going to the wheels. There were many cars behind me blowing their horns. Then the car began to "clank" and "chug" and it sounded like the transmission was grinding. I turned on my emergency flasher lights and pulled very slowly over to the shoulder across 5 lanes of traffic! I had several near accidents, but I made it to the shoulder! The car would only go very slowly, but the loud noises stopped, so I pulled off the freeway at the nearest exit (which was very close) . I would have stayed on the shoulder if the car was still "clanking" from the transmission area, but the noise had subsided. I felt that there was a serious mechanical (transmission) problem with my car. I called my daughter and asked her to drive to my location. I was going to call for a tow truck when she arrived. She arrived in about 45 minutes. I restarted the car and put it into "drive" and accelerated gently. The car sounder perfectly normal, and accelerated at a normal speed with plenty of power. We decided to try to slowly drive the car home if it continued to drive normally. We got home fine, but just as I was pulling into my parking lot, the car made loud noises again and lurched a few times as I pulled in the driveway. I had the car towed to the nearest toyota dealer the next day. That's when I began to discover all the problems rav 4's had had with class action's&ECM failures.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 84,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota rav 4. The contact stated the vehicle suddendly accelerated independently and immediately the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician made the contact aware of an unknown manufacturer recall related to the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 84,329.

Filed Nov 15, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 94,230 miles · NY

Attempting to enter highway, car lost power, eventually kicked in, immediately brought car to dealer. They serviced fuel injection, fuel system, spark plugs. Found no problem with transmission. 4 weeks following repair, hesitation happened again, this time check engine light came on, returned to dealer and was told the transmission and ECM unit needed replacement. Going through all my previous service records, came across a service ticket dated 05/18/2012, showing a service performed on a faulty ECM unit. Toyota was aware of this problem, but never informed consumers that the faulty units could affect the transmission, and driving ability of the vehicle. I am stuck with a $5,000. Repair bill, but I also could have been involved in an accident, had I been merging onto a busier highway. There have been many complaints filed, but yet no action taken by the national highway traffic administration...will it take a loss of life, or serious injury before action is taken?

Filed Sep 11, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 109,000 miles · VA

I just got a toyota rav 4 2002 auto and when driving with family the vehicle started to run sluggish, jerks when pressing gas, starts slow real slow after coming to a stop and this situation almost got us into an accident in us 81 near front royal virginia. Additionally the check engine light came on. After taking vehicle to a mechanic it shows a code p0755 and reading about the problem is not a solenoid but it is ECM or ecu malfunction that the toyotas rav 2001-2003 are presenting which makes the car show a ghost code not a transmission code but rather a defective computer malfunction that cannot be repaired but replaced. Toyota knows about this problem and I do not see toyota assumed responsibility and had passed the cost to vehicles owners and not a general recall to be fixed at manufacture expenses. Please research and make this issue a immediate recall because it had caused accidents due to the malfunction.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Transmission · 79,100 miles · TX · crash · 2 injuries

My wife drive a 2002 rav4 to work. On april 15 2013 while on her way to work like always she stopped at a red light . As the light turn green she pressed the gas the car started moving and suddenly lost acceleration, the driver behind her did not have time to reacted and rear ended them. My 2 year son and my wife shocked my son cried for a little bit and my wife had a sore back . An the beginning when she told me these I didn't think much of it . One week after the incident she told me the check engine light came on I told her maybe you didn't close the gas cap good when you put the gas if it still on I will get it check. Sure enough the engine light went off on its on .shortly after she told me the car is not driving normal if we could swap cars. I drove her car for couple days and occasionally I start experiencing a low acceleration and sometimes a hard shift. Took the car to the toyota dealership and was told that toyota has an open bulletin for the ECM witch control the gear of the transition but the bad news the said even do I had only 80100 miles they said the warranty is out by time. Once I read about this problem on several forum I realize that was exactly what my wife try to explain me. I contacted toyota about what happen and told them about the accident they give me a case number and told me some one will contacted you with in 24 hours.

Filed May 14, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 120,000 miles · KS

First the engine light came on then while trying to accelerate, the car hesitates and then shifts hard and jerks the car forward. The safety issue is that the car hesitates and acceleration is affected so it is unsafe to try to get on the highway with oncoming cars behind you. I talked to toyota about this issue but they stated my car was not covered by the recall of (harsh shift condition and/or malfunction indicator light).