In the past few years the check engine light kept coming on and my local dealer would fix something that was supposed to be causing the problem twice. The 3rd time toyota had a recall on the computer and reprogrammed the ecu. Now the 4th time the car would not go when pushing the pedal or it would stop in traffic with the hopes of not getting into a wreck. Barely made it back to the dealer who said it had a bad main computer failure and the "shift solenoid b" was bad. All this with only 83k miles. This seems somewhat very low to be having this kind of a problem. I contacted toyota, gave them the info and they investigated and said it was way out of warranty so the case is "closed". The total cost of repair was to be $4998 but with the dealer giving me a "one time good will 50% split and a senior citizens discount", it had a final price of $3,725.63.
2002 Toyota RAV4 transmission complaints
Page 13 of 14: complaints 341 to 370 of 376, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission failure transmission was rebuilt for the 3rd time and not completed and was never fixed.
I was driving my rav4 one day and it started to jump and went into a 'wrong gear start.' it would start in about 3rd gear and jump into gear when it would finally catch up. I took it to a mechanic and they said it was the transmission. Sure enough, I had metal in my pan and a bad planetary gear and my entire transmission had to be rebuilt. $3,300 later, the problem persisted. I took it back to my transmission specialist and they said that it was a problem with the computer, the ECM to be exact. I had taken my car in for a recall that had happened with this exact part of the computer brain and they did a re-flash for free, which was supposed to fix it. Now that it is causing more problems, toyota refuses to fix it for free, I guess they felt they did their part by doing the 're-flash' which didn't do jack. I bought this car because it was a toyota and I am so disappointed. The transmission going out that early was very possibly due to this defect. If they further refuse to fix the problem, I am taking them to court. There are many complaints of this happening on this model. Be aware!
My car started shifting hard on 6-20-2008 on my way home from work. I took it to the dealer on 6-24-08 and was told I need a new transmission, $3,542.00 so I came home got online to see what it might cost else where. And I came across a site for complaint for this particular vehicle, so I checked it out. I found 56 complaints that were just like mine. I printed out this information and called an 800 toyota number. They said the ECM had been recalled. So I took the car back to the dealer today and they adjusted the ECM. Car has same problem, actually runs a little rougher, anyway I asked the service manager if he had any other people with this problem and he indicated that this was not news to him. He then suggested I have both transmission and ECM replaced $5,000. So now I am complaining to anyone and everyone. Toyota knowingly sells these cars with problems and expects us (the consumer) to suck it up and that's just plain wrong!
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota rav4. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and became difficult to shift into first gear. The vehicle jerked and the engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician stated that the failures were related to the computer failure, which also caused the transmission to fail. The computer and transmission are currently being replaced at the cost of $4,600. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 95,000.
2002 toyota rav 4 - transmission problem - aamco service rep states computer problem and total trans rebuild costing about $4000. I have contacted toyota dealer and making arrangements to have the vehicle towed to dealer.
Sluggish transmission when accelerating into 1st and 2nd gear and trouble shifting from 1st to 2nd.
Transmission failure. The ECM is defective and the transmission doesn't shift. Occasionally it shift by itself, hesitation in shifting. There are quite a few rav4 owners with the same problem http://www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/rav4/2002/transmission/.
Written in early may to planetfeedback.com: my wife and I purchased a 2002 rav4 new at penn toyota in greenvale, ny and it now has 97,981 miles on it. In late april it started jerking/jumping when trying to upshift and we brought it in for service at penn toyota. Once there the service center advised us to have the transmission fluids flushed and refilled, which we did. They also stated that they would do an update to the ECM, which they also did. While drive the vehicle home (after the repairs), the car was jumping/jerking worse than when we brought it in. We immediately brought it back where it was re-evaluated and we were now told that ECM would have to be replaced at a cost of $1589.00. My wife and I did some research and are finding that there are more than several of the same type of complaints about this particular problem and toyota itself has extended the warranty on this product to 96 months or 80,000 miles. We fall out of that range, but there is obviously a problem with this product (which is why toyota put out the notice and extended the original warranty) and we would like fixed as "in warranty". There is no reason for a car that has been well maintained to have a failure of this kind before 100,000 miles. Update (6/9/08): penn toyota has replaced the ECM as a "good will" gesture but we still are having the problem with jerking/jumping between 2nd and 3rd gears as well as when going in reverse. They have said that we could replace the faulty ECM probably caused an issue with the transmission and we should replace the transmission and harness as well. They stated that they would be unable to cover this as a "good will" gesture but it would cost an estimated $3800 for me and my wife.
2002 toyota rav 4 - transmission jerking severely. My automatic transmission jerks when first accelerating as well as while driving. From what I understand this is an ongoing problem with then vehicle.
I own a 2002 toyota rav 4. The vehicle has been running great. One day 1st & 2nd gear began to slip. The car will accelerate then just stop until 1st gear catches abruptly jolt. The transmission is automatic. The car has just over 87,000 miles. After researching I saw there were several vehicles with the same exact problem. Toyota did put out an alert stating that there are computer problems but those forms were not sent to the owners only to the service centers. Now I have to take my vehicle in have solenoids changed and possibly the engine computer. These are the problems listed in the alert sent out. If toyota knows 2002 rav 4's are having these issues why have there been no recalls. I also must say that it is unjust that we as consumers have to spend thousands of dollars on parts and labor for what it seems to be manufacturer defects. I've added a link where one can view several other complaints on the same defect. Thank you for your time. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/rav4/2002/transmission/problems_shifting.shtml.
My 2002 toyota rav 4 started having shifting problems. It's out of warranty. I took it to an independent transmission specialist. Why take it to a dealer, right? He rebuilt the transmission to the tune of $2500.00. He took it for a test drive and it still wouldn't shift. He talked to a service technician at toyota and was told that toyota knows about an issue with the ECM having bad computer code and that's what was tearing up transmissions. But since my car is out of warranty and I took it to an independent transmission place, toyota will not even listen to my complaint.
I own a 2002 toyota rav4, there was a recall and I had the ECM recalibrated. I understand this controls the transmission. Now I have ECM and transmission failure to the tune of $4900. I have goggled this problem and note there are a number of other consumers who have had the exact same problem - the car stutters almost to a stall in traffic, check engine light comes on and the toyota dealership dx as ECM failure/transmission failure, not preventable by consumer. Other complaints of the same nature at autobeef.com.
I recently had to replace the transmission on my car because the car was shifting erratically. After the transmission was replaced I still had the problem and was told that there was a technical bulletin from toyota tc002-6 which said that a faulty engine control module (ECM) will cause harsh shifting. Toyota did not communicate this problem to me back in march 2006. If toyota would have communicated this defect, I could have had the ECM checked and probably saved my transmission.
My car started acting up in march 2008. I had my transmission rebuilt in april and got the car back still acting up! I am trying to go by the dealership who sold it to me and get their mechanic to look at it and he is too busy when it is messing up. It only does it sometimes now but it seems to get more frequent. The tsb I read mentioned the ECM and the transmission going bad so is that my next costly expense?
My toyota rav iv was recalled to have the ECM reprogrammed. I took it to toyota to have it reprogrammed, the problems where fixed for a couple of days but then they came back. The car does not respond for a while when shifting from first to second gear, then it jumps making a loud noise and restarts running in 2nd gear. The engine light came on. This is very dangerous, specially when there are cars behind, I almost was hit by cars going behind me at least twice. I took it to aamco, and they said the transmission is ok, it is just a computer problem. Toyota should fix the entire problem with the ECM. A lot of people have replaced their transmission just for the problem to reoccur, others have had to replace the computer at their own cost. This seems to be a very common problem for this model owners, there are many blogs regarding this problem: http://www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/rav4/2002/transmission/problems_shifting.shtml.
Ces light came on. Trans started slipping. Took to dealer. Diagnosed known ECM problem. Performed toyota recommended ECM update, but said trans would have to be rebuilt due to damaged already caused. Had trans rebuilt. Developed same slipping problem. Said it would ruin trans again unless ECM was replaced. This is a toyota problem that they need to fix.
Near accident due to erratic shifting problem of rav4 2002. Apparently related to the ECM. The vehicle has a very sluggish start from a standstill as if the emergency brake is on. Attempting to turn across oncoming traffic and vehicle would not move and almost hit by oncoming traffic. Vehicle also shifts erratically when driving. Very dangerous to drive. Toyota does not appear to be aware of this very serious and dangerous problem that should be recalled before someone is injured.
I bought in 2002 a toyota rav 4 brand new, I have been the sole owner, just about 3 to 4 weeks ago (may 2008) and with 87,000 miles it started to haul while driving, I took it to a certified toyota mechanic who ran a computer diagnostic giving a signal that the transmission could be damage, when he took it apart the transmission filter was filled with metal particles and when he dismantle it the planetarium was broken. I was in shock to find out that a 6 year old car and specially a toyota could have a bad transmission, the mechanic spoke to toyota to see if there is any warranty and they told him the car was covered up to 80,000 and since mine was 87,000 it is not under the warranty and now I have to pay well over $2,000.00 unbelievable, could you tell me if there is anything I can do to have toyota cover for the damage because I definitely believe is a manufacturer defect.
I have a 2002 toyota rav4 l; auto transmission; odi 82,200 miles. The car began having hard shifting problem. Shifts erratically from 1st to 2nd, sluggish from start. I feel it's become very dangerous, especially when I am on the highway. The car didn't want to accelerated, and then would shift very hard. So I took my car to the toyota dealer and was told that it would need at the least a new ECM, and possibly even a new transmission. The cost for the ECM $1300, and perhaps the transmission $4000. That's $5,300!!!! How could I even find that kinda money. I am just a student who tries to make it through day by day, supporting myself through school while working full-time. I can barely pay my rents or even tuition. And I am solely deepening on my car to make it to work and school; without it I would be in a big mess. Certainly, I wouldn't be able to fix it and I really had no idea what to do. If toyota knows about this problem, they should repair or recall all ECM's before more people end up spending this kind of money. I'd like to also refer to my other following rav4 drivers like me who have the same problem on the link below. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/rav4/2002/transmission/problems_shifting.shtml.
The automatic transmission of my rv4 failed at 111,649 mileage. However, the mileage is the problem, aamco technician reported that the following vehicles ; lexus ex 300, lexus rx300, rv4, toyota camry and toyota highlander are all equipped with bad transmissions u140f and u140e. Those transmissions are made for failure. Toyota company is aware of the problem but refused to take responsibility to either repair it or reimburse customers. It cost me 2,760.58 dollars to have my transmission rebuilt. Also within two months, the computer engine failed and was replaced for 1,403.53 dollars. Once again, that was another matter toyota had to be accountable. The same model had a recall in march 2007 and nothing was done.
Vehicle would hesitate from a stop creating a potential hazard. Brought car to dealer who claimed nothing was wrong with car, changed transmission oil as part of 75,000 maintenance. Next day car broke down completely with my six year old grandson in car. Dealer said I needed a new transmission for $4000. It was not until I started reading on-line complaints that I learned that it is a common problem with 2002 rav-4 and can be fixed with a new ECM for $$1,200. They do however have a technical bulletin that addressed the transmission hesitation to the faulty ECM?
I have a 2002 toyota rav4, I had to have the transmission rebuilt because from what I have read toyota found there was a problem with the ECM. But there was never a recall for this problem and the warranty was for 80,000 mine when at 88,000. I had the transmission rebuilt but the vehicle is exhibiting the same problem. I have since learned that the ECM needs to be replaced and can damage a new transmission if not done. No notice from toyota about this I had to find this out on the web. I also learned that the ECM cost $1200 and toyota is not offering any discounts even though they knew of the potential problem and damages that may occur.
Vehicle would hesitate from a stop creating a potential hazard. Independent garage told us that it was a transmission issue. Transmission was covered under our extended warranty so we took vehicle to toyota dealer. They advised us that issue was ECM (electronic control module) issue and not covered by the extended warranty. When I asked if toyota would cover I was advised that they would not as this issue was not subject to any recall? They did however have a technical bulletin that addressed the transmission hesitation to the faulty ECM? I replaced the ECM ($1612) and it appears that it corrected the problem. My research has shown that this problem is very common to the 2002 rav4 model only in the toyota family of suvs. Is this a design defect?
Car started to hesitate and jerk into 2nd gear when accelerating. This created dangerous situations at intersections , going around corners and trying to merge into traffic. Check engine light came on. Dealer said needed to replace an ECM module in the transmission hoping this will fix it (cost 1350) if it doesn't I will need a transmission (3500). Found 38 similar complaints on exact same thing on internet. Why aren't we made aware and why not a recall before someone gets killed.
Transmission problems (shifting) with my 2002 toyota rav-4, although it has auto transmission it wont go into gear after a stop and I have safety concerns since I drive mostly on the freeway and for long distances and traffic is always and issue to and from work.
Automatic transmission damaged because the ECM toyota installed in 2002 rav 4 had programming logic issues.
Faulty engine control module. It has failed and caused transmission to fail as well. After $4k replacement transmission is shot again. Transmission misses gears and has stalled in the middle of intersection. Nothing was done to correct. Dealership is stating to replace transmission first then come back to fix computer. For other complaints of similar nature see: www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/rav4/2002/transmission/problems_shifiting.shtml
Hard shift prob from 2/3rd gear with toyota 2002 rav4 took car to dealer on 9-17-2007. Recall for emission problem caused the engine light to come on. I described problem to the dealer and asked them to look at this problem. Dealer said any other problems should show on computer. Picked car up asked about shift prob. They said nothing came up on the computer diagnostic ( I later learned that they test drove the car and could not duplicate problem) and it sounded like it could be a transmission problem. They said to make an appointment to have the transmission looked at. I asked for cost and they said they had no idea it would depend on how long it took to find problem. I took car to transmission shop. They hooked car up to computer and said internal transmission failure and need transmission rebuilt. I had this repar done at cost of 2,639.81. Called me after transmission was rebuilt there is a problem. They researched database and found that there was a bulletin put out by toyota on march 3, 2006. Powertrain control module that causes a shift problem in 2001-2003 toyota rav4's. It explains the diagnostic and repair for this problem in detail and states that the ECM may need to be replaced. I am informed that in order for my transmission to work need to have ECM replaced. Toyota knew about this problem when I took my car to them they could have fixed the problem then and saved me $2,639.81. I paid dealer to have the ECM replaced for $1003.81. Part to me for a wholesale price. The car is now finally running fine. I was told that they do not search for bulletins on cars that are in for service. They said there are just too many of them for them to keep up with. I saw time it took for the tech to look up the bulletin on laptop info came up immediately. My research shows that other 2002 rav4's have same problem. I have failed ECM that was removed from car.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota rav4. While stopped at a traffic light, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle would not move. A few seconds later, the vehicle began to move. The vehicle shifted completely out of gear and then went shifted back on its own. The failure continued during the drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that there was a recall on the ECM and it was reprogrammed. The failure recurred the following day while driving 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they rechecked the ECM. They stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and he stated that the ECM was faulty, which caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle experienced the same failure when the contact retrieved it from the mechanic. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they discovered that the ECM was faulty and made the replacement. There is a tsb for the ECM. The current mileage was 61,800 and failure mileage was 61,059. Updated 02-13-08 *bf updated 02/13/08
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