See attached document for complaint
The worst 2003 Toyota RAV4 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission209
- Engine47
- Electrical42
- Acceleration29
- Airbags10
- Driver assistance7
- Seat belts7
- Body6
- Fuel system5
- Brakes3
- Steering3
- Tires3
- Visibility3
- Suspension2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Toyota RAV4
Jerking 68Transmission failure 48Check engine light 46Harsh shifting 40Stalling 31Hesitation 29Slipping 27Won't shift 18Sudden acceleration 10Loss of power 9Engine failure 8No deployment 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2003 Toyota RAV4 mention
P0755 4
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Toyota RAV4 102
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life...
- Obsolete notice
- Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN...
- The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master...
2003 Toyota RAV4 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-22 | 26-28 | 23-24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 20 | 25 | 22 |
| Electric motor Electric 95 mi range | 2WD | 87 | 69 | 78 MPGe |
What 2003 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the transmission slipped out of the intended gear. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine would rev before the transmission would jolt into gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Electronic Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The vehicle is very delayed shifting and will slow down without pushing the breaks
I drive and the sleep while I'm driving and the can not change correctly the gear.
This car has been maintained and preserved and only 84000 miles on it. And the car wont shift. It jolts me or revs extremely high and also almost caused me an accident as it almost shut down on power while making a left turn in intersection. The check engine light comes on and off. It's only while going from 2nd to 3rd or shifting down from 2 to 1st. I had my mechanic look at it and he said it's a common issue with the ecu to take it to dealership to replace for free and they want to charge me 150 just to examine it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle failed to shift into gear correctly. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to shift into third gear. The rpms would rev; however, the vehicle would lose forward momentum. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available. *dt *dl
My transmission started raving up and shifting all crazy and taken to scan to show a shift selinoid b took to tranny shop who says it's computer and see several post about this happening to others. I am a grandma and I can't even drive him around don't feel safe. It was driving during this time in the city streets
I just bought a one owner used 2003 rava4 with only 58,000 miles on it right before christmas. I have driven it for almost 4months now and about 6 weeks ago it started shifting hard going into 2nd gear, sometimes it jumps/bounces. I looked it up and am seeing that alot of people have had the some problem and they are saying it's the emc. Wondering if anyone was able to get any help at all out toyota. I do not know if the previous owner's where ever made aware of the situation & have no way to contact them. Think it's pretty crazy to have to pay a bunch of money when there is such low milage would think toyota would fix it.
Ecm failed. Original owner, vehicle has 50,991 mi. On it . 16 years old. Toyota aware of problem-- extended warranty to 10 yrs./150000. Mi. Called toyota customer. Service, stated that I'm out of luck. Original part clearly defective. Consideration should be extended because of extremely low mileage. Cost will be $2000.00 or more. Vehicle was moving when experienced uncontrolled shifting in transmission. Clearly a safety issue.
My wife had an accident on the highway oct /16/2018 a chevy van severely crash into the rear of my 2003 rav4 ,and none of the airbags deployed .shouldn't the airbags have deployed?what should I do?
Compare the 2003 Toyota RAV4
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 Toyota RAV4
Is the 2003 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
Owners have filed 315 complaints about the 2003 Toyota RAV4, close to a typical RAV4 model year.
What is the 2003 Toyota RAV4 year score?
The 2003 Toyota RAV4 scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota RAV4: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Toyota RAV4?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 209 complaints, typically around 98,500 miles. Next is engine (47).
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Toyota RAV4 have bad transmission?
The Toyota RAV4 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2002 (376 complaints), 2003 (209 complaints) and 2001 (190 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Toyota RAV4 range from 22 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 26-28 highway.
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