2003 Toyota RAV4: engine failure

Filed Feb 24, 2016 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · NY

My toyota 2003 rav 4 began having transmiision shifting problems. At times when in motion this vehicle would not continue driving for a few seconds. It also happened on the highway and put us in a very scary and dangerous situation. I took it to my mechanic. He researched and diagnosed the situation. After running a diagnostic, he found error code po750. He had to replace the engine control module which controlled the transmission.. He also found bulletins sent out by toyota that this was an issue, but no recalls were found. I had to pay $2091.63 to fix this problem. I have the receipt.

Filed Jun 4, 2015 · 115,400 miles · SC

I was driving to work on monday morning, june 1, 2014, when the engine shut off in the middle of an intersection. There was no warning, no hesitation, no noise. I had pressed down on the gas pedal to cross the intersection and midway through the engine died. I was able to coast across and pull over to the side of the road. I waited a few minutes, restarted the car, and was able to finish my route to work. I took the car to a certified mechanic who inspected it thoroughly but found no problems and was unable to replicate the problem. He cleaned the throttle which he said was dirty. It's been 2 days and while the engine hasn't stalled again, there's some occasional hesitation - which I've never encountered before. It was running perfectly before it stalled in the intersection. I'm now afraid to drive it but it's my only transportation. The car has been serviced according to schedule, oil changes every 3k miles, toyota replaced ECM in june 2013; water pump, alternator,and 02 sensors have been replaced. I've read a lot of complaints on the internet about this problem and unsuccessful and expensive attempts to try to correct it.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Engine · 71,395 miles · FL

The vehicle with 71,000 miles and perfect service record had a engine failure, without warning, while driving on the highway. The oil pressure light came on and before I had time to pull over to the shoulder to inspect the engine started knocking badly. I barely made it to the shoulder before the vehicle stalled. After having it towed to the dealership, they came out with the diagnose that the "engine threw a rod" for no apparent reason. There was sufficient engine oil and last oil change was done 4500 miles before. Basically, engine at this point is beyond repair and has to be replaced. Beside the financial lose, now I extremely concern about the safety and reliability of the vehicle and more importantly the engine or any other part that caused the engine to fail. The fact that I had 10 years old boy in the car with me who thought that we were going to die that day and crying hysterically make it all the more bothersome. When I called toyota headquarter to report the problem, they basically dismissed me as routine problem and not toyota's problem. They seem disinterested to find out why engine with so few miles got busted for no reason and perfect maintenance record. I am concerned about the reliability and safety of the engine in the vehicle (1az-fe). I hope govt investigate this case and I am willing to participate in whichever way I can to make it safe for my fellow riders.

Filed Aug 10, 2011 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · MD · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving in rainy conditions at 35 MPH, the brakes were applied and seized. As a result the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed head on into a tree. The airbags did not deploy during the crash. An authorized dealer was notified and stated that the airbag might not have deployed because the airbag sensors were located on the sides of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. A police report was filed. The failure and the current mileages were 50,000. The VIN information was not available.

Filed Dec 26, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 89,000 miles · FL

Check oil light came on and would go out, after checking the oil level all appear fine, the car would burn 1 quart every two months. After driving along the express way for 30 miles and using a two lane road for about 3 miles the check engine light and oil light all came on at a stop light and then the engine make noise and quit running, after towing the car to a auto repair shop we were told the car needed a new engine. The car is a rav 4 2003 with about 89,000 miles on it.

Filed Apr 23, 2010 · Engine · 94,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav 4. The contact stated that the check engine light had illuminated on the instrument panel and when accelerating, the vehicle would hesitate to increase in speed. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the independent mechanic replaced the engine control module sensors. The failure persisted. The dealer advised there was a technical service bulletin addressing the failure but were no recall for the failure and repairs would be at the owners expense. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000 and the current mileage was 96,400.

Filed Feb 15, 2008 · Engine · 68,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. While driving 60 MPH, the oil indicator light illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The failure was due to the lack of oil in the engine, although oil had been placed in the vehicle a week before. The engine was previously replaced in july of 2006 due to the same failure. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 92,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2006 · Engine · 38,995 miles · FL

I have a 2003 rava4. I use synthetic oil in it when I get my regular oil change. Last week I was driving to the store and my check engine light and the oil light came on. I got an oil change around two months ago. I became very alarmed. I went back to my home and put more oil in the engine. I then went to the store now I am hearing a sound that sounds like the car is a bomb. I took it to the dealer. The mechanics says I have sludge. I can not understand this because I use synthetic oil. Toyota dealer want me to purchase a new engine with labor it will cost me 8,000.00. I have 39,000 miles. Should the dealer fix this for me because my engine is still under warranty?