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.
2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems
209 complaints (66% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,500. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 209
- of this car's complaints
- 66%
- typical mileage
- 98,500
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission106
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)2
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota RAV4 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Jerking 68Transmission failure 48Harsh shifting 40Hesitation 29Slipping 27Won't shift 18
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2003 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
Takata recall transmission slips when put in gear and when accerating
Takata recall" I was driving on a city street on my way home late afternoon...auto started to jerk and felt like something was pulling at it...it slowed up then jerked again...it continued on...I was driving at 45 speed limit...as I was turning the shifting was sounding like it was sticking...I parked it at home and next morning I had it checked and diagnosed as solenoid problem causing transmission burnout...also toyota revealed problems with the ECM and transmission failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. While driving various speeds, it became difficult to shift gears and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.
Long story short, bought the car "as is" from a toyota dealership in october 2017, did not know of the transmission/ECM problem until november 2017 (yes that fast). Got a diagnostic test, the code said the transmission needed to be replaced. We are now in january 2018, I got the transmission replaced for 2,714 right? Okay, today january 16th 2018, I picked up my car, drove it around, brought it right back within 45 minutes. My car was still doing a hard shift. I got in the car with the mechanic to drive up the highway, he felt the shift immediately and informed me he was the one that put the part in. Okay, at this point we had to leave because all the managers were in a meeting. I get a call around 3:30pm saying that the ECM is not a problem and they quoted me a price! I just spent 5,000 so far buying the car and 2,700 dollars to fix the car. She told me that an ECM would cost from 1,500 dollars to 2,000 to replace, are you serious right now? Of course the warranty that toyota "extended" is no longer in affect, so all of this money has to come out of pocket. To say I haven't had my car or driven my car for long at all I have experienced a nightmare. I am a senior in college now, I only bought this car because my other vehicle was totaled by a driver who ran a stop sign and state farm awarded me only 2,800 for my previous car. This is a nightmare, no one but god will help you in the end this is sad and ridiculous. It's not right to get over on people in this way.
Questions about the 2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission
Does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 209 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Toyota RAV4, 66% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
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).
Other 2003 Toyota RAV4 problems
Engine 47Electrical 42Acceleration 29Airbags 10Driver assistance 7Seat belts 7Body 6Fuel system 5Brakes 3Steering 3Tires 3Visibility 3Suspension 2
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