The vehicle jerks, misses gears. When trying to pull out..it doesn't move then suddenly takes off. I did some research and this seems to be a problem in 02/03 & 04 rav 4's also says the ECM is a problem. Had the vehicle checked, replaced the filter & transmission fluid only to have it still acting the same way...we were told the transmission is shot. My research indicated toyota knows of the problem & extended the warranty to 10 years or 150,00 miles. When we contacted freedom toyota in hamburg, pa. (this is where we purchased the vehicle) the service department *chuckled* at us. Told us, $91.00 just to pull it in there garage to look at it!how safe is it to drive if it jerks or just won't go? Where is toyotas loyalty to it's customers if they *chuckle* at us ? Needless to say we still owe money on this vehicle.
2003 Toyota RAV4 transmission complaints
Page 4 of 8: complaints 71 to 100 of 209, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We purchased our rav 4 as a certified used car from folwer toyota inc. 955 north interstate norman oklahoma january 2005. We were told the certified used car included a 160-point quality inspection, certifying the car is in good working order. The dealer never told us about the problem with the transmission computer and they never transferred the name of ownership to toyota, inc. In december of last year we began to experience problem with the transmission jerking forward and shifting hard between 1st and 2nd gear. It also shifted hard into reverse. We took it to our mechanic who suggested that we service the transmission and see if that might be the problem. The problem persisted and we called toyota and talked to a customer service agent that informed us that toyota had an extended warranty on the transmission and that the warranty for our car ran out december 31st 2012 and we would not qualify. We did not know anything about the transmission defective computer until we called toyota and after looking on the internet discovering that the extended warranty was the result of a class action suite. Toyota knew about the problem with the transmission computer but failed to inform us about the extended warranty or the potential problem with the transmission. Now we are told that to replace the computer is between $1500.00 and $1900.00 and if there has been damage to the transmission caused by the failure of the computer it will cost us $5000.00 to rebuild the transmission. We believe that toyota dealer that sold us the rav 4 should have ensured that our name and address was sent to toyota informing them of our purchase in case there was a recall or in this case an extended warranty covering a defective part. We also believe that toyota would not listen to our appeal because we called after the warranty time limit.
Trouble with harsh automatic transmission shifting - delays - clunks - noise. Dealer says 99% sure trouble is ECM hence the ECM and transmission need replacement . Toyota canada denies any knowledge of the goodwill warranty on the phone - even after checking with a manager. And says it is only a USA issue even thought the dealer readily acknowledges an wab #### service bulletin. The dealer says I will have to subpoena the service advisory through a lawyer to get the information that toyota canada says they do not seem to know about? (in 2013!!!) the dealer says I am 2 months past their secret deadline in the secret goodwill warranty so toyota denies responsibility. Feels like very shoddy customer relations that I feel will cost toyota far more than their actual minuscule cost (<$200 their cost?) to replace with a proper ecu - engine control unit before the transmission is damaged beyond repair! They claim that they cannot test the ecu units and do not know which ones are bad until the customer (like me) comes in needing many thousands of dollars in repairs. Ok go ahead and wait but at least warn the customer to watch for issues and have it checked if any issues arise right away. - not wash their hands after a secret time line passes how convenient for them! This is a ludicrous situation. Less that 90,000 miles and toyota has the gall to tell me to pay them to fix a part they acknowledge is defective and then pay an extra lump of thousands of dollars for the transmission they themselves say is 99% certain to have been caused by the faulty ecu problem for good measure! Have you no shame toyota canada, or is it too much fun rolling around in a pile of my money? - the canadian border should not be something a giant elephant of a company should be allowed to hide behind in my humble opinion. The way toyota canada is handling this issue is a major fail for toyota!
Erratic transmission shifting. This was already complained about on 7/2010. Toyota needs to honor what you told them to do. Transmission/ECM. I want a refund for my out of pocket expense on this issue $995.98. Extended warranty 10 years or 150,000 miles ..updated 01/17/2013
I backed up in reverse and then put 2003 rav 4 into drive expecting to go forward when motor began to race and car flew backward over 12-foot high embankment into woods while engine continued racing. Car did not roll over but swung around 130 degrees in a flat area and came to a stop facing a tree 4 feet straight ahead. A second or two later the car then leaped forward into the tree with engine roaring, car continued to race at high rpms with front bumper wrapped around tree. The only way I could stop the high revs was to turn off the ignition. I injured my back.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and stalled without any warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 157,000 and the current mileage was 167,000.
I own a 2003 toyota rav4. My car was running in good working order, with just over 99,000 miles on it. On may 2nd 2012, I experienced issues with the car's transmission and ECM. The car would rev when I pressed on the gas, but it would not move. Also, when shifting gears, the car would slow to a brake and then there was be a bump or grinding in the gears before the car would proceed to move. This would put me in danger of a rear end collision because my car would suddenly brake without me pressing on the brakes to signal the driver behind me that I was going to slow down. I have learned that toyota is aware of this issue with many of its rav4's (2001-2003). Is there any help on toyota's part to correct this issue that they know of without passing along the cost to the innocent customer? Thank you for your time. *tr updated 06/22/2012
My 2003 toyota rav 4 started shifting poorly and inconsistently by not shifting to the next gear, slipping in between gears and slamming into gear. There are times when the transmission functions correctly and then there are days when it never does. I am scared to death to drive this car not knowing whether it will be a good day when my rav4 behaves as it should or if its going to leave transmission parts all over the road, get us in an accident or at the very least, leave us stranded. Nerve racking and incredibly unsafe.
My car lost power. I could not drive more than 10 miles an hour. Intermittent loss of power happened several times last years and this years. Just recently on 04/04/2012 at 4:55pm I was driving with my wife and her sister and I had to pull on shoulder and turned on hazard warning light and drive in lower gear ( 2nd gear ).
This is my wife's primary mode of transportation, she was the one who first noticed the herky/jerky operation of the transmission when she attempted to place it in reverse to back up, she then notified me of the problem. I proceeded to test drive the vehicle the next day, when we were pulling into traffic from a parking lot, it suddenly shuddered between gears and finally settled into the proper gear after I let off of the accelerator. Once we made it home after about 10 miles, we parked the car until I had a chance to drive it to toyota for an assessment. They drove it around and noticed the same herky/jerky operation, but stated to me that they couldn't do anything until they received a code from the computer stating either ecu or transmission trouble, after 2 or 3 days they were unable to retrieve any such code.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission and computer were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 170,000.
Car will not moves very slowly when it stops and you try to accelerate, very dangerous!
Vehicle started to begin takeoff really slow and hesitant, and then shift really hard with a jerking motion into second. Not safe for taking off with traffic or crossing intersections. Very scary to operate. Could ruin transmission, shafts, and other parts. Quote from dealership to replace ECM is around 1500+. Then transmission around 3000+. I am currently dealing with toyota back and forth on getting repair approved. Parts are available. All necessary calls have been done up the chain of command. They are not warranting this claim at this time.
2003 toyota rav4 - transmission slipping; ends up it is a computer (ECM) problem which is skipping 2nd gear and hesitating on acceleration and jerking into 3rd gear from 1st gear.
My husband was driving to the grocery store when he heard a grinding noise. Soon after, the check engine light went on. He immediately took our vehicle to the local toyota dealer. We soon discovered our 2003 toyota rav 4 has a defective ECM and the transmission has been severely damaged due to the ECM. It costs over $5,000 dollars to replace the ECM and the transmission. We are unable to drive the vehicle because we feel it is dangerous for ourselves and others.
Hi about my 2003 toyota rav4, its seems to stall and shutting off the engine while driving. For exaple it happen more then 5 time on me this month7/1/2011, and almost getting bump in rear end. I took it to toyota dealer, and paying $100 for what they could find anything wrong. This model should be recall or accident will happen.
I have 2003 rav4 with 70000 miles, all of sudden the gear started jump and jerk, I asked a dealer how to fix it, the dealer told me to pay $4000, this is very bad I hope there should be a recall because everybody with rav 4 has the same problem..this is so bad..
2003 toyota rav4. Started having vague problems last year with the car not wanting to shift at the appropriate times. On dec 22, 2010 we took it to greentree toyota in danbury ct and they replaced an ecu unit. It seemed to be working better but not optimal. It started shifting bad again and at times not wanting to shift at all so we returned the car to milton ruben toyota in augusta ga on 4/25/11. These symptoms are sporadic and some days it runs better than others. Upon driving the car they are telling me that because the check engine light is not on and the codes are fine, as well as the fact that they can not get it to reproduce any of the symptoms I am complaining of I.e. Difficulty merging into traffic b/c it will hardley go at times, upon taking off on an incline, at times, it will not go over 30 MPH with the gas pedal to the floor, at times it will go over 4.5 RPM before it decides to shift, I will not let my daughter drive this car because I am afraid she will pull out and not be able to go in time. The symptoms are very obvious but I am being told that they don't see any symptoms at all and the car is running beautifully and that they can not put forth a claim to toyota for this issue without a set criteria. This is so frustrating and now I will have to pay them money to tell me that the car is fine when it is not. I so wish I had not bought this toyota and will never buy a toyota again.
Hi, I am writing to complain about my 2003 toyota rav-4. I have experience some troubles with what seems to be the ECM and transmission. I have been in extremely close calls for a major accident because of the transmission malfunctioning while accelerating. The ECM/transmission suddenly downshifts or accelerates out of sequence and it causes the entire vehicle to abruptly jerk in a forward/backward motion. The estimated cost for repairs is well above $4,000 dollars for what does not seem normal for a vehicle that only has 100k miles. In an economy like this, it is difficult for me to obtain that amount of money for repairs. I trusted toyota for its reliability but after this my thoughts have changed. I am extremely disappointed to be dealing with this frustrating issue. I have read many more complaints on this issue on edmunds.com under costumer reviews. I wish that toyota recalls this problem like they have for other models since this problem can be life threatening.
In october, 2010 my 2003 rav4 started acting sluggish and shifting poorly. It would almost stall out in traffic and several times I was almost rear ended because the car would balk shifting from second to third gear. I took it to arlington toyota in palatine, illinois. They could find nothing wrong. In january, 2011 the problem got worse. The dealer reflashed the ECM module which controls the transmission. The problem got worse. They told me that I would need a new ECM .cost $1400. Mileage out of warranty so it would not be covered. They contacted toyota regional who also said they would not cover it. I contacted toyota customer relations but they also said even though I had received a recall notice, they would not cover the cost.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. While driving approximately 30 MPH he engaged the accelerator pedal and it took a few seconds before the vehicle would accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who advised him that the transmission needed to be replaced and that the ECM card needed reprogramming. The failure started in june 2009. The vehicle was not repaired and the vehicle was not drivable. The failure and current mileages were 73,000. Updated 2/28/11 *cn updated 03/07/11
I was recently warned that my 2003 toyota rav4 had many, many transmission complaints. Not 2 days later, my rav began showing signs of transmission failure. I researched the issue on the internet to find that there were an unusually large number of owners with similar problems, but found no relief with toyota. After taking my vehicle to the dealer for analyzing, I was informed it needed a new transmission to the tune of almost $4,000. This is on a vehicle that has been driven by only me and had preventive maintenance done regularly.
Toyota rav4 2003, transmission issue, during driving, the car sometimes slowdown, in highway, during driving time, the car sudden slowdown, just like deep step on the brake pad. It is happen all the time during driving.
2003 toyota rav4 at 90,000 miles the vehicle showed signs of an issue with the transmission or computer that controls the transmission, symptoms include rough shifting and delayed engagement (3-9 seconds) of the drive train on acceleration.
My wife's' 2003 toyota rav4 just started having transmission problems. We took it immediately to a repair shop. On the way there were serious problems with the transmission shifting which was particularly dangerous during the acceleration and deceleration in intersections. The dealer repair shop said the computer and transmission would need to be replaced. I called toyota customer service and they told me a service bulletins had gone out, but that our particular VIN was not part of the bulletin, even though the problem is exactly the same as has been widely noted and recognized by toyota.
Toyota rav4 2003 has transmission problems. The mechanic said this is common with this car so I did some research and quickly found that many other people had the same problem. There is a problem with the computer asking the car to shift to first and second gear at the same time. This causes the car to slow down then rapidly accelerate.
Computer failed that LED to transmission to fail. After fixing it still glitcheseses. It is ok one day and glitches another very unpredictable and transmission mechanic can not figure out the problem. Computer was put in new and transmission was rebuilt cost about $ 4000. It is hard to effort this during these economic hardships. Not to mention all this happened only on 88000 kms.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that he experienced transmission problems; the gears would slip at times. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic who stated that the problem was most likely the engine control module; no codes were produced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 89,800.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The vehicle began to hesitate and then rapidly accelerate after the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where he was informed that the ecu and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 83,000. Updated 11/05/10. *lj updated 02/03/11*lj updated 02/04/11
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