2003 Toyota RAV4: complete transmission failure

Filed Aug 10, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 79,279 miles · NV

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

Filed Jun 22, 2018 · Transmission · 187,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Jun 21, 2018 · MN

My rav4 has been shifting hard making me feel unsafe as well as putting me in dangerous situations on highways and freeways and in town. Now has been in the shop for past 3wks now leaving me stranded while they replaced the ECM and and replaced transmission with refurbished one and they have been dealing with sha ings in transmission among other things and it's gunna cost over $5700.00 possibly more that I can't afford. It's still not fixed yet and still. I don't have extended warranty cuz I can't afford it.. And also my seat belt has been fraying away to where I don't feel safe with that neither.

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hard shifted and would not accelerate. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing a new transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 74,650 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to accelerate again and the vehicle responded very slowly to approximately 15 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine control unit failed or there was possible transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,650.

Filed Aug 31, 2016 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed and the technician informed that the ECM needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2016 · Electrical, Transmission · 82,000 miles · CA

I was driving my 2003 toyota rav4 and attempted to merge into another lane when I experienced a very hard shift from the transmission causing the vehicle to stall with a reving engine noise and avoided being rear ended by a truck. I purchased my rav4 brand new in 2003 to accomodate my disability needs and only have 82,000 miles.I checked with my mechanic today and he looked up the toyota recall on these rav4 transmission failures and not once did toyota inform me about the recall. How is disabled individual on fixed income to afford $3000.00 for a transmission on a well maintained toyota with only 82,000 miles. I wish toyota would show some empathy to accommodate an individual whose sole purpose of a brand new rav4 would fulfill his daily physical challenges in life and now left with a toyota with 82,000 miles in need of a transmission. This rav4 is no longer safe to be driven given its nature of safety concerns.

Filed Dec 25, 2015 · Transmission · 83,559 miles · CA

I was driving on city streets when the car violently jerked and speeded up. I was in fear of being in an accident and feared for my safety. I immediately took action to repair this car that was in mint condition to this point. The 2003 rav 4 module and transmission failed at 83559 miles, which is low mileage for a toyota. Toyota motor corp lost a class action law suit, and agreed to be responsible for replacement of transmission and module replacement of the 2001 to 2003 model year rav's 4 that failed within 150,000 mile usage or 10 year use. My car had only 83,559 miles at the time of failure due to the faulty original module that caused this transmission problem. In november 2006 toyota issued a technical bulletin # 1046 with reference to 2001-2003 toyota rav4 transmission: u14of, u241e. Subject:2-3 blind up/harsh 2-3 po755, burnt (c2, clutch, harsh rev. Engagement, wrong gear starts....saying that the faulty PCM in the toyoa rav4's can cause the transmission problem that my car experienced..........(I have a copy of the document for reference, if necessary) the problem with the transmission in my rav4 with only 83559 miles was a durability issue; toyota sold the car with a faulty module, did not replace it when they admitted to the problem and the company needs to be responsible for any and all costs incurred.

Filed Sep 25, 2015 · 164,000 miles · GA

The transmission started shifting erratically and it wouldn't accelerate. I took it toyota and they told me I had to replace the ECM and then if that didn't resolve the issue I would have to replace the transmission. Found out toyota had faulty ECM's in some rav4s. Replacing the ECM & the transmission if its damaged costs $4,000.00 or more. Unfortunately I didn't buy the vehicle until after the warranty extension period had passed & this vehicle was never repaired.

Filed Sep 1, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 71,537 miles · PA

My vehicle began to "buck" and then shortly thereafter the check engine light came on. I initially took it to the closest mechanic and was told I needed a new transmission and that they couldn't replace it. Told them to take it to krause toyota. Was then told by krause it needed a new ECM but they were too busy and couldn't look at the vehicle for 2 weeks since I wasn't a "regular" customer. I then took the car to bennett toyota - class outfit. They replaced the ECM immediately - which wasn't cheap. Cost me $1200. I have since heard that there was a recall on the ECM on my year rav4 which I wasn't ever notified of. I feel toyota should pick up this tab. I have low mileage for a 2003 car, and have always maintained it properly.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · 67,088 miles · TX

I have a 2003 toyota rav4! On july 21, 2015 my vehicle started harsh jerking and slow performance when coming from a stop and red light! I accelerated the pedal to the floor and the vehicle still were performing slow! I could have got hit since it wouldn't move any faster! On july 22, 2015 I drove my vehicle to loving lincoln-mercury. They perform a test and told me that the ECM needed to be replaced! The service manager told me that toyota had a customer support program to replace the malfunction ECM! I contacted the toyota customer assistance center and informed them the problems I was experiencing with my vehicle! I was informed that the customer support program that was replacing the ECM and transmission for free had expired on my vehicle! I was informed that the customer support program was for the first 10 years or 150,000.00 miles whichever came first! I was informed that my vehicle expired in 2013! I asked the toyota customer assistance center why I didn't receive a letter stating that the ECM and possible transmission need to be replace in my vehicle and I was told that they would check to see if a letter had been mailed! I have been living at my address for 30 years and I haven't received anything informing me about replacing anything on my vehicle! Now I'm facing $5,551.60 plus tax to replace the ECM and transmission on my vehicle! I'm on a fixed income of social security monthly and I can't have my vehicle repaired because of this expense! They didn't mail me a letter stating I need to replace the ECM and possible transmission under this free program for the customer support program! I'm informing you about this situation with toyota because this is a safety problem! Anyone who has a toyota rav4 and it's doing harsh jerking with slow performance can certainly get hit which can caused a bad accident!!!!!

Filed Jun 7, 2015 · 116,000 miles · MI

Harsh shifting, jumping from gear-to-gear, sluggish acceleration and ultimately transmission failure