2004 Toyota RAV4: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 23, 2017 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 125,000 miles · UT

The vsc/trac light came on while driving. Also transmission started acting funny. From a stop sign it would hesitate and then start with a jerk. While driving at a constant speed the rpms would go up and down. I took it to an auto parts store to have them read the error code. They said it was a solenoid problem within the transmission. I took it to a transmission shop and they checked it out and ordered a remanufactured transmission. Total cost was over $4,600. Since the transmission was replaced have had the car back 3 times in 2 weeks with same problem. Today, 1-23-17, I drove it about 1 mile and vsc/trac light came on again. I took it back to transmission shop and left it running. They came out and tried to use their scanner but had some difficulty so they turned off the engine and when they tried to restart it the engine would not turn over. So the car now has been towed to tunex since they have more diagnostic equipment. On the internet I see article that claim that the problem with these 2001 thru at least 2005 ravs is the ECM. The site of other deal.com says this is a very common problem because of defective ecms from the manufacturer. There was a class action suit against toyota that covered transmission problems on 2001-2003 ravs. Seems like whether it is the ECM or the transmission or both that toyota should be held responsible.

Filed Jan 13, 2017 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota rav4. While driving at any speed and when the gear shifter was placed into the drive position, the vehicle hesitated and all of the instrument panel indicators illuminated, along with "take the vehicle for service" message appeared. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the computer was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2016 · 155,000 miles · FL

When accelerating from stopped position the car hesitates, moves very slowly, then with added pressure on gas pedal jerks as it shifts into second gear, after that it seems to run fine. Check engine light and vsc trac lights are on. This is very dangerous when entering a busy road or in heavy traffic.

Filed Jan 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 115,000 miles · MD

My cars check engine and vsc trac lights came on at the same time when I started the car. I then put it in drive and pressed on the gas pedal and nothing happened, but sometimes the car suddenly accelerates. My husband had to drive my car and I had to follow him home b/c the car was so unpredictable. He would have to push down hard on the gas pedal and it would hesitate but then all of a sudden it would then jerk forward. He was terrified that he would get stuck in the middle of an intersection! I found an article online about how toyota provided extended warrantys to 2001-2003 rav4 vehicle owners for this exact issue. Please see article: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/toyota-owners-complain-this-time-about-the-rav4/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 please help me with this! Its not fair that people with a 2004 or later can't benefit from this! I also called toyota and left a complaint.

Filed Nov 9, 2007 · Fuel system · MA

There is a throttle response delay upon initial acceleration, most noticeable when engine is still cold. Most resembles a flat spot. Engine actually stumbles, or hesitates when starting off. Also hesitates when underway until warm.