2004 Toyota RAV4: complete transmission failure

Filed Aug 21, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · PA

10 days ago transmission on 2004 Rav started to act funny. Slow/jerky to engage in lower gears. Check engine lights came on. Checked out by mechanic who said it looked like a transmission problem and should have it looked at by transmission specialist who said it was not safe to drive as is since it could simply die at any time, and it needed a new transmission. When replacing trans, the trans man found the ECM had to be replaced. He said this often happened with 2003 thru 2005 RAV4s. On looking through your site, discovered others had similar issues with their 2004 Ravs. I also found out that the electronic control module for these vehicles is defective and must be repaired to correct the transmission issues. What did Toyota have to say when you looked into this, or do you not think it’s a safety issue?

Filed Aug 19, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 191,000 miles · FL

I have experienced hard shifting, gear slippage, and solenoid code warnings on my 2004 rav4 beginning in april 2018. I have had my transmission rebuilt by an ase certified transmission specialist that assures me the problem is a faulty ECM. This is a known problem of a defective ECM (per keith pierson toyota jacksonville, fl) that toyota will not replace. I can no longer drive my vehicle as it poses a risk to myself and my two small children due to abrupt, unanticipated transmission failure.

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 Jun 13, 2012 · Transmission · 101,500 miles · WV

I have a 2004 toyota rav4. The check engine light and vsc light came on while driving at 30 MPH. Noticed that as I continued to drive home at approximately 65 MPH, the car was not shifting into overdrive and the RPM's were very high. Took it to the dealer, and they said the code showed that the solenoid was bad. The part was replaced at a cost of $750. Then told that did not correct the problem, needed a new transmission and another $4300. I know there was a class action lawsuit for the 2001-2003 toyota rav4 transmissions, think it should have been expanded to include the 2004 as the problems seem to be the same. This problem is dangerous and could have caused serious accident and damage to myself or others. Bought a toyota for reliability and what I thought were great vehicles. Very sad when I read all of the complaints with this vehicle. I know what my next car will not be.

Filed May 14, 2012 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota rav 4. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shifted from fourth gear to neutral independently. The failure recurred the following day. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was advised that there were complaints on the vehicle and provided no further assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the transmission. The failure and the current mileage was 94,000. Updated 8/29/12

Filed Mar 2, 2011 · Transmission · 77,836 miles · NJ

I have a 2004 toyota rav4. The check engine light came on and after about 20 miles the car started shifting hard and finally wouldn't get in gear. Took it to the dealer, and they said the electronic control module (ECM) is at fault (error p0766- shift solenoid d stuck). They replaced the ECM but the problem persisted. The dealer told me the only way to fix the problem is to replace the transmission. I spoke to toyota corp but they told me the problem with the shift solenoid is a "wholly" separate issue. I told them about the 2001-2003 extension of warranty that toyota did the rav4 but they refused to cover the transmission replacement. This problem is very dangerous because the transmission can just disengage from the motor and leave you stuck in the middle of the road when you pull out of driveway or on the ramp entering a highway.

Filed Dec 23, 2010 · Transmission · 49,500 miles · MN

I drove my 2004 (6 1/2 year old) rav4 sport awd today as usual to work (16 miles). It has just short of 50,000 miles on it and is ready for the next oil change in more than 1000 miles. I have done the majority of maintenance at the dealership. I drove the car from my office at 169 and 62, on 62 then north on i35w to minneapolis and then on i94e to st. Paul. Soon after I got on i94 I noticed sudden failure to accelerate with a jerking and high revs (to about 4500) when going from 55 to 60. The gears did not fully engage and rumbled and did not change or drive fully in any gear. I was concerned about transmission problems and stopped at a service station (mike's bp in st. Paul downtown) that had done an oil change on my car. The service person checked my transmission fluid and said it was "filthy" but full. He said it may need a new transmission. I chose to cancel my trip out of state for work, and drove directly home after setting up with my regular mechanic for next tuesday, the earliest open appointment. I was surprised to have this issue come up so suddenly and it is a clear danger since I mostly would drive on interstate highways in rush hour traffic or long distance for work and it could cause a crash. I will not drive the vehicle. This car had no issues at all so far - only replaced the wipers a year ago. I am concerned to have further damage to the transmission as the car drove so unpredictably and makes strange noises now if it is shifting. I have a toyota purchased extended warranty good until end of june 2011 and I'll work on getting this covered. It is frightening to have this happen to my vehicle as I depend on my car for work trips and for commuting. I'm glad I have the warranty and will have the work done to fix the problem if that is possible. My car goes through regular maintenance at a toyota dealership and they run checks for any recalls every time it is in the shop. There has been nothing at all on the vehicle thus far.

Filed Feb 22, 2010 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · PA

Was driving down the road and the transmission started making noises. It cracked real loud one time and I had no power. When I came to a red light and tried to go again it wouldn't take off. Took me 3 hrs to drive 55 miles to get my rav home. Contacted a garage that specializes in transmission. Was told they just received a notice from toyota that the computer chip in the transmission was failing but that I had to many miles to qualify. The garage put in a new computer chip (recommended by toyota) and it didn't completely take care of the problem so they ended up putting a whole new transmission in to the price of $4611.