2013 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Transmission · IN

The vehicle shudders significantly when accelerating/cruising between 35-45 mph. The shudder started slight and did not pose an issue for a while, but now its significant enough that is causes erratic steering. The vehicle waved back and forth from the vibration yesterday and went across the median line into oncoming traffic. I was able to regain control and accelerated through past 45 mph when the vibration receded. After calling Toyota I learned that Toyota knew about this issue and the a faulty torque converter was to blame. There was no recall or notification just (as the dealer explained, an extended warranty). Since I was not "notified" I did not know of this dangerous exposure and missed the time period to get the convertor replaced by Toyota.

Filed May 1, 2024 · Transmission · TX

My 2013 RAV4 has been experiencing shuddering and vibrations at low speeds. Turns out it is the torque converter which Toyota was aware some 2013-2014 RAV4 have the problem. But instead of doing a recall they did a customer support program recall which they were able to put an expiration on the recall. Now my car needs the torque converter replaced Toyota will not honor the recall because it is expired 3 years ago. After seeing numerous complaints about the torque converter Toyota should reconsider doing a full recall on this safety issue.

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started to drive rough and was jerking and making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2023 · Transmission · IN

I was experiencing shuddering when I was lightly accelerating 20-50 mph. The dealer's service department says I need to have the torque convertor replaced. Toyota offered extended coverage, but that program ended 11/9/21. Now I am out $2,600 for something that Toyota knew about and should have issued a recall.

Filed Feb 27, 2022 · Transmission · IL

The car when driving around 30 to 45 mph starts shuddering. Looks apparently it's the torque converter

Filed Jan 14, 2022 · Transmission · VA

While driving the vehicle it experiences an intermittent shutter in the drive train. On flat roads it is an annoyance; when driving on mountain roads or with a loaded vehicle it becomes more severe to the point the vehicle feels like it will lose control. At its worse the issue impacts the ability of the driver to maintain control (e.g., braking down a mountain), at a minimum it causes significant distraction in situations requiring constant focus on the road. The Toyota dealer diagnosed the issue as a torque converter flex lock up. Toyota corporate is aware is this defect and issued a Warranty Policy Bulleting (No. POL17-06) to address it. While the company issued a warranty enhancement to address the issue, they are treating it as a minor defect affecting customer satisfaction instead of the safety issue it is. Due to Toyota's approach, they limited the time period they would cover safety related repairs. This leaves 2013-2015 RAV4 vehicle owners to either not correct the issue and hope for the best, pay to correct the defect themselves (expensive due to the need for a Toyota drivetrain expert or master technician to perform the repair), or pass the problem off to the next owner. I contacted Toyota Corporate on and even though the vehicle has low mileage (95K), because the problem appeared after a Toyota established date they would not correct the defect. In my conversation with Toyota Corporate they confirmed it was a safety issue and advised me to have it repaired right away at my own cost. This manufacturer defect in 2013-2015 RAV 4s, in certain road conditions, creates an unreasonable safety risk to drivers. Toyota's approach to resolving the issue is insufficient and does not protect owners from unreasonable risk of an accident because of this safety flaw. Please start an investigation into this safety defect and initiate a safety recall compelling Toyota to correct the issue regardless of the vehicle's age. Thank you

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Transmission · IL

11443340 FILE number please add this commentary. Toyota provided and extended warranty for this vehicle due to torque converter defects. I was not notified because I was not owner at time. Extended warranty expired on 10/13/21 . My car developed problem around 11/22/21. Toyota now refuses to help in any form.

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while his wife was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift automatically to the next gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to drive to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the torque converter to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · WA

Note: This is a fully electric vehicle. It was made by Toyota, but the drive train (electric motor, battery, etc.) is made by Tesla. Earlier this summer (Around June 2021) while starting the vehicle from a stop, the vehicle either shifted to neutral (halfway through an intersection) or stalled. The vehicle displays a message saying "Check EV System". We have since taken it to two Toyota dealerships. The first (Toyota of Tacoma in Tacoma WA) said the 12V battery needed to be replaced, but the issue happened again almost immediately after we took the vehicle off the lot and completely stalled in the middle of a busy intersection. We brought it back to the same dealership who then said nothing was wrong with the vehicle. We also took the vehicle to a local auto repair shop that specializes in electric vehicles where they were able to recreate the issue but unfortunately were unable to work on the car as Tesla had locked the codes needed to diagnose the issues. The second dealership (Titus Will Toyota in Tacoma WA) was able to reproduce the issue, but they didn't have the equipment to work on the vehicle. They said that they spoke to the Toyota engineering team who told them that the speed sensor had moisture on it, and the coolant on the right side was low which indicates that coolant was leaking into the electric motor and the vehicle needed a new drive train. Toyota said that since the drive train was made by Tesla, they are unable to work on the vehicle and we would need to figure out how to get the vehicle from Washington to California to find a shop that could service the vehicle and completely replace the entire drive train - a diagnosis made and given over the phone. We purchased the vehicle just over a year ago in Washington and now it has a dangerous safety issue that neither Toyota nor Tesla is wanting anything to do with and that local repair shops cannot address.

Filed Jul 29, 2021 · Transmission · PA

My 2013 RAV4 is having torque converter issues and shudders at low acceleration. Toyota issued a customer bulletin with an extended warranty deadline of 8 years of first use or 150K miles. My car started having this issue sometimes in 2018 and Toyota dealership diagnosed it as replace bolts. I explained to Toyota but they said extended warranty has expired and will not cover costs to get torque converter/transmission fixed. Now the issue on my car has gotten worse and brought it up with dealership again this year and they linked it to the customer notice which had expired. Now, Toyota corporation won't make an exception and assume that I had tried to get it fixed the first time within an active warranty in 2018. Issue is with torque converter and transmission shudder at low acceleration.