2013 Toyota RAV4: complete transmission failure

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 Jul 3, 2023 · Engine · MS

Car jerks when shifts gears and the problem just appeared one day with no warning. I went to 4 different mechanics and none can confirm if there is metal in transmission but to solely tell the transmission needs to be replaced. Either defective transmission or another problem not related causing jerking in driving.

Filed Jun 27, 2017 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · CT

Torque converter failed suddenly while crossing a highway bridge with no breakdown lane. No prior warning, just sudden RPM jump to redline and no ability to accelerate. Was able to coast across the bridge to an exit ramp. Dealer diagnosed the problem as a transmission failure. Since car was out of warranty, we brought it to an independent shop who found it was actually the torque converter. The spline connection to the stator was broken, either the weld broke or the overrunning clutch gave out. This is the second torque converter in the car. The first was replaced due to a shuddering issue 2 years ago at 45,000 miles. This failure occurred at 78,000 miles. Toyota denies any responsibility since the second failure occured outside the 1 year repair warranty. Independent research shows this likely isn't isolated and is related to defects with the similar camry torque converter. Transmission was torn down and rebuilt out of precaution and no damage was found, thus the failure was entirely due to a defective torque converter. I brought the part to the dealer so that they could witness the failed part. Toyota also confirmed that there was no preventative maintenance required on the transmission.

Filed Mar 31, 2016 · Acceleration · 103 miles · PA

I did not realize that the rav4 class action was even filed. I own a rav 4 2003 and I never received a letter informing that there was a problem with this vehicle. I have 103,000 miles on it. I take it to the dealer on a regular base .recently 3/25, 2016 it started to run rough, and was difficult to accelerate. I took it to my toyota dealer and they stated that they would adjust the ECM which they did and told me to drive it another 100 miles. Well, I asked them what happens if the problem persists and they said then we replace the ECM for $ 1100 dollars if that does not fix it they said they would charge me $6,000 dollars for a new transmission. At the time I did not realize how many other people who owned this model had this problem. So I took it home and have been driving it. I am a home dialysis nurse and travel quite frequently to patient's homes who depend upon me when they are having problems with their dialysis treatments. Well, needless to say, I was working late and coming home on a main highway pm 03/31/2016 and it hesitates to shift when merging and shakes. I was almost hit from behind but lucky it finally engaged and I was able to pull over in a nearby parking lot. I called my toyota dealer and told them and they went on to say well we then have to replace the ECM etc. I told them about my search regarding the problems with this model and they put the manager on the line. I told him about by research etc. He said he would then find parts from a discarded rav 4. Now I am without a car, which will affect the lives of my patient's, and how reliable will it be if they are going to the junk yard for parts to repair it. Please help me.

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Transmission · 12,000 miles · MA

Potentially lethal transmission failure in toyota rav4 in march 2013 I bought a new toyota rav4 at acton toyota, in massachusetts. On february 21st 2014, I was driving the vehicle in sudbury, massachusetts on route 20 when suddenly it went completely haywire. The engine stalled out ? Restarted ? Stalled out again ? Restarted. This was all while the vehicle was moving. I drove into the local citizens bank car park, where I parked head in to a very large snow drift. I then discovered that all the gears were gone except for 'd'! Oi cycled several times through closing the car down and restarting it - no change. Oi could not push the car backwards away from the snow drift on my own. Oeventually I was towed to the dealership. Oon arrival at acton toyota, the service director - randy irwin - tested the car and immediately encountered the issue - shifter in reverse - revving the engine - nothing. He tried this with all the different shifter positions other than 'd', always with the same result. He then engaged 'd' and moved the car forward slightly. He then slowly engaged reverse and there was a huge clunk from under the car. And now reverse was engaged! The dealership gave me a loaner vehicle and kept the rav4. On march 3rd 2014, I phoned irwin - he said a toyota representative drove it the previous week. There had been no recurrence of the problem - now they were doing a 'visual inspection' (whatever that is!) since nothing came up in diagnostic tests. On march 5th 2014 I phoned irwin again ? He said that toyota had taken the case over. Toyota then called - they said they had not been able to get the issue to recur, and so they requested that I pick up the vehicle at the dealership. This I did. At no point did toyota ever acknowledge a problem ? They always stated simply that they had not been able to get the issue to recur.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Transmission · 530 miles · OH

While driving on highway at 55mph,my new 2013 toyota rav4 limited suddenly slowed down and would not shift into gear properly when I accelerated. I pulled off the road asap and had vehicle towed to dealership. They have diagnosed transmission failure. There is less than 600 miles on the odometer.