2017 Toyota RAV4: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 98,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 20-25 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while the transmission was shifting into the next gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle with an OBD II code reader, the contact retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating a starter failure. However, upon investigating the failure online, the contact related the failure to Toyota Warranty Bulletin Number: POL17-06. The contact stated that a preventative service was previously performed on the vehicle, however, the failure occurred. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2023 · Transmission · KS

Vehicle suddenly started to develop shuddering episodes that lasted 2-3 seconds, while driving at low speeds 20-50 MPH and between 1000-2000 RPM. Condition is intermittent, usually when the engine is hot and increasingly becoming worse and frequent. Took vehicle to local Toyota dealer and they diagnosed it with a malfunctioning Torque Converter and recommended replacement. No codes were reported during diagnosis. Toyota dealer mechanic promptly recognized problem as he encountered similar problems with other vehicles of same model. Mechanic reported of a known recall for models from 2009 to 2015, but not for later models. Transmission Control Module was reset by dealer's mechanic and condition improved but not resolved. Owner contemplating replacement of malfunctioning part to avoid catastrophic damages to vehicle's transmission and potential uncontrollable vehicle's behavior while driving.

Filed Mar 25, 2022 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · AK

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle started making a rumbling sound and was also shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who test drove the vehicle, and the tires were balanced and rotated; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine block stabilizers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had become significantly worse while driving between 25-30 MPH and 45-50 MPH. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2020 · Transmission · 4,200 miles · NY

When driving at 25 MPH to 40 MPH my vehicle starts to shudder. I can hear it as if it is coming up from the under carriage. It doesn't do it all the time but it occurs at least once per week. The shudder occurs when driving on a suburban street going straight down the road.

Filed Dec 14, 2019 · 90,000 miles · NJ

Transmission torque converter shudder and shift hesitation - shudders between gears, occurs between any two gears but mostly within the 20-55 MPH range. Begun most noticeably at ~90k, vehicle now has 103k on it and shudder continues to worsen and become more frequent. Brought it back to dealer several times now and they have advised most likely torque converter needs to be replaced (approx $3-$4k repair). Same problem as the generation before where toyota eventually extended warranty cover for: https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2013-2015-toyota-rav4-transmission-shudder-warranty-extension-zh1.1148/page-2