2018 Toyota RAV4: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · MS

I have a similar complaint as the federal safety agency ID Number: 11210210. On several trips over the past few years, while traveling at speeds of 70 mph, my vehicle would have a loud bang and then start bucking and jerking when I briefly let off the accelerator. About 2 weeks ago, I was looking at my speedometer at the time when the bucking started happening. The EV light came on for a brief second and the needle on the charging gage briefly dropped down into the charging status. It seems that the EV motor was trying to engage at speeds causing the bucking. This seems like to be a major concern when traveling at highway speeds. The engagement of the EV motor at highway speeds is like unintended engine braking that possibly lockup the engine and loss of control.

Filed Jun 28, 2023 · Transmission · PA

I was driving during work and my transmission went. I could no longer drive forward. I brought my car to Toyota dealership to see about the problem and got a diagnostic test performed, oil change, 4 point inspection and explained that my car is stalling, it’s jerking when I step on the gas and it won’t take off and then just jerks my head. It’s making these rattling noises when I step on the gas. They stated it’s the massive airflow system and throttle body work: I explained I just changed the massive airflow sensor so it can’t be that but he stated that they need to order the piece and I need to come back Friday which I did so they can fix the problem. Not even a week later my transmission is gone and I missed over a week of work. I did have a mechanic look at the issue and I also explained this to Toyota dealership.

Filed Aug 10, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · WA · crash

The first incident happened on June 9, 2021. I was turning right very slowly into a parking spot at a grocery store when the car suddenly accelerated rapidly, even when I depressed the brake very hard. My car hit a row of small trees that formed a border between the parking lot and the street. The impact was so hard that there was over $5,000 in damage to the front of the car. I was in shock as it felt like the car was out of control. The second incident July 27, 2021. Again, I was turning right to reach the exit of a parking garage at a medical clinic. I was going very slow because I was approaching the ticket booth to exit the parking garage. Just as I completed the turn, the car accelerated and lurched forward toward the arm that keeps cars from exiting. I was able to stop the vehicle by pressing the brake hard, and I did not hit the arm at the exit point. Again, it was shocking and very frightening for this to happen.

Filed Jan 11, 2021 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · NJ

The vehicle downshifts 2x at 40 MPH into a gear which makes the car lurch and the rpms go from 2000 to 4000. Happens during mild accelerator depression. If you romp on the gas this does not happen. When it does upshift the eco light comes on but then it upshifts again. The sensor does not select the right gear for the load.

Filed Jan 16, 2020 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · GA

I purchased my rav4 brand new mid/late year 2018. In december at app. 10000 miles I started having issues with the gears. Shifting from park to any gear I would hear a loud banging type noise and the entire car would jerk. Along with that issues I have noticed a delayed acceleration at green lights sometimes to the point where I get a traction control light once it has kicked in or even jerking while finding the correct gear to be in. Once I have accelerated and let off the gas, and then returned to the acceleration pedal after braking or just momentarily resting my ankle with the car at speed, the car will "fish for gears" like it cannot decide which gear the car should be in. When going downhill and letting off the gas it will downshift, causing the car to jerk. All these issues happen often but completely at random. I have taken it to the dealer and brought it up multiple times during oil changes and tire rotation, but they say that cannot duplicate it or that it is just how the car works.

Filed Nov 12, 2019 · Transmission · 18,253 miles · WA

The vehicle jerks and makes loud noise when the EV mode turns on momentarily at 60 miles per hour. This usually happens when going down hill and pressing accelerator after released for a few minutes. This does not always happen but when it does, feels like the rear tire has busted and the car is being forced to move. It has happened multiple times now and I have reported it to toyota but the dealer cannot replicate the problem. It has occurred at least 8 times so far since I bought the vehicle in september 2018.