Transmission Solenoid problems of the 2001 Toyota RAV4

March 2009 vehicle check engine light came on and I took vehicle to autozone for a diagnostic check. Check indicated that the shift solenoid was bad. I took vehicle to Toyota of bedford and was told I had to get another diagnostic because they don't take diagnostic from other places, so that cost me $100. After their diagnostic check was performed, they claimed it was just the gas cap and turned the light off. Within a couple of weeks the light can back on while I was driving on the freeway. In June 2009, the car started having shifting difficulty, getting stuck in a gear then jerking out of it. I took it to a foreign car specialist shop and they changed the transmission fluid, I drove it for a few weeks again, then it shifted hard while driving and the check engine light came on again. I have to get off the freeway sometimes when the car gets stuck in a gear and won't accelerate!!! I read complaints exactly like mine with the 2001 Toyota rav 4 and can't believe nothing is being done. This is dangerous and not a driver error, this is clearly a manufacturer error. Why do you have to wait until someone gets killed before a recall can be ordered. This a part that should never be defective and if it is it should be fixed without question.

Toyota 2001 Rav4 transmission shift problem since March 2009. Approx miles to date 95,750. When I first took it in, I checked with autozone for diagnostic check which was free because the check engine light came on. I then took the readings to Toyota who told me they wouldn't accept autozone's diagnostic and I had to get another one from them which cost $100. Then they told me it was just the gas cap and turned the check engine light off. Within 2 days, after my e-check, the light came back on has been on ever since. I have taken it back several times for oil changes and they never said that there was a problem. The diagnostic from autozone stated the shift solenoid was bad but Toyota said it was the gas cap. I have done some research and I am now aware that I am not the only one with this type of problem. This is shameful that they choose to ignore this serious malfunction to get major money from the consumers. I am more upset with the fact that I bought the car in may of 2006 and they knew then that there was a problem. The warranty is a joke, that's a major part that they won't honor and they are purposely ignoring it so that it's not covered or their problem. Why wait until someone gets hurt or killed because they don't want to own up to their defective parts. My car will get stuck in first gear and jump to second very hard. I have taken the car to a foreign car repair shop last spring and they did a quick fix by trying to see if replacing the transmission fluid to see if that worked but it lasted for only a week. During my last maintenance check at Toyota, I was told I probably had six months, still never acknowledging that it was a defect in their part or that it was covered. It's not fair to the consumer to be ignored and taken advantage of by this company. Please don't ignore our complaints they are real and serious.

My 2001 Rav4 developed a shifting issue, and eventually produced a check engine code, which indicated an issue with the transmission solenoid. The transmission shop tells me that I need a new transmission at the cost of $3200. They also tell me that this is a common issue with the 2001-2003 Rav4s, and that Toyota is aware of it. A techinical service bulletin was issued in 2006, indicating that there was an issue with some Rav4s, and that the ecm should be replaced - if not the transmission may be ruined. I was never informed of any possible issue, and now my vehicle is ruined. It is extremely dangerous to drive, and would not shift into gear correctly. This is a safety issue in that I was unaware that there was any issue, and until the check engine light came on, I was unaware that my car may not shift correctly at any given moment.

Fall '08 2001 Toyota Rav4 began stalling unexpectedly while changing gears between 2 and 3 rpms. Sudden jerks and halts occur after coming to complete stops and attempting to accelerate to go. Diagnostic test claims solenoids but Toyota dealership suggests replacing ecm and/or transmission. An expense of about $4500 without guarantee of fixing the problem. Extremely dangerous when driving in highway, keeping up with traffic pace suddenly halts and looses power.

Rough shift in low gears causing engine to rev but car does not move. Had solenoids replaced, problem still exists. Told ecm needs to be replaced but other owners said this has not corrected the problem. Car revs but goes no where and creates dangerous situation especially in dense traffic with big trucks.

My 2001 Rav4, with just over 80k on it, went belly-up. Two days before the extended warranty expired (bought it certified used), the transmission started slipping, disabling the car 2 hours from home. The dealer it was towed to said they couldn't find anything wrong with it, put in 3/4 qt of tranny fluid, called it good. In February, after it was out of warranty, it once again died on a trip, again 2 hours away from home. The dealer I had it towed to this time said it needed a new transmission. The code was p0770 for solenoid malfunction. After long negotiations with Toyota they replaced the transmission.