Automatic Transmission problems of the 2002 Toyota RAV4 - part 1

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota rav 4. The contact stated the vehicle suddendly accelerated independently and immediately the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician made the contact aware of an unknown manufacturer recall related to the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 84,329.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and jerked while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where a diagnostic was performed that indicated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact that the transmission replacement warranty was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 67,950. Updated 10/29/lj.

My Toyota 2002 rav 4 suddenly would not accelerate when more gas is given thereby being more dangerous on highway for possibly being hit by traffic behind. Such a sudden change in shifting possibly transmission mal-functioning happens also while driving at a higher speed.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated the driver attempted to accelerate from a stop but the vehicle would not accelerate. The failure was not diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 122,000.

My 2002 Toyota Rav4 began shift erratically 2 days ago. Not shifting to 2nd gear the finally jumping into gear. 102,000 miles. Sounds like a common problem that Toyota should own up to and make right. Dealer is asking for $4000 to replace transmission.

My Toyota Rav4, 2002, began shifting hard, clunking into gear, and accellerating prior to shifting on its own. I took the car to a Toyota dealer who has told me that this issue is not covered for all VIN numbers of Rav4's sold. We shall see if he is correct as I told him that the article from the NY times sure looks like it covers all Rav4's between 2001 and 2003.

The transmission of my 2002 Toyota Rav4 was damaged due to a failure of the eletronic control module. The issue was first discovered not by a check engine indicator light, but by nearing being smashed by on coming traffic when the car failed to shift as I was crossing an intersection. This is a serious safety issue. The failure in the transmission is sudden and I was extremely fortunate that it did not result in an accident. Through research, I've come to learn that Toyota has been aware of the issue since March 2006. I have not been informed of situation by Toyota to date. I really feel a recall is in order. This is a very dangerous defect.

2002 Toyota Rav4. Started a month ago harsh shifting from lowest gear to the next, hesitation then abrupt shifting or no shifting at all by transmission, either with or without overdrive applied. Replaced oxygen sensors and ecm, okay for a week but back again. Repeats the same problem from complete stop then slow accelaration, gear shifting is not timely and suddened unexpectedly creating a jerky motion.

During a snow storm, my vehicle's transmission started revving up to 5000 rpms without shifting into 3rd gear. I thought my tires were slipping because of the weather, but over the next 2 days as my car would heat up, it would continue. I had a repair shop look at it and they advised me to repair or replace the transmission. Toyota suggested I bring it to a dealer. The dealer said that I need to have my transmission flushed and to replace the ecm/ecu - which costs $900 and there's no guarantee it'll fix my problem. I'm not receiving any assistance from Toyota hq or the dealership as far as receiving a guarantee that this will fix my issue, and they won't provide information on what to do if the issue stiill persists.

Our 2002 Toyota rav-4 has about 120,000 miles on it. The transmission has begun to act up beginning about 2 weeks ago. It has gone from bad to worse, and in investigating solutions to the problem, we have been stunned to read about the many hundreds of complaints that Toyota has received 2001-2003 Toyota rav-4s, which were thought to be transmission issues exclusively, and turned out to be faulty ecms. This happens every time that we drive this car, and we now refuse to drive it on the highway because of our difficulty in getting it to accelerate without the rpms being so high that we know it's damaging the transmission/engine.

2002 Toyota Rav4. After stopping at an intersection I took off and the automatic transmission seemed to be in high gear, then it jerked and the engine raced and the transmission down shifted. This happened two other times within 10 miles. The ecm unit had failed. I researched this problem on-line and found that many other people had the same issue. Toyota claims that this problem was fixed in 2008 on this vehicle but we have owned the vehicle since may of 2007 and did not have any repairs done.

2002 Rav4 automatic transmission hard shift into reverse and mis shift between gears.

During acceleration Toyota Rav4 would shift hard, and slip between high and low gears rapidly cause car to buck and slow abruptly. Issue began all at once and has continued. Car is undrivable.

I have been a loyal Toyota owner with a 1995 camry and a 2002 Toyota rav 4. I noticed the terrible jerking that started while driving the Rav4 on my way to work. I could not even attempt to speed up when necessary and once I did, the car jerked so much, I had to pull over and eventually get the car towed to the mechanic. They stated that the transmission was the problem so we paid to replace it and resolve that issue. Not even a week later, I had the same exact problems going home from work. I brought it back to the mechanic and now it's the ecm that needs to be replaced. I cannot afford to get it replaced since I just paid for the new transmission. The mechanic attempted to reset the ecm but that did not help at all. Now we are down to the 95 camry and crossing our fingers that we don't have issues with our "old reliable".

I've had my '02 Toyota Rav4 since 2003 and a few days ago my car started hesitating and jerking out of the blue. After stopping at lights, I noticed that at first I had trouble accelerating, car would hesitate, then all of a sudden it would lurch forward jumping to 3000-4000 rpms. I was afraid that I would get rear-ended and then I almost slammed into the car in front of me. I am afraid to take my car on the highway with the slow accelerating and then sudden jerking and speed. I'm taking my car to the dealership tomorrow to get the ecm and transmission checked out given the Toyota technical service bulletin that issued in 2006 involving faulty ecms (tc002-06). Although my car is just experiencing the early stages of this malfunction, this is very unsafe and dangerous. Toyota knows about it and should issue a recall.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The vehicle was intermittently experiencing trouble accelerating in which the vehicle would momentarily pause before shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the transmission fluid and filter were replaced. The mechanic also advised having the electronic control module (ecm) replaced the failure continued to recur intermittently. The manufacturer was contacted but advised the vehicle was not under recall and would not provide any assistance. The ecm was not replaced. The failure mileage was 154,000 and the current mileage was 155,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that she had difficulty shifting gears. The vehicle would stay in third gear and the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the computer needed to be replaced so that they could determine whether the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The contact did not notify the manufacturer. The current mileage was 86,954. The failure mileage was 86,850.

2002 Toyota Rav4 started jerking and shaking,, then slowing down at 111k miles at in the middle of traffic concerned for safety, had to pull over and call for a tow truck to tow car home. I took the car to the dealership, but they said that it could be ecm, which is $1500, but no guarantees it would work. Researched issue, and found out that this is known issue since 2006, but Toyota didn't notify owners.

I have a 2002 Toyota Rav4 that is also experiencing the ecm problem. The engine revs and slips in and out of gear. It also lunges forward without warning. This is clearly a safety issue. It is criminal that this problem is not being addressed by Toyota and that a safety recall has not been issued.

2002 Toyota rav 4 having issues with the ecm in the transmission. My mechanic and sanport auto broken arrow, ok found the bulletin and advised me my car was within the 96 months 80, 000 miles. She even called the Toyota dealership I purchased my car from and advised them of the issue. She spoke with kyle at jim norton Toyota he said he was not aware of the bulletin so my mechanic made a copy and put it on my seat to have the car towed to the dealership. Kyle said they would have their mechanics look at it and let me know. If someone could call jim norton Toyota and lean and bit on them that would be great. He acted like he was not sure that was the issue but there is documentation all over the internet about the problem so I am not sure how they could not know about the issue. My mechanic at sanport auto said if I need any help to let her know. She said it is definitely the issue and they should fix it. Thank goodness for good honest mechanics like sanport auto in broken arrow, ok. They did the right thing and will always get my business. Let's hope jim norton does the right thing.

Toyota Rav4 2002- 50mph on a road when an emergency vehicle had to go around me- after the vehicle passed, I attempted to accelerate and was unable to get into 3rd gear- cars were accelerating past me causing an immediate danger along with the car jerking and pulling- Toyota issued a "service bull. " for this but will not replace faulty ecm- and now there is possible transmission damage- very dangerous as I would not be able to accelerate- this is a intermittent issue- multiple complaints on the internet- no recall as of yet-.

About three weeks ago my 2002 Toyota rav 4 transmission/shifting between 1st and 2nd gears acted up. It wasn't a small, nagging issue that built up, it was pretty sudden. One week it was fine and then I had 2 small shifting incidents (shaking) in a 2 week period, and then the next week, after about 5-8 days of more local stop and go driving, my lower gears shifting would not work properly - every shift from 1st to 2nd was delayed and harsh. My 2002 Rav4 has 98k on it. I may need to get a new transmission and/or ecm and I dont think Toyota will cover any of the costs of either. I have thought about trading it in so I wouldnt have to deal with these issues, but I do like my rav 4. I am hoping (after doing all the online research and making some official complaints to cr, bbb and other safety groups) that maybe Toyota will provide (or be forced to provide) payments or coverage in some way for this serious safety issue (essentially "stalling" in the middle of intersections, when needing the acceleration from a stopped position. ) when speaking with Toyota service and having had them perform their $100 computer diagnostics (before the check engine light came on - the light has since come on and remains on- obviously I havent driven it for a few weeks now) I was told that the transmission would "most likely need to be replaced. I had only driven it for 3 weeks after first noticing the problem and really only 1 since the trouble was continuous and the engine light came on. I hope to fix the problem by either having the ecm rebuilt ($500) or purchasing a new one ($1000). Hopefully, l didn't drive it too much before the ecm ruined my transmission ($5000). Since the car is only worth about $6000 total anyway.

I have a 2002 Toyota rav 4,started driving erratic,while foot on gas pedal,car would slow down,then speed up with banging sound. Local Toyota dealership says computer bad replacing it,which included a tow is$ 1,440. 00 . Car is 8 years old with 91,000 miles.

2002 Toyota rav 4 electronic control unit has a manufacturer's defect that cause the car's automatic transmission to disintegrate with little or no warning.

Toyota Rav4 (2002) jerked uncontrollably into traffic while preparing to make a left turn onto a busy boulevard. Cars screeched to a halt. Could have been fatal. Rav4 has faulty computer (ecm) that Toyota did not recall and holds consumers responsible for replacing (appx$1400). Faulty computer often destroys transmission also. I am facing $5500 in repairs and Toyota has admitted that the car has a problem. This is totally unfair and people will lose their lives. I am lucky I didn't.

Check engine light came on and transmission started to shift hard,going into reverse from park with a huge clunk. Also, slipping at times. When making a left/right turn from a road to another, car would sluggishly move-very dangerous. Took it to a dealer and was told a new computer was needed to verify if the problem was ecu related or the tranny. . I asked why a new computer wasn't available to test whether it was the computer or tranny. "we don't stock computers". I was quoted $1200. 00 for "new" ecu to see if it fixed the problem. If that didn't work then a "new" tranny for 4000. 00 to 5000. 00 would be required. This is a 2002 2wd with 99k miles worth about $5000. 00(in great shape otherwise). Also learned that the ecu tends to throw codes unrelated to the tranny issue. When I brought my Rav4 in I told them about my issues with the tranny and that there was a TSB to install new software to try to fix the issue. I was then told no, you need to try a new ecu for $1200. 00. Why not throw a "new" ecu in to see if it fixes the problem? why don't they acknowledge a defect instead of easter egging at my expense? charge me $1200. 00 for an ecu(or any part) that may or may not solve the issue is criminal and to hear that the ecu problem eats the tranny is also criminal quick to take your cash but to deny a very common part defect (ecu) that ultimately destroys another expensive needed component. This is a safety issue. I have made left/right turns and the transmission decides to buck/hesitate as oncoming traffic is expecting my vehicle to move appropriately.

The main computer in the transmission on my 2002 Toyota Rav4 malfunctioned causing my vehicle to begin shifting on its own while driving. The mechanic informed me that it was attempting to shift into reverse while driving. The first incident happened the last weekend in may, 2010. I have not been able to drive the car for 3 weeks now, it is currently waiting repair. Total cost thus far $1,586. 00 to replace the computer so that the computer can tell them what other damage has been done to the transmission. We have not been able to locate a functional used computer for repair.

Check engine light came on and transmission jammed. Vehicle towed to nearest dealer. Told it was ecm problem and repair cost was $1440. 94.

On may 25th, my wife was merging into traffic on a local bypass (speed limit 55 mph). As she began to merge, our 2002 Toyota Rav4 hesitated and wouldn't shift into second gear. My wife had to swerve off the road to avoid being rear ended by traffic. I brought my car to the repair shop the next day and they flushed the transmission and added new fluid. They tested the car and it was ok so I picked it up and brought it home. By the next day the car was hesitating again so I brought it back to the shop and they took the car to the local Toyota dealership to have them check the problem. I then received a call from my repair person stating that I needed a new transmission. The car is only 8 years old with 61,000 miles on it but all warranties have expired. I then find out that Toyota has known about the problem with 2002 Rav4 transmissions but have never contacted the buyers or had a recall due to expense. Now I'm stuck with a car that doesn't work or a repair bill for $5,000 plus. I bought a Toyota because I thought that it was dependable. The dealership said that nothing can be done to repair it without cost to me since I have no more warranty coverage. I'm now looking for a new car since I'm not putting $5,000 into an 8 year old one. Do I have any legal alternatives since Toyota knew about the problem but said nothing?.

Whiplash and cervical disc herniation due to negligence of Toyota rav 4 2002 transmission and ecm problems. Around 4/20/10 I took my Toyota to this dealership due to ongoing jerking and forward thrust when starting from a stop position, also the engine light was on. They kept my Toyota from 4/19/10 till 4/21/10. Reset the engine stating that it is O2 sensor problem and replaced it. Also diagnosed transmission problems but I was told by the dealership persona,l" I don't want to stamp your car as condemned, take it back and when problem gets worse bring it back" he did not warn me that if I did not get it corrected right away, I can be jeopardizing my safety and safety of people on the road. It is apparent from the paperwork they handed me that they had diagnosed a serious problem and should have corrected it right away. Around middle of may the problems with the transmission got worse, on 2 occasions the car stalled completely while going at 30 mph and then severely thrust forward again. In another 3-4 days I started experiencing severe muscle spasms and headaches. Since then I had been to er, received CT and mri showing disc prolapse and tear of my 2 vertebral discs. I have been receiving physical therapy, cervical traction, pain medication, cervical collar, and am scheduled to receive an epidural injection in 2 weeks. I have seen my pcp twice, a neurologist, 2 neuro surgeons and have received numerous medication, some with serious side effects and have detailed information about these visits. I am a physician and due to this problem have missed days at work jeopardizing my clinical care. Yesterday almost got in an accident when my car slowed down instead of accelerating and I almost hit another car, this incident made me realize I can hurt other people if I continue to drive this car. I took it in to dealer today and they are going to run a diagnosis on it again, and it might cost me 6,000 dollars. Please help.

2002 Toyota Rav4 jerking and lunging into gear from a stop. Car drops into neutral causing a sudden slow down and dangerous condition for cars behind me who have to stop suddenly for me. 70,000 miles, took into dealership this a. M. And was told they would try re-programming the computer and then if that did not work they would replace the computer for $1,100 and if that did not work they would replace the transmission for $3,000-$4,000. Left dealership after "re-programming" the computer and immediately car started lunging into gear, shifting into neutral, thumping into gear and the engine light came back on.

Have a 2002 Toyota Rav4 I was driving near home - began to accelerate on area highway and experienced a jolt or hard shift while the car was accelerating between approx. 25-30 mph. Caused car to decelerate rapidly. Consider myself blessed children were not in the car and no one was immediately behind me as would most likely have been involved in a rear end crash. Check engine light came on - immediately contacted mechanic who advised to take to Toyota dealership due to a faulty ecm computer that controls the transmission. Currently still sitting there waiting for response from Toyota on how they will remedy.

My 2002 Toyota Rav4 began suddenly jerking when I slowed down then would lag when I tried to accelerate. It had less than 67,000 miles on it. The local Toyota dealer told me I would need to have the transmission replaced at the cost of $4800. I called Toyota national customer service and asked for an extention of the warranty, having been told by the dealer that this problem was not covered by my warranty any longer. I got absolutely no help. I am astounded that at 67,000 miles this was not covered. I had to get rid of the car when I didn't want to and am asking for restitution.

My car had a check engine light on, then it started jerking and was very hard to move after stops and in low speeds. Had it diagnosed and was told to change two oxygen sensors. Two oxygen sensors were changed but the jerking did not stop. I paid $853. 00 for this service. The check engine light came back on after driving the car for only about 5 miles. Took the car back to the shop and was told that two additional sensors needed to be changed. I paid additional $600 (discounted) for this repair and was told that the ecm on the car is bad and that it needs to be replaced because the vehicle was not shifting correctly in low gear. After I had spent over $1400 to fix the oxygen sensors, I was told to spend additional $5,000 to $6,000 to fix the ecm and the transmission. I called Toyota and was told that the vehicle is out of warranty for both the transmission and the ecm. Toyota knew about this problem but they did not recall the cars that are affected: 2001-2003 Rav4. We don't want to wait till someone gets killed or hurt before we take action.