Two problems related to transmission not engage have been reported for the 2002 Toyota RAV4. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Toyota RAV4 based on all problems reported for the 2002 RAV4.
Tl the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle felt as if it switched gears independently. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the transmission failed to engage and the vehicle did not proceed forward. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal several times before the transmission finally engaged and the vehicle operated normally. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Transmission/ecm failure. Transmission would "flare" while accelerating. When shifting while accelerating, transmission would not engage and power was not transmitted to wheels. Engine would rev up for 5-10 seconds until transmission would violently engage in next gear. This was particularly dangerous while attempting to cross or merge with traffic, as the vehicle had no ability to accelerate during the event. Symptoms quickly became very regular/repeatable. Vehicle was repaired and the problem was identified as a faulty ecm module and damaged transmission.