Automatic Transmission problems of the 2003 Toyota RAV4 - part 2

Upon a recent trip to tennessee, I started noticing the slipping of the transmission during accelerate . After taking the vehicle to a repair shop I was informed that Toyota was aware of the problem and has no plans to help remedy the situation. When ever you try to accelerate it does not want to stay in gear leaving the driver in doubt of weather or not the car stay in gear. It seems the ecm module is defective and is not under any recall even though they are fully aware of it.

Engine light has been on for awhile. I spent 1400 to get it fixed last year so that I can pass emission but still failed and had to get a waiver. On December of 2009, a friend of mine and I was driving and it started to lose its power and started jerking. We immediately parked the car and turned it off. We waited a little while to see if we can get help somewhere but we were in a place where we can't get any cell signal so we decided to turn the car back on and at least try to drive to a place where we can get signal. Car drove ok that day but since then had jerking or shifting problem several hours after first used in the day. I had the ecu changed this year and it cost 1500. It drives better now but now the problem starts during the first use of the car each day. It doesn't happen all the time but it is annoying and might damage my engine more than the old emu had damage it. Also the seat belt on the passenger back seat during the use for the last couple of years(it didn't have much use before 2008) had started snagging to the point that it has unraveled. We found out that the metal loop that the seat belt goes though is very sharp and had caused the seat belt to get shredded.

Around 12/1/2009, I noticed that the automatic transmission seemed to have problems shifting, for example when you would think that the car would shift from 1st to 2nd gear, it would not, or when you were at a stop light and tried to accelerate, car would not move. It was as if the car was in neutral so stepping on the accelerator did nothing but cause a loud "revving" sound. In most cases within a few seconds, it did get into gear and the car did accelerate however when this happened, the car would jerk sharply. Within a few days the problem was occurring alot (at every stop, every time the car needed to shift between 1st and 2nd gear or 2nd and 3rd) so I stopped driving it since I did not feel it was safe, for example, when the car was moving in traffic but then would not shift from 1st to 2nd gear, I could not accelerate and go the posted speed limit. I researched the problem online and spoke to my mechanic and we agreed the car seemed to be exhibiting problems described in a Toyota service bulletin tc002-06 (a problem with the engine control module). As my car had just over 100000 miles, Toyota refused to consider this as covered by warranty so I had to pay to get it done (ended up going to a private shop). Car is better now, though it may also need get the transmission rebuilt as there are still some issues when the car shifts from 1st to 2nd gear or 2nd to 3rd gear.

I own a 2003 rav 4 and recently within the last 4 days the car jerks and does not shift right between second and third and when in first going to second it has a short jerk to the shift. Then the rpms rev up to 5 nearly getting me hit by a diesel on the freeway. I am aware this problem is happening for many people with this car and is a model defect Toyota needs to own up to this problem and fix it. Unfortunately for those who are not under warranty like myself it comes out of pocket how can you guys aka Toyota feel right robbing people like this in a time like now. Somebody needs to answer these complaints!.

I own a 2003 Rav4, after 100k miles the car stalks and will not accelerate in traffic. Had it checked by a mechanic and the ecm is bad. Called Toyota dealer about the ecm recall and they refused to cover for it since it's over the 80k miles.

I own a Rav4 Toyota. Last Thursday my ar started having problems with the transmission, was rough shifting and stalling from in first and second. I took the vehicle in to the dealership, 45 km from home, crossing a major highway the vehicle "kangaroo jumped" over the intersection. The dealership had the vehicle for 3 hours and found nothing wrong with it so I returning home the problem started happening again. When I phoned the dealership back they said they had been calling me to say they had found information that there was a problem etc. And they had ordered the part which would take 2/3 days, then I will have to drive my vehicle back out there on a busy highway. I just wanted to add my concerns to the may you have received regarding the 2003 Rav4. I feel that the Rav4 should be recalled to correct the problem. On reading all the complaints on the e-mail I was surprised that the dealership were not aware of the problem and had to research it.

After accelerating from a stop the vehicle hesitated and then sped up quickly and I almost hit another vehicle. It did that about 4-8 times before I did some research and found it was out of warranty and that Toyota wouldn't fix it, according to my research and Toyota's reluctancy to recall the vehicle.

Transmission problems on 2003 Toyota rav 4.

No prior notice of any problems. All of a sudden vehicle will barely start from stopped position. I drive a 2003 Toyota Rav4. All indication is that the ecm is faulty causing the transmission not to shift correctly. Pulling into or out of traffic with the said vehicle is extremely dangerous.

The first thing I noticed was a hard shift into reverse. Like a lurch. About 2 days later I noticed the shift from 2nd to 3rd was taking longer than it should. On about the 4th day, at a light when stopped, I hit the gas and didn't move. There was a notable hesitation and I nearly was rearended. Finally on about the 5th day, I had the pedal to the floor and was crawling along the road basically. We turned around and parked it, and it has sat ever since, for about 6 months now. We can't afford to fix it and we only half own it.

My Toyota Rav4 2003 had the same transmission problem that I know you have received complaints about. Toyota never recalled or informed any owners of these vehicles and now what I'm reading has happened to my car. This is dangerous and Toyota should be made to notify all owners. All of a sudden my car started to not accelerate and buck forward. I almost got into an accident, almost rear ended because the car was not accelerating. We took it to our mechanic and were told we needed a transmission, had the transmission replaced and then it was doing the same thing. Upon further investigation the mechanic found out that it was the ecm and that was replaced and now is fine. Toyota should be notifying all customers, if you were on the highway you would be killed if this started to act up!!! they should be made to be responsible for the cost everyone has encountered. If notified I would have been on the lookout for this and probably would have only had to pay for the ecm. I was without my car for over 3 weeks. This should be a safety recall.

Transmission is hesitating, jerking, stalling, loss of power, and rpm's racing in lower gears of my 2003 Rav4 - automatic transmission.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota rav 4. While traveling 10 mph, the contact attempted to accelerate yet the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact had the transmission and engine control module was replaced, however the failure persisted. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000 and the current mileage was 146,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 30 mph he engaged the accelerator pedal and it took a few seconds before the vehicle would accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who advised him that the transmission needed to be replaced and that the ecm card needed reprogramming. The failure started in June 2009. The vehicle was not repaired and the vehicle was not drivable. The failure and current mileages were 73,000. Updated 2/28/11 updated 03/07/11.

Around early March after several prior repairs from Dec. 08-Feb. 09 my Toyota rav 4 starts driving really rough, won't accelerate, then lurches you forward, etc. Huge safety issue. You go to accelerate and someone is behind you and you literally cannot get the car to go, then it finally shoots you forward. I immediately called the service advisor at the dealership, they thought it was a catalytic converter problem. I called to get an estimate and mad hatters had the best price. Mad hatters did repair and cleared off codes and car drove fine for 48 hours. On way home from work that Monday evening it drove the worst it ever has, wouldn't allow me to accelerate through an intersection, then shot me forward, the right side of the car started violently shaking. I almost got hit by another car waiting to turn after me and a woman behind me. I prayed I would make it home. Called Toyota took it back to mad hatters at their suggestion. Mad hatters checked and indicated it was a transmission code. We called Toyota to immediately tow it to the dealership. Toyota called and indicate it is the emc and it needs to be replaced immediately, car is not safe to drive. $1300. I researched and there are hundreds of complaints about this problem as well as a old Toyota service bulletin so they know this problem existed. Two weeks later after I got the money together I was able to pick up my car. They replaced the computer module and the car seems to drive fine, although after picking it up I drove for 10 miles and now the engine light is on again. This is a huge problem and I pray it has not destroyed my transmission. Thank god there were no accidents involved.

I became aware of your site after a reading a NY times article about Rav4 transmission problems. Hard shifting and lurching began in my 2003 rav 4 when it was at around 93,000 miles. When I took it in for service, my mechanic informed me that the computer code that was diagnosed indicated serious transmission problems. I researched it on the web and discovered that this was a problem for many rav owners. Since it was out of warranty, I had the work done by a transmission specialist that my mechanic recommended. I paid $1100 for the new ecu and $2400 for a transmission rebuild. Toyota has refused to compensate me for any of the repair work that was done.

Toyota Rav4 2003, two weeks ago I notice a shifting problem with the car, more so from a stop and go motion. I took the car to transmission expert, he said the transmission oil filter needs changing. A day later I noticed the same problem, took the car back. They told me they could not duplicate the problem. A week later I noticed the same problem, I took it back. Now they told me the Toyota Rav4 have a known issue with the computer, that may at this point contributed to problem with the transmission, and if I wanted to fix the problem, I need to replaced the transmission and computer, which can run to thousand of dollars, I don't have that kind of money at this time. My question is if Toyota know this to be an issue why not recall the cars and fix the problem? I have gone to carcomplaint. Com and read many other car owners with the same problems. Those owners paid alot money up front to try to get the problem fix, unfortunately, their cars had high mileage, and out warranty. Something needs to be done, I am for whatever actions needs to be taken against Toyota to fix the problem. Daniel.

Jerking and shifting to the wrong gear. Dealer found out bad transmission . Need to spend $5000. I'm surprise for Toyota product.

I own a 2003 Toyota Rav4, 138000 miles. I purchased this vehicle new in 2003. This car jerks, jumps gears, and suddenly slows which has caused me to come close to having an accident. Now it won't go over 40 and it won't go in reverse. I called continental transmission and have been told they have repaired many Toyota Rav4's for this same problem and it is going to cost me approx $3500. 00. It seems the defective ecu burns up the clutch and other parts of the transmission. Also, when searching on line their are many complaints from other Rav4 owners who are having the same issues so obviously it is not a random problem. This is a safety issue and one of these times someone is going to have a car accident and/or get hurt and hopefully not killed. Toyota has known about this problem and has failed to do a recall. My husband has called Toyota and they have refused to take any responsibility or help compensate in any way. We had believed in Toyota for quality, after this I will not ever consider buying another Toyota. With today's economy in such a financial disaster it is a shame they can get away with this.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. While driving 55 mph, the transmission suddenly began to downshift and upshift on its own. The contact did not notice any differences in the vehicle prior to the failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.

My 2003 Toyota rav-4 with 103,000 miles on it is having severe transmission problems. The car will not shift from 1st to 2nd without lunging, clunking, and hesitating to the point where it hardly moves. Just had the 90,000 mile tune up done and the dealer could not id the problem. After getting the car home it is undrivable-we did not think we would make it to the auto repair shop. They tell me it is a transmission problem-very expensive to fix. I have read that many others are having this same problem. It is dangerous and a clear manuf. Defect that needs to be fixed. My car is now sitting in the shop with no hope of a solution.

Toyota rav-4 has serious transmission problems leading to failure of the transmission. Will not shift from first gear to second in heavy traffic, at intersections etc. Have come close to being hit by on coming traffic on two occasions. Toyota will acknowledge this problem.

I own a 2003 Toyota rav 4, at 140,000 miles the check engine light came on. Was told by Toyota dealership, the car needed a new exhaust system. Had repairs done, light came back on at 160,00 . Dealer says needs need transmission. . Read more...

I have Toyota rav 4 2003 and the transmission is damage.

The following are the events leading up to the failure of my '03 Toyota Rav4: - current mileage: 93k miles - after coming to a full stop at a street light I started to accelerate and noticed my car started to stall. I figured my foot may have slipped off the gas pedal and didn't think much of it. - later that week the stalling worsened and my car would then start to shutter uncontrollably. - this led me to take notice that the stalling/shuttering occurred after my car was warmed up and I had driven about 20 mins. - I brought my car to the Toyota dealership where I purchased this car. - diagnostics tests were performed and I was told my transmission was the cause of the stalling/shuttering. - the technician recommended to replace the entire transmission because "Toyota" recommends to do so instead of finding out what the true cause is. - they proceeded to tell me it would cost me $4,000 to replace which has led me to this point in posting this complaint. - I am not pleased with the service options I was given and was under the impression that Toyota is a dependable car. I've only had this car for 3 years and am very disappointed.

My wife's 2003 Toyota Rav4 has 85000 miles. Several weeks ago it started shifting poorly and eventually would not move easily from rest. We took it to the dealer and were told that the transmission was bad. We could not believe this and took it to a local cottman transmission shop for repair. After 2 weeks and the replacement of many internal parts, mechanical and electrical, we paid $4000 for our car and drove it away. Within 100 miles the same symptoms returned. We had it towed to the cottman transmission shop and were told that the engine control module was defective and they wanted another $1100 to replace it. Whether cottman transmission is being honest or not remains to be seen but we feel that Toyota should have some responsibility in this matter. So far Toyota USA has been unhelpful or unresponsive. I discovered a TSB (tc002-06) that discusses the engine control module. The TSB states that it is part of the emission control system and that replacement will be covered by warranty up until 96 months or 80000 miles. Leaves us out but others may be interested.

Transmission unresponsive at times. Hard shifting in reverse. Hesitates at 1st gear. . .

Hi, I am writing to complain about my 2003 Toyota rav-4. I have experience some troubles with what seems to be the ecm and transmission. I have been in extremely close calls for a major accident because of the transmission malfunctioning while accelerating. The ecm/transmission suddenly downshifts or accelerates out of sequence and it causes the entire vehicle to abruptly jerk in a forward/backward motion. The estimated cost for repairs is well above $4,000 dollars for what does not seem normal for a vehicle that only has 100k miles. In an economy like this, it is difficult for me to obtain that amount of money for repairs. I trusted Toyota for its reliability but after this my thoughts have changed. I am extremely disappointed to be dealing with this frustrating issue. I have read many more complaints on this issue on edmunds. Com under costumer reviews. I wish that Toyota recalls this problem like they have for other models since this problem can be life threatening.

In October 2004, I purchased a 2002 Toyota Rav4 from modern Toyota in winston-salem, north carolina on a six-year payment plan. I also purchased out what was left of the three-year warranty, and a one-year maintenance plan. I have continued to get oil changes and tune-ups at regular intervals. The car is at about 93,000 miles. On Friday, July 18, I was driving to a doctors appointment, and quite suddenly, it began shifting improperly. In the lower gears, it lurched and bucked as if it was having trouble catching. Immediately, I drove to emporia motors, the local Toyota service center. It was about 11 am. Emporia motors was too busy to diagnose the problem by the end of the business day. The car was not drivable and they did not provide me with a loaner, so I had to do without a vehicle over the weekend. On Monday, July 21at at 8:30 am, I was informed that the transaxle/transmission would need to be replaced. The part needed was estimated at $3,450. 00. . Read more...

While coasting down a hill driver began to depress the brakes and there was no brake pressure. Also, driver had difficulty with the vehicle down shifting at anytime.