Noises During Shifting problems of the 2003 Toyota RAV4

I was driving my 2003 Toyota Rav4 and attempted to merge into another lane when I experienced a very hard shift from the transmission causing the vehicle to stall with a reving engine noise and avoided being rear ended by a truck. I purchased my Rav4 brand new in 2003 to accomodate my disability needs and only have 82,000 miles. I checked with my mechanic today and he looked up the Toyota recall on these Rav4 transmission failures and not once did Toyota inform me about the recall. How is disabled individual on fixed income to afford $3000. 00 for a transmission on a well maintained Toyota with only 82,000 miles. I wish Toyota would show some empathy to accommodate an individual whose sole purpose of a brand new Rav4 would fulfill his daily physical challenges in life and now left with a Toyota with 82,000 miles in need of a transmission. This Rav4 is no longer safe to be driven given its nature of safety concerns.

2003 Toyota rav 4. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure. The consumer stated on may 14, 2013, the vehicle did not respond, when she applied the accelerator pedal. When she attempted to shift gears, a loud noise emitted from the vehicle, and the check engine light illuminated. The consumer was informed, the vehicle needed a transmission computer.

On or about may 5, 2013 I noticed my car started to hard shift, though I was driving as usual. The problem happens off and on and is most noticeable when waiting at a stop sign, red light or drive thru at a restaurant. The shift jolt is most noticeable when needing to accelerate or shifting into drive--it doesn't happen when I go into reverse. The shift jolt sometimes is accompanied by a thud noise. On may 7, 2013 I contacted Toyota headquarters and discuss this with a customer service representative at 1-800-331-4331. She transferred me to a rude and cantankerous woman who seemed to have heard the story before. She stated I need to go to a dealership and get a diagnostic, which costs $100 in my area. She then stated that if any of the following codes appear: codes:  p0750, p0753, p0755, p0758 or p0760 that I would need to replace ecm module first, if still problem the faulty module could've messed up the transmission. She conceded that Toyota issued a bulletin to the dealerships and apparently it is a widespread problem. At some point I received a Toyota internal case number. She said there was nothing she could do for me as I am not under warranty. I have 188,000+ miles on my car and apparently if it is not under 150,000 mile warranty. I take very good care of my car and it is not my fault the problem did not appear within a randomly selected mileage they chose. Toyota admitted they knew of the problem and they are liable for any manufacturer's defect of the ecm/transmission. I request your assistance in getting my car repaired for free as it is Toyota's faulty/defective part that is now causing my car problems. The consumer stated after getting the repairs done, Toyota refused to reimburse her for the repairs. They wouldn't even consider partial payment. Even though, a customer service representative initially told her she would need to get the repairs done and ten Toyota would reimburse her. Updated 12/16/13.

Trouble with harsh automatic transmission shifting - delays - clunks - noise. Dealer says 99% sure trouble is ecm hence the ecm and transmission need replacement . Toyota canada denies any knowledge of the goodwill warranty on the phone - even after checking with a manager. And says it is only a USA issue even thought the dealer readily acknowledges an wab #### service bulletin. The dealer says I will have to subpoena the service advisory through a lawyer to get the information that Toyota canada says they do not seem to know about? (in 2013!!!) the dealer says I am 2 months past their secret deadline in the secret goodwill warranty so Toyota denies responsibility. Feels like very shoddy customer relations that I feel will cost Toyota far more than their actual minuscule cost (<$200 their cost?) to replace with a proper ecu - engine control unit before the transmission is damaged beyond repair! they claim that they cannot test the ecu units and do not know which ones are bad until the customer (like me) comes in needing many thousands of dollars in repairs. Ok go ahead and wait but at least warn the customer to watch for issues and have it checked if any issues arise right away. - not wash their hands after a secret time line passes how convenient for them! this is a ludicrous situation. Less that 90,000 miles and Toyota has the gall to tell me to pay them to fix a part they acknowledge is defective and then pay an extra lump of thousands of dollars for the transmission they themselves say is 99% certain to have been caused by the faulty ecu problem for good measure! have you no shame Toyota canada, or is it too much fun rolling around in a pile of my money? - the canadian border should not be something a giant elephant of a company should be allowed to hide behind in my humble opinion. The way Toyota canada is handling this issue is a major fail for Toyota!.

Was slightly skipping gears. Was taken to dealership. Was told that if it was the ecm, the engine light would have come on, it did not. Was told that it was the transmission, hard to believe as there were no noise except the rpms. They recommend transmission replacement and transmission computer est. $5512,00 +tax. 2003 Rav4 should of at least go beyond 10 years without any mayor repairs. I told them no. Do not start work on it, I will pick it up this evening. About 4:45pm I arrived at the dealership to pick up the SUV and noticed that it was much worst than when I dropped it off. Luckily my wife was behind me to slow traffic in order for me to get our SUV back in our garage before anything happens especially during traffic hours. The gears and the loud transmission shift could now be heard. That did not happen before then. Going up hills now it took its time. Have to put it reverse so that I can get it in straight into the garage and boom, then I heard like coil springs popping. I put it back on drive and was able to get into the garage. Toyota knew about this problem a long time ago and failed to notify us. Bennet Toyota @2300 hanover avenue @ (610)437-6711, did not even want to talk to me. They must have done something to the transmission when I told them no. Because now it is 99% failing compare to when I took it when I noticed the safety hazards/ and the noises when I shift gear from drive to reverse. Now I hear big thumps when I shift and coils springing. The Rav4 is automatic by the way. Hope you can help with this. Just remember, Toyota new about this. P. S. Almost hit a little girl on a bike the same day.