Page 2 of 7 · complaints 51–100 of 309

2001 Toyota RAV4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Power Train
Filed Aug 14, 2012200,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXHIBITING BEHAVIORS OF A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN IT WAS AN AUTOMATIC. THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY BEFORE SHIFTING AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 18, 2012137,000 milesGA

APPARENTLY THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED ON THIS AND A CUSTOMER CARE TICKET ISSUED AND A RECALL BUT BEING AS MY CAR IS 11 YEARS OLD AND 137,000 IT FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE PARAMETERS TOYOTA SET OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT WILL COST UPWARDS OF $4000!! I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW A PROBLEM THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE WILL HAPPEN HAS HAPPENED AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 30, 2012150,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE TIRES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CURVES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, NEAR THE ENGINE AND WHEELS, STARTED TO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 21, 201219,000 milesMA

CONVERTER, REPLACED AT 19,000 MILES, WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT BURNT OUT MY SENSORS AND HAD TO PAY FOR THEM. THIS MADE IT THE SECOND CONVERTER FOR THIS VEHICLE REPLACING THE ORIGINAL. 50,000 MILES REPLACED AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY AND HE SENSORS BLEW WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM. NEXT ONE WENT AT 80,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. THIS MADE FOUR IN THIS CAR!! I WAS TOLD ONCE I PURCHASED ONE THE PART WOULD BE COVERED FOR THE REST OF THE TIME I OWNED THE VEHICLE. AGAIN HAD TO PAY FOR THE SENSORS. GUESS WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I DIDN'T PAY FOR THE CONVERTER ?!?!?!? TRANSMISSION WENT AT 105,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT WAS ONE YEAR BEFORE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND I PAID $5000. FOR TRANSMISSION. OF COURSE NO NOTICE WENT AROUND SAYING THEY WOULD REIMBURSE IF YOU PAID FOR IT, ONLY FOUND THAT OUT WHEN I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CONVERTER AT 130,000 MILES PLUS SENSORS! WHEN I CALLED OF COURSE THEY SAID THAT CONVERTER IS ONLY GOOD FOR ONE YEAR! I WAS TOLD THE PART WAS COVERED FOR LIFETIME! THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME A COPY OF THE TRANSCRIPT AT THE TIME NOR NOW. I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT BY TOYOTA AS THEY CHARGE DOUBLE!! I FOUGHT FOR TWO WEEKS ON THE PHONE WITH THEM AND FINALLY THEY TOLD ME I WAS RIGHT THAT IT WAS LIFETIME AND THEY WOULD CALL THE DEALER. WELL THEY CALLED THE DEALER AND CALLED ME BACK IN HALF HOUR AND SAID IT WASN'T AGAIN! THEN I WAS TOLD WHEN I DEMANDED A SUPERVISOR THERE IS NO MANAGER ON DUTY AT THEIR CORPORATE HEAD

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 16, 2012120 milesMN

STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS, ACCELERATING. *JS

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 5, 2012109,008 milesWA

MY VEHICLE HAS BEGUN EXPERIENCING HARSH SHIFTING. IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY AND IT WILL JUMP FORWARD AT TIMES. THIS IS A REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 RAV 4. I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THERE WAS THE POSSIBILITY OF COMPENSATION AFTER ONE HAS THIS FIXED. AS ONE A PERSON WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS OUT OF POCKET THAT IS NOT A LOT OF HELP. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 5, 2012120,000 milesCA

WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING, THE ENGINE JUMPS AND FAILS TO CHANGE GEARS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN SITUATIONS WHERE ONE MUST GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER CARS (GENERALLY EVERY TIME DRIVING). WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE INTERNAL ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 7, 2012NV

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE CAR STALLS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT HOLD ON TO A GEAR AND WHEN A GEAR IS FINALLY ENGAGED, THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY FORWARD. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING; I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HIT BECAUSE I STALL IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. TRYING TO ENTER A FAST PACED ROAD IS HIGHLY RISKING THE CHANCE OF BEING READ ENDED, AND AT TIMES I WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT ONLY TO CRAWL INTO THE INTERSECTION AND SIT IN HORROR. SOMETIMES HIGHER GEAR WOULD JUDDER THE CAR. APPARENTLY TOYOTA KNOWS THE ECM IS FAULTY AND DAMAGES THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE ACTIONS THEY TOOK ON THIS MATTER WERE TOO LATE AND BARELY CARING. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DANGER. I HAD TO COME INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO LEARN AND BY THEN MY CAR IS ALREADY OUT OF WARRANTY AND MY CAR IS IN NO WORKING ORDER. NO PROPER STEPS WERE TAKEN TO WARN DRIVERS OF THIS HAZARD. THE WARRANTY THEY PROVIDE IS INCAPABLE AND RESTRICTIVE OF ADDRESSING THE FAULTY ECM THAT WILL INEVITABLY PUT UNWARY DRIVERS IN DANGER. I AM STILL TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS MATTER BUT TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES INSIST I PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A DEFECT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED BY A RECALL YEARS AGO. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 14, 2011115,807 milesCA

THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING AND JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR WHILE IN LOW GEAR AND SHIFTING FROM A LOW SPEED. I BECAME AWARE OF THE ECM PROBLEM KNOWN TO OCCUR IN MY MAKE AND MODEL OF TOYOTA UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER, I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS TEN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE (I PURCHASED MY CAR 11 YEARS AGO) DESPITE THE FACT IT IS KNOWN THAT THE ECM, THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION, IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TOYOTA CANNOT ETHICALLY COVER THIS KNOWING IT IS DEFECTIVE AND IS PROBABLE TO CAUSE OWNERS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, REGARDLESS IF IT'S 8, 10, OR 12 YEARS DOWN THE LINE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 13, 2011115,790 milesCA

THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING AND JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR WHILE IN LOW GEAR AND SHIFTING FROM A LOW SPEED. I BECAME AWARE OF THE ECM PROBLEM KNOWN TO OCCUR IN MY MAKE AND MODEL OF TOYOTA UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER, I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS TEN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE (I PURCHASED MY CAR 11 YEARS AGO) DESPITE THE FACT IT IS KNOWN THAT THE ECM, THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION, IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TOYOTA CANNOT ETHICALLY COVER THIS KNOWING IT IS DEFECTIVE AND IS PROBABLE TO CAUSE OWNERS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, REGARDLESS IF IT'S 8, 10, OR 12 YEARS DOWN THE LINE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 1, 2011MI

MY VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING HARSH SHIFTING AND HARD ENGAGEMENT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED TOYOTA RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS FAR BACK AS 2006 IN THE 2001-2003 MODELS. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS AND 150, 000 MILES. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS 6 MONTHS BEYOND THE DATE (ONLY 103,000 MILES). I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, I DISCOVERED THAT OWNERS HAD ISSUES WITH THE REPLACED EMC UNIT WITHIN 2 YEARS-CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE OR REPEATED ECM FAILURE. I QUESTIONED TOYOTA AS TO WHY THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. THEY COULDN'T TELL ME. IF IT HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUE, TOYOTA WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND NOT ME. IN ADDITION, HOW DO I KNOW THAT ONCE I HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED TODAY, THAT I WON'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE OR WORSE IN 2 YEARS--LIKE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS? TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THIS A RECALL ISSUE--ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 9, 2011WY

FAILED TO SPEED UP WHEN I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 18, 2011132,000 milesTX

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE/FAILURE DID NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AN ON-RAMP. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 10, 2011130,000 milesWA

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING AND SOMETIMES STARTS IN 3RD GEAR INSTEAD OF 1ST. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK AGO, SIMILAR TO WHEN SHIFTING PROBLEMS BEGAN. *KB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 201181,000 milesFL

WE RECEIVED A LETTER LAST YEAR FROM TOYOTA NOTIFYING US ABOUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON A PART THAT THEY EXPECTED TO MALFUNCTION, THE ECM - SOMETHING TO DO WITH TRANSAXLE AND A HARSH SHIFT CONDITION. WE WERE NOT CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM, SO WE DID AS THE DOCUMENT RECOMMENDED AND FILED IT. LAST WEEK OUT OF NO WHERE, WE STARTED EXPERIENCING THIS HARSH SHIFT CONDITION. THE CAR STALLED OUT WHEN WE ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AND THEN JERKS INTO GEAR QUICKLY AND ON TRAFFIC FILLED ROADS, DANGEROUSLY. WE PROMPTLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AS NEEDING THAT PART REPLACED. THEN THEY TOLD US SORRY, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED DECEMBER 2010. TWO MONTHS AFTER WE'D RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. I AM UNEMPLOYED, WE ARE A ONE CAR FAMILY AND NOW WE HAVE A VEHICLE WE CAN'T DRIVE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THROUGH NO FAULT OF OUR OWN AND BECAUSE OF THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY INSTEAD OF A PROPER RECALL TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MALFUNCTION OF THEIR PRODUCT WHICH COULD CAUSE HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, SO NOW DUE TO TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, MY HUSBAND'S JOB AND OUR ONE SOURCE OF INCOME IS AT STAKE. TOYOTA HAS PUT MY FAMILY IN A BAD SITUATION AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WANT THE ECM RECALLED AND FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 2011151,000 milesOR

I HAVE A 2011 RAV 4 WITH 151,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED WHEN I GOT MY OIL CHANGED IN EARLY JUNE OF 2011. MY TRANSMISSION STARTING "JUMPING" IN EARLY AUGUST OF 2011 WHEN IN ALMOST ANY GEAR. THE PROBLEM CAME ON VERY SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. THE DAY IT HAPPENED, I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO HAS DONE ALL OF MY SERVICING AND ASKED IF IT COULD HAVE POSSIBLY HAD TO DO WITH THE FLUSHING OF THE SYSTEM TWO MONTHS PRIOR AND IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS SORT OF PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FLUSHING AND NO, THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF. I WAS REFERRED OVER TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT REBUILDS TRANSMISSIONS AND GOT IT INTO THE SHOP THAT VERY NEXT MORNING. THE SHOP REBUILT MY TRANSMISSION AND CHARGED ME OVER $3000 TO DO SO. WHEN I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP AND DROVE IT, IT JUMPED WHEN ONLY DRIVEN HALF OF A BLOCK. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP OWNER SUGGESTED I DRIVE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND TAKE IT FROM ZERO TO 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I DID SO BUT TWO DAYS LATER, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING SEEING THAT I AM FIVE MONTHS PREGNANT, AND IT ALSO BEGAN TO JUMP AGAIN, IN ALMOST ANY GEAR AFTER IT FINALLY ACCELERATED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND AFTER THREE DAYS, THEY DETERMINED THAT IT MUST BE THE ECM. THEY REPLACED THIS FOR ME AND CHARGED ME ANOTHER $600 TO DO SO. ONCE AGAIN, WHEN I PICKED M

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 11, 201160,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND AND A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ..UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THERE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN ONGOING HARSH SHIFT. AT TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN ONGOING SLUGGISH/SLIP. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL WEAR AND TEAR MALFUNCTION. THE FLUID WAS VERY DIRTY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. UPDATED 12/30/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 10, 2011IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 8, 2011119,000 milesKY

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. I CALLED TOYOTA WHO TOLD ME THAT I HAD THIS PART REPLACED IN 2007 UNDER A RECALL AND ONLY ONE TO A CUSTOMER. I ALSO HAD MISSED THE 10 YEARS TIME LIMIT, (FROM ORIGINAL USE DATE), BY A FEW MONTHS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF TOYOTA KNOW THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE THAT THE COMPANY SHOULDN'T HAVE REPLACED MY ECM WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LIMIT OF ONE ECM. ESPECIALLY SINCE THE REPLACED ECM WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. I'M HAVING TO SPEND ABOUT $1100 FOR A PART THAT TOYOTA KNOWS IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2011113,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 27, 201174,770 milesFL

I AM WRITING BECAUSE I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA RAV 4 THAT STARTED ACTING UP A FEW WEEKS AGO. IT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN ACCELERATING IT WOULD MAKE A STRANGE SOUND AND INSTEAD OF MOVING IT SEEMED TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN IT WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN START JERKING. I GOT SCARED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE WHEN I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE FOR EXAMPLE: WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD NOT MOVE DUE TO THIS SHIFTING PROBLEM I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 6 & 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR WITH ME!! I TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER 2 YEARS AGO BECAUSE I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM THEM DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT HAD BEEN TURNED ON FOR A WHILE AND INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS STATED ON RECALL NOTICE, THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD PAY TO HAVE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL REPAIRED. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS THERE FOR THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BUT THEY NEVER DID!! I DIDN'T GO BACK BECAUSE I FELT THAT THEY WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ME BECAUSE INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEM WHICH TOYOTA SENT RECALLS FOR, THEY DIDN'T. NOW 2 YEARS LATER, I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND I FIND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM MY CAR IS HAVING IS DUE TO NEEDING A NEW ECM/ECU. THE TOYOTA GUY SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $1,000 JUST FOR THIS PART! AND IF THAT DIDN'T WORK THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. HERE'S THE THING: TOYOTA HAS KNOWN THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE ECU FOR A LONG TIME AND THEY KNOW THAT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ECU THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY BE DAMAGED.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 21, 2011102,000 milesVA

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THEN SOMETHING SUDDENLY "KICKS IN" AND THE TRUCK WILL GO- NEARLY BEEN REAR-ENDED NUMEROUS TIMES- THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE- TOLD IT'S GOING TO BE A $4,000 TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT- ONLY 102K MILES, LIKE NEW. ALSO, AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WON'T ACCELERATE AND PEOPLE GET TICKED AND NEED TO PASS AND CAN'T- NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS- ADD THIS. UNACCEPTABLE FOR TOYOTA. *KB

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 14, 2011130,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOULDER STRAP FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS FRAYED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 5, 2011169,000 milesCA

I NOTICED VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING OR GOING INTO PROPER GEAR. I WAS ALARMED WHEN I COULDN'T PICK UP SPEED TURNING LEFT. ENGINE LIGHT LIT WHEN I GOT HOME. I SPOKE TO TOYOTA TODAY ABOUT THE KNOWN ECU ISSUE WITH 2001-2003 RAV4S. MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN 2007 WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE NOW SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA NOT ADDRESSING THE ECU/ECM ISSUE TO A SATISFACTORY MANNER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD SHOW MORE CONCERN OVER. *KB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 3, 2011160,000 milesNE

STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOSTLY AFTER I HAVE COME TO COMPLETE STOP AND TRY TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL START TO MOVE AND THEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT AND IT STOPS ACCELERATING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO YEARS. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO NEEDING NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH I FOUND OUT LATER HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE IN 2005. AFTER SEARCHING FOR INFO ONLINE I FOUND OUT ABOUT SAFETY RECALL FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM), THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW OFF, BUT TRANSMISSION IS BAD. AND TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR RUINED TRANSMISSION. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 8, 2011TX

MY 18 YEAR OLD HAS A 2001 RAVE 4 THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE ECU HAS TRASHED THE TRANSMISSION SO NOW SHE NEEDS BOTH TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MOST LIKELY NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW TO CONTACT THIS AGENCY OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY NOW. PLEASE REFER TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN MARCH 3, 2006. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE! THIS PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSE OF POWER OR STALLING OF THE VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ECU /TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 6, 2011136,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO EXHIBIT SEVERE HESITATION IN A JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, ECM MODULE AND A FAULTY TRANS AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THERE WAS A PRIOR VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER PERTAINING TO THE ECM MODULE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED IN JANUARY 2011 AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 28, 201185,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HIS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALSO PREVIOUSLY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 2011145,000 milesMN

THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN A PUBLIC PARKING RAMP. THE FAILURE CAUSED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED BY VERY HARD SHIFTING FROM 1ST GEAR TO 3RD GEAR WITH SURGES DURING ACCELERATION. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 6, 2011108,000 milesNJ

I OWN A REGULARLY SERVICED AND WELL MAINTAINED 108,000 MILE 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH A TRANSMISSION CONCERN. CAR UPON ACCELERATION WILL NOT RESPOND, REVS, SLIPS AND LUNGES INTO GEAR. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. TWO INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS HAVE INSPECTED THIS VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE PROBLEM THEY DIAGNOSE IS A COMPUTER PROBLEM WHICH IS MALFUNCTIONING COMMUNICATION TO THE TRANSMISSION. THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED NOT REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION BUT FOCUS ON THE CAR'S COMPUTER. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FINDS NO COMPUTER CODES ON THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEM WHATSOEVER WITH THIS VEHICLE. TOYOTA CASE MANAGER AND DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER STATES TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH ALL THE SAFETY CONCERNS MENTIONED UNTIL A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES A COMPUTER PROBLEM. TOYOTA SERVICEMAN RODE IN VEHICLE WITH THIS OWNER AND FELT THE ABOVE MENTIONED SAFETY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND REPORTED IT BACK TO THE MANAGER. NO REPAIR WORK WAS RECOMMENDED BECAUSE THE COMPUTER CODES DID NOT COMMUNICATE A PROBLEM. OTHER THAN THE SERVICE TECH WHO DROVE IN THIS VEHICLE AND FELT FIRST HAND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND NOT RESPONDING, TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGES THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER COMMUNICATING INFORMATION TO THE TRANSMISSION ON MANY 2001 RAV4 VEHICLES HAVE PROVEN TO MALFUNCTION ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S OWN SERVICE BULLETIN. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH A MALFUNCTIONING COMPUTER HAS LED TO MANY TRANSMISSIONS BEING DAMAGED IN TOYOTA VEHICLES. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO. I AM ALS

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 28, 2011183,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER THE CONTACT ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 193,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 17, 2011150,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE CROSS MEMBER COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. IN ADDITION, PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AND FORWARDED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO SAFETY RISKS. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 10, 2011129,493 milesAZ

FAULTY SHIFTING IN 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 RELATED TO THE ECM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND ALMOST COME TO A STOP WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. ECM WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAULTY SHIFTING STILL OCCURS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD, IT HAS LESS THAN 130,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO THE ECM AND ITS POOR DESIGN DESPITE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR EXACTLY THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS ON THE INTERNET FROM RAV4 OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 10, 2011158,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS WHILE DRIVING. ONCE SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 24, 2011187,000 milesMO

BEGINNING IN JAN. 2010 THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 SUDDENLY BEGAN SHIFTING ERRATICALLY. JUST AFTER ENTERING I-35 IT DOWNSHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE TO I'M GUESSING SECOND GEAR. THIS SUDDEN DECELERATION NEARLY GOT ME REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. IT ALSO DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. I AM ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ECM THAT CAUSED IT MUST NOW BE REPLACED, @ A COST OF $4200. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS SO ERRATIC YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL GO INTO GEAR AND IF IT DOES, WHAT GEAR AND IT SHIFTS SO ERRATICALLY IT'S LIKE RIDING A BUCKING HORSE. JUST GETTING IT THE THREE MILES TO THE SHOP WAS TAKING MY LIFE IN MY HANDS. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. BEING OF LIMITED MEANS, I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE CAR YET. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 21, 201184,717 milesNC

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FIRST FAILED & WAS REPLACED 6/6/06. ECM REPLACED 2ND TIME UNDER OPEN RECALL 10/25/07. UNDER ENHANCED WARRANTY PROGRAM, ECM & TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3RD TIME AFTER 3 MONTH REPAIR TIME 12/21/10. VEHICLE TRAVELED 300 MILES WHEN ECM & TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP FOR 4TH REPAIR TO ECM & TRANSMISSION ON 12/21/10. TO DATE (2/22/11) VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP AWAITING PARTS TO REPAIR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUR OF SERVICE APPROACHING 5 MONTHS. WE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE TOYOTA CAN SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE ARISES WHEN HARSH SHIFT CONDITION OCCURS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AS IT SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, CREATING POSSIBILITY OF REAR-END COLLISION.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 11, 2011112,000 milesIL

2001 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD AND INTO INAPPROPRIATE GEARS. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING INTO A HIGHER GEAR AS IT NORMALLY DID. NOW IT HESITATES BETWEEN GEARS (NEUTRAL) AND THEN RANDOMLY SHIFTS INTO A LOWER OR HIGHER GEAR OFTEN JUMPING FROM GEAR TO GEAR UNTIL SETTLING INTO THE PROPER GEAR. THIS BEHAVIOR JUST BEGAN WITH 112K MILES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 6, 201193,722 milesNH

FRONT DISK BRAKE ROTOR BROKE WHERE IT MOUNTS TO STEEL WHEEL RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL. UPON TAKING TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, FRONT DISK ROTOR WAS REMOVED AND SHOWED STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATION FROM ROTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS 2001 VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS WHICH TOYOTA DID A RECALL ON IN 2000. THE FRONT DISK ROTORS WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD NEVER BEEN MACHINED.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 15, 201158,000 milesMA

THE ECM IS TOYOTAS 2001-2003 RAV4 CAUSES ROUGH SHIFTING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP FUNCTIONING. THIS MEANS THE CAR CAN AND WILL COME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW THE TRANNY IS NO GOOD AT ALL. THIS IS ALL AFTER RECEIVING A FEW LETTERS FROM TOYOTA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND BRINGING IT IN FOR SERVICE ON THE ECM AFTER I'D ALREADY PAID $1400 TO TOYOTA FOR THE SAME SERVICE. THEY NEVER CHANGED ANYTHING , JUST "REPROGRAMMED " IT. NOW , EVEN WITH TOYOTA SAYING PUBLICLY THAT THEY WILL STAND BY THE VEHICLE ,AFTER CATCHING SO MUCH HEAT FROM THE PUBLIC , THEY STILL DENY ME COVERAGE AS WELL AS REIMBURSEMENT AND THEY EVEN CHARGED ME A STORAGE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEE! THIS ECM PROBLEM HAS BEEN A WELL KNOWN DEFECT SINCE 2006 AND TOYOTA WAS AND FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. YOUR CAR SUDDENLY STOPPING ON THE HIGHWAY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST DANGERS ONE CAN FACE WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE.JUST TO BE CLEAR , THE FIRST TIME THE CAR STOPPED ON ME WAS IN 2006. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ACTED AS IF I WAS OUT OF MY MIND. I PAID , THE $1400 TO THE DEALER FOR A NEW ECM. 2 WEEKS LATER THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN. THE SAID IT WAS MY FAULT. 6 WEEKS AFTER THAT , ( STILL IN 2006) TOYOTA SENT A SERVICE LETTER DESCRIBING THE EXACT PROBLEM I'D PAID FOR BUT I GOT NO REFUND. A MONTH LATER , YUP YOU GUESSED IT.I PAID AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WAS OK AT BEST UNTIL JANUARY 2009 WHEN IT STOPPED YET AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY LIK

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Jan 1, 2011130,000 milesCA

TOYOTA RAV4 2001 SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND THROTTLE SURGE... NO WAY TO STOP CAR WITH BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 27, 2010170,000 milesOH

ENTERING HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID BEING HIT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 24, 201087,900 milesFL

2001 RAV4- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING GEARS AND HAVING PROBLEMS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION A WEEK AGO. THERE WAS NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT BLINKING TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND "THINK IT MIGHT BE THE COMPUTER". WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I ALMOST GOT INTO A ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, SURE ENOUGH THE CAR STARTS JERKING BACK AND FORTH. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHERE THEY TOLD ME THEY RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AS THE ECM (SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE LOOKED INTO), BUT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT AS IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND THE CAR CAME FROM JAPAN TO CANADA THEN TO THE UNITED STATES (SERIOUSLY?). I GUESS TOYOTA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 22, 2010170,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO STUTTER AND THEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 10/12/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 4, 2010127,000 milesMI

2001 TOYOTA RAV4 ECM AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MAY OF 2009. PAID OUT OF POCKET. REPLACEMENT WAS A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BY DEALER (VICTORY TOYOTA IN CANTON, MI) SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 17,000 MILES. PAID OUT OF POCKET AGAIN. NO HELP FROM DEALER OR TOYOTA CORPORATE. FOUND OUT THAT DEALER JUST SWAPPED TRANS, DID NOT ACTUALLY REBUILD TRANS. TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANS SHOP. INDEPENDENT DISCOVERED A WASHER MISSING THAT CAUSED THIRD GEAR TO STRIP (DEFECT IN SECOND TRANS). TRANS REPAIRED, BUT THEN GOT A HARD DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN STOPPING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND P0420 P0430 CODES. INDEPENDENT TRANS SHOP CLEARED CODES, AND TOLD ME THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO HAVE DEALER RE-FLASH ECM. WORKED OK FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS, THEN GOT THE HARD DOWNSHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR AGAIN. TOOK IT TO DEALER. NOW THEY SAY THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WILL SUBMIT FOR RE-IMBURSEMENT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR SECOND TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FIRST ECM AND TRANS FAILING. *TR

Service Brakes, ElectricCrash3 injured
Filed Sep 28, 2010103,400 milesIL

POSSIBLE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 17, 2010180,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN HE DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM IN 2007 BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE VEHICLE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF UPDATED 12/29/10

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 28, 2010154,000 milesMD

ON 06/05/10, MY PERSONAL VEHICLE (2001 TOYOTA RAV4) BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WHICH DEVELOPED INTO "HARSH SHIFTING"; THIS PROBLEM WORSENED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS BUT, DUE TO THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS FAILURE (FROM A KNOWN MALFUNCTION WHICH TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF BUT FAILED TO EVER NOTIFY ME ABOUT) THIS WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED AS A TRANSMISSION-RELATED ISSUE. UPON FINALLY REACHING DANGEROUS LEVELS OF JERKING AND DECELERATING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS, ETC., I FINALLY TOOK THE RAV4 TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY INFORMED ME OF AN ECM "RECALL" RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION -- OF WHICH I HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. THE REPROGRAMMING DID NOT WORK AND THE HARSH SHIFTING WORSENED. I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK ABOUT A WEEK LATER, AT WHICH POINT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER. I DID SO, ONLY TO RECEIVE A NOTICE 3 WEEKS LATER FROM TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS STATING THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT A "HARSH SHIFT" MALFUNCTION RELATED TO THE ECM IN 2001-2003 RAV4 MODELS. HOWEVER, ALL TOYOTA DID WAS EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 150,000 (MY REPAIR WAS DONE AT 154,000) RATHER THAN ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. THIS IS UTTERLY LUDICROUS, AS MY CAR HAD THE POTENTIAL TO JUST SUDDENLY STOP MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. THE ISSUE APPARENTLY DEVELOPED AROUND 06/05/10 AND LED TO THE VEHICLE NEEDING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AS OF 08/21/10. THE HARSH SHIFTING TOOK PLACE OVER SEVERAL WEEKS BETWEEN

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 28, 201089,476 milesOR

I BOUGHT A USED TOYOTA RAV4 IN 2007. LAST WEEK MY ECM (TRANSMISSION) COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED. I GOT THE CAR FIXED BY MY TOYOTA DEALER, BUT FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS THE 3RD ECM COMPUTER REPLACED. MY CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. IT WOULD NOT MOVE. AND IF THE SHIFT IS BUMPED THE SHIFTER WILL MOVE TO ANOTHER RGEAR. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW. WHAT IF IT COMPLETELY STALLS. I COULD SEE ONE COMPUTER BUT 3!!! I WILL NOT BUY TOYOTA AGAIN. AFTER FINDING ARTICLES ON THIS ON THE INTERNET-SEEMS LIKE TOYOTA STILL HAS NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX IT. AND NOW THE QUESTION REMAINS-HOW GOOD IS MY TRANSMISSION AT THIS POINT? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 201096,000 milesWI

DRIVING MY TOYOTA 2001 RAV4 AND IT DECIDES NOT TO SHIFT IN TO GEAR, LEAVING ME TO PULL OVER BARELY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 3, 2010157,292 milesCA

MY RAV4 2001 MOTOR 2.0 HAS HARSH SHIFT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FOR ALMOST ONE MONTH IS PARK. I DO NOT USE BECAUSE ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MI TWO KIDS AND MI WIFE, PLEASE HELP ME I NEED TO REPAIR AND IT COST 1200 DOLLARS. IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. PLEASE STOP BEFORE WILL BE TO LATE. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2001 Toyota RAV4 → · Every RAV4 year → · How the figures are calculated →