2002 Toyota RAV4 Automatic Transmission Problems
- 254
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 254 stored complaint records:
- 6 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 17 records
- check engine · 16 records
- automatic transmission · 11 records
- transmission failure · 10 records
- light came · 8 records
- control module · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 117 |
| 100–150k mi | 89 |
| 30–60k mi | 20 |
| 150–400k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Automatic Transmission
I have had my 2002 toyota rav4 since we purchased it from the dealer back in 2002. At about 90,000 miles my transmission had to be replaced. Now at 202,000. Miles my transmission needs to be worked on again. I feel that this problem needs to be addressed as its very dangerous to drive in the freeway and be exposed to your tires locking up. And/or your car not go in gear at a light exposing yourself and your children…
ODI 10343251
Automatic Transmission
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. *tr
ODI 10341506
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10340686
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
2002 toyota rav4 transmission failure. This vehicle has been maintained excellently with all recommended services performed at toyota dealers or authorized facilities. In 2009, toyota sent a recall notice about a "faulty ecm" (electronic control module) and the vehicle was taken in and the ecm was reprogrammed. After this service, the car started shifting erratically and as of june 26, 2010, the transmission…
ODI 10340240
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10340615
Automatic Transmission
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 gear's shifting would not work properly - every shift from 1st…
ODI 10343675
Automatic Transmission · Electronic Stability Control
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. *tr
ODI 10336356
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
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. *tr
ODI 10335830
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10335645
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 rav4 which it almost had my family life taken. Last weekend we were getting in the highway and the car didn't speed up a rollback maneuver his way out luckily the driver acted quick at scene. My vehicle transmission fail to proceed, it wouldn't speed up. We were like baits for the oncoming traffic not knowing if to get out of car or get hit. We were terrified so we all scream. Later the transmission…
ODI 10336041
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10334680
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10336104
Automatic Transmission · Electronic Stability Control
Check engine light came on and transmission jammed. Vehicle towed to nearest dealer. Told it was ecm problem and repair cost was $1440.94. *tr
ODI 10348065
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10335166
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2002 toyota rav-4. I have taken proper car of the car, like oil changes, tune-ups, the whole nine yards. Except recently the transmission in the car has failed. It just recently started happening and i don't understand how this issue has come about. I am almost at 102k miles on my car. I was almost hit by another suv due to the transmission failing. I have recently found articles by usa today and cbs5…
ODI 10333860
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
I have a 2002 rav4 i purchased used in may 2010 for $9,000. A few days after purchasing it, the transmission started slipping. Almost had numerous accidents when needing to accelerate when pulling out into a busy road and the transmission failed to get out of 2nd gear into 3rd gear. Had the transmission replaced/rebuilt for $3,500, the ecm flashed for $265, 3 new oxygen sensors put in for $900. Now the car is still…
ODI 10361645
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota rav4. The contact stated while driving at 40 mph and attempting to accelerate onto the highway, the vehicle would not respond and began decelerating. The contact was advised by both an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer that the transmission was failing. The failure and current mileages were 60,450. Updated 07/26/10. *lj updated 08/03/10*jb
ODI 10336169
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
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…
1 injury
ODI 10341512
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota rav4. While entering a busy highway at speeds of less than 5 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle would not shift gears and within moments, the failure seemed to correct itself but became progressively worse as he continued to drive. The manufacturer advised the contact that there was a technical service bulletin that addressed the failure and would not provide any…
ODI 10329047
Automatic Transmission
2002 toyota rav 4 transmission slips and jerks at odd times. Especially though, when trying to merge or pass in traffic. *tr
ODI 10328874
Automatic Transmission
Automatic transmission on a 2002 toyota rav4 suv began slipping and shifting hard. Took it to trusted garage and they determined that transmission had failed and was unsafe to drive. It had to be replaced. In researching the vehicle and the model's service history for recalls and service bulletins they determined that the transmission involved was only used for 16 months by toyota before it was replaced because of…
ODI 10330506
Automatic Transmission
While trying to merge on an interstate, the rav4 would not shift gears and would hang for a moment. Emergency maneuvers had to be made to avoid getting rammed by a semi-truck. After pulling over and checking the car, although there was now a cel, it did not seem like anything was wrong until i shifted from park to drive. The transmission made a clunking noise. Driving home, the car would not shift properly. Without…
ODI 10328178
Automatic Transmission
When pulling into traffic transmission slipped and car stopped in middle of intersection. *tr
ODI 10327945
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10327528
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10328258