2003 Toyota RAV4 Power Train Problems
- 97
- 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 97 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 14 records
- check engine · 13 records
- needed replaced · 11 records
- extended warranty · 10 records
- engine light · 10 records
- independent mechanic · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 39 |
| 100–150k mi | 36 |
| 150–400k mi | 6 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Hi i own a toyota rav4 2003 since 2009 this is a serious safety issue. I am asking the nhtsa to order a recall to have toyota fix this problem before someone gets killed or seriously injured. The problem is that the car often does not accelerate as it should. When headed up and accelerating from a stop, the car sputters before jerking into gear and accelerating. And then about 5-8 seconds later the car would jolt…
ODI 10552175
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
2003 rav4 with automatic transmission started having trouble accelerating from a stop. There seemed to be hardly any power when the gas pedal was pressed, and then about 5-8 seconds later the car would jolt into gear. This problem would happen also when increasing speed, or any time the gas pedal was pressed down. The car was taken to an auto shop where they said the transmission was broken and needed to be…
ODI 10548647
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
I purchased the rav4 in late july, 2013. The rav4 had 78,000 miles on the odometer. I paid $9,000+ for the rav4. At 80,000 miles the automatic transmission began having shifting problems such as jerking between gears, very sluggish response during acceleration and horrendous gas mileage. I get about 8 miles per gallon. Took it to the dealer, they ran diagnostics on my car and discovered that the problems fall…
ODI 10546218
Power Train
Takata recall transmission slips when put in gear and when accerating
ODI 11124331
Engine · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle was jerking violently as the check engine warning light illuminated. The check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer and the power transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
ODI 10536307
Power Train
I started experiencing a transmission shifting problem on 7/2/13. It has been intermittent since that date. On 7/10/13 the problem became more pronounced and frequent. When proceeding forward from a stop the vehicle would start to advance, then shift out of gear. It has resulted in near miss rearend and side crashes. I made an appointment with my mechanic for 7/15/13. Diagnostic testing showed the problem to be a…
ODI 10525140
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
The car would engage 2nd and 3rd gears at the same time causing temporary lock up of the rear wheels and loss of control. Found out about a tsb and class action suite regarding this issue affecting the ecu while researching the problem. Contacted toyota regarding the issue and they informed me that my 2003 rav4 was not covered because it had been put in service june of 2003. I am appalled this is not a recall as it…
ODI 10522762
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav 4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, transmission failed. The failure recurred several times and without warning. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic twice, who diagnosed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,597.
ODI 10556319
Power Train
2003 toyota rav 4. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure. *smd 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.
ODI 10564119
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Power Train
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…
ODI 10513658
Power Train
2003 toyota rav 4. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure. *smd the consumer learned toyota knew there was an issue and extended the warranty on the transmission to 10 years/150,000 miles in 2006. The consumer had a 110,000 miles on his vehicle, but was five months over the extended warranty. The consumer stated it cost $800 plus tax, to locate the problem and would cost $4,000 to replace the…
ODI 10510077
Power Train
I purchased my veh in jan 2003.next day, i noticed my veh was not able to drive uphill. At 50k miles in 2010, i went to dealer with a recall letter. My complaint:cust having difficulty driving uphill-won't accel-get stuck at 45-50 mph. Veh is shifting harsh & cust stated that she is having problems with trans.cust thinks that this is part of the ztl letter she got in mail. Their response was:test drove veh &…
ODI 10512475
Power Train
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…
ODI 10496683
Power Train
We purchased our rav 4 as a certified used car from folwer toyota inc. 955 north interstate norman oklahoma january 2005. We were told the certified used car included a 160-point quality inspection, certifying the car is in good working order. The dealer never told us about the problem with the transmission computer and they never transferred the name of ownership to toyota, inc. In december of last year we began to…
ODI 10498702
Body · Power Train
I backed up in reverse and then put 2003 rav [redacted] expecting to go forward when motor began to race and car flew backward over 12-foot high embankment into woods while engine continued racing. Car did not roll over but swung around 130 degrees in a flat area and came to a stop facing a tree 4 feet straight ahead. A second or two later the car then leaped forward into the tree with engine roaring, car continued…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10487933
Power Train
Erratic transmission shifting. This was already complained about on 7/2010. Toyota needs to honor what you told them to do. Transmission/ecm. I want a refund for my out of pocket expense on this issue $995.98. Extended warranty 10 years or 150,000 miles ..updated 01/17/2013 *bf
ODI 10493942
Power Train
My rave4 starting having problem with shifting about 5 years ago but we park it because my mom passed away and i received her car, but i want to get it fix and have been driving it again with only shift problems in first gear!
ODI 10958437
Power Train
Part 3 of 3the salesman encouraged my parents to keep it because they wouldn't get much of a trade in, so i had my rav towed to my house. I called the sm of love lexus to inform him of my problem, to see if there was any recourse from him and to also express that i was completely unsatisfied.i reminded him that i had requested that they test drive on the four lane so they could understand my complaint of the…
ODI 10649183
Power Train
Part 2 of 3 this was at my cost and at that time i expressed my concern that it was an older car and with all these problems occurring, what was his opinion on trading. He didn't show any real interest but did state some have had great longevity and others not so much. After leaving that visit my car still did not shift properly and was still harsh in reverse.within a month or so my check engine light came back on…
ODI 10649179
Power Train
Primary complaint: purposeful deception regarding full benefits of extended warranty of ecm and/or transmission replacement under class action milligan vtoyota.the events leading to my transmission issues began in 7/ 2012. I had problem getting out of my parents steep driveway so i took it to the garage that had been changing my oil in sissonville wv. Upon diagnostics they reported to me a solenoid code which…
ODI 10649174
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle started to shake and stalled without any warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 157,000 and the current mileage was 167,000.
ODI 10477181
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
I own a 2003 toyota rav4. My car was running in good working order, with just over 99,000 miles on it. On may 2nd 2012, i experienced issues with the car's transmission and ecm. The car would rev when i pressed on the gas, but it would not move. Also, when shifting gears, the car would slow to a brake and then there was be a bump or grinding in the gears before the car would proceed to move. This would put me in…
ODI 10458345
Power Train
My 2003 toyota rav 4 started shifting poorly and inconsistently by not shifting to the next gear, slipping in between gears and slamming into gear. There are times when the transmission functions correctly and then there are days when it never does. I am scared to death to drive this car not knowing whether it will be a good day when my rav4 behaves as it should or if its going to leave transmission parts all over…
ODI 10454790
Power Train
This is my wife's primary mode of transportation, she was the one who first noticed the herky/jerky operation of the transmission when she attempted to place it in reverse to back up, she then notified me of the problem. I proceeded to test drive the vehicle the next day, when we were pulling into traffic from a parking lot, it suddenly shuddered between gears and finally settled into the proper gear after i let off…
ODI 10435111
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle started to jerk violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission and computer were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and…
ODI 10434274