2003 Toyota RAV4 Automatic Transmission Problems
- 106
- 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.
What owners report
- transmission problems · 12 records
- engine light · 11 records
- check engine · 9 records
- same problem · 8 records
- transmission problem · 8 records
- first second · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 54 |
| 100–150k mi | 36 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Automatic Transmission
Transmission is hesitating, jerking, stalling, loss of power, and rpm's racing in lower gears of my 2003 rav4 - automatic transmission. *tr
ODI 10279429
Automatic Transmission
From a complete stop, harsh shift/jerk from park to reverse, hesitation and jerking changing gears, most times consistent during entire ride, then ok for a while after adding fluid or flushing tranny fluid. Starts about 10-15 minutes into ride. Started when getting off highway ramp during rush hour. Came to a stop, and gears were not engaging properly on take off, lots of jerking. Car shaking and felt like it was…
ODI 10278627
Automatic Transmission · Engine
Tl* 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.
ODI 10347771
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the computer module for the transmission failed. While driving approximately 45 mph. The vehicle began shaking excessively. There were no related recalls. The warranty expired at 80,000 miles; although, the failure and current mileage was 83,000 the manufacturer agreed to repair the vehicle.
ODI 10302497
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
Tl*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.…
ODI 10365264
Automatic Transmission
My 2003 toyota rav 4 has had the transmission rebuilt twice, the computer replaced, and the solenoids replaced twice. My mechanic once thought the ignition switch was burning up the solenoids. I am at my wits end. I have had the vehicle in the shop six times between june 2009 and october 2009 for the same transmission problem. It shifts fine for about a week, and then the same thing: it becomes unreliable as to…
ODI 10288751
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into first or second gear, and the vehicle would jerk. The vehicle shifts from first to third gear without incident. In addition, the vehicle loses power and jerks when driving in reverse. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the solenoid was diagnosed as the cause of the failure. The failures are…
ODI 10268380
Automatic Transmission
I had a 2003 toyota rav4. On april 24th 2009 i pulled out into traffic and my transmission made my car stall almost causing an accident. That was the first time that my transmission acted it up. The torque converter burned up in it. This is a very serious problem and many people have had the same issue. Toyota needs to do something about. A company on ebay rebuilds the defective ecms told me that toyota has a real…
ODI 10300106
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. While driving between 20-30 mph, the vehicle began jerking, stalling, and slipping out of gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not make any repairs because the check engine light did not illuminate. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the spark plugs could be the cause of the failure. The spark plugs were changed…
ODI 10267746
Automatic Transmission
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.…
ODI 10263885
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10281839
Automatic Transmission · Electronic Stability Control
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…
ODI 10252805
Automatic Transmission
Toyota rav 4, 2003, failed to shift properly in lower gears leading to near rearenders. Looked on a car complaint site and found numerous people with the same problem. The ecm needs to be reflashed at the service centers to prevent transmission failure. Not listed as a recall but a technical problem. I am now having to have both the ecm replaced and the transmission rebuilt. 125000 miles which is better than most…
ODI 10249331
Automatic Transmission
Jerking and shifting to the wrong gear. Dealer found out bad transmission . Need to spend $5000. I'm surprise for toyota product. *tr
ODI 10246475
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10250744
Automatic Transmission
In september 2008, my rav4 suddenly began having shifting problems. I pulled out of a shopping center and in the middle of street the car would not accelerate. It was a very frightening experience as other vehicles ware approaching and as i pressed on the gas peddle nothing happened. The car just idled high then it jolted into gear. I took it to aamco the next day. After further investigation by aamco, they provided…
ODI 10325770
Automatic Transmission
Tl*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.
ODI 10234845
Automatic Transmission
Car wouldn't shift properly. Toyota dealer said i needed a new transmission due to a problem with the solenoid. After internet searching the problem, i asked that the local repair shop replace the computer (much less costly) and the car started working again. An internal memo to dealers stated that this was a common problem on the make/model but the local dealer did not mention such a memo. I only found it after…
ODI 10313428
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10230419
Automatic Transmission
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. *tr
ODI 10231399
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
I have a 2003 toyota rav4, at 86600 miles it appeared my transmission was slipping, when i would pull out in front of anyone it was stall and slip while going into 1st and 2nd gear. (automatic transmission), the dealership (toyota) said it was internal in the transmission so i took it to a transmission place, they said they could not find anything wrong with it. After review the complaints on the internet it seems…
ODI 10229889
Automatic Transmission
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. Started doing more research and found this forum at www.carcomplains.com and discovered there are a lot of rav 4 owners that are having the same problem and toyota is ignoring our cry for…
ODI 10237626
Automatic Transmission
My toyota rav4 wd, 2003, transmission failed in a major intersection and again traveling up a hill. *jb
ODI 10197816
Automatic Transmission
I have toyota rav 4 2003 and the transmission is damage. *tr
ODI 10244174
Automatic Transmission
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…
ODI 10183093