2003 TOYOTA RAV4 Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
325
Complaints Reported
Complaints by Component
POWER TRAIN
161 complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the transmission slipped out of the intended gear. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine would rev before the transmission would jolt into gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Electronic Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Oct 02, 2023
I DRIVE AND THE SLEEP WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THE CAN NOT CHANGE CORRECTLY THE GEAR. *TR
Jun 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE RPMS WOULD REV; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT *DL *JS
Nov 29, 2019
MY TRANSMISSION STARTED RAVING UP AND SHIFTING ALL CRAZY AND TAKEN TO SCAN TO SHOW A SHIFT SELINOID B TOOK TO TRANNY SHOP WHO SAYS IT'S COMPUTER AND SEE SEVERAL POST ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. I AM A GRANDMA AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE HIM AROUND DON'T FEEL SAFE. IT WAS DRIVING DURING THIS TIME IN THE CITY STREETS
Nov 26, 2019
I JUST BOUGHT A ONE OWNER USED 2003 RAVA4 WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES ON IT RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR ALMOST 4MONTHS NOW AND ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO IT STARTED SHIFTING HARD GOING INTO 2ND GEAR, SOMETIMES IT JUMPS/BOUNCES. I LOOKED IT UP AND AM SEEING THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SOME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SAYING IT'S THE EMC. WONDERING IF ANYONE WAS ABLE TO GET ANY HELP AT ALL OUT TOYOTA. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S WHERE EVER MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION & HAVE NO WAY TO CONTACT THEM. THINK IT'S PRETTY CRAZY TO HAVE TO PAY A BUNCH OF MONEY WHEN THERE IS SUCH LOW MILAGE WOULD THINK TOYOTA WOULD FIX IT.
Apr 11, 2019
+ 156 more complaints for this component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
19 complaints
INSPECT AND REPLACE WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT ON FEB 2009, ENGINE ISSUE AGAIN FEB 2012 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON/FLASHING - ESTIMATE $955.98+TAX - FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT $69.95+TAX TECH ROAD TESTED AND FOUND FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS ARE WORN/LOOSE $435.82+TAX (REPAIRS COMPLETED) FEB 2012 BRAKE NOISE ~|~CUSTOMER STATES NOISE WHEN BRAKING ~|~FRONT AND REAR BRAKE INSPECTION DONE AT THIS TIME ~|~INSPECTION ONLY NO CONCERNS FOUND AT THIS TIME (ANOTHER MECHANIC REPLACED ENTIRE FRONT BRAKES SHORTLY AFTER AS THEY WERE FOUND HIGHLY DAMAGED) TRANSMISSION SERVICE ~|~CUSTOMER REQUESTS TRANSMISSION SERVICE W/DIFFERENTIALS ~|~MAINTENANCE ~|~DRAINED AND REFILLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID W/TRANSFER CASE AND DIFFERENTIALS AS NEEDED (LESS THAN YEAR LATER HAD TRANS FLUID AGAIN REPLACED AS CONTINUED ISSUES) NOW IS SEEMINGLY WORSE AND MORE OFTEN. STEP ON GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THEN JERKS FORWARD, LOUD THUNKING SOUND, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS UNKNOWN WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. HAVE NOT BEEN USING VEHICLE VERY MUCH BECAUSE OF IT. IF THIS ISSUE WAS KNOWN ABOUT IN 2006 WHY WAS THIS NEVER REPAIRED BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT IT OR NOTIFY ME OF WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS? *TR
Oct 24, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV4'S ENGINE LIGHT STARTS FLICKERING. THE CAR STARTS HESITATING, EVEN WITH APPLYING MORE GAS. THE CAR THEN LOSES POWER AND CUTS OUT. THE CAR WILL THEN RESTART, BUT CONTINUE TO HESITATE AND CUT OUT THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES OVER THE PAST MONTH. THE DEALER COULD NOT ISOLATE THE PROBLEM AND SIMPLY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE SPARK PLUGS. MY WIFE HAPPENED TO BE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR YESTERDAY WITH MY TWO TODDLERS IN THE CAR WHEN IT CUT OUT AGAIN. *TR
Nov 02, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115000.
Oct 26, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO INCREASE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SENSORS. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THE FAILURE BUT WERE NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,400.
Apr 23, 2010
TOYOTA ISSUED A TECHNICAL ALERT IN 2006 FOR A DEFECTIVE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE IN THEIR 2201-2003 RAV4'S. THE ALERT WAS ONLY SENT TO THE DEALERSHIPS, NOT TO THE CONSUMERS. THIS DEFECT SLOWLY DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION AND WITHOUT WARNING YOUR CAR STALLS LIKE YOUR RUNNING OUT OF GAS. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT TOYOTA REFUSES. I NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE THAT COSTS $1300 NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THAT AND MY TRANSMISSION FOR A TOTAL COST OF $4400. PLEASE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
Jan 09, 2010
+ 14 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
19 complaints
10/28/11 WHILE DRIVING APPROX 25-30 MPH WITHOUT APPLYING THE GAS, THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BRAKING WAS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK RPM REVVED TO 4. MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE THROTTLE WAS OUT A LITTLE AND WHEN HE TOUCHED THE AREA IT SNAPPED BACK. 10/29/11 DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, APPROX 35-40 MPH CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY AND THE CAR WAS AGAIN REVVING WHEN PLACED IN PARK. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND TOUCHED THE AREA OF THE THROTTLE. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY AND I DROVE HOME CAUTIOUSLY. CAR TAKEN TO CERTIFIED TOYOTA GARAGE FOR REPAIRS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS LIT WHEN TAKEN AND SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM AND LUBRICATED CAR AND RETURNED TO US. 11/1/11 OCCURRENCE #3, I DROVE THE CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS THEN DRIVING AT APPROX 35 MPH WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, I COULD FEEL CAR ACCELERATING UNINTENTIONALLY AGAIN. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE PERSONAL EXPERIENCED CAR WHEN STARTED WAS REVVING WITHOUT APPLYING THE GAS. SERVICE FOUND SCRATCHES IN THE COVER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FELT THIS CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO STICK. HOLE WAS CUT IN THE COVER AND CAR RETURNED. 11/5/11 OCCURRENCE # 4, I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CITY CIRCLE AT APPROX 25 MPH THE CAR AGAIN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I GOT OFF THE ROAD, CAR REVVED TO A 5 WHEN PLACED IN PARK. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ON FLAT BED. UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION WAS EXPERIENCED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. CAR LEFT FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Nov 21, 2011
PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HAD I NOT ALREADY HAD MY FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. WITNESS' SAID VEHICLE LURCHED UPWARD JUST BEFORE ACCELERATION. I SLAMMED IT INTO PARK AND CUT ENGINE TO MAKE IT STOP. AFTERWARDS, TRYING TO GET IT HOME, WHEN I TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WOULD SHUTTER AND ALMOST DIE, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND REV ENGINE TO KEEP IT FROM DYING. *TR
Sep 11, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SUDDENLY DECREASE IN SPEED WITHOUT THE CONTACT APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160000.
Aug 10, 2010
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS CAR, A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 -L WHEN HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. HE WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE CAR BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CAR WAS SCHEDULED TO BE BROUGHT IN THE NEXT DAY AFTER THIS EVENT OCCURRED. *TR
Jul 26, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS RESISTANCE WHEN HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND RPMS INCREASED INSTEAD OF THE VEHICLE RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58000.
Jul 07, 2010
+ 14 more complaints for this component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16 complaints
ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS BAD, CAUSING HARSH SHIFTING, FAILURE TO ACCELERATE CORRECTLY, AND RPM'S TO JUMP. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 112,000 MILES ON IT. THE PART IS $800+ OR $1100 FROM DEALER.
Sep 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STOP ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM UNIT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
Sep 03, 2015
ECM FAIL. HEADING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 53 AND MADE A TURN TO GO SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 53 CAR SEEM TO APPLY BRAKES AND GEARS WAS HUNTING WHICH GEAR TO GO IN ALL THE TIME I GIVING IT GAS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ON COMING CARS,, MADE IT HOME, NEXT DAY DROVE CAR AND AS I MADE A RIGHT TURN SAME THING AGAIN WENT BACK HOME AND CALL TOYOTA DEALER THEY SAID IT SOUND LIKE THE TRANMISSION WAS FAILING, GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE ECM HAD FAIL ON THE CAR, I CALL TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1400 AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT PAY OR DISCOUNT ANY OF IT EVEN THEY HAD KNOW ABOUT THE FAIL OF THE UNIT SINCE THE BEGINNING, I PULL THE ECM UNIT MYSELF SENT IT TO BE REPAIR GOT IT BACK AND REINSTALL IT AND CAR WOULD NOT CRANK HAD IT TOW TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID A WIRE HAD TO BE REPLACE, AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP IT RUN GOOD BUT FRONT POWER DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, I CAN LIVE WITHOUT THOSE 2 SYSTEM FOR NOW SINCE I DON:T WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR RIGHT NOW. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE REPLACE THIS SINCE THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO FAIL AT SOME TIME WITH THE 2003 RAV4 BUT NO THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, NO HELP FORM THEM. NO MORE TOYOTAS FOR ME OR MY FAMILY, I AM GOING BACK TO A HONDA FOR SURE. TOTAL COST TO ME WAS $833.05 NOT COUNTING WITHOUT THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS.
Mar 04, 2014
BASICALLY TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY ECM BECAUSE I NOTIFIED THEM 10 AFTER THEIR "EXTENSION" HAD EXPIRED. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I SPENT A WEEK FROM MECHANIC TO MECHANIC, GETTING ESTIMATES. FINALLY SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL AND SUGGESTED I REACH OUT TO TOYOTA. THEY REFUSED TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION BECAUSE THE DELIVERY DATE TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS 8/31/2003. THEY EVEN HAD THE PREVIOUS OWNER ON THEIR DATABASE. MY DAUGHTER PLEADED WITH THE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO AND SHE REFUSED TO EVEN REVIEW THIS AGAIN WITH HIM. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS DECISION AND NEED GUIDANCE AS TO WHAT IS LEGAL. THE DEFECTIVE COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED BY THEM AND SOLD TO THE CONSUMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T THEY BE RESPONSIBLE REGARDLESS OF THE TIMEFRAME THEY SET ON THEIR OWN? IT IS ABSURD TO HAVE THEM ADMIT IT WAS PART OF THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES THAT WERE THEIR FAULT, BUT SINCE I CALLED A WEEK LATER, THEY GOT OFF SCOTT FREE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. *TR
Sep 19, 2013
THE CLIPS SECURING THE ELECTRICAL CONSOLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR GAVE WAY AND FELL INTO THE DOOR, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOW THE CONSOLE IS LOOSE AND KEEPS RIDING UP FROM IT'S POSITION. I'M CONCERNED THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE OR WILL GET WET WHEN DOOR OR WINDOW IS OPENED DURING RAIN, SNOW ETC. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AT A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL CONSOLE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT'S ONE UNIT....NO WAY TO JUST REPLACE THE CLIPS. THE COST OF THE PART ALONE WAS QUOTED AS $514.00, WITH LABOR EXTRA. IF THIS WAS CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART I WOULDN'T MIND, HOWEVER I DID NOTHING TO IT. I JUST HEARD A NOISE AND SOMETHING FELL INTO THE DOOR, THEN SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SO TOYOTA ABSORBS THE COST, NOT ME. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 98,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT HAPPENED AND IT HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR
Oct 13, 2012
+ 11 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
15 complaints
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.
Aug 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPUTER DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Apr 19, 2016
BOUGHT CAR USED AND DIDN'T NOTICE THE SHIFT PROBLEM TIL LATER.SHIFTS HARD FROM 2 TO 3RD GEAR. MANY PEOPLE HAVE ISSUE WITH THIS MOSTLY BEING THE ECM GOING BAD THEN DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH ARE EXPENSIVE FIXES AND BOTH ARE DANGEROUS LEADING TO ACCIDENTS. *TR
Feb 23, 2015
HARSH SHIFTING; AUTOMATIC SHIFTING ERRATIC; LURCHING, ESPECIALLY WHEN STARTING FROM STOP. LOCAL GARAGE SAYS TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT ($3100).
Sep 30, 2014
THIS LETTER IS IN REFERENCE TO AN ISSUE, NAMELY, HARSH SHIFT CONDITION, ON OUR 2003 TOYOTA RAV4, THE VEHICLE PRESENTLY SHOWS APPROXIMATELY 119, 600 MILES. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA WARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN NO. POL 10-03, DATED 07/09/10, PAGE 1, TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT CERTAIN 2001 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR RAV4 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT A HARSH SHIFT CONDITION IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND/OR THE VEHICLE MAY BEGIN TO SHIFT HARSHLY. THIS WARRANTY IS BEING OFFERED FOR 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES PLEASE VERIFY VIN APPLICABILITY FOR THIS CSP BY PERFORMING A VIN INQUIRY BEFORE COMPLETING THE REPAIR. ON PAGE 2 WE CHECKED THE APPLICABLE VIN RANGES AND OBSERVED THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THIS CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM (CSP).OUR RESPECTFUL REQUEST IS THAT TOYOTA HONOR THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR OUR RAV4. BASED ON A TELEPHONE CALL TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER IN TORRANCE CA, THE COMPANY REP. SAID TOYOTA WOULD NOT HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT THE PART (ECM) WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS UNDER 150,00 MILES BUT JUST OVER THE TEN YEAR LIMIT. THANK YOU. *TR
Sep 28, 2014
+ 10 more complaints for this component
ENGINE
8 complaints
THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND PRESERVED AND ONLY 84000 MILES ON IT. AND THE CAR WONT SHIFT. IT JOLTS ME OR REVS EXTREMELY HIGH AND ALSO ALMOST CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT AS IT ALMOST SHUT DOWN ON POWER WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN INTERSECTION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. IT'S ONLY WHILE GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD OR SHIFTING DOWN FROM 2 TO 1ST. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE ECU TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE FOR FREE AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 150 JUST TO EXAMINE IT.
Feb 15, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. AND SMELLED BAD ODOR. MY FIRST COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH NHTSA IN 2012, AND I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MAPLEWOOD TOYOTA, MN 55109, IN 2012 AND THEY DID NOT FIX IT. IT IS SERIOUS ISSUE OF SAFETY WITH THE ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
Aug 21, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SMELLED BAD ODOR. MY FIRST COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH NHTSA IN 2012, AND I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MAPLEWOOD TOYOA, MN 55109, IN 2012 AND THEY DID NOT FIX IT. IT IS SERIOUS ISSUE OF SAFETY WITH THE ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
Aug 21, 2016
THE VEHICLE WITH 71,000 MILES AND PERFECT SERVICE RECORD HAD A ENGINE FAILURE, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND BEFORE I HAD TIME TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO INSPECT THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING BADLY. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CAME OUT WITH THE DIAGNOSE THAT THE "ENGINE THREW A ROD" FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT ENGINE OIL AND LAST OIL CHANGE WAS DONE 4500 MILES BEFORE. BASICALLY, ENGINE AT THIS POINT IS BEYOND REPAIR AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. BESIDE THE FINANCIAL LOSE, NOW I EXTREMELY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE ENGINE OR ANY OTHER PART THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE FACT THAT I HAD 10 YEARS OLD BOY IN THE CAR WITH ME WHO THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO DIE THAT DAY AND CRYING HYSTERICALLY MAKE IT ALL THE MORE BOTHERSOME. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, THEY BASICALLY DISMISSED ME AS ROUTINE PROBLEM AND NOT TOYOTA'S PROBLEM. THEY SEEM DISINTERESTED TO FIND OUT WHY ENGINE WITH SO FEW MILES GOT BUSTED FOR NO REASON AND PERFECT MAINTENANCE RECORD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY OF THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE (1AZ-FE). I HOPE GOVT INVESTIGATE THIS CASE AND I AM WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN WHICHEVER WAY I CAN TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR MY FELLOW RIDERS. *TR
Apr 09, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Aug 20, 2013
+ 3 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
8 complaints
MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY OCT /16/2018 A CHEVY VAN SEVERELY CRASH INTO THE REAR OF MY 2003 RAV4 ,AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED .SHOULDN'T THE AIRBAGS HAVE DEPLOYED?WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Oct 24, 2018
TAKATA RECALL
Jan 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SEIZED. AS A RESULT THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE LOCATED ON THE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Aug 10, 2011
WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE TOYOTA 2003 RAV4 ROLLING OVER AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS HAD OPENED FRONT OR SKIRT ABOVE THE HEAD FOR ROLL OVER. *TR
Feb 17, 2010
INSTRUCTIONS SAY A 12 YR. OLD OR UNDER SHOULD SIT IN THE BACK SEAT DUE TO THE FACT AN AIRBAG COULD KILL THE CHILD. HOWEVER, WE ARE ONLY 5 FEET 2 INCHES WHICH IS THE SIZE OF A 12 YR OLD. SHOULDN'T OUR AIRBAGS BE DISCONNECTED?? *TR
Oct 03, 2008
+ 3 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8 complaints
MY RAV4 HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD MAKING ME FEEL UNSAFE AS WELL AS PUTTING ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON HIGHWAYS AND FREEWAYS AND IN TOWN. NOW HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR PAST 3WKS NOW LEAVING ME STRANDED WHILE THEY REPLACED THE ECM AND AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH REFURBISHED ONE AND THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SHA INGS IN TRANSMISSION AMONG OTHER THINGS AND IT'S GUNNA COST OVER $5700.00 POSSIBLY MORE THAT I CAN'T AFFORD. IT'S STILL NOT FIXED YET AND STILL. I DON'T HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY CUZ I CAN'T AFFORD IT.. AND ALSO MY SEAT BELT HAS BEEN FRAYING AWAY TO WHERE I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH THAT NEITHER.
Jun 21, 2018
THE CAR JERKS WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE. TOYOTA RECCOMMENDS THAT I REPLACE THE ECM AND BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 101,000 AND IS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM). I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR 3 WEEKS AGO. THIS SHOULD BE AN ONGOING WARRANTY OFFERRED TO ALL 2003 RAV 4 OWNERS. THE OUT OF POCKET COST FOR ECM IS $1590.00 AND $3750.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CAN LOCK AND DRIVE A CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTED ECMS AND THE DAMAGING AFFECTS IT HAS ON THE TRANSMISSION.
Dec 21, 2015
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ERRATICALLY AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO REPLACE THE ECM AND THEN IF THAT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FOUND OUT TOYOTA HAD FAULTY ECM'S IN SOME RAV4S. REPLACING THE ECM & THE TRANSMISSION IF ITS DAMAGED COSTS $4,000.00 OR MORE. UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T BUY THE VEHICLE UNTIL AFTER THE WARRANTY EXTENSION PERIOD HAD PASSED & THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED.
Sep 25, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE HIGHWAY IN MY RAV4, IT RANDOMLY BOGS DOWN OR STALLS OUT COMPLETELY. YOU HAVE TO STEER OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT LOSES POWER AND THE GAUGES GO WHACKY ON YOU. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS OFF AND SOMETIMES IT JUST LOSES POWER AND WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, IT WILL EVENTUALLY "GO AGAIN". YOU CAN BE DRIVING 55 ONE SECOND AND IT STALLS OUT TO 3 MPH THE NEXT SECOND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. TOYOTA SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THE ECM IF IT WAS BEFORE 150,000 MILES, WHICH IT WAS NOT. THEY TOLD ME THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING AFTER 150,000 MILES, NOT EVEN MEET ME HALF WAY TO PAY TO REPLACE IT. ITS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM IF THEY SENT A LETTER OUT. I'VE HAD IT TO THREE REPAIR (INCLUDING A TOYOTA DEALER) SHOPS AND NONE OF THEIR 'COMPUTER CHECKS' SHOW ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOW DO YOU FIX SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT? THEY HAVE DONE TUNE UPS, REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO NO HELP. I'VE SPENT OVER $1,000 IN REPAIRS FOR "NOTHING" -OR MAYBE THIS IS IT. I DRIVE 2-LANE HIGHWAYS AND IT IS GOING TO STRAND ME SOMEPLACE, IF I DON'T GET REAR-ENDED BY A SEMI-TRUCK BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND I AM AFRAID TO LET MY TEENAGERS DRIVE IT. THE CAR IS STILL IN BEAUTIFUL SHAPE, HAS BEEN GARAGED MOST OF ITS LIFE, HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES, ETC. AND BASICALLY ITS WORTHLESS TO ME. I CAN'T SELL IT OUTRIGHT WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT NO ONE CAN FIND BECAUSE I COULDN'T HANDLE IF SOMEONE GOT HURT, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT. I BOUGHT A TOYOTA BECAUSE OF THEIR LONG LIFE (EVERYONE TOLD ME THEY WILL LAST 300,00 MILES) BUT THEY HAVE VERY MUCH DISAPPOINTED ME IN THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, SOMEONE TO GET KILLED FOR THEM TO REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM? WHY WON'T THEY FIX IT AFTER 150,000 MILES? IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
Aug 20, 2015
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4! ON JULY 21, 2015 MY VEHICLE STARTED HARSH JERKING AND SLOW PERFORMANCE WHEN COMING FROM A STOP AND RED LIGHT! I ACCELERATED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STILL WERE PERFORMING SLOW! I COULD HAVE GOT HIT SINCE IT WOULDN'T MOVE ANY FASTER! ON JULY 22, 2015 I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO LOVING LINCOLN-MERCURY. THEY PERFORM A TEST AND TOLD ME THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED! THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA HAD A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE MALFUNCTION ECM! I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND INFORMED THEM THE PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING WITH MY VEHICLE! I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT WAS REPLACING THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION FOR FREE HAD EXPIRED ON MY VEHICLE! I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM WAS FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS OR 150,000.00 MILES WHICHEVER CAME FIRST! I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE EXPIRED IN 2013! I ASKED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER WHY I DIDN'T RECEIVE A LETTER STATING THAT THE ECM AND POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACE IN MY VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CHECK TO SEE IF A LETTER HAD BEEN MAILED! I HAVE BEEN LIVING AT MY ADDRESS FOR 30 YEARS AND I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANYTHING INFORMING ME ABOUT REPLACING ANYTHING ON MY VEHICLE! NOW I'M FACING $5,551.60 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE! I'M ON A FIXED INCOME OF SOCIAL SECURITY MONTHLY AND I CAN'T HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF THIS EXPENSE! THEY DIDN'T MAIL ME A LETTER STATING I NEED TO REPLACE THE ECM AND POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION UNDER THIS FREE PROGRAM FOR THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM! I'M INFORMING YOU ABOUT THIS SITUATION WITH TOYOTA BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM! ANYONE WHO HAS A TOYOTA RAV4 AND IT'S DOING HARSH JERKING WITH SLOW PERFORMANCE CAN CERTAINLY GET HIT WHICH CAN CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT!!!!!
Jul 31, 2015
+ 3 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
6 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE RESPONDED VERY SLOWLY TO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FAILED OR THERE WAS POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,650.
Sep 14, 2016
MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO "BUCK" AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I INITIALLY TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT. TOLD THEM TO TAKE IT TO KRAUSE TOYOTA. WAS THEN TOLD BY KRAUSE IT NEEDED A NEW ECM BUT THEY WERE TOO BUSY AND COULDN'T LOOK AT THE VEHICLE FOR 2 WEEKS SINCE I WASN'T A "REGULAR" CUSTOMER. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO BENNETT TOYOTA - CLASS OUTFIT. THEY REPLACED THE ECM IMMEDIATELY - WHICH WASN'T CHEAP. COST ME $1200. I HAVE SINCE HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ECM ON MY YEAR RAV4 WHICH I WASN'T EVER NOTIFIED OF. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD PICK UP THIS TAB. I HAVE LOW MILEAGE FOR A 2003 CAR, AND HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED IT PROPERLY.
Sep 01, 2015
I PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 FROM THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT ONLY HAD 13 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST 2003. IN AUGUST OF 2014, I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARSH WHEN CHANGING. THE CAR WOULD STRAIN TO CHANGE GEARS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD JERK INTO GEAR. NO LIGHTS CAME ON AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM INSPECTED AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. THIS WAS THE FIRST THAT I HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS WARRANTY. TOYOTA NEVER CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE WARRANTY. AFTER INSPECTING MY RAV4, THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ECM AND IF THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, I WOULD NEED A TRANSMISSION. I FEEL LIKE TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM SOONER. (BEFORE ALL THAT TIME HAD GONE BY.) I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE OUTCOME. I SEE FROM THIS WEBSITE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Nov 24, 2014
I'M THE OWNER OF A 2003 RAV4, PURCHASED FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN 2011. LAST WEEK, I EXPERIENCED A TIME LAPSE OF MY CAR SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, IN MY OPINION, A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS MORNING I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND BEGAN SEARCHING THE WEB FOR ANY RECALLS FOR A 2003 RAV4, THERE ARE NONE. HOWEVER, ON THIS SITE, I DISCOVERED THAT I AM ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE THIS COMPLAINT, AND THAT WE ,THE CONSUMER, ALL SHARE THE SAME RESULTS FROM TOYOTA. YOU MISSED THE DEADLINE. IT WAS ON THIS NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE THAT I LEARNED OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ABOUT THE ECM DEFECT WITH MY RAV4 (SEE WWW.RV4ECMSETTLEMENT.COM), THE LETTER WAS SUPPOSEDLY SENT TO ALL WHO OWN A 2003 RAV4. I NEVER RECEIVED THIS LETTER. NOR DID I RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF NOTIFICATION FROM TOYOTA RE: AN EXTENDED WARRANTY,OR FOR THAT MATTER ANY TYPE OF TIME SENSITIVE DATES TO CAPTURE ANY TYPE OF RECOVERY FROM TOYOTA. TOYOTA CLAIMS THEY WORK WITH A COMPANY WHO GATHERS OWNERS INFORMATION FROM THE DMV. TOYOTA CALLS THIS ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY INTO GEAR, A "CUSTOMER MALFUNCTION SUPPORT PROGRAM"...AND THE CATCH IS THAT YOU ONLY HAVE 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF FIRST USE TO NOTIFY THEM OF YOUR "MALFUNCTION"...MY CAR MISSED THE DEADLINE BY 6 MONTHS AND AGAIN, LET ME REITERATE THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY ANYONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, NOR IS THIS ISSUE TERMED A RECALL ITEM. MY QUESTION IS WHY NOT? WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL, WHEN THIS SITUATION IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU ARE IN A CAR THAT WILL NOT MOVE INTO FIRST GEAR, AND THEN THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY JERKS INTO ACCELERATION, IS THAT NOT A SAFETY CONCERN?? TOYOTA'S TERM "HARSH SHIFT OF AUTO TRANS AXLE" " MY COMPLAINT AND OPINION IS THAT TOYOTA HAS BEEN DECEPTIVE WITH THEIR CONSUMERS. AND THESE ATTORNEYS? WHY DID I NOT HEAR FROM THEM?? AND FURTHERMORE, WILL I HEAR BACK FROM THE NHTSA ??? HOW CAN THE CONSUMER MAKE A DEADLINE, IF THEY ARE NOT NOTIFIED???
Sep 05, 2014
VEHICLE DRIVEN BY ELDERLY WIDOWED MOTHER (JOSEPHINE BEASLEY, AGE 70) NO MORE THAN 6,200 MILES PER YEAR AND BEGAN EXPERIENCING HARSH SHIFT IN TRANSMISSION IN MARCH 2014. AAMCO INFORMED US THAT A MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MODULE (ECM) CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. AAMCO TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED US THAT THE ECM REPAIR CLAIMS ARE COVERED UNDER A TOYOTA SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (WWW.RAV4ECMSETTLEMENT.COM). REPAIR COST FOR TRANSMISSION $2,890 AND ECM PART $1,227.91 PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. THE RAV4 WAS PURCHASED FROM CARMAX ON APRIL 18, 2009; ELDERLY MOTHER DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS OR UNDERSTANDING OF INTERNET. SHE DID NOT REALIZE THAT SHE HAD TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE WITH TOYOTA IN ORDER TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES OR ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO HER VEHICLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPAIR AS THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE 10 YEAR IN SERVICE WARRANTY PERIOD EVEN THOUGH IT IS WITHIN 150,000 MILES LIMIT. WHEN SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE CARMAX LOT IT HAD 44,213 MILES ON ODOMETER AND ON AUGUST 7, 2014, ODOMETER READING IS 75,374. SAD THAT THE ELDERLY ARE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE. *TR
Aug 07, 2014
+ 1 more complaint for this component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
6 complaints
CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD GO OUT, AFTER CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL ALL APPEAR FINE, THE CAR WOULD BURN 1 QUART EVERY TWO MONTHS. AFTER DRIVING ALONG THE EXPRESS WAY FOR 30 MILES AND USING A TWO LANE ROAD FOR ABOUT 3 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN THE ENGINE MAKE NOISE AND QUIT RUNNING, AFTER TOWING THE CAR TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP WE WERE TOLD THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR IS A RAV 4 2003 WITH ABOUT 89,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Dec 26, 2010
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.
Aug 06, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Jul 01, 2010
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ON A 2003 RAV4 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IT STARTED AT 100,456 MILES. NEVER HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BEFORE. IT STARTED TO OCCUR ONCE IN A WHILE IN FIRST GEAR, THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, GOT IT CHECK. CAME UP CODE PO755. NOW IS OCCURRING MORE OFTEN. LIGHT GOES OFF AND AFTER A COUPLE OF DAY GOES ON AGAIN. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA. THEY SAID IT NEEDS A REMANUFACTURE TRANSMISSION AND THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE ECM. COST 5,995 THEY TOLD ME I'M BETTER OFF TRADING THE CAR. *TR
Jun 30, 2010
IN 2009, WITHOUT NOTICE MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4 WAS "JERKING AND GOING". THEN IT WOULD BARELY MOVE ONCE STOPPED. THEN WHEN IT WOULD MOVE, IT WOULD DRAG. IN AUGUST OF 2009, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY PALMER'S TOYOTA SUPERSTORE. THIS COST $1,721.93. *TR
Mar 15, 2010
+ 1 more complaint for this component
STRUCTURE
5 complaints
ON THE SUBJECT DATE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, WITH CARS ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. THERE WAS A CURB AND AN ISLAND, WITH A TREE IN IT, IN FRONT OF ME. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE; I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT IT INTO PARK WHEN THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT THE TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE PASSENGERS BUT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH THE TOYOTA COMPANY HOLDING THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION BASED ON PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WITH THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR. I AM SEEKING, AT THE VERY LEAST, REPAIR OF MY CAR. BASED ON THE PREVIOUS HISTORY OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR CAR, I FEEL THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE WHICH THE NHTSA CAN GIVE ME REGARDING HOW TO PROCEED WITH THIS MATTER. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY BEING EXAMINED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TOYOTA COMPANY. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE WHICH YOU CAN GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Mar 03, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAME TO A SUDDEN HALT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE K-FRAME AND THE CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE K-FRAME AND CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Jun 05, 2014
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW THERE HAS BEEN A SQUEAKING/CRUNCHING NOISE IN THE DASHBOARD THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET RID OF. MY MECHANIC HAS PUT PACKING BEHIND MY RADIO AND IN THE VICINITY AND FOR THE FIRST DAY THE NOISE IS GONE BUT IT ALWAYS RETURNS. IT IS HORRIBLE IN THE WINTER IN THE MIDWEST WHEN EVERYTHING IS COLD AND STIFF BUT GETS A LITTLE MORE TOLERABLE WHEN ITS HOT AND HUMID. *TR
Jun 17, 2008
BACK HATCH UNLOCKED AND FLEW OPEN ON HIGHWAY WHILE I HAD CUSTOMERS IN MY 4 RUNNER. PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO SHUT...WOULD NOT SHUT. HAVING TO DRIVE NOW WITH BACK TAILGATE TIED SHUT. EXHAUST COMES IN THROUGH BACK OF VEHICLE. HAVING REPAIRED ON 10/24 FOR A COST OF OVER $400! *TR
Oct 21, 2007
CRUNCHING NOISE IN DASH BOARD ALTHOUGH REPAIRED 4 TIMES BY DEALER NOISE IS STILL EVIDENT. *AK
Jan 11, 2004
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5 complaints
ON 9/30/2014 WAS TRYING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT TO TURN LEFT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY APPROACHING CARS THAT I WOULD HAVE ORDINARILY HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO CLEAR. I WAS ABLE TO STEER INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE AND STOP TO AVOID COLLISION BUT HAD TROUBLE AFTER THAT PICKING UP ENOUGH SPEED TO GET TO THE RIGHT LANE. I TOOK MY CAR IN IMMEDIATELY FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ECM NEEDED REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE FOUND INFORMATION ON A RECALL I NEVER RECEIVED FOR DEFECTIVE ECM'S THAT CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. APPARENTLY A 10 YEAR OR 150,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED IN 2010, BUT I WAS ALSO NEVER INFORMED OF THAT. MY MILEAGE QUALIFIES BUT I BOUGHT MY CAR IN DEC 2002 SO I AM PAST THE TIME LIMIT. SINCE REPAIRS EXCEED THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF MY CAR, IT HAS NO TRADE IN VALUE. THIS WAS AN UNSAFE SITUATION (THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE ON THE FREEWAY)' AND AN UNFAIR OUTCOME FOR ME FINANCIALLY. *TR
Oct 03, 2014
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 INTO GEAR. ALSO, WHEN ALREADY MOVING AND GOING UP EVEN A SLIGHT HILL, WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO MAINTAIN SPEED, THE CAR SPUTTERS AS IT SHIFTS FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR BEFORE JERKING INTO THIRD GEAR. THROUGH THE INTERNET,I ALMOST GOT HIT A FEW TIMES. I LEARNED THAT THE ECM IS A COMPUTER (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER COMPONENTS, THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ECM MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON 2001 TO 2003 RAV4S NOW I HAVE TO SPEND LOTS OF MONEY THAT IT WASN'T IN MY BUDGET,..THE TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHY THEY NEVER HAD A RECALL? CAN SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? *TR
Nov 13, 2013
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 IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE IF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS POSSIBLE. THIS COULD BE FATAL IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN TO ON A SLIPPERY ROAD OR GOING AROUND A CORNER. *TR
Jul 01, 2013
THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS A HARD SHIFT INTO REVERSE. LIKE A LURCH. ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER I NOTICED THE SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD WAS TAKING LONGER THAN IT SHOULD. ON ABOUT THE 4TH DAY, AT A LIGHT WHEN STOPPED, I HIT THE GAS AND DIDN'T MOVE. THERE WAS A NOTABLE HESITATION AND I NEARLY WAS REARENDED. FINALLY ON ABOUT THE 5TH DAY, I HAD THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAS CRAWLING ALONG THE ROAD BASICALLY. WE TURNED AROUND AND PARKED IT, AND IT HAS SAT EVER SINCE, FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT AND WE ONLY HALF OWN IT. *TR
Feb 03, 2010
CAR STALLS (GAS PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND) WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO WHEN SLOWING TO A LOW SPEED AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO ALMOST BE HIT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SIDE AND IN THE REAR. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR WITH TIRE MARKS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON AND FLASHES. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF THE ACCELERATOR WILL HAPPEN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE ALMOST EVERY TIME WE DRIVE. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE CAR AND BEGIN TO GO YOU HEAR DINGING SOUNDS AND FEEL AND HEAR BUMPS AND GRINDING NOISES. 2 LIGHTS COME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. 1 READS VSC TRAC AND THE OTHER READS TRAC OFF. IF YOU STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE IT WILL EVENTUALLY STOP DOING IT. SOMETIMES THIS IS AFTER 1 RESTART AND SOMETIMES IT HAS TAKEN 5 AND 6. ON DAY IT WOULD NOT STOP NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU RESTARTED AND WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 DIFFERENT TIMES.
Feb 15, 2003
SEAT BELTS
4 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT SHOULDER STRAP STARTED TO SHRED AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Feb 17, 2017
SINCE LAST SUMMER OF 2015, MY DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT HAS BEEN FRAYING. THE FRAY IS OVER A FOOT LONG AND A 1/2" INCH OF SEATBELT IS FRAYED. I WILL ATTEMPT TO SEND PICS ALONG WITH THIS FORM. IT IS A HABIT WITH ME TO ALWAYS WEAR MY SEATBELT, AND OF ALL THE OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWN THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I DO HOPE THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS MAY BE AN UNUSUAL ISSUE, I TRUST YOU WILL CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND ONE THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH PROMPTLY, FOR IT DOES CAUSE ME TO HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS EACH TIME I DRIVE WITH THIS FRAYED SEATBELT ON. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER. SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY WITH ME, AS I AM SURE IT IS WITH YOU AS WELL. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PROMPT ATTENTION. FYI: IF MY 2 PICTURES JUST SO HAPPEN TO NOT BE WITH THIS FORM, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL AND I WILL TRY TO SENT THEM TO YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Jan 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS FRAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
Oct 20, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. OVER TIME, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. THE BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 184,000.
Mar 10, 2008
VISIBILITY
3 complaints
THIS SUN VISOR DRIVERS SIDE WILL NOT STAY UP IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT WHICH CAN BE MADE TO FIX IT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA DEALER IN NEWARK DE A NEW VISOR IS NEEDED. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALER THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT AND COMMON PROBLEM, WITH MANY MODEL YEARS.' *TR
Jan 01, 2012
THE SUN VISOR DROPS SUDDENLY CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE ROAD AHEAD. *TR
Oct 09, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 TOY RAV 4 AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR LOST ALL OF ITS ELASTICITY AND NO LONGER STAYS IN THE UP POSITION. I WAS DRIVING WEST ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AROUND SUN SET WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. MY VISOR SLAMMED DOWN AND I NEARLY HIT THE VEH IN FRONT OF ME AS I COULD NOT SEE. I HAVE TRIED VELCRO OF ALL KINDS AND GLUE. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2003 RAV 4 AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO HER CAR. (WILL PROVIDE HER INFO UPON REQUEST). I TRIED COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 125.00 FOR A NEW VISOR WHEN IT IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. 2 RAV 4'S THAT I KNOW OF HAVE FAULTY VISORS. I WILL KEEP TAPING IT BUT I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO KEEP COMING DOWN AT THE MOST INAPPROPRIATE TIMES. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME, AS A CONSUMER, FIND OUT IF THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANK YOU *TR
Sep 17, 2009
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3 complaints
TRANSMISSION UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. HARD SHIFTING IN REVERSE. HESITATES AT 1ST GEAR...
Mar 23, 2010
MY PROBLEM IS WITH MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS. FIRST, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS I WOULD BE ENTERING TRAFFIC, FOR EXAMPLE, ON HIGHWAYS. A NUMBER OF TIMES IT WOULD START ACCELERATING AND THEN SLOW DOWN OR LOSE ACCELERATION, THIS CAUSED MANY ANXIOUS MOMENTS AS OFTEN A CAR/TRUCK WOULD BE COMING UP BEHIND ME. I WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE AND STEP ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT REALLY MOVE UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT AND THE CAR WOULD JUMP FORWARD AND SUDDENLY START MOVING. THIS WAS SCARY ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR. ALSO, THE CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT GEARS, OR DROP GEARS WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD BE IN TRAFFIC AND WE WOULD BE MOVING ALONG WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR WOULD JUMP INTO GEAR AND LITERALLY JUMP FORWARD SOMETIMES PROPELLING THE CAR FORWARD A LITTLE. ALSO WHILE DRIVING, BOTH LOCAL ROADS AND ON HIGHWAYS THE CAR WOULD DROP GEARS AND SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND THEN SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR. THE CAR HAS 95000 MILES ON IT. WE WERE TOLD BY A MECHANIC (WHO IS NOT FIXING THE CAR) THAT TOYOTA HAD ADVISED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A COMPUTER-THE ECM- IN THE RAV 4, THAT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO JUMP AND SHIFT GEARS AND POSSIBLY RUIN THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED BY TOYOTA THAT THE ECM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN DAMAGED AND ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *DT
Mar 22, 2010
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 WITH THE COMPUTER, THAT MAY AT THIS POINT CONTRIBUTED TO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AND IF I WANTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I NEED TO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER, WHICH CAN RUN TO THOUSAND OF DOLLARS, I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AT THIS TIME. MY QUESTION IS IF TOYOTA KNOW THIS TO BE AN ISSUE WHY NOT RECALL THE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM? I HAVE GONE TO CARCOMPLAINT.COM AND READ MANY OTHER CAR OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THOSE OWNERS PAID ALOT MONEY UP FRONT TO TRY TO GET THE PROBLEM FIX, UNFORTUNATELY, THEIR CARS HAD HIGH MILEAGE, AND OUT WARRANTY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, I AM FOR WHATEVER ACTIONS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST TOYOTA TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DANIEL *TR
Dec 26, 2008
TIRES
3 complaints
DT: WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE DRY HIGHWAY THERE WERE FUNNY NOISES COMING FROM FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT AT 16,000 MILES, THERE W 40,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE TIRES. DID NOT REPORT TO THE DEALER, BUT DID REPORT TO DUNLOP MANUFACTURER. DUNLOP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT AND THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. DUNLOP, ST20, GRANTREC 215/70/R16, DOT# EUYN2V94002. *JB
Sep 23, 2005
HAD JUST GOT ON THE FREEWAY A COUPLE OF MILES AGO, WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MILES AND HOUR AND HAD THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLOWOUT IN TWO LOCATIONS ALONG THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T 687 (IT WASN'T LISTED AS A MODEL IN THE MENU).
Jul 21, 2005
WHILE DRIVING EAST AT 75 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MADE A 190' TURN ON THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AFTER HITTING A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, AND A AMBULANCE CAME TO THE SCENE AS WELL AS THE POLICE. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE.*AK *TS
Oct 17, 2003
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
2 complaints
The vehicle is very delayed shifting and will slow down without pushing the breaks
Mar 16, 2023
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 "WITHIN THE PARAMETERS" OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: TC-10-034 EXCEPT THE "IN SERVICE" DATE OF MY VEHICLE WAS MARCH 8, 2003 THEREBY MAKING ME INELIGIBLE FOR THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY BY 4 MONTHS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! THIS IS A TOYOTA SCREWUP AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ROAD CONDITIONS OR OWNER NEGLECT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR SO MY DAUGHTER CAN CONTINUE HER DAYCARE. SHE SHUTTLES PRE-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN TO VARIOUS RECREATION FACILITIES AND MY WIFE, WHO HAS TERMINAL CANCER, OFTEN ACCOMPANIES HER SO SHE CAN SPEND AS MUCH QUALITY TIME WITH HER BEFORE THE EVENTUALITY. NOW I'M READING THAT THIS PARTICULAR RAV4 PROBLEM CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IF TOYOTA "CARES FOR IT'S CUSTOMERS", HOW CAN THIS BE A SERVICE BULLETIN AND NOT A RECALL. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR DATE OF SERVICE. I JUST SPENT OVER $9,000 FOR A 10 YEAR OLD CAR BECAUSE IT WAS A TOYOTA. "IT'LL LAST FOREVER". I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER COMPLAINT PHONE NUMBER AND ALL I GOT WAS CONTEMPT. HER NAME WAS [XXX] AND HER ARGUMENT WAS "TOYOTA WAS VERY KIND IN EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR YOU", IT'S YOUR FAULT FOR NOT READING IT". YEAH RIGHT, IT'S MY FAULT FOR NOT FOLLOWING YOUR SCREWUPS FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS. I WANT MY CAR FIXED!! I CAN'T AFFORD $5,000 FOR A TRANSMISSION, ECM AND COMPUTER REBOOT. THIS IS A TOYOTA PROBLEM AND I, THE CUSTOMER, DEMAND TO BE HEARD. IF TOYOTA TRULY "CARES FOR ITS CUSTOMERS", THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO THE RIGHT THING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Sep 30, 2013
STEERING
2 complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT UNCONTROLLABLY TOWARD THE RIGHT. AS AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURNED THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT, HE CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC DIVIDING WALL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE TIE ROD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
May 26, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT UNCONTROLLABLY TOWARD THE RIGHT. AS AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURNED THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT, HE CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC DIVIDING WALL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD FAILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE TIE ROD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
May 26, 2009
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
2 complaints
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHETR VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAINT THE DRIVER, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Mar 11, 2005
WHEN THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Feb 15, 2005
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
ECM FAILED. ORIGINAL OWNER, VEHICLE HAS 50,991 MI. ON IT . 16 YEARS OLD. TOYOTA AWARE OF PROBLEM-- EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 10 YRS./150000. MI. CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER. SERVICE, STATED THAT I'M OUT OF LUCK. ORIGINAL PART CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE EXTENDED BECAUSE OF EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE. COST WILL BE $2000.00 OR MORE. VEHICLE WAS MOVING WHEN EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLED SHIFTING IN TRANSMISSION. CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Feb 27, 2019
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ON MY WAY HOME LATE AFTERNOON...AUTO STARTED TO JERK AND FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS PULLING AT IT...IT SLOWED UP THEN JERKED AGAIN...IT CONTINUED ON...I WAS DRIVING AT 45 SPEED LIMIT...AS I WAS TURNING THE SHIFTING WAS SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS STICKING...I PARKED IT AT HOME AND NEXT MORNING I HAD IT CHECKED AND DIAGNOSED AS SOLENOID PROBLEM CAUSING TRANSMISSION BURNOUT...ALSO TOYOTA REVEALED PROBLEMS WITH THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE
Aug 10, 2018
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
MARCH THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND WAS NO PULLING OUT CORRECTLY AT STOP SIGN AND RED LIGHTS. THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T DOWN SHIFT SO YOU WERE TRYING TO PULL OUT IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. IT FELT LIKE YOU WERE PULLING A HOUSE. I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HARDLY GO... IT CAUSED THREE VEHICLES TO BOW UP AND STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT IN THE ROADWAY MOVING AT LESS THAN 1 MILE PER HOUR. I NEVER PULLED OUT ON TO THE HIGHWAY AFTER THAT. I ALWAYS PULL OUT ONTO THE SHOULD OF THE ROAD IN CASE THE VEHICLE DONE THAT AGAIN. SO THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT MARCH 2017. AFTER ABOUT 36 MILES WAS DRIVEN ON IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. I PULED OUT FINE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AS EASED OVER INTO THE SOUTH BOUND LANE WHEN THE VEHICLE CHANGED TO FIRST IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME IN THE REAR-END OF THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED TO MAKE SURER. THEN IT SWITCHED TO 2ND GEAR AND JERKED ME DO HARD THAT I PULLED OVER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND HAVING IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP. SO, BACK TO GET THE TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT I HAVE A ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION. THEY TOOK IT APART AND LOOKED AT IT AGAIN. THEY SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION IT WAS THE EC MODULE. SO IT STAYED PARKED UNTIL I COULD SAVE SOME MONEY TO GET THAT FIXED. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA JUNE 7TH 2017 THEY REPLACED THE EC MODULE AND I TOOK IT HOME THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY. IT DROVE FINE ALL THE WAY HOME. THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AGAIN. SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT REPAIRED THE EC MODULE. NO THEY TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND I NEED A NEW ONE. $2958.00 PLUS TAX. TOYOTA CORPORATION WILL NOT HELP YOU OUT ON THE FIX. DUE TO THE RECALL BEING 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILE. MY VEHICLE WAS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE WITH 105,894 ON IT AND I MISS THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE.
Jun 14, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
2003 RAV 4 85,401 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MISS SHIFT, ENGINE WOULD SPEED UP AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF POWER. FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. TOYOTA TECH ADVISES THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRES NEW COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION , A $6,000 EXPENSE. MIND YOU THAT THIS VEHICLE IS 13 YEARS OLD BUT HAS ONLY 85,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. TOYOTA ADVISES NO WARRANTY EFFECT FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A MAIN HIGHWAY ( SUNRISE HIGHWAY LONG ISLAND) WHEN MALFUNCTION OCCURRED.
Sep 15, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
HARSH SHIFTING, JUMPING FROM GEAR-TO-GEAR, SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AND TRANSMISSION/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. CALLED TOYOTA REGARDING THE EXTENDED WARRENTY. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DESPITE NOT PROVIDING NOTICE TO THE CORRECT ADDRESS.
Sep 14, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLES RPMS CUT OUT AND THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND IT STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY IN LAWTON OKLAHOMA. IT TOOK ME 2 AND A HALF HOURS TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME IN RYAN OKLAHOMA BECAUSE I HAD TO CONSTANTLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL ALL WHILE COASTING AND LET IT DIE THEN TURN IT OFF AND TRY SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STAY STARTED AND EVEN THEN IT WOULD ONLY REVIEW TO 2000 RPMS AND DIE. I HAD TO GUIDE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HWY SEVERAL TIMES AND LET IT SET FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD DRIVE AT AROUND 60 MPH FOR ONLY 2 TO 3 MINUTES. I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF HOW THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHILE THE RPMS CUT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET UP AND GO.
Aug 31, 2016
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
EXPERIENCING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR WHEN SHIFTING GEARS (AUTO TRANS). TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING ODDLY - HARSH SHIFT CONDITION . IT WAS NOT A FREQUENT PROBLEM AND NO ENGINE LIGHT AND I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CONNECTED TO HIS COMPUTER AND COULD NOT FIND ANY ERROR CODES. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY TIME I MOVE FROM A STOP. FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA PUT OUT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN EARLY 2006 AFTER DEFECTS STARTED SURFACING STATING TO REPLACE THE CAR'S COMPUTER ECM/ECU AND POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION.. THE COMPANY DID NOT INFORM OWNERS ABOUT THIS DEFECT WHICH IS NOW SURFACING AND DID NOT RECALL DUE TO COST OF REPLACING THE ECU AND TRANSMISSION IT DESTROYS. THE DEFECTIVE ECU BURNS UP THE CLUTCH AND OTHER PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION
Jan 06, 2015
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
LAST WEEK, ON THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, THEN "BUCKED" AND "RACED". I NEARLY GOT REAR-ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND ME - A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. THEN, DRIVING CITY STREETS - TO THE MECHANIC - THE SAME EXPERIENCE - STALLED THEN RACED AHEAD. AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER ($400), THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED REPLACING THE ECM ($928.46 PLUS LABOR). THIS IS A SERIOUS FINANCIAL STRAIN ON ME. I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE EVERY 5K MILES AND IT IS WAY BELOW THE EXTENDED WARRANTY MILEAGE OF 150K, HOWEVER, IT IS NOW 11 YEARS OLD. I NEVER, EVER, RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA! I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE REPAIRS SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN AND ARE WELL AWARE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE THE FAILED ECM CAUSES. *TR
Nov 10, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
THIS IS A GENERAL CONCERN QUESTION RE THE ETHICS OF THE TOYOTA CORPORATION. I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS TROUBLE WITH ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON WITH THE RESULT BEING O2 SENSOR PROBLEMS. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN WITH APPROXIMATELY 8 CHANGES (I HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THE RECORDS. IN 2010, I RECEIVED NOTICE OF PROBLEMS WITH "HARSH SHIFTING". I CALLED TOYOTA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS, AND I WAS ASSURED I WAS NOT HAVING A PROBLEM OR I "WOULD KNOW IT". AT THIS SAME TIME, I WAS HAVING YET ANOTHER ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM WITH O2 SENSOR CODES AND BROUGHT MY CAR IN.. THE O2 SENSOR REPLACEMENTS WENT ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR QUITE SOME TIME WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE...EVEN TO THE POINT THAT THEY WERE SENDING THE SENSOR IN TO THE "MAIN OFFICE". UNFORTUNATELY, LAST WEEK MY CAR TOTALLY FAILED, AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME IT IS FAILURE OF THE ECM AND/OR THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL! I RECENTLY REVIEWED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ECM AND THAT TOYOTA ACTUALLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. IT WAS THEN I LEARNED THAT THE O2 SENSORS HAVE A DEFINITE IMPACT ON THE ECM, ETC. AT NO TIME WHATSOEVER DID THEY EVER CHECK THIS OR INFORM ME. THAT THESE MAY BE RELATED,SO I AM WONDERING IF THEY "PUT OFF" CHECKING THIS POSSIBILITY UNTIL MY CAR PASSED THE 10YR/150,000 MILE EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY ON THIS COMPONENT SO THAT I WOULD THEN NOT BE ELIGIBLE??? *TR
Sep 18, 2014
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
EXPERIENCE A HARD SHIFT JERKING MOTION WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AND ALMOST GOT HIT TWICE DUE TO THE CAR JERKING AND IMMEDIATELY SLOWING DOWN. I TOOK IT IN TO KENDALL TOYOTA OF ANCHORAGE RIGHT AWAY AND THEN READ ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND ENHANCED WARRANTY OF 2001-2003 TOYOTAS BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! TOYOTA KENDALL SAID IT WOULD BE $6,000 TO REPLACE BOTH THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD ONLY PAY HALF BECAUSE THE CAR WAS 10 YEARS OLD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENHANCED WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TWICE DUE TO COMPLAINTS WITH THE COURT. I DID NOT GET MY CAR FIXED BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD PAY THE FULL 6K TO FIX IT. I'M AMAZED AT HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND TOYOTA FIRST ISSUED A RECALL AND WAS SUED IN COURT BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUS MALFUNCTION OF THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
Nov 07, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
1 complaint
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 REPLACED. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER (I NEVER TRY TO ACCELERATE TOO QUICKLY), AND THIS TRUSTY TOYOTA HASN'T EVER HAD ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS... EVER! THERE ARE LESS THAN 77,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Oct 20, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
OFTEN (AND UNPREDICTABLY), VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE FROM STOP. IT CREEPS FORWARD AS TACK JUMPS, THEN WITH A LOUD "CLUNK" IT JERKS INTO 2ND (OR 3RD) GEAR AND SUDDENLY LEAPS FORWARD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALER MORE THAN ONCE AND TOLD "NO PROBLEM FOUND." WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS FINALLY DEMONSTRATED, THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT SOLENOID B IS FAULTY AND ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED STARTING AT $4600. NOW I READ THAT MANY OWNERS OF 2001-3 RAV4S HAVE EXACT PROBLEM CAUSED BY A FAULTY EMC THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN TOYOTA ORIGINALLY ADMITTED THE PROBLEM IN 2006. INSTEAD THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE HAS PROGRESSED TO A REPAIR 4 TIMES THAT AMOUNT. I HAVE FOUND NO REASONABLE REPAIR RATE SO FAR. *TR
Aug 10, 2013
STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
1 complaint
I WAS AT A STOP SIGN NO GAS, TURNED DOWN HILL IN SNOW CAR ACCELERATED GOING STRAIGHT INTO DOWNED TREE. MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND HAS HAD STICKING ACCELERATOR, REAR END CLUNKING NOISE AND POWER STEERING HAS MADE IT WHERE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE. MY SERVICE ANIMAL HIT THE WINDSHIELD THAT SHATTERED WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES AT ANOTHER TIME. I'VE HAD OTHER NEAR MISSES AND TWO LEFT OF CENTER TICKETS WITH POWER STEERING ISSUES. I HAVE TAKEN INTO TOYOTA FOR STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN WRITE SERVICE TICKET. THEY FILLED POWER STEERING FLUID SAID NO PROBLEM. THEY KEEP RESETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STATING ITS GAS CAP. THIS CAR IS A LEMON, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, COMPUTER. THIS IS THE FIRST NEW VEHICLE I EVER BOUGHT AND WISH I WOULD HAVE STUCK WITH USED. *TR
Jul 02, 2013
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
1 complaint
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. *TR 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
May 27, 2013
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
I BACKED UP IN REVERSE AND THEN PUT 2003 RAV 4 INTO DRIVE 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 TO RACE AT HIGH RPMS WITH FRONT BUMPER WRAPPED AROUND TREE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP THE HIGH REVS WAS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. I INJURED MY BACK. *TR
Dec 11, 2012
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
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 DANGER OF A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY BRAKE WITHOUT ME PRESSING ON THE BRAKES TO SIGNAL THE DRIVER BEHIND ME THAT I WAS GOING TO SLOW DOWN. I HAVE LEARNED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH MANY OF ITS RAV4'S (2001-2003). IS THERE ANY HELP ON TOYOTA'S PART TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE THAT THEY KNOW OF WITHOUT PASSING ALONG THE COST TO THE INNOCENT CUSTOMER? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR UPDATED 06/22/2012 *JS
May 14, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM WELL KNOWN BY MANUFACTURERS,AS,HARSH SHIFT OF AUTOMATICTRANSAXLES , OR (ECM)CODE P0755.TOYOTA SENT SERVICE BULLETINS TO DEALERS BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED>NOW I HAVE TO REPAIR MY CAR AT A COST OF OVER $6000.TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN CALIFORNIA HAS REFUSED TO HONOUR MY REPAIR,EVEN THOUGH THEY HONOURED FOR CALIFORNIA.REASON BEING AM OUT OF WARRANTY BY THE MILES,WHICH I HAVE 175000,BUT IM STILL IN WARRANTY BY THE YEARS OF 10 YEARS.
Aug 12, 2011
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
HI ABOUT MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV4, ITS SEEMS TO STALL AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. FOR EXAPLE IT HAPPEN MORE THEN 5 TIME ON ME THIS MONTH7/1/2011, AND ALMOST GETTING BUMP IN REAR END. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER, AND PAYING $100 FOR WHAT THEY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS MODEL SHOULD BE RECALL OR ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN. *TT
Aug 05, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL TOYOTA VEHICLES ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE STICKING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND THROTTLE BODY WERE DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Jul 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
MY 2003 RAV4 HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY SLUGGISH FROM A DEAD START AND ANY KIND OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION BUT I KNEW THAT I WOULD EVENTUALLY REACH THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT. DRIVING 1 1/2 WEEKS AGO, HOWEVER, BROUGHT MY ATTENTION TO ANOTHER, FAR MORE SERIOUS ACCELERATION PROBLEM, FAR WORSE THAN JUST SLUGGISHNESS. THE SUV WAS SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR AUTOMATICALLY AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY AS I WAS IN MOVING TRAFFIC AND I WAS HAVING TROUBLE MOVING. I IMMEDIATELY DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. LUCKILY, THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSE TO WHERE I WAS. THEY KEPT MY CAR FROM APPROX. 3:30 PM THAT FRIDAY UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. AT FIRST, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID THEY NEEDED UNTIL MONDAY TO KNOW FOR SURE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP. TO NOT WORRY, THAT IT MAY BE FAR LESS EXPENSIVE THAN I THINK. THAT MONDAY, I GOT A CALL FROM THE SERVICED REP THAT HE HAD BOTH GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS. THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM - AN ECU PROBLEM BUT THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE. I TOLD THEM TO GO AHEAD AND INSTALL IT AS I COULDN'T SEE ANY ALTERNATIVE. THE WORK WAS DONE AND THE FINAL COST FOR THE UNIT AND LABOR WAS $1,300.00. I TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT I FELT SHAFTED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AFTER 80,000 AND I HAD 84,000 MILES AT THE TIME. FURTHER, I HAD THE SUV FOR JUST 7 YEARS, NOT THE LIMIT OF 8 YEARS UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY FOR THE ECU. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THE NY TIMES JULY, 2010 LETTER ANNOUNCING MANY PROBLEMS LIKE MINE WITH TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AS WELL AND TOYOTA WOULD NOW COVER IT ALL. ACCORDING TO THE LETTER, TOYOTA HAD EXTENDED ITS WARRANTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO 150,000 MILES AND 10 YEARS FOR THE ECU ! I CALLED THE SERVICE REP AND HE SAID TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS REP WAS THERE AND SAID I HAD NO EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE MANAGER NEVER RETURNED MY CALL. I FINALLY CALLED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A TOYOTA MANAGER OFFERING ME $1,000 TO BUY A NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE. 11/03/10 *TR
Oct 03, 2010
POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AWHILE. I SPENT 1400 TO GET IT FIXED LAST YEAR SO THAT I CAN PASS EMISSION BUT STILL FAILED AND HAD TO GET A WAIVER. ON DECEMBER OF 2009, A FRIEND OF MINE AND I WAS DRIVING AND IT STARTED TO LOSE ITS POWER AND STARTED JERKING. WE IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. WE WAITED A LITTLE WHILE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET HELP SOMEWHERE BUT WE WERE IN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN'T GET ANY CELL SIGNAL SO WE DECIDED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND AT LEAST TRY TO DRIVE TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GET SIGNAL. CAR DROVE OK THAT DAY BUT SINCE THEN HAD JERKING OR SHIFTING PROBLEM SEVERAL HOURS AFTER FIRST USED IN THE DAY. I HAD THE ECU CHANGED THIS YEAR AND IT COST 1500. IT DRIVES BETTER NOW BUT NOW THE PROBLEM STARTS DURING THE FIRST USE OF THE CAR EACH DAY. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT IS ANNOYING AND MIGHT DAMAGE MY ENGINE MORE THAN THE OLD EMU HAD DAMAGE IT. ALSO THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER BACK SEAT DURING THE USE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS(IT DIDN'T HAVE MUCH USE BEFORE 2008) HAD STARTED SNAGGING TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS UNRAVELED. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE METAL LOOP THAT THE SEAT BELT GOES THOUGH IS VERY SHARP AND HAD CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO GET SHREDDED. *TR
Apr 29, 2010
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER REQUESTS RAMIFICATION TO UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AS SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER A RED LIGHT AND IT WOULD SURGE WITH FORCE ONCE IT ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $664.87 FOR A SENSOR AND V-RIPPED BELT. ON MARCH 24, 2010, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. UPON RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A TSB FOR THE PCM AND ECM. THE CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED OF A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE SLIGHTEST ROAD BUMP AND HEARING A THUMP WHEN TURNING THE WHEELS TO THE FAR RIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE TSB'S REGARDING THE ECM/PCM. *JB
Apr 23, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 complaint
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT FM OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHEN SHE TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO GET IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER THE THIRD OCCURRENCE, THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE SENSOR IN THE GAS TANK WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Mar 17, 2010
POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
TRANSMISSION ON 2003 RAV 4 (TOYOTA) DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY IT HESITATES AND DOES NOT MOVE THE AUTO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IT ALSO JUMPS AND SHIFTS GEARS ROUGHLY WHEN ACCELERATING THIS COULD WELL LEAD TO PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE CRASHES ON FREEWAY RAMPS AND AT STOP LIGHTS AND SIGNS. *TR
Feb 19, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1 complaint
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 IN 2006. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED IT DID NOT STOP VERY EASILY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON EVEN MILDLY SLIPPER ROADS. IT ALSO MAKES A HORRIFIC CHATTERING NOISE WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKES (ONLY WITH SLIPPERY CONDITIONS). I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BACK IN 2006 OR 2007 WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AND THAT WAS HOW THE BRAKES WERE DESIGNED. THIS BRAKING ISSUE HAS CONTINUED. I HAVE EVEN CHECKED IN TO BUYING NEW TIRES (LAST FALL AND AGAIN THIS WINTER) AND THE MECHANIC SAID MY TIRES WERE FINE. I HAVE SORT OF LEARNED TO LIVE WITH THIS BRAKING ISSUE BY MAKING SURE WHENEVER THERE IS EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW THAT I SLOW DOWN BY DOWNSHIFTING TO 2ND OR 1ST RATHER THAN USING THE BRAKES. *TR
Feb 05, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 complaint
TL*THE CONTACT 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST AND CRACKS ON THE ROTORS OF THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKES. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT ROTORS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WITH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF THE FRONT ROTORS HAD SEPARATED AT THE HUBS. UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB
Dec 03, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaint
POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE/REAR POWER LOCK IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. (I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). *NM
Jan 08, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
WE HAVE A TOYOTA RAV4 ELECTRIC VEHICLE. CAR ROLLED AWAY FROM CHARGING STATION WHILE PLUGGED IN - PERSON IN CAR SHIFTED INTO 'NEUTRAL' BY MISTAKE. RIPPED OUT CHARGING PADDLE DOWN TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRES - POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL HAZARD. COULD BE AVOIDED BY A SIMPLE RELAY THAT WILL PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SHIFTING OUT OF 'PARK' WHEN CAR IS PLUGGED IN. HAPPENS TO MANY TOYOTA ELECTRIC VEHICLES - I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. PICTURE (JPEG) AVAILABLE IF NEEDED PLEASE DO PASS ON THIS COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA. *JB
Jul 11, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
1 complaint
WHILE COASTING DOWN A HILL DRIVER BEGAN TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. ALSO, DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTING AT ANYTIME. *AK
Oct 27, 2003
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
1 complaint
2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER - COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL, WITHOUT WARNING OR UNUSUAL CAUSE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 25 MPH. TOYOTA DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND STATES THAT VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AND MEETS DESIGN INTENT. TOYOTA DEALER STATES THAT PROBLEM CAN NOT BE REPAIRED AND RECOMMENDS SNOW TIRES. SNOW TIRES THAT MEET TOYOTA SPECS ARE NOT COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE.*JB
Feb 27, 2003
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 have?
The 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 currently has 325 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.
What are the most common problems with 2003 TOYOTA RAV4?
The most common problems reported for the 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.
Where does this 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2003 TOYOTA RAV4 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.
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