Owners have filed 392 complaints
about the 2003 Toyota RAV4 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2023.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 26 of 30 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 48
Against the median year of the Toyota RAV4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 51
9.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 9
5% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Transmission
10680.9%
Engine
86.1%
Frontal
64.6%
Body
32.3%
Sidewall
21.5%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
21.5%
TIE ROD Assembly
21.5%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
21.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
41.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
92.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
144.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
4513.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
12034.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
11934.6%
150,000+ miles
339.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2002peak 25Oct 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Toyota RAV4
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Recalls on the 2003 Toyota RAV4
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 125,000 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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?
NHTSA complaint #11142305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, CACrash
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #10904983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,000 milesNewaygo, MIFire
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A HARSH SHIFT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REDUCE IN SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.
NHTSA complaint #10888167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,336 milesSurprise, AZCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10691933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,048 milesLowell, ARCrash
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10522946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,048 milesLowell, ARCrash
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10522946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 103,000 milesSanta Barbara, CA
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11547851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odessa, MO
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle is very delayed shifting and will slow down without pushing the breaks
NHTSA complaint #11512145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odessa, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The vehicle is very delayed shifting and will slow down without pushing the breaks
NHTSA complaint #11512145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odessa, MO
ENGINE
The vehicle is very delayed shifting and will slow down without pushing the breaks
NHTSA complaint #11512145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
POWER TRAIN
I DRIVE AND THE SLEEP WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THE CAN NOT CHANGE CORRECTLY THE GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11329244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,100 milesLA Crescenta, CA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11309385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSouth Easton, MA
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #11282867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesArnold, MO
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #11282552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, OH
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11195650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,991 milesCheyenne, WY
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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.
NHTSA complaint #11182823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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?
NHTSA complaint #11142305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesEAU Claire, WI
POWER TRAIN
TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND WHEN ACCERATING
NHTSA complaint #11124331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,279 milesLAS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #11119009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,279 milesLAS Vegas, NV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #11119009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,279 milesLAS Vegas, NV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
NHTSA complaint #11119009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesCrosby, MN
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000.
NHTSA complaint #11103418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crosby, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11103065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Airy, GA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA complaint #11065936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesAlexandria, LA
POWER TRAIN
LONG STORY SHORT, BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS" FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER 2017, DID NOT KNOW OF THE TRANSMISSION/ECM PROBLEM UNTIL NOVEMBER 2017 (YES THAT FAST). GOT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE CODE SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE ARE NOW IN JANUARY 2018, I GOT THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR 2,714 RIGHT? OKAY, TODAY JANUARY 16TH 2018, I PICKED UP MY CAR, DROVE IT AROUND, BROUGHT IT RIGHT BACK WITHIN 45 MINUTES. MY CAR WAS STILL DOING A HARD SHIFT. I GOT IN THE CAR WITH THE MECHANIC TO DRIVE UP THE HIGHWAY, HE FELT THE SHIFT IMMEDIATELY AND INFORMED ME HE WAS THE ONE THAT PUT THE PART IN. OKAY, AT THIS POINT WE HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE ALL THE MANAGERS WERE IN A MEETING. I GET A CALL AROUND 3:30PM SAYING THAT THE ECM IS NOT A PROBLEM AND THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE! I JUST SPENT 5,000 SO FAR BUYING THE CAR AND 2,700 DOLLARS TO FIX THE CAR. SHE TOLD ME THAT AN ECM WOULD COST FROM 1,500 DOLLARS TO 2,000 TO REPLACE, ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? OF COURSE THE WARRANTY THAT TOYOTA "EXTENDED" IS NO LONGER IN AFFECT, SO ALL OF THIS MONEY HAS TO COME OUT OF POCKET. TO SAY I HAVEN'T HAD MY CAR OR DRIVEN MY CAR FOR LONG AT ALL I HAVE EXPERIENCED A NIGHTMARE. I AM A SENIOR IN COLLEGE NOW, I ONLY BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE MY OTHER VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY A DRIVER WHO RAN A STOP SIGN AND STATE FARM AWARDED ME ONLY 2,800 FOR MY PREVIOUS CAR. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE, NO ONE BUT GOD WILL HELP YOU IN THE END THIS IS SAD AND RIDICULOUS. IT'S NOT RIGHT TO GET OVER ON PEOPLE IN THIS WAY.
NHTSA complaint #11063181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,895 milesTazewell, TN
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10995083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,895 milesTazewell, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10995083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSelma, OR
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!
NHTSA complaint #10958437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesEast Northport, NY
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10955257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesAuburn, WA
POWER TRAIN
WHAT I HAVE A 2003 RAV4 THAT DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY AS A SLOW ACCELERATION AND BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND IT'LL SLIP AND REV HIGH ON THE RPM THEN TALK INTO GEAR AND SAME BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD AND 3RD TO DRIVE
NHTSA complaint #10950215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesSwansea, MA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HARD SHIFTED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #10916648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.