602 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.
General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.
Reports by model year
Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
546 reports with mileage · 56 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What owners actually said
602 reportsElectrical SystemPower TrainInjury
WHIPLASH AND CERVICAL DISC HERNIATION DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA RAV 4 2002 TRANSMISSION AND ECM PROBLEMS. AROUND 4/20/10 I TOOK MY TOYOTA TO THIS DEALERSHIP DUE TO ONGOING JERKING AND FORWARD THRUST WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP POSITION, ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY KEPT MY TOYOTA FROM 4/19/10 TILL 4/21/10. RESET THE E…
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WHIPLASH AND CERVICAL DISC HERNIATION DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA RAV 4 2002 TRANSMISSION AND ECM PROBLEMS. AROUND 4/20/10 I TOOK MY TOYOTA TO THIS DEALERSHIP DUE TO ONGOING JERKING AND FORWARD THRUST WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP POSITION, ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY KEPT MY TOYOTA FROM 4/19/10 TILL 4/21/10. RESET THE ENGINE STATING THAT IT IS O2 SENSOR PROBLEM AND REPLACED IT. ALSO DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP PERSONA,L" I DON'T WANT TO STAMP YOUR CAR AS CONDEMNED, TAKE IT BACK AND WHEN PROBLEM GETS WORSE BRING IT BACK" HE DID NOT WARN ME THAT IF I DID NOT GET IT CORRECTED RIGHT AWAY, I CAN BE JEOPARDIZING MY SAFETY AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IT IS APPARENT FROM THE PAPERWORK THEY HANDED ME THAT THEY HAD DIAGNOSED A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED IT RIGHT AWAY. AROUND MIDDLE OF MAY THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION GOT WORSE, ON 2 OCCASIONS THE CAR STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE GOING AT 30 MPH AND THEN SEVERELY THRUST FORWARD AGAIN. IN ANOTHER 3-4 DAYS I STARTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE MUSCLE SPASMS AND HEADACHES. SINCE THEN I HAD BEEN TO ER, RECEIVED CT AND MRI SHOWING DISC PROLAPSE AND TEAR OF MY 2 VERTEBRAL DISCS. I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING PHYSICAL THERAPY, CERVICAL TRACTION, PAIN MEDICATION, CERVICAL COLLAR, AND AM SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE AN EPIDURAL INJECTION IN 2 WEEKS. I HAVE SEEN MY PCP TWICE, A NEUROLOGIST, 2 NEURO SURGEONS AND HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS MEDICATION, SOME WITH SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS AND HAVE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THESE VISITS. I AM A PHYSICIAN AND DUE TO THIS PROBLEM HAVE MISSED DAYS AT WORK JEOPARDIZING MY CLINICAL CARE. YESTERDAY ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING AND I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR, THIS INCIDENT MADE ME REALIZE I CAN HURT OTHER PEOPLE IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO DEALER TODAY AND THEY ARE GOING TO RUN A DIAGNOSIS ON IT AGAIN, AND IT MIGHT COST ME 6,000 DOLLARS. PLEASE HELP.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10341512
Power Train
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT IS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE ECM PROBLEM. THE ENGINE REVS AND SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR. IT ALSO LUNGES FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS CRIMINAL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA AND THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341506
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 TRA…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10340937
Power Train
CAR JERKS, HARSH SHIFTING, STAYS STUCK IN GEAR, WILL NOT GO BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. HAVE DONE OIL CHANGE, TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, LEFT AND RIGHT 02 SENSORS, STILL SHIFTING HARSH CONDITIONS, FEELS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340844
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 …
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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
NHTSA ODI #10340731
Power Train
2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ECM IN THE TRANSMISSION. MY MECHANIC AND SANPORT AUTO BROKEN ARROW, OK FOUND THE BULLETIN AND ADVISED ME MY CAR WAS WITHIN THE 96 MONTHS 80, 000 MILES. SHE EVEN CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM AND ADVISED THEM OF THE ISSUE. SHE SPOKE WITH KYLE AT JIM NORTON TOYOTA …
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2002 TOYOTA RAV 4 HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ECM IN THE TRANSMISSION. MY MECHANIC AND SANPORT AUTO BROKEN ARROW, OK FOUND THE BULLETIN AND ADVISED ME MY CAR WAS WITHIN THE 96 MONTHS 80, 000 MILES. SHE EVEN CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM AND ADVISED THEM OF THE ISSUE. SHE SPOKE WITH KYLE AT JIM NORTON TOYOTA HE SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE BULLETIN SO MY MECHANIC MADE A COPY AND PUT IT ON MY SEAT TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. KYLE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND LET ME KNOW. IF SOMEONE COULD CALL JIM NORTON TOYOTA AND LEAN AND BIT ON THEM THAT WOULD BE GREAT. HE ACTED LIKE HE WAS NOT SURE THAT WAS THE ISSUE BUT THERE IS DOCUMENTATION ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THE PROBLEM SO I AM NOT SURE HOW THEY COULD NOT KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE. MY MECHANIC AT SANPORT AUTO SAID IF I NEED ANY HELP TO LET HER KNOW. SHE SAID IT IS DEFINITELY THE ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT. THANK GOODNESS FOR GOOD HONEST MECHANICS LIKE SANPORT AUTO IN BROKEN ARROW, OK. THEY DID THE RIGHT THING AND WILL ALWAYS GET MY BUSINESS. LET'S HOPE JIM NORTON DOES THE RIGHT THING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340686
Power Train
TOYOTA RAV4 2002- 50MPH ON A ROAD WHEN AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE HAD TO GO AROUND ME- AFTER THE VEHICLE PASSED, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO 3RD GEAR- CARS WERE ACCELERATING PAST ME CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER ALONG WITH THE CAR JERKING AND PULLING- TOYOTA ISSUED A "SERVICE BULL." FOR THIS BUT WILL NOT REPLACE…
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TOYOTA RAV4 2002- 50MPH ON A ROAD WHEN AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE HAD TO GO AROUND ME- AFTER THE VEHICLE PASSED, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO 3RD GEAR- CARS WERE ACCELERATING PAST ME CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER ALONG WITH THE CAR JERKING AND PULLING- TOYOTA ISSUED A "SERVICE BULL." FOR THIS BUT WILL NOT REPLACE FAULTY ECM- AND NOW THERE IS POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE- VERY DANGEROUS AS I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE- THIS IS A INTERMITTENT ISSUE- MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET- NO RECALL AS OF YET-. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340615
Electrical SystemPower Train
2002 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED EXCELLENTLY WITH ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES PERFORMED AT TOYOTA DEALERS OR AUTHORIZED FACILITIES. IN 2009, TOYOTA SENT A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A "FAULTY ECM" (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN AND THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THIS SERVIC…
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2002 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED EXCELLENTLY WITH ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES PERFORMED AT TOYOTA DEALERS OR AUTHORIZED FACILITIES. IN 2009, TOYOTA SENT A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A "FAULTY ECM" (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN AND THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THIS SERVICE, THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING ERRATICALLY AND AS OF JUNE 26, 2010, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WITH 118,000 MILES ON THE CAR. TOYOTA KNOWS THAT THE ECM CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IS REFUSING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS LACK OF INTEGRITY AND FOR PUTTING CONSUMERS AT RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY, DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 2002 RAV4'S, CAMRY'S AND COROLLAS. GOOGLE THIS INFORMATION TO SEE THAT THIS IS BECOMING MORE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR, NOW THAT THEY ARE REACHING 100,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340240
Power TrainCrash
I WAS COMING HOME AND WAITING FOR MY GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN WHEN MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (EVEN THOUGH I QUICKLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE) AND CRASHED THROUGH THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE GARAGE DOOR SIDE-SWIPING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP TO GET FIXED AND ALSO TOOK IT TO A SERVICE S…
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I WAS COMING HOME AND WAITING FOR MY GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN WHEN MY 2002 TOYOTA RAV4 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (EVEN THOUGH I QUICKLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE) AND CRASHED THROUGH THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE GARAGE DOOR SIDE-SWIPING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP TO GET FIXED AND ALSO TOOK IT TO A SERVICE SHOP, AND NEITHER PLACE COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOTICED ON A FEW RARE OCCASIONS THAT, UPON SHIFTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A SUDDEN JERKING ACTION. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THIS ALL MY BE RELATED TO THE ECM TRANSMISSION MODULE THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT LATELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339915
Power Train
NO WARNING WHEN TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM STOPPED TO FIRST. WOULD JERK THEN BE FINE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON. TOOK TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP & WAS QUOTED $3,200 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. NO MENTION OF THE ECM BEING THE CAUSE OR NEEDING REPAIRED. WILL HAVE TO TRADE IN. FA…
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NO WARNING WHEN TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM STOPPED TO FIRST. WOULD JERK THEN BE FINE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON. TOOK TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP & WAS QUOTED $3,200 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. NO MENTION OF THE ECM BEING THE CAUSE OR NEEDING REPAIRED. WILL HAVE TO TRADE IN. FAILURE 110,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339642