2001 Toyota RAV4

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2009· POWER TRAIN

  1. TRANSMISSION FAILED DESPITE TOYOTA DEALER HAVING REPLACED THE ECM ON THE 2001 RAV4. 2. CAR NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS WITH NEW TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED (IN 2007) ECM. COULD BE DANGEROUS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. 3. TOYOTA REPLACED THE PART IN 2007, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THEY RETOOLED THIS PART 3 TIMES SINCE 2007, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE NEW PART WAS JUST AS FAULTY AS THE ORIGINAL. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY AND THE NEW PART ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. *TR

• 12/30/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

• 12/28/2009· POWER TRAIN

  EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS (JERKING & SLIPPING) WITH MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. TOOK IT THE NORTHWAY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN LATHAM, NY. WAS TOLD THAT ECM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($1300) AND POTENTIALLY A TRANSMISSION ($3400). TAXES AND LABOR ARE TO BE ADDED. GOOGLED DCT (ERROR CODE) P0755 OBTAINED DURING THE CHECKUP AND FOUND TOYOTA'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TC002-06 FROM MARCH 3RD, 2006 DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM AND INDICATING THE NEED TO REPLACE ECM. THIS REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER TOYOTA FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY (96 MONTHS OR 80,000 MILES). WHY TOYOTA DID NOT CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN ALMOST 4 YEARS MAKING ME TO PAY ALMOST $5000 FOR THEIR MISTAKE? *TR

• 12/28/2006· POWER TRAIN

  2001 RAV4 MANUAL TRANSMISSION - THE GEAR SHIFT STARTED MOVING BACK AND FORTH IN THE 5TH GEAR POSITION WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED/RELEASED FROM THE GAS PEDAL. WENT TO BALISE TOYOTA IN WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL BEHAVIOR (EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE CAR STARTED "POPPING" OUT OF 5TH GEAR. BALISE THEN ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL AND "REPAIRED" THE PROBLEM (THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM TOYOTA OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM). WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK, THE GEARSHIFT DID NOT MOVE WHEN IN 5TH GEAR. IT IS NOW DECEMBER AND THE GEARSHIFT IS ONCE AGAIN MOVING BACK AND FORTH IN 5TH GEAR AND BALISE TOYOTA IS TELLING ME IT IS NORMAL AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHILE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS HAVING A CAR DROP OUT OF GEAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN IT WOULD BE MOST APT TO HAPPEN. *NM

• 12/27/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES SQUEAL TOO MUCH. I BROUGHT IT BACK THREE TIME AND THE PROBLEMS IS STILL THERE. *AK

• 12/22/2000· TIRES

  TIRE IS LOW-PROFILE DESIGN STANDARD ON PRIUS. EXPLOSIVE SEPARATION OCCURRED ON DRY ROADWAY WITHOUT DEBRIS. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78 DEGREES. THANK GOODNESS THAT THE TIRE WAS ON THE REAR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO INITIATE A CONTROLLED STOP FROM THE NUMBER ONE LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTER-PANEL, THE ALLOY RIM AND OF COURSE THE TIRE. BRIDGESTONE CUSTOMER CARE WAS CONTACTED AT 800-847-3272 AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A CLAIM PACKAGE WITHIN 5 DAYS. THERE IS NO REFERENCE NUMBER ASSIGNED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS. SERIAL NUMBER FOR ALL 4 TIRES IS: CHA3700. IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS LOT OF TIRES IS ON ALL OF THE PRIUS VEHICLES SITTING AT THE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA STORAGE FACILITY. THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: EL9P TIRESIZE: P17565 R14)

• 12/20/2017· POWER TRAIN

  THE RAV4 WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED

• 12/14/2015· POWER TRAIN

  WE WERE ALMOST HIT AT A STREET LIGHT. UPON ACCELERATING OUR CAR THE ENGINE DIED DUE THE TRANSMISSION OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE. WE WERE LUCKY IF THE PERSON BEHIND HAD NOT SLAMMED ON BRAKES WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. ALSO THE CAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING WHILE DRIVE ON FREEWAY. WE ALWAYS NOW STAY IN THE SLOW LANE BECAUSE WE FEAR TO PASS,

• 12/14/2011· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING AND JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR WHILE IN LOW GEAR AND SHIFTING FROM A LOW SPEED. I BECAME AWARE OF THE ECM PROBLEM KNOWN TO OCCUR IN MY MAKE AND MODEL OF TOYOTA UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER, I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS TEN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE (I PURCHASED MY CAR 11 YEARS AGO) DESPITE THE FACT IT IS KNOWN THAT THE ECM, THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION, IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TOYOTA CANNOT ETHICALLY COVER THIS KNOWING IT IS DEFECTIVE AND IS PROBABLE TO CAUSE OWNERS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, REGARDLESS IF IT'S 8, 10, OR 12 YEARS DOWN THE LINE. *TR

• 12/13/2011· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY BEGAN SLIPPING AND JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR WHILE IN LOW GEAR AND SHIFTING FROM A LOW SPEED. I BECAME AWARE OF THE ECM PROBLEM KNOWN TO OCCUR IN MY MAKE AND MODEL OF TOYOTA UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER, I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS TEN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE (I PURCHASED MY CAR 11 YEARS AGO) DESPITE THE FACT IT IS KNOWN THAT THE ECM, THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION, IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TOYOTA CANNOT ETHICALLY COVER THIS KNOWING IT IS DEFECTIVE AND IS PROBABLE TO CAUSE OWNERS PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, REGARDLESS IF IT'S 8, 10, OR 12 YEARS DOWN THE LINE. *TR

• 12/12/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HARSH VEHICLE JERKING WITH BAD AUTOMATIC SHIFTING/ACCELERATION. USED EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND NARROWLY AVOIDED ACCIDENT WITH BADLY PERFORMING VEHICLE. PROBLEM IS DIAGNOSED AS FAILED ECM. *TR MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE (TOYOTA DOCUMENT T-SB-0156-10) BUT DID NOT INFORM OWNERS. ECM FAILURE IN MY CAR CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY AVOIDED BY PRO-ACTIVELY REPLACING THE FACTORY INSTALLED ECM IF I HAD BEEN GIVEN THE T-SB-0156-10 INFORMATION. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 2 AND 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS AT THE TIME. THIS PART FAILURE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. PLEASE HAVE TOYOTA NOTIFY OWNERS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO THEM. THANKS.

• 12/10/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2001 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED AND JERKED, COASTED THEN LURCHED AGAIN, SUDDENLY LOSING SPEED, THEN STALLED. ENGINE REVVED AND TRANSMISSION KEPT JERKING, WOULD NOT ENGAGE FULLY. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND WAS NEARLY RUN OVER BY TRUCK. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER. EVENTUALLY, MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME AT REDUCED SPEED ON BACK ROADS. DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER CHIP, $1,000 BILL. TOYOTA NOTIFIED DEALERS IN 2006 OF FAULTY CHIP, NOT ME. NOW, 12-11-09, TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. BEGAN HESITATING IN TRAFFIC, AS IF CUTTING OUT. *TR

• 12/07/2019· SUSPENSION

  THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK UP ROTTED OUT AND OFF.

• 12/06/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  REAR BRAKE DRUMS MADE A NOISE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES,THEY GRAB AND PULL, MAKING VEHICLE JERK. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES WOULD GRIND, AND STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON VEHICLE, BUT CONSUMER CAN'T GET ADEQUATE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/03/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ECM ON MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 STOPPED WORKING AT 76K MILES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID NOT EXPERIENCE AN INCIDENT BECAUSE I STOPPED DRIVING IT AND GOT IT FIXED QUICKLY WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF THE FAILED TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS - LURCHING AND JERKING AND LACK OF POWER IN THE ENGINE. I HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH AND REALIZE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR AND AM HOPING IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN, TOYOTA WILL OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM OF A MAJOR DEFECTIVE PART. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AND, SINCE THE WARRANTY ON MY ECM EXPIRED AS OF MARCH THIS YEAR, THEY ALSO CLAIM IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/01/2011· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING HARSH SHIFTING AND HARD ENGAGEMENT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED TOYOTA RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS FAR BACK AS 2006 IN THE 2001-2003 MODELS. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS AND 150, 000 MILES. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS 6 MONTHS BEYOND THE DATE (ONLY 103,000 MILES). I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, I DISCOVERED THAT OWNERS HAD ISSUES WITH THE REPLACED EMC UNIT WITHIN 2 YEARS-CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE OR REPEATED ECM FAILURE. I QUESTIONED TOYOTA AS TO WHY THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. THEY COULDN'T TELL ME. IF IT HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUE, TOYOTA WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND NOT ME. IN ADDITION, HOW DO I KNOW THAT ONCE I HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED TODAY, THAT I WON'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE OR WORSE IN 2 YEARS--LIKE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS? TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THIS A RECALL ISSUE--ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

• 11/28/2001· STEERING

  I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THESE DATES FOR THE SA ME REPAIR FEB.9.2001,MARCH 12,MARCH 26,APRIL19 AND SEPT 14 AND INSTEAD OF FIXING IT THE NOISE IS WORSE . IT IS SO BAD THAT I TAKE NERVE PILLS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE . I HAVE TAKEN MY FAMILY DOCTOR FOR A RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AND HE HAD WORTE IN MY FILE THAT HE HAS HEARD ITAND IT VERY ANOYING IF I SHOULD TAKE SO MANY NERVE PILLS THAT I SHOULD HAVE A WRECK I WOULD HOPE THAT TOYOTA IS READY FOR A LAW SUIT MY ATTORNEY HAS ALSO HEARD THIS . I FILLED OUT THE LEMON LAW FORMS AND WAS DENIED AT THE ARBITRATION AS IT WAS A WENDY DAY AND THE ARBITRATOR EVEN SAID THAT HIS HEARING WAS NOT GOOD FROM WORKING IN FACTORIES . SO HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT HEAR THIS . I HAVE ALSO HAD A BODY SHOP RIDE IN THIS CAR AND THEY HAVE ALSO HEARD THE NOISE. I SURE HOPE THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS I HAVE 2 GRANDCHILDREN AND MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS WITH ME THE OTHER DAY AND SAID MIMI WHAT IS THAT NOISE ? YOU NEED A NEW CAR . THAT IS PRETTY BAD WHEN A 3 YEAR OLD SAYS SOMETHING LIKE THAT. 4. *AK

• 11/27/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT, I WAS DRIVING A 2001 TOYOTA RAV 4. AI WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF ME, I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND MISSED THE DEER, HOWEVER I HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE, OVERCOMPENCIATED ACROSS ROAD STRAIGHT UP A BANK, APPROX 20 FT. THE ACR TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND ROLLED OVER TWICE DOWN THE BANK. SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, I SUFFERED A DEEP LACERATION TO RIGHT SIDE OF HEAD AND THE GEAR SHIFT FRACTURED 4-7 RIBS. THERE WAS A POLICE OFFICER NEARBY WHO SAW THE WHOLE THING, HE STATED HE CLOCKED ME AT 35MPH, AND STATED ALSO IN THE POLICE REPORT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IF YOU CAN HELP ME IN THIS MATTER I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL. RESPECTFULLY--BILLY JACK HARRELL *TR

• 11/26/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  VEHICLE DOES NOT RETURN THROTTLE TO IDLE POSITION WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE DOES NOT DECELERATE. WHEN PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL OR PRESSED CLUTCH RPMS WOULD GO UP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NORMAL.*AK

• 11/21/2009· POWER TRAIN

  AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE CROSS TRAFFIC DID NOT STOP, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 25MPH AND MY FAMILY AND I CAME DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO A PRETTY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS WHAT IS NEEDED, SO I DO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO UTILIZE LITTLE USED ROADS AND HOPE THAT I CAN GET A LITTLE MORE LIFE OUT OF MY CURRENT TRANSMISSION! *TR

• 11/21/2009· POWER TRAIN

  GOING AT BELOW 40MPH CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TO TAKE MY SON TO SCHOOL MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 BEGAN TO JERK REPEATEDLY UNDER ACCELERATION. THIS WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING AS I FELT THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OUT OF MY CONTROL AND HIT THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME! IT WOULD STOP IF OVER 40 COULD BE MAINTAINED. A FEW DAYS PRIOR I EXPERIENCED THIS 2 SINGLE JERKS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO A NEARBY DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. I AM BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE CAR'S COMPUTER AND MAY POSSIBLY NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS SOME YEARS AGO BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE JERKING REPRESENTS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY AND CONSUMER LIABILITY AND THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECOURSE FOR PREVENTION. *TR

• 11/21/2008· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ON NOVEMBER 8, WHILE TRAVELING TO WORCESTER TO SEE A FRIEND RECOVERING FROM A SERIOUS MEDICAL NEXT I CALLED TWO OF THE MAJOR TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS IN THE AREA; COTTMAN TRANSMISSION IN NORTHAMPTON AND THE TRANNY SHOP IN PALMER, WHERE BRIAN AND SCOTT TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA'S REPROGRAMMING DIDN'T WORK, AND THAT I'D NEED TO BUY A NEW MODULE OUT OF POCKET FOR $900-1100. THEY BOTH SAID THAT IF I CAUGHT IT EARLY, I WOULDN'T NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT UNWILLING TO PAY TO MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR

• 11/20/2009· POWER TRAIN

  1 & 2. RECENTLY I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT ON MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (E.C.M.), WHICH TELLS THE TRANSMISSION WHAT TO DO, APPARENTLY IS FAULTY (A PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED BUT FAILED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT) WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO ESSENTIALLY SELF DESTRUCT. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN MY ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND MY CAR DRAMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN. AFTER PULLING OVER AND PUTTING IT INTO PARK, I SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD, ALMOST CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR. I FEARED FOR MY LIFE IN BOTH SITUATIONS AND FEEL THAT THIS PRODUCT IS EXTREMELY FAULTY. 3. MY TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT FOR APPROXIMATELY $3,500, BUT IF TOYOTA HAD NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM EARLIER THEN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE ECM BEFORE IT CAUSED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND ENDANGERED MY LIFE. *TR

• 11/20/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR LOST ITS ABILITY TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE ECM FOR THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. IT COST ABOUT 1,000 DOLLARS TO FIX AND THE CAR STILL DOESN'T SOUND OR DRIVE LIKE IT USED TO. I AM AFRAID THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL IN BAD WEATHER OR ON A HILL AND I WILL HURT PEOPLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT OTHER CARS WITH THIS ECM PROBLEM LATER DO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND CALLS TO TOYOTA ARE NOT FRUITFUL. THERE IS APPROXIMATELY 69,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR. THE POWER TRAIN SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM TO A RELATIVELY YOUNG CAR LIKE THIS IT SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES NOT 60,000 MILES. THIS CAR AND THE OTHER TOYOTAS I AM READING ABOUT SHOULD BE RECALLED THEY ARE DANGEROUS. *TR

• 11/18/2009· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER NOT HAVING PROBLEMS FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS, THE CIL CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN HARD-SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE ECM CODE WAS FOR AN O2 SENSOR HEATER. CHANGED THE SENSOR, LIGHT CAME BACK ON CALLING OUT A GEAR AND THE SHIFTING WAS WORSE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FLUSHED THE OIL AND FLASHED THE ECM PER TSB. RAN FINE FOR ONE DAY. CIL CAME BACK ON AND HARD SHIFTED HORRIBLY WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ON THE WAY HOME. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FLUIDS. ALL FLUIDS LOOKED CLEAN AND WERE AT APPROPRIATE LEVELS. HEADED FOR DEALERSHIP AGAIN. GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND LOW GEAR HARD-SHIFT WENT AWAY, BUT SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AT 60 MPH! CAR REGAINED POWER AND SHIFTED FINE IN LOW GEARS BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT ABOVE 3RD. DROVE REST OF THE WAY TO DEALER AT 35 MPH AND DROPPED IT OFF FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I HAVE SPENT ALMOST $2K IN DIAGNOSES, PARTS, AND LABOR AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. NOW, WE NEARLY WERE KILLED ON A MAJOR FREEWAY! THIS IS DANGEROUS! THIS PROBLEM MANIFESTED IN SEPTEMBER AND PEAKED YESTERDAY (11/17/09). WE CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE DEFECT. *TR

• 11/18/2007· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ROUGH SHIFT IN LOW GEARS CAUSING ENGINE TO REV BUT CAR DOES NOT MOVE. HAD SOLENOIDS REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TOLD ECM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT OTHER OWNERS SAID THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. CAR REVS BUT GOES NO WHERE AND CREATES DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY IN DENSE TRAFFIC WITH BIG TRUCKS. *TR

• 11/17/2009· POWER TRAIN

  HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION ON 2001 RAV4 (AUG 09) AND THEN IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE AGAIN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION STARTED DOING THE SAME THING (NOV 09). I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ECM. WHICH I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS EVEN A PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURE. HAVE PAID FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION & ECM UNIT. *TR

• 11/16/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  ON 10/13/2012 WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. WE HEADED SOUTH ON A BUSY FREEWAY AND HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOWN AS WE PROCEEDED UP THE ENTRANCE RAMP GAINING SPEED TO SAFELY MOVE ON THE FREEWAY WE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE POWER WINDOW BY PULLING UP ON THE DESIGNATED SWITCH AND EXPERIENCED THIS WINDOW AS SOON AS IT CLOSED WOULD INSTANTLY GO BACK DOWN. REPEATED ATTEMPTS SAME OUTCOME. CARS WERE ON ALL SIDES, THE GUST OF RAIN HITTING MY FACE MADE IT HARD TO SEE WHILE MY ATTENTION WAS FOCUSED ON GETTING THIS WINDOW TO STAY CLOSED AND AT THE SAME TIME AVOID COLLISIONS DUE TO THE DISTRACTION OF A WINDOW THAT WOULD NOT STAY SHUT. *TR

• 11/16/2009· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 SHIFTS GEARS ERRATICALLY AND STALLS WHILE BEING DRIVEN. IT STARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE BY SUDDENLY SURGING WHILE I WAS DRIVING 70MPH. NOW IT OCCURS DAILY WHILE TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR EVEN WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BUT THIS DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM AND I'VE BEEN GETTING ESTIMATES IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

• 11/13/2009· POWER TRAIN

  THE COMPUTER IN MY RAV4 FAILED. IT WAS GIVING MY TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENT COMMANDS TO DRIVE IN THE WRONG GEAR. FOR EXAMPLE, MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE TIMES THE CAR WAS ESSENTIALLY IN 2 GEARS AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS NEARLY IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR BUCKED AND ALMOST STALLED AS I TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD FROM A STOP. ONCE IT STARTED HAPPENING I DROVE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC I COULD FIND AND ONLY MADE RIGHT TURNS BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE CAR WOULD DO. IT BURNED UP THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. WHEN THE COMPUTER WAS RESET (AS WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED) THE CAR WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY FOR A FEW MILES AND THEN THE ECM WOULD BEGIN GIVING THE WRONG COMMANDS AGAIN. THE MECHANIC HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER TO GET THE ECM REPAIRED AND HE GOT TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WAS A SCARY RIDE, WHICH IT WAS. WHEN I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE THE REP DENIED THAT THE RAV4 HAS A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND HAD FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH MY PROBLEM HE STATED THAT ANYONE COULD CREATE FAKE INTERNET POSTINGS, INCLUDING MYSELF. PLEASE, PLEASE RESEARCH THIS. TOYOTA TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY AND I WORRY WHAT WILL HAPPEN. MY CAR HAS BEEN FIXED BUT I DON'T WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I DID. I DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE THEIR CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE MINE DID. IT COMES ON VERY SUDDENLY, IT IS NOT THE CASE OF A SMALL PROBLEM GRADUALLY BECOMING WORSE. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT I COULD MAKE A REPORT LIKE THIS I WOULD HAVE DONE SO SOONER. *TR

• 11/12/2009· POWER TRAIN

  NOT EASY TO EXPLAIN, I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON GOING MILDLY FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS BUT EVERY TIME I WOULD BRING IT IN NOBODY COULD SEE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM MOSTLY STARTING THE CAR AND THEN AFTER BRAKING IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE A CLOG. I WAS TOLD ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO IT WAS THE CAT CONVERTER, HAD IT REPAIRED FOR $1000 AND IT DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. I JUST BROUGHT IT IN BECAUSE IT IS GETTING SO MUCH WORSE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY SPARK PLUGS AND CYLINDERS SO I HAD THAT REPAIRED AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 5 MINUTES EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COMPUTER AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $1300 DOLLARS. (WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM DID NOT SHOW BEFORE I HAD THE CYLINDERS REPAIRED.) I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST AND AM TERRIFIED WHEN THE SNOW AND ICE BEGIN BECAUSE WHEN IN CLOGS OR BUCKS I AM OPEN TO LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TR

• 11/12/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/09/2013· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013 WITH ONLY 95,000 MILES. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SO IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $600. THEN TWO DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE O2 SENSOR, THAT BILL WAS NEARLY $350. NOW FOR THE ICING ON THE CAKE. FOUR DAYS AFTER THAT REPAIR, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO GO TO WORK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT IN TO GEAR, LUNGED FORWARD AND I NEARLY RAN OVER SOME CHILDREN AT A BUS STOP! THE DEALER SAID THE ISSUE IS WITH THE ECM AND POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION. THE ECM WAS REPLACED AT NEARLY $1100 AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS! DEALER SAID NEXT STEP IS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. THAT COST IS $5700 AND I CAN'T AFFORD IT. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHY CAN'T THE GOVERNMENT MANDATE THAT TOYOTA HAS TO STAND BEHIND THIS PROBLEM? CHILDREN WERE NEARLY RAN OVER BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA WILL NOT DO A [XXX] THING ABOUT IT. VERY SAD. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/09/2011· POWER TRAIN

  FAILED TO SPEED UP WHEN I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. *TR

• 11/09/2003· TIRES

  A CONSTANT RATTLE/SQUEAK IN FRONT DASH. THE REAR TIRE MOUNT RATTLES/SQUEAKS TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE TO REMOVE THE TIRE MOUNT. *AK

• 11/06/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. ALSO WHEN THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER A MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE COMPUTER MONITOR WAS REPAIRED .HOWEVER BECAUSE OF COLLATERAL DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,700.

• 11/06/2008· POWER TRAIN

  2001 RAV 4 TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING RIGHT. JUST STARTED TO HAPPEN. CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR, I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. DEALER AND ANOTHER GARAGE SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I GUESS THAT RAVS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THEY DO AND KEEP SELLING THEM AND PEOPLE KEEP GETTING RIPPED OFF. *TR

• 11/05/2023· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  2001 Toyota Rav4 was sold at Auction, to a used car dealership. I purchased this car from the used car dealer on August 5, 2023. Unfortunately, the dealer tampered with the brakes. I witnessed their mechanic working on the rear brake system in person on August 4, 2023. The owner told me that because there was a noise coming from the rear, they were "fixing it". Upon buying this car and driving it to a gas station, filled it up, much to my horror, gas spilled out. The gas tank has a leak in it. Also, upon driving it home the engine warning light suddenly illuminated. I promptly brought it to a Toyota Dealership in Wooster, Ohio and requested a complete examination. I have their full report, and they have determined this car to be unsafe to drive. The brakes had been adjusted when in fact, the brakes and brake lines need to be replaced, this was the used car dealer at fault. I feel the used car dealership bought car at auction and was unaware of the gas tank leak and the bearing plates being fragile, the engine cradle could break at any given moment, causing the engine to fall out. The car was purchased at and maintained by an Akron Toyota Dealership since it was brand new in 2001. After 23 years why did this dealership allow this car to be released into the general public? Frame Damage so bad, the bearing plates that hold the engine up are beyond fragile, the cradle that holds the engine integrity is grossly compromised, and the gas tank has a hole in it. Bad brakes + leaking gas tank. One spark and = Ka Boom. I would be dead. So many things wrong in this situation. Personally, my physical and emotional health suffered. I had chronic diarrhea, headaches, and went to the Dr several times. Please let me know how this matter should be resolved. I am upset and financially compromised all from this car. Documentation available.

• 11/05/2016· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  MY 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 HAS 63192 MILES ON IT. IT BEGAN EXHIBITING TRANSMISSION/ACCELERATION PROBLEMS YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING MY GRANDDAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL, ABOUT A 2 MILE ROUND TRIP ON CITY STREET TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35-40MPH. THE CAR REFUSED TO PICK UP SPEED AND BEGAN TO JERK DUE TO SHIFTING/MISSING GEARS, ALL BY ITS SELF. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SO SHOULD NOT EXHIBIT THESE PROBLEMS. I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO TOYOTA AND THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL THAT I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OFF. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST WITH RECTIFYING THIS PROBLEM SAYING THE DATE FOR THE RECALL HAS PASSED, BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF SAID RECALL TO BEGIN WITH. THE PROBLEM JUST STARTED AND ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS 15 YO, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED AND ONLY HAS 63K MILES ON IT SO SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I WANT TOYOTA TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR MODULE AND NOT DUE TO THE AGE OR CONDITION OF THE CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS EXACT VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL AND TOYOTA HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THESE ISSUES. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA AND FIXED IMMEDIATELY. IN AN ARTICLE FOUND ONLINE, TOYOTA ADMITTED TO THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND DESPITE THE DEFECT, TOYOTA DID NOT OFFER ANY SPECIAL WARRANTY COVERAGE. INSTEAD, THE BULLETIN SAID REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY OF 80,000 MILES OR EIGHT YEARS FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD. BUT THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS LESS THAN 80K MILES ON IT, AND IT IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED.

• 11/04/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2001 RAV4 TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED TODAY. READ ANYTIMES ARTICLE ABOUT ECM PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA, I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW THAT ECM PROBLEM WOULD CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED OR AT THE VERY LEAST NOTIFY OWNERS SO THAT WE COULD HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE TRULY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH MY CAR THAT TOYOTA FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF IN TIME TO CORRECT. *TR

• 11/03/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2001 TOYOTA RAV 4 THE ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY BECAME STUCK FULL OPEN AT A SLOW SPEED. WAS ABLE TO BRING CAR TO STOP BY RIDING BRAKES AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. HAPPENED ONE TIME. CAR SEEMED FINE AFTER RESTARTING. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT BECAUSE NEVER COULD FIGURE OUT CAUSE AND HAS NEVER REPEATED. *TR

• 11/03/2005· POWER TRAIN

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH HAS REPEATEDLY MALFUNCTIONED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLUTCH TWICE WITHIN THREE YEARS. ALSO, CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO FURTHER CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 11/02/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN I STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I TRIED TOACCELARATE BUT MY WAS STUCK AND THERE WAS A HEAVY TRAFFIC I TOOK THIS CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE I CHANGED IT BUT TWO DAY AFTER IT GAVE ME THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY THIS TIME ON THE HIGHWAY I STARTED LOOKING FOR ANSWER AND FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THE 2001 RAV 4 ECU CAME OUT WITH A PROBLEM BUT NEVER GOT A RECALL NOW THE TOYOTA COMPANY ARE NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN HELP ME WITH THIS PRO THANK YOU THERE IS A WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN SEE ALL THE PEOPLE COMPLAINING BOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT NEVER DID ANYTHING ABOUT ITHTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/TOYOTA/RAV4/2001/TRANSMISSION/PROBLEMS_SHIFTING.SHTML. *TR

• 11/02/2000· VISIBILITY

  IS THE PLASTIC SUN ROOF SAFE? WILL IT SPLINTER IN A CRASH?*AK

• 11/01/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2001 TOYOTA RAV4 TROUBLE CODE P0750. WHEN CONSULTING MECHANICS AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO HELP FIX THE PROBLEM EFFICIENTLY. I WAS TOLD REPLACING SHIFT SOLENOID A MIGHT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEN AGAIN UNKNOWINGLY COULD BE A ECM ISSUE OR EVEN THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALER SHOULD BE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AT THE COSTUMERS BEST INTEREST, WITH AN IMPORTANCE OF SUCH MAGNITUDE EXPENSE IS AN ISSUE THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED TO GUARANTEE SATISFACTION OF OUTCOME. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE OF THIS VEHICLE WITH MAKER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STILL YET HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH TO ADDRESS IT ACCORDINGLY. *TR

• 10/29/2009· POWER TRAIN

  2001 TOYOTA RAV4 2WD 4 CYLINDER. THE TRANSMISSION IS STALLS AT TAKE OFF, I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ECM AND TRANSMISSION. MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, LEAVING OUR CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WHILE THERE WAS ON GOING TRAFFIC. *TR

• 10/27/2013· POWER TRAIN

  I WAS SENT A LETTER ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THE 2001-2003 TOYOTA RAV4. I ASKED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED, BUT WAS DENIED, BECAUSE I DID NOT REQUEST UNTIL AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE 150,000 HAD PASSED. I APPEALED THEIR DECISION AND I WAS DENIED AGAIN. I DID HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED WITH A NEW TOYOTA ONE, WHICH WAS INSTALLED BY A MECHANIC THAT DOES NOT WORK AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THIS MODULE WORKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT MY RAV IS BACK TO THE SAME HARD SHIFTING SAFETY ISSUES IT HAD BEFORE. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION OR THE NEW MODULE TO COMPLETELY FIX THE SAFETY ISSUE. EVEN IF THEY REPLACED THE MODULE AGAIN, I BELIEVE IT HAS DONE TOO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION THAT WILL NOT BE REPAIRED BY THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART. YOU PAY FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MAINTAIN IT LIKE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO AND TOYOTA DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMER. THEY MADE THEIR MONEY AND THAT'S THAT. *TR

• 10/27/2010· POWER TRAIN

  ENTERING HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID BEING HIT. *TR

• 10/27/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA RAV4 WHICH UNTIL RECENTLY HAD BEEN WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A GOOD PURCHASE. IN DECEMBER 2007, WE RECEIVED A LETTER INSTRUCTING US TO BRING OUR VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MONITOR) REPROGRAMMED WHICH WE HAD DONE IN JANUARY 2008. ON TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2008, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STUTTER FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST LIKE WHAT I WOULD IMAGINE A MUFFLED BACKFIRE MIGHT SOUND LIKE. THEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STUTTER AND ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. IT WOULD HESITATE WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE. I MADE IT TO WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THAT AFTERNOON. THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED A REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM AND MY TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD COST $4900! HE EXPLAINED THAT I COULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING; THAT THE SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN FOLLOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LOOKED FINE. HE ADDED THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ECM WITHOUT REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE SERVICE CODES INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. I OBTAINED A COPY OF THE TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TC002-06) FROM MARCH 3, 2006 WHICH INDICATED THAT IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE ECM AND TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, R&R ECM, WHICH WAS NOT DONE IN MY CASE..SINCE I DID NOT RECEIVE THIS INFORMATION UNTIL DECEMBER 2007, THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXPOSED TO A FAULTY ECM THAT SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED ITS FAILURE. THERE IS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO WHICH I HAVE CONFIRMED BY SPEAKING TO ASE CERTIFIED TOYOTA AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR MECHANICS. *TR

• 10/24/2010· POWER TRAIN

  2001 RAV4- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING GEARS AND HAVING PROBLEMS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION A WEEK AGO. THERE WAS NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT BLINKING TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND "THINK IT MIGHT BE THE COMPUTER". WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I ALMOST GOT INTO A ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, SURE ENOUGH THE CAR STARTS JERKING BACK AND FORTH. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHERE THEY TOLD ME THEY RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AS THE ECM (SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE LOOKED INTO), BUT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT AS IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND THE CAR CAME FROM JAPAN TO CANADA THEN TO THE UNITED STATES (SERIOUSLY?). I GUESS TOYOTA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR