2nd Dec 2009, 17:06

I own a 2002 Rav4 and had the ECM changed about this time last year, and the transmission went crazy on me yesterday while I had my son in the car. The vehicle seemed really strained and wouldn't go above 30 mph. Feel really robbed at this point, and wish I would have taken it back to the dealer as soon as the problems started. I still have a year left to pay on it. Sad story, but true.

12th Jan 2010, 01:19

I posted a comment on the 14th of Nov 09 about my Rav4 giving me problems such as engine light coming on and power slipping. My engine light has turned off for now. I believe it might of had something to do with fluid changes including gas grade. I had been using 87 fuel grade since I bought the car, and now that it is a bit older, I decided to use silver (89) to help keep engine running smoother and cleaner. I did notice a bit of a change, but most importantly sticking with the same grade, my check engine light has not come on again.

As far as repairs and maintenance goes. I no longer go to the dealer, I do whatever I can do myself such as changing filters, wipers, cleaners, and fluids. Things that dealers love to overprice. Of course any engine work, transmission, brake work I leave to my mechanic. Good luck to everyone.

21st Feb 2010, 08:05

My Rav has had no problems as of yet. It has 54000 miles, and I have had it for 91 months. Should I go to dealer and insist on replacement of the ECU, and would it be a warranty job?

22nd Feb 2010, 19:40

Why would you fix what isn't broken? If it were broken, Toyota would replace it for free. If it's working fine, Toyota will replace it as well, but you'll pay for it. Don't fix what isn't broken.

13th Jun 2010, 21:20

At 112,000 miles the transmission began slipping on my 2002 Toyota Rav4. I have now been without my family's only car for 3 weeks while my mechanic attempts to repair the vehicle. Nothing appeared on the initial diagnostic tests, and during the time he was attempting to research the cause of the problem, he had a second vehicle (same year, make, model) come in to the shop. After taking the cover off both vehicles, he discovered the computer malfunction. He has not been able to locate a used replacement part, so I am faced with a $1,600 bill to replace the computer alone! After that, we will find out if there has been other damage. The dealer I purchased from admitted that Toyota is aware of the problem, and offered no recall or other assistance. I have not yet been able to contact Toyota's national headquarters to file a formal complaint but I am very dissatisfied with this vehicle, especially considering it has not yet been paid off!

14th Jun 2010, 16:29

I recently rode with a friend in his RAV-4. I received a phone call from another friend, and he asked "Are you in a LAUNDRAMAT? It sure is NOISY!!" I just said "No, I'm in a Toyota." The idea that these vehicles are "quality" is, at best, a crude joke. On that same trip my friend also filled up with gas and informed me that he had gotten a whopping 19 miles per gallon (on the interstate at that). What was that about GOOD gas mileage??

As of today, my prediction that 20-year-old Toyotas would end up being recalled proved true. A headline article in a major newspaper declared that now Toyota is being investigated for defective steering parts on vehicles dating back to 1991 (20 years) and that Toyota had, once again, been guilty of hiding the truth. Also, these vehicles were made in JAPAN using JAPANESE parts, so bashing the U.S. on these won't work. It just goes to show that millions in ad dollars WON'T hide shoddy workmanship forever.

28th Jun 2010, 09:20

My 2002 RAV4 Cruiser shifts oddly, only when it's cold, then it drives fine all day. Has anybody experienced that problem?

6th Aug 2010, 16:48

To all Rav4 owners with problems with transmission, please read the article below. Toyota in the USA has agreed to reimburse all cost with repairing this problem.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/13/toyota-extends-warranty-on-troubled-2001-3-rav4/

18th Sep 2010, 13:31

Yes, Toyota will reimburse, but up to 10 years vehicle age or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. They will NOT reimburse all the cases, just the ones that fall on the above parameters, and ONLY cars with VIN numbers with a specific letter.

I do not recall the letter, nor the position of such letter on the VIN number, but that happened to a friend of mine and did not get covered. Mine, I had the bad luck of having 162,000 miles on it, so I had to hand it over to an aftermarket ECM repair shop, whom fixed my ECM very affordable (OtherDeal.com - $197.00). I have run more than 1000 miles after the repair, and I can tell that the problem is gone.

I heard that Toyota accepted to do the new recall, after some pressure from California's government, and finally extended it to all the US. As somebody is mentioning all around, with all these problems happening lately, seems like Toyota did not tested their electronics before installing them in our vehicles.

Just my 2 cents.

6th Oct 2010, 20:08

Same boring story here, but here is a twist. My 02 went in late August. Now it's early October. Talked to the dealer recently, they tell me no ETA (great). How about a loaner? Nope, sorry sir, not in the policy (great). According to the policy, I can technically still drive this car, "can't do any more damage to the trans" (great). WHAT ABOUT DAMAGE TO OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD?

They just don't get it. Build build build, sell sell sell, but don't do the homework! Thanks Toyota for your reliability.

7th Oct 2010, 10:04

And here I stumble upon this bogus claim of a noisy RAV 4 once again. This time it is the laundromat and the other post it was a laundromat (with the same misspelling, so I know it is the same poster) as well and a third one is a factory. Please! Like I said, I make cell calls in my RAV 4 all the time with no complaints from the receivers. I also have talked on the phone on the interstate with 3 out of the four windows down (including mine) and the sunroof open... again with no noise issues!

Plus the 19 MPG figures and he quoted that with a 4 cylinder on the other thread. Gee, since I am getting over 25 MPG doing mixed driving with my V6, I find that hard to believe as well. Why people continue to fabricate stories on here is beyond me. Just drive what you like and get over it!