Toyota RAV4 Complaints (2002)

527 consumer complaints on file.

#10207995November 5, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED COMPLETELY OUT OF GEAR AND THEN WENT SHIFTED BACK ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE CONTINUED DURING THE DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ECM AND IT WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY RECHECKED THE ECM. THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE ECM WAS FAULTY, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED IT FROM THE MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE ECM WAS FAULTY AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THERE IS A TSB FOR THE ECM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,059. UPDATED 02-13-08 *BF UPDATED 02/13/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207524October 31, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, ECM THAT HAVE COST IN EXCESS OF $4000 AND STILL THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT SOMEONE WILL SOON BE KILLED FROM THIS PROBLEM. WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND THEY SHOULD BE ACCELERATING, THESE CARS STALL. THIS IS MY SECOND REPORT AND NO ONE RESPONDS FROM HERE OR FROM TOYOTA!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205074October 5, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I STARTED TO HAVE INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH MY TOYOTA 2002 RAV4 TRANSMISSION; CONCERNING HARD SHIFTING AND LOSE OF POWER DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT I REQUIRE A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET (WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM, & RAV4WORLD.COM) I WAS ABLE TO FIND QUITE A FEW INSTANCES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR 2002 RAV4. EACH STORY ENDS UP WITH THE INDIVIDUALS PAYING AN AVERAGE OF $4500 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THEN HAVING TO GO BACK AND HAVE THE ECU REPLACED ($1000). AFTER ALL WAS SAID AND DONE, THE PROBLEMS STILL EXISTED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TOYOTA THEY FEEL THERE IS NO ISSUE AND DO NOT PLAN ON INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL IS REQUIRED. I JUST HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND THE ISSUE IS STILL THERE. I AM IN THE PROCESS WITH MY LOCAL AMOCO TRANSMISSION CO. TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME WITHOUT NOTICE DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOPPED CONDITION OR DURING NORMAL DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD PUT THE DRIVER IN A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203087September 15, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THIS IS MY THIRD TOYOTA. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A TOYOTA THAT SMOKES. I PARK MY TOYOTA RAV 4 FOR A WHILE, AND CRANK IT UP IT AND SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH ONLY 61, 000 MILES. I AM TOTALLY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS TOYOTA, AND DISGRUNTLED WITH THE POOR QUALITY OF MANUFACTURING OF TOYOTA'S VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY THIS WILL POSSIBLY BE MY LAST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199594August 14, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
DURING HEAVY RAIN STORM PASSENGER SIDE WIPER LINKAGE/MECHANISM BROKE. LUCKILY, THIS WAS WHILE THE BLADE WAS ON THE DOWN STROKE, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN OFF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLADE. WAS TOLD ENTIRE MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $450. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199595August 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER SAID NYLON GEAR ON CAMSHAFT HAD DAMAGED TEETH, ALLOWING TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP BACK AND FORTH, AND THEREBY CHANGING IGNITION TIMING. COST OF REPAIR WAS $1,600. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192846June 10, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING OR SHIFTING INAPPROPRIATELY NEARLY CAUSING CRASHES AS DRIVERS PULL INTO TRAFFIC OR DRIVE IN TRAFFIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186623March 31, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ECU OR ENGINE COMPUTER UNIT. THIS COMPUTER IS BAD. WHEN SHIFTING .THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE COMPUTER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR TO SHIFT IN. THIS IS SCARY WHEN IN TRAFFIC. IT WOULD START IN LETS SAY 2ND GEAR THEN BANG BACK TO 1ST GEAR. WHAT A JOLT FOR YOU AND THE DRIVER BEHIND YOU. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181366February 1, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY ON THE CAR. OIL AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND STATED THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL IN THE CAR. DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE ENGINE, THEN OIL LIGHTS CAME ON, AS I PULLED OVER THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE, AND EVERY THING FROZE. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED (FOR $6000). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174769November 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NOVEMBER 17, 2006 - AFTER BEING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE RAV4 ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ENTIRE INTERIOR WAS DEMOLISHED, TIRES EXPLODED, GLASS EXPLODED OVER AT LEAST A 20 FOOT RADIUS. TWO ENGINE TRUCKS AND 10 RESPONDERS LATER THE FIRE WAS OUT. 63,000 MILES, NO PRIOR PROBLEMS, 50K MAINTENANCE COMPLETED BY DEALER JAN 2006. VIN HAS ZEROS AND LETTER O WHICH ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE. TRY BOTH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171582October 23, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE DRIVER AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10166411August 24, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ENCOUNTERED SLUDGE IN THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE SLUDGE WAS FROM POOR MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY SERVICE DEALERS. UPDATED 9/22/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163586July 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WAS PLUGGED IN TO A CHARGER, CHARGING NORMALLY. DRIVER RETURNED TO THE CAR, AND NEGLECTED TO REMOVE THE CHARGING CABLE. DRIVER TURNED THE KEY, AND SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE CHARGING STATION AND DAMAGED THE CABLE AND THE CHARGING STATION, DISABLING THE CHARGING STATION UNTIL IT COULD BE REPAIRED (AT A COST OF $1200 TO $1500). VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN CONNECTED TO A CHARGING STATION. (DATE IS APPROXIMATE.) *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159622June 12, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR SMOKES EARLY IN THE MORNING, I TOOK CAR IN BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AT THE BEGINNING CAR WOULD ONLY SMOKE EARLY IN THE MORNINGS AND NOT ALL THE TIME. LATER AS THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE MORE REGULARLY THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY. THE CAR IS NOW SMOKING DRASTICALLY, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SMOKING IS A COMMON SITUATION (DEFECT) WITH RAV4'S OF 2002. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT OTHER CARS HAD BEEN BROUGHT IT AND HAD BEEN FIXED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153609March 24, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE CAR SUFFERED MECHANICAL DEFECT AND THE FRONT END BAR WAS BROKEN, WHEN FRONT END BAR BROKE IT LOST DIRECTION AND HIT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT. THE HIGHWAY PATROL CAME TO TAKE THE ACCIDENT REPORT. WE WERE DRIVING AT 25MPH ON FREEWAY NUMBER 405. I HAVE CALLED MY AUTO INSURANCE AND I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. I HAVE FULL COVER. I AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM MY AUTO INSURANCE TO FIX THE CAR. I HAVE CONTATED TOYOTA AND I ALSO HAVE A CASE WITH THEM. THE CASE NUMBER IS 200603011457. I HAVE TOYOTA AND THE CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE IS CHRISTY. CHRISTY HAVE SAID TO WAIT AT LEAST 60 DAYS. I CAN'T WAIT 60 DAYS. I NEED MY CAR. THE AUTO INSURANCE HAS NOT GIVEN ME A RENTAL. I HAVE COMPLAINT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF AUTO INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA. THEY WILL CONDUCT AND INVESTIGATION. THE CASE NUMBER WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE IS 10000148757. MY AUTO INSURANCE CARRIER IS INFINITY. WHAT I WANT IS TOYOTA TO REPLACE MY CAR. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I FEEL THIS BROKEN BAR SHOULD BE RECALL.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149261February 2, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY OIL LIGHT TURNED ON AN SECONDS LATER WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINE THAT THE RADIATOR HAD CRACKED DUE TO THE SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. SAID I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. TOLD THEM I HAD A 100,000 MILE 5 YEAR WARRANTY. MY CAR HAD ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY DOUBTED THAT THE WARRANTY PEOPLE WOULD COVER THAT AND THEY RARELY SAW PEOPLE GET COVERAGE FOR SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. REPORTED TO WARRANTY PEOPLE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS "VERY POORLY MAINTAINED" AND BECAUSE I DID NOT CHANGE OIL OR MAINTAIN MY CAR THEY WOULD NOT COVER. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD CHANGED MY OIL SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I OWNED THE CAR. THEY SAID I NEED ALL RECEIPTS. I HAD A FEW RECEIPTS BUT NOT ALL. TOOK MY CAR TO A PRIVATE SHOP AND GOT REBUILT ENGINE. STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET CAR OUT BECAUSE I AM FINANCIALLY STRAPPED. IT COSTS 3500.00. TOYOTA SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 8000.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE AND 5000.00 FOR A USED ENGINE. HAD TO RENT CAR THAT HAS COST ME 1100.00. MUST TAKE CAR BACK BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD IT. WON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION. I AM DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE ONE OF THE REASONS I BOUGHT A TOYOTA WAS BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION FOR MANUFACTURING DEPENDABLE, LONG LASTING CARS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND HAVE SO MUCH ON MY PLATE TO WORRY ABOUT BROKEN DOWN CARS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145081December 13, 2005
STRUCTURE
THE BOLTS IN THE ROOF RACK FALL OUT. WE HAVE NEVER USED THE ROOF RACK. OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, WE HAVE LOST 4 BOLTS. FORTUNATELY, THE LOSS OF THE BOLT CAUSES RATTLING. OTHERWISE, OVER TIME, IT COULD HAVE FALLEN OFF! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141472November 1, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA RAV 4. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE CHANGES OF OIL AND FILTER. TWICE THEY SUGGESTED A WYNNS SYSTEM ENGINE CLEANING WHICH WE PAID FOR. THE LAST ONE WAS DONE ON APRIL 2005. LAST OCTOBER 7, 2005 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OIL LIGHT LIT UP AND THE CAR STOPPED. THE CAR WAS TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO OUR HOUSE AND THE NEXT DAY WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ADRIEL TOYOTA IN RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO. ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER THEY CALLED ME AND STATED THAT THE MOTOR STALLED AND THE WARRANTY WAS NOT GOING TO PAY SINCE I HAD NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO THEM FOR THE LAST OIL CHANGE. I REMINDED THEM THAT JUST NINE MONTHS EARLIER A WYNNS MOTOR ENGINE CLEANING HAD BE DONE BY THEM AND THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE MOTOR OF THE CAR TO HAVE SLUDGE IF THEY HAD DONE THE JOB CORRECTLY. THE TOYOTA COMPANY OF PUERTO RICO CALLED TO TELL ME THE SAME THING. I MADE A COMPLAINT AT THE CONSUMERS AFFAIRS IN PUERTO , I AM WAITING FOR A DECISION. TODAY I SHOWED THE PICTURES TO AN AUTOMOTIVE EXPERT WHO STATES THAT THE MOTOR HAVE NOT HAD ANY OIL CHANGES AND THE WORST WAS THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT THE ENGINE HAD BE CLEANED. THE DEALERS STATES THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY MOTOR SLUDGING ON ANY RAV 4 IN PUERTO RICO BUT CONSUMER REPORT STATES THAT TOYOTA HAS THIS PROBLEM MOST COMMONLY WITH CAMRY'S . TODAY I FOUND OUT THAT RAV 4 HAVE THE SAME ENGINE CAMRY'S HAVE. AM I SUPPOSED TO BE PUNISHED FOR WHATEVER PROBLEM TOYOTAS ENGINES HAVE?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117400April 28, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING A CLICKING NOISE CAME FROM FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING FAILED TO TURN PROPERLY, AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER REFUSED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HER OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE PASSING LANE GOING AT A RATE OF 56-57 MPH WHEN THE CLICK WAS HEARD, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO GLIDE TO THE LEFT, THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING BUT THE WHEEL CONTINUED TO GO AROUND. THERE WAS NO STEERING POWER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AN PINION SNAPPED. *SC *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
5
Deaths:
0
#10114400March 21, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 3 MILES THEN GOT STUCK IN A TRAFFIC JAM. AT THAT TIME, I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. FINALLY, I GOT OFF THAT ROAD AND DROVE ANOTHER 10 MILES BUT I AGAIN NOTICED THE BURNING SMELL. I CHECKED THE PANEL AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT. NEXT, A SMALL CURL OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE. THEN SUDDENLY SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE VENT. I LOST STEERING AND BRAKING. I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED MOVING FORWARD. THEN THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED. FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota RAV4