2003 Toyota Rav4 problems
The Toyota RAV4 (Japanese: トヨタ・RAV4, Hepburn: Toyota Ravufō) is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. It is known for starting the wave of compact crossovers.
It made its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994, and in North America in 1995, being launched in January 1996. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility, and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the manoeuvrability and fuel economy of a compact car. The vehicle's name is an abbreviation of "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", or "Robust Accurate Vehicle with 4-wheel drive", although not all models come equipped with the four-wheel drive system.
For the third-generation model, Toyota offered both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions were sold in Japan and Europe; long-wheelbase versions in Australia and North America. Toyota of Japan also sold the longer-wheelbase version as the Toyota Vanguard (Japanese: トヨタ・ヴァンガード, Hepburn: Toyota Vangādo) at Toyopet Store dealership chain from 2005 through 2016. RAV4 for the Japanese market were sold at two different Toyota dealership chains, Corolla Store and Netz.
In 2019, the RAV4 was the best-selling SUV of any type in the world, and the fourth best-selling passenger car overall. North America is the largest market, with 535,000 units sold in 2019, followed by Europe (133,000) and China (127,000). By February 2020, a total of 10 million RAV4s had been sold globally.
Social links
Common 2003 Toyota Rav4 problems
The Toyota RAV4 2003 is known for a few common problems, primarily related to the automatic transmission and the Electronic Control Module (ECM).
Another common problem with the Toyota RAV4 2003 is related to the timing chain, which doesn't require changing regularly, as a belt does. This issue is less common than the transmission problems but can still be a significant concern for RAV4 owners.
The RAV4's first engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit, gives better than average performance for its class.
The RAV4's transmission is generally reliable, but some owners have reported issues with the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions.
In summary, the Toyota RAV4 2003 is a reliable vehicle, but it is prone to a few common problems, primarily related to the automatic transmission and the Electronic Control Module (ECM). Owners should be aware of these issues and consider extended warranties or regular maintenance to address these problems.
What is the common problem of Toyota RAV4?
The RAV4's issues include excessive oil consumption, steering wheel problems, lagging transmissions, fuel system problems, and electrical complications, among other troubles. Here, you'll see which RAV4 model years frequently experience what issues and what might cause them.
Are there any bad years of Toyota RAV4?
Q: What are the bad years of RAV4? A: The years to avoid, as mentioned, include the 2019 model due to transmission issues and brake problems, the 2013 model with its low-speed vibration issues, and the 2006-2008 RAV4s which had significant engine problems and other reliability woes.
How long can a Toyota RAV4 engine last?
200,000 to 250,000 miles
How many miles can you put on a RAV4? Experts tend to agree that you can put upwards of 200,000 to 250,000 miles on a Toyota RAV4 if it has been properly cared for.
Are used Toyota RAV4 reliable?
The Toyota RAV4 has a strong record of reliability throughout its generations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) assesses the safety of various vehicles. At the low end of the scale are those marked "Poor." There are also "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings, with "Good" topping the list.
What is the main problem with Toyota RAV4?
But with more used RAV4s in the market — some with hundreds of thousands of miles on the odometer — some of these hiccups will be unavoidable. The RAV4's issues include excessive oil consumption, steering wheel problems, lagging transmissions, fuel system problems, and electrical complications, among other troubles.
What is the fuel consumption of a 2003 Toyota RAV4?
8.2 to 9.7L/100km
Toyota RAV4 2003 Fuel consumption
The Toyota RAV4 currently offers fuel consumption from 8.2 to 9.7L/100km.
Is a 2003 Toyota RAV4 timing belt or chain?
| Model | Year | Belt / Chain / Gear |
|---|---|---|
| RAV4 | 1996-2000 | Belt |
| 2001-2019 | Chain | |
| 2006-2012 | Chain | |
| RAV4 EV | 1998-2003, 2012-2014 | Neither timing belt or timing chain |
Which RAV4 model to avoid?
Q: What are the bad years of RAV4? A: The years to avoid, as mentioned, include the 2019 model due to transmission issues and brake problems, the 2013 model with its low-speed vibration issues, and the 2006-2008 RAV4s which had significant engine problems and other reliability woes.
2003 Toyota Rav4 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Rav4 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2003 Toyota Rav4 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2003 Toyota Rav4
The NHTSA has received 325 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Toyota Rav4. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2003 Toyota Rav4 vehicles.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-02
- VIN: JTEGH20V130
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-02
- VIN: JTEHH20V830
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: The vehicle is very delayed shifting and will slow down without pushing the breaks
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-10
- VIN: JTEGH20V030
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I DRIVE AND THE SLEEP WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THE CAN NOT CHANGE CORRECTLY THE GEAR. *TR
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-02-14
- VIN: JTEGH20V330
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-11-07
- VIN: JTEHH20V036
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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 *JS
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-10
- VIN: JTEGH20V230
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-28
- VIN: JTEGH20V630
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-13
- VIN: JTEHH20V430
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-16
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTEHH20V836
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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?
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-08-20
- VIN: JTEHH20V336
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND WHEN ACCERATING
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-07-19
- VIN: JTEGH20V330
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-01
- VIN: JTEHH20V130
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-04-12
- VIN: JTEHH20V130
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-17
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-16
- VIN: JTEGH20V130
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-06-07
- VIN: JTEHH20V530
- Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-09-01
- VIN: JTEHH20V030
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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!
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-02-17
- VIN: JTEHH20DX30
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-10-31
- VIN: JTEHH20VX30
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-09-17
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-09-14
- VIN: JEHH20V6301
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 2003 RAV 4 85,401 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MISS SHIFT, ENGINE WOULD SPEED UP AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF POWER. FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. TOYOTA TECH ADVISES THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRES NEW COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION , A $6,000 EXPENSE. MIND YOU THAT THIS VEHICLE IS 13 YEARS OLD BUT HAS ONLY 85,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. TOYOTA ADVISES NO WARRANTY EFFECT FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A MAIN HIGHWAY ( SUNRISE HIGHWAY LONG ISLAND) WHEN MALFUNCTION OCCURRED.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-09-01
- VIN: JTEHH20V236
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE RESPONDED VERY SLOWLY TO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FAILED OR THERE WAS POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,650.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-15
- VIN: JTEHH20V530
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: HARSH SHIFTING, JUMPING FROM GEAR-TO-GEAR, SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AND TRANSMISSION/ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. CALLED TOYOTA REGARDING THE EXTENDED WARRENTY. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DESPITE NOT PROVIDING NOTICE TO THE CORRECT ADDRESS.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-09-05
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTEGH20V830
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-08-26
- VIN: JTEHH20VX30
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Negative 2003 Toyota Rav4 car reviews
Positive 2003 Toyota Rav4 car reviews
-
This is the best Toyota I've owned. I've had a Camry and a Corolla.
-
The RAV 4L is a fantastic vehicle that is well-built and highly reliable. It's a blast to drive, with the ability to corner on a dime and minimal body roll. You can see the Toyota quality throughout the exterior and interior of this mini SUV. Plus, it gets excellent gas mileage on regular unleaded gas!
-
The RAV4 L you purchased in December is one of the finest vehicles you have ever owned. It is quiet and idles like your Toyota Camry. It is fun to drive and is outstanding in snow!
-
It's great to hear that you've had your car for over 7 years and have driven it for 82,000 miles without any major issues. It's clear that you take good care of it by replacing the tires and battery. Although you mentioned a few rattles, it's wonderful to hear that it still runs great. I can understand why you like the styling of this car and find it comfortable to ride in. It's a shame that the newer models don't quite meet your expectations in terms of design and AWD. It seems like you have a tough decision to make between enjoying your current car until it's time to say goodbye or switching to a different type of car. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll make the right choice for you.
-
Congratulations on your first Toyota! Your RAV sounds like an amazing car with so many great features. I love how easy it is to get into and the fact that it has great visibility while driving. The back door swinging from the side is such a convenient feature, and the versatility and configurations of the back seats make it perfect for any adventure. It's great to hear that you're also getting good gas mileage and that it looks pretty too! The short radius for turning and the brakes stopping on a dime are definitely impressive. I'm sure there are many more great things about your RAV, and I hope it serves you well for many years to come.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2003 Toyota Rav4 problems:
Advice before buying a 2003 RAV4 : r/Toyota
Sep 9, 2015 ... Basically I'm wondering if there's any known issues i should be aware of before buying. I am not very familiar with RAV4's in general so any ...
2003 Toyota RAV4 Problems and Complaints - 6 Issues
Problem with your 2003 Toyota RAV4? Our list of 6 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2003 Toyota RAV4.
Common 2003 Toyota RAV4 Transmission Problems - Q&A
Aug 17, 2021 ... Go ahead and have the fluid changed and add a bottle of Lucas transmission treatment and see how it goes, if the problem persists you may have ...
ECM/Transmission problem for 2001-2003 RAV4 | Page 31 | Toyota ...
Aug 24, 2016 ... Transmission issue is now solved. Very happy with this as I was quoted over $3000 for a new transmission install and this wouldn't have solved ...
2003 Toyota RAV4 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2003 Toyota RAV4? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Other years of Toyota Rav4
Are you having problems with your 2003 Toyota Rav4?
Curt Bradtke 2024-09-27
This is my wife's car and she absolutely loves it! It has been a reliable car for us, with a smooth ride and great handling, especially for an SUV. I find the power to be more than adequate for most conditions, and it even holds up well when I take it out for a spin. The only downside is that on steep inclines, the transmission can sometimes hunt for gears. Additionally, there is some wind, road, and driveline noise that enters the cabin at highway speeds, which can be a bit distracting. Unfortunately, we have experienced a couple of rattles in just over 2 years of ownership, which is not what we expected from Toyota. While the gas mileage is not the best for a small car with a small engine, we still manage to get around 25mpg on highway drives at 65-70. Overall, it's been a great car for us and we highly recommend it!
Nikko Daniel 2024-07-12
Our family recently decided to switch from a minivan to an SUV. We looked at Camrys and Accords, but my wife prefers the higher driving position of an SUV. After considering several options, we decided on the RAV4 and CRV. Unfortunately, we have experienced some issues with our RAV4, including a persistent rattle that has required multiple trips to the dealer and a broken wiper during a recent snowstorm. We are also disappointed with the limited storage compartments and their small size. Overall, we wish we had chosen the CRV instead. We have had some previous bad experiences with car purchases, including a Plymouth Horizon in 1980, but we did not expect to encounter these issues with a Toyota RAV4.
Keeley Barton 2024-03-22
It is clear that the car is of poor quality. The dealership has failed to address several issues, including a rattle in the dash that took 6 months to fix, flawed leather seats that could not be replaced for 7 months, and brakes that pull to the right after rain. Additionally, there is a persistent squeaking noise in the rear. These issues demonstrate a lack of attention to detail and quality control on the part of the manufacturer.