1996 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 19%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Toyota RAV4, 19% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving 55 MPH, the owner heard a loud bang. The vehicle swerved all over the highway. The vehicle would no longer go into 5th gear. The 4th gear also began showing symptoms of failure. The manufacturer eventually replaced the transmission. After 40,000 miles the exact same failure recurred with the 5th gear failing. They are not claiming any responsibility for the repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10055930, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles“When I was driving down the highway, my friend (who was sitting in the passenger seat and likes to sit with his knees up) accidentally bumped the gear shift into neutral. I was in the passing lane on a busy highway and found that all of the sudden I had no power to the wheels. It was very frightening. I pulled over as soon as I could. I feared that if I put the gear shifter back into drive, the car would drastically lurch (faster or slower). After this happened, I noticed that the gear shift is actually located closer to the passenger side than the driver side and easily bumped into neutral. …”
NHTSA complaint #765655, filed 2002-08“Whenever the brakes are appliedthe transmission would shift into neutral on its own. Took to dealer several times & had vehicle test driven. Brakes were tapped lightly & transmission shifted into neutral. Mechanic could not find cause of problem.”
NHTSA complaint #847842, filed 1999-09Related service bulletins
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% |
| 2021 | 23 | 6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% |
| 2019 | 82 | 9% |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
Other parts of the 1996 Toyota RAV4
11 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology