2001 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 190about this part
- Share
- 61%of 309 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,690miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 190 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Toyota RAV4, 61% of the 309 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,690 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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,”
NHTSA complaint #10810171, filed 2015-12, 120,000 miles“My wife was driving car and it started doing strange changes with the transmission, such as slipping between gear changes and jerking movements. At one point, she told me getting on freway on ramp was a hazard, because of irratic behavior of transmission!!”
NHTSA complaint #10970991, filed 2017-04, 135,000 miles“October 11, 2012. On or about october 8 2012 I began having hesitation and jumping into gear as I am driving my 2001 RAV4. This happens mainly when accelerating from a stop sign/light. I am aware there has been a recall on many 2001 RAV4 vehicles. I bought my RAV4 from carmax in north attleboro mass on april 19 2012. So, I have not even had my vehicle for 5 months yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10479841, filed 2012-10, 114,800 miles“Sudden issue of erratic shifting and acceleration. The ECM was replaced. Hopefully the transmission has been spared. I've researched online and uncovered many many similar complaints. I understand there was an extended warranty, however, I am still not covered as the car is over 10 years old.”
NHTSA complaint #10614811, filed 2014-07, 115,092 miles“My 2001 Toyota RAV4 was jerking forward while driving causing me to almost cause a major accident while my 3 year old was in the car. The car would do this intermittently then it became worse. I was very scared to drive the car and had no choice but to borrow money so I could take the car in for repair costing me approx. 1800.00 to replace the ECM.”
NHTSA complaint #10325602, filed 2010-04, 103,690 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 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…
- 10034508Jul 9, 2010Toyota: customer support program (csp ztl) warranty enhancement for specific malfunction indicator light (mil) on diagnostic code and/or harsh shift of automatic transaxles on…
- 10034070Jul 8, 2010Toyota service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Specific malfunction indicator light on and/or harsh shift of automatic transaxle on certain rav4 vehicles…
- 10037585Jun 22, 2010Toyota: there may be a harsh shift condition or a malfunction light on with five possible trouble codes stored. 2001-2003 rav4.
- 10034126Jun 22, 2010Toyota: harsh shift and/or mil on dtc p0750, p0753, p0755, p0758 and/or p1760. Some vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle may exhibit a harsh shift condition and/or mil…
- 10019667Mar 3, 2006Harsh shift and/or m.I.l. On dtc p0750, p0755, p0758, and/or p1760.
- 10016636Aug 1, 2005U140f transmission solenoid identification.
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 2001 Toyota RAV4
60 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 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