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Electrical systemPart report

2002 Toyota RAV4 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
92about this part
Share
17%of 527 total for the year
Median mileage
93,608miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 92 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Toyota RAV4, 17% of the 527 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,608 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The past couple weeks my car had been laghing more an more when at complete stop. This past week it has been the worst. Whenever I try to accelerate from.a complete stop my car with lag and jerk like it is trying to shift into gear but cant. When I took it in to a transmission specialist they said it was my ECM and that this year specifically has had problems recorded fron others with the same issues with the emc. …”

NHTSA complaint #11195491, filed 2019-04, 162,344 miles

“Ecm/transmission failure on my 2002 rav 4. I ended up cleaning out my savings over this car. After recent bulletin from Toyota, I submitted necessary paper work for some reimbursement. I was told that I was not eligible because the car was made in puerto rico, not us!!!!!! I bought it used from a Toyota dealer in va. Why did Toyota send me the notice?????”

NHTSA complaint #10355437, filed 2010-09, 93,000 miles

“My 2002 Toyota RAV4 has a known defect with the electronic control module which causes the transmission to go bad which results in the car hesitating and jerking which almost caused an accident. I had the car towed to Toyota dealership and they refused to fix anything because they will only fix this faulty ECM if the car in under 80,000 miles, mine had 80,800.”

NHTSA complaint #10284218, filed 2009-09, 80,800 miles

“May 19th of 2007, my 2002 Toyota rav 4 4x4 was in an accident. It was hit in the front passenger side doing 25-30 MPH. After struck, I applied the brakes twice, while the car continued to accelerate at an increasing high speed, resulting in hitting a glass bus stop ending up hitting a brick school. It continued to accelerate although I was unable to go anywhere. No injuries reported.”

NHTSA complaint #10353287, filed 2010-09, 59,494 miles

“1. Toyota 2002 rav 4 starting jerking uncontrollably at 80,300 miles while driving on highway at around 60 MPH. 2. Took it in the next day and Toyota dealer stated that it was an engine control module failure which was making the transmission jerk. 3. They replaced the engine control module and stuck us with the bill since our car was 300 miles over warranty although we had brought it in 4 times prior for engine control module problems.”

NHTSA complaint #10281996, filed 2009-08, 80,300 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20251618%
20243218%
20234326%
20224027%
20214712%
202011919%
201910312%
201813039%
201710835%
20165925%
20158528%
20146935%
20137529%
20123012%
2011197%
2010154%
2009196%
2008275%
2007768%
2006426%
200564%
2004106%
20034213%
20029217%
20016019%
200013%
1999610%
199834%
199736%
199624%

Other parts of the 2002 Toyota RAV4

Transmission and drivetrain
376 complaintsEngine cooling
41 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota RAV4

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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