2002 Toyota RAV4 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 3%of 527 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2002 Toyota RAV4, 3% of the 527 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles.
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“Rav4 check engine light on so had a diagnostic test done. Codes indicate there may a problem with catalytic converter. My vehicle only has 107k miles. I am the original owner and have maintained all service recommendations. Mechanic indicated I should have received a campaign notice for this problem. Now looking at a repair bill of approx. $2k. Toyota should be responsible for fixing this. I have had the same address for years.”
NHTSA complaint #10820587, filed 2016-01, 107,000 miles“My 2002 Toyota RAV4 is having a hard time shifting and sometimes it almost doesn't want to move with an A/C on... But when I turn off the A/C it runs fine... Living in arizona we need as much A/C as we get... And Toyota won't make any recall about this issue. Hope you guys will be able to help us regarding this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10279111, filed 2009-08, 143,700 miles“Faulty ecu computers causeing variations in speed and problems with hard shifting, damageing transmissons, causeing vehicles to fail while driving while in motion vehicle will not shift correctly. My vehicle stopped in an intersection and I was nearly hit by another vehicle while attempting to accelerate the vehicle would not shift into gear while turning left. I felt I could have been killed by on comming traffic with no ability to control my vehicle. Toyota dealer and mechanic told me this is a well know defect and problem know to Toyota with rav 4 2001-2003. …”
NHTSA complaint #11000853, filed 2017-06, 74,000 miles“I would like to file a complaint on Toyota RAV4 2002. I almost got kill a couple of times while drive this car. The ECM module failure. This is a safety issue, please step in and have Toyota recall on the RAV4. Thank you!”
NHTSA complaint #10232675, filed 2008-06, 144,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 7 | 3% |
| 2011 | 9 | 3% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 7 | 1% |
| 2007 | 17 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 7 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 2% |
| 2002 | 16 | 3% |
| 2001 | 8 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota RAV4
376 complaintsElectrical system
92 complaintsEngine cooling
41 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsEngine
22 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