2002 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 376about this part
- Share
- 71%of 527 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 376 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota RAV4, 71% of the 527 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car recently starts hesitate and suddenly slow down sometimes when I push the gas gear from stop (not always). The mechanic said the transmission may need to be checked. From the internet, I learned that this particular car is known to have the transmission defect (RAV4 2001-2003 with automatic transmission).”
NHTSA complaint #10715795, filed 2015-05, 123,850 miles“We were just informed from our local Toyota dealership (gateway Toyota in toms river, nj) that there is a known problem with the 2002 Toyota rav 4 automatic transmissions (high failure rate) and we were just informed that our transmission needs to be replaced. I believe NHTSA needs to investigate Toyota to see if a recall is in order.”
NHTSA complaint #10535211, filed 2013-08, 49,000 miles“We had just left a parking lot in our 2002 rav 4 and as we came up to speed the transmission began to jerk and try to shift into different gears. I all of a sudden had no power and a truck coming down the road almost hit us. As I depressed the accelerator the car revved up and all of a sudden engaged and spun out. Very scary and we were lucky!.”
NHTSA complaint #10469921, filed 2012-08, 100,000 miles“My Toyota RAV4, 2002, began shifting hard, clunking into gear, and accelerating prior to shifting on its own. I took the car to a Toyota dealer who has told me that this issue is not covered for all VIN numbers of RAV4's sold. We shall see if he is correct as I told him that the article from the ny times sure looks like it covers all RAV4's between 2001 and 2003.”
NHTSA complaint #10383457, filed 2011-02, 62,500 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 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…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
- 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.
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 2002 Toyota RAV4
92 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 30, 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