2003 Toyota RAV4 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 13%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Toyota RAV4, 13% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hi about my 2003 Toyota RAV4, its seems to stall and shutting off the engine while driving. For exaple it happen more then 5 time on me this month7/1/2011, and almost getting bump in rear end. I took it to Toyota dealer, and paying $100 for what they could find anything wrong. This model should be recall or accident will happen.”
NHTSA complaint #10417146, filed 2011-08, 212,000 miles“I was driving my 2003 Toyota RAV4 and attempted to merge into another lane when I experienced a very hard shift from the transmission causing the vehicle to stall with a reving engine noise and avoided being rear ended by a truck. I purchased my RAV4 brand new in 2003 to accomodate my disability needs and only have 82,000 miles.I checked with my mechanic today and he looked up the Toyota recall on these RAV4 transmission failures and not once did Toyota inform me about the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10898405, filed 2016-08, 82,000 miles“Experiencing abnormal behavior when shifting gears (auto trans). Transmission was shifting oddly - harsh shift condition . It was not a frequent problem and no engine light and I took it to the local mechanic and he connected to his computer and could not find any error codes. The problem happens every time I move from a stop. Found out that Toyota put out a technical service bulletin in early 2006 after defects started surfacing stating to replace the car's computer ECM/ecu and possibly the transmission.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670525, filed 2015-01, 108,000 miles“My car has a problem well known by manufacturers,as,harsh shift of automatictransaxles , or (ECM)code p0755.Toyota sent service bulletins to dealers but I was never notified>now I have to repair my car at a cost of over $6000.Toyota headquarters in california has refused to honour my repair,even though they honoured for california.reason being am out of warranty by the miles,which I have 175000,but im still in warranty by the years of 10 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10420155, filed 2011-08, 174,900 miles“Car was having trouble shifting. It felt like the emergency brake was on. I pulled out into traffic and the car would not shift from 1st to 2nd gear. I had to pull over. I called my mechanic who said it sounded like the transmission and recommended a transmission specialist. The transmission was rebuilt. They also replaced the computer. They told me the computer failure is what caused the transmission failure. The parts listed are the computer, converter, overhaul kit for awd, and transaxle oil filter.”
NHTSA complaint #10299019, filed 2010-01, 138,723 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 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…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10134128Jan 15, 2015TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix…
- 10096036Jan 15, 2015"tsb: flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 18% |
| 2024 | 32 | 18% |
| 2023 | 44 | 27% |
| 2022 | 40 | 27% |
| 2021 | 47 | 12% |
| 2020 | 120 | 19% |
| 2019 | 103 | 12% |
| 2018 | 130 | 39% |
| 2017 | 108 | 35% |
| 2016 | 59 | 25% |
| 2015 | 85 | 28% |
| 2014 | 69 | 35% |
| 2013 | 75 | 29% |
| 2012 | 30 | 12% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 19 | 6% |
| 2008 | 27 | 5% |
| 2007 | 76 | 8% |
| 2006 | 42 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% |
| 2003 | 42 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 17% |
| 2001 | 60 | 19% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota RAV4
209 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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