2003 Toyota RAV4 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 315 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2003 Toyota RAV4, 2% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Toyota RAV4 2003, two weeks ago I notice a shifting problem with the car, more so from a stop and go motion. I took the car to transmission expert, he said the transmission oil filter needs changing. A day later I noticed the same problem, took the car back. They told me they could not duplicate the problem. A week later I noticed the same problem, I took it back. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252805, filed 2008-12, 81,008 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“My problem is with my 2003 Toyota rav 4. Recently I was driving and the vehicle started to have some problems. First, the vehicle would not accelerate as I would be entering traffic, for example, on highways. A number of times it would start accelerating and then slow down or lose acceleration, this caused many anxious moments as often a car/truck would be coming up behind me. I would try to accelerate and step on the gas and the car would not really move until all of a sudden the gears would shift and the car would jump forward and suddenly start moving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10321405, filed 2010-03, 95,000 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 2003 Toyota RAV4
209 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsAir bags
10 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