2010 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 10%of 400 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Toyota RAV4, 10% of the 400 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Whining sound, possibly transmission. The sound happens when I accelerate or maintain a certain speed (25-45 MPH). When I remove my foot off the pedal the sound goes away so it's only temporary. I can't really hear it on the highway but when I'm on the small roads I sometimes do. The vehicle is only 8 years old with slightly less of 100, 000 miles. The vehicle should be able to run a few more years.”
NHTSA complaint #11104439, filed 2018-06, 99,150 miles“We were pulling out of a paralllel parking spot on a residential street very slowly. Then suddenly the car unintendedly accelerated very fast and hit another parked car on the other side of the street. It seemed like the car took control on its own as we were pulling out very slowly.”
NHTSA complaint #10947040, filed 2017-01, 30,000 miles“While changing the oil, I noticed a leak from the rear axle. I had the axle seals replaced at a local repair shop. Later I received a recall but the recall was only for a specific noise not for the faulty rear axle seals.”
NHTSA complaint #11233617, filed 2019-07, 63,355 miles“After 148,603 miles on my 2002 RAV4, the transmission began shifting back & forth between 1st & 2nd gear with violent shaking. Shifting from drive to reverse also caused violent/loud clunking. A scanner was used to retrieve trouble codes which yielded a p0755 code (shift solenoid malfunction). Upon research on various Toyota RAV4 forums I found many others with same symptoms.”
NHTSA complaint #10354984, filed 2010-09, 148,603 miles“On 07/06/14 the car suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated at full throttle while stopped . Car moved toward motorcycle stopped ahead of me at the traffic signal even though I was pushing hard on the brake. If I had not turned the ignition off I would have hit the motorcycle. Today 08/06/14 at aprox. 20 MPH the same thing happened. As I was slowing for a traffic light, the car accelerator went to full throttle uncontrollably running through a red light.”
NHTSA complaint #10619192, filed 2014-08, 40,055 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…
- 10146490Dec 12, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE December 12, 2017 Rev1: The Warranty and Parts Information sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded…
- 10140597Dec 12, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE December 12, 2017 Rev1: ? The Warranty and Parts Information sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded…
- 10140566May 2, 2016TSB: Some 2006 - 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
- 10092682May 2, 2016Tsb: some 2006 - 2012 model year 4wd rav4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front…
- 10152282Dec 3, 2015WPB: In certain 2006 to 2012 model year Rav4 4WD vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10152281Dec 3, 2015DD: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10152280Dec 3, 2015DL: In our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for Rear…
- 10093766Dec 3, 2015Wpb: in certain 2006 to 2012 model year rav4 4wd vehicles, toyota has received some reports where the vehicle may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling…
- 10093722Dec 3, 2015"dd: in our continuing efforts to help ensure the best in customer satisfaction, toyota is announcing a warranty enhancement program to extend the warranty coverage for rear…
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 2010 Toyota RAV4
101 complaintsVehicle speed control
83 complaintsOther or unknown
38 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsWheels
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Toyota RAV4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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