2015 Toyota RAV4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 8%of 305 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Toyota RAV4, 8% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,500 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.
“While car parked in my home driveway, wires under car chewed through by squirrels. Almost ruined the transmission. My double warranty does not cover, even though it was apparently a Toyota factory choice to make the wire coatings attractive to rodents.”
NHTSA complaint #10955410, filed 2017-02, 35,000 miles“The power stick shift moves to easily out of gear. It requires only a light depressing of the break to disengage it. On may 17 2019, I had been parked with the car on. I had dropped something on the floor and went to pick it up. My foot was lightly touching the break as I bent down. The break was depressed just enough to allow my shoulder or back to hit the stick shift and push it into reverse. Unbenounced to me, as I was still bending over to pick something up, the car was pushed into reverse and moved backwards into two cars behind me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11217264, filed 2019-06, 41,500 miles“Hesitates between first and second gear like going into nuetral for about 3 / 5 seconds before shifting back to first. The car can be at a stop upon starting it hesitates, or when in motion and going to pass it hesitates, on city streets, highways and turning. We have returned to the Toyota dealer 4 times and they drove the car and stated nothing wrong. The fourth time in I drove the car with a mechanic and he witness the hesitation, then they checked the car and said nothing wrong with it. In researching on line we found complaints going back to 2006 and nothing being done. …”
NHTSA complaint #11309940, filed 2020-02, 40,000 miles“New vehicle 625 miles. Does not seem to shift into the correct gear when attempting acceleration up hills or from parking lot to roadway ,or passing vehicles. Does not have adequate power, engine makes a straining sound . Was attempting to accelerate to drive up hills, pass other vehicles especially on hill. Santiam hiway oregon. Less power than little kia and pt cruiser which easily passed me. Dealer had me compare it to a similar model on their lot, noticeable difference, lot vehicle did not have the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10781506, filed 2015-10, 400 miles“When first driving vehicle after sitting overnight, brakes squeak for the first ~5 minutes of use. When accelerating after starting car first thing after sitting overnight onto city street, car's transmission and RPM's skyrocket out of nowhere to 4,000 - 5,000when pulling onto street with 35 MPH speed limit. When accelerating onto highway - usually in sport mode - car's RPM's go up like they should but transmission does not down shift properly and seems to get stuck at 3,000 - 4,000 rpms. Car only has 88,000 miles on it and transmission should not be slipping already.”
NHTSA complaint #11268898, filed 2019-10, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201352Jul 6, 2021TT: Some 2014-2021 model year vehicles equipped with Dynamic Torque Control AWD system may experience a ?Noise? or ?Abnormal Operation? condition from the rear differential front…
- 10190454Mar 15, 2021TSB: Some 2013 ? 2015 model year RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a brief shudder intermittently while driving under light loads between approximately 25 and 50 mph. The torque…
- 10164344Jul 9, 2019Warranty Enhancement Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock…
- 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…
- 10142894Jun 20, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up…
- 10140600Dec 13, 2017Dealer Letter: December 13, 2017. Description of the covered transmissions has been corrected. In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a…
- 10119431Sep 15, 2017Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which the vehicle may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up…
- 10119426Sep 14, 2017Dealer Letter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up. This shudder may…
- 10119425Sep 14, 2017Region Letter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit a brief intermittent shudder during torque converter flex lock up. This shudder may…
- 10119424Sep 14, 2017Dealer Email: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for…
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 2015 Toyota RAV4
85 complaintsOther or unknown
61 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsBody and structure
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 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