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Comments
http://www.rickwhitney.com/offline/toyota-my-rav4-transmission-problem-help-plea- se/
Any help or insight would be much appreciated! Thanks a lot.
Rick
About getting help for implementing the warranty, I guess that you will unfortunately have no success, as many of us have tried before with no luck. There was even a class action attempt and none have progressed.
Lots and lots of dealers, either do not know about this or are just ignoring it, but believe me, most will bring no help at all, even telling them the whole story. I just don't know what are they up to about this.
One thing that they said to you is true and it is that if you keep using your RAV4 like that, you will have a dead transmission soon. In my case, everything was as you described and it all suddenly disappeared for good after bringing my ecu to the guys I mentioned above in post #54.
Believe me, you will feel so good at driving it after their service, that you will forget all about the whole issue and move on.
I was very happy because in my case, the issue was so annoying that I was almost sure that it was the transmission, but it wasn't and these guys were not even expensive.
Just my 2 cents,
R. Gonzalez
In April 2009 my transmission blew on my 02 RAV4.. when it was towed to AAMCO there were 5 other Rav's with the same issue.. Trans was relaced... flatbedded to Toyota and an new ECM put in.. 18 months later? They repaid me... HOWEVER.... the new (or supposedly new) ECm started gived errors and AAMCO inspected the car 2 times and replaced a solenoid valve.. In May 2011 I took the car to Toyota and the dealer told me the ECM was defective... I had to pay $1000 & Toyota said "sorry" you were covered the first time and now the car has more than 150,000 miles Tough Sh--... I just brought the car back AGAIN because the banging on the O/D was getting bad and now? They tiold me I knew a new transmission AGAIN... And I called Toyota and their answer was "Sorry"... Is anyone interested in beginning another class action suit? The additude by TMC is so uncaring 3 times they replaced the ECM and now it has damaged the transmission AGAIN but they claim "it's not their problem' PLEASE can ANYONE help...
Keep this little tidbit in mind. We're currently in talks with a lawyer. I'd love to see that company try to defend that ridiculousness in court.
We're having all the problems afore said in the blogs with the computer/transmission jerking, slow acceleration at stoplights etc. Some days better than others dependent on the heat/cold but the slow acceleration seems to be a mainstay now. We really need our RAV4 as a second vehicle so that's why we've been on the road with it babying it carefully and cautiously.
Where do we begin this process of getting it fixed WITHOUT OUR PAYING FOR IT????? We were told that we were over warranty and over mileage and that toyota wouldn't pay for it. We really need our 4WD for this coming winter's 2 hour commutes at times as it's just around the corner for where we live in snowland and we have an extra baby on the way in addition to a 3 year old so will be needing more passenger room sooner than later than the other spare vehicle/junker we are currently driving in the absence of the reliability of our 03 RAV4 for long distances and snowy weather.
If anyone has any updates on the current status of the class action lawsuit that's been filed, please let us know...we don't really know much about how to get involved in this whole thing, we just want to have our RAV4 fixed before the snow flies in a couple months or have it replaced or something! It would seem to me that in a lawsuit, we wouldn't get it operational like it should be by this winter-which is our greatest push at this point...since lawsuits can take years sometimes? Well, we are totally open to advice on this subject as we are pulling for all sorts of options for the deadline of this winter and our commutes. Just not much "mulah"(money) to work with at all!!!!!!
If we did get involved in the lawsuit, what would be the perks? Seems that sometimes people get next to nothing in the settlements after a case like this? ...Compared to all the money they sank into the payments for the vehicle not to mention repairs etc.???? and then there's the lawyer fees????? I don't know if we understand this all right, but we are open to suggestions---like I said earlier!
Thanks for your help!
http://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/harsh-shifting-problems-on-toyota-rav-automatic-- transmission-and-problem-repair
I just looked at the info you shared and discovered from my hubby that we are at 210,000miles! I guess that's way over the 150,000 miles limit! I am reminded now that is the reason we were turned down from toyota in the past, just the local dealerships we have had contact with. We might start looking into the lawsuit? Thanks for your input...it was encouraging till I found out about our high mileage!!!!! :-) We'll keep pluggin away!
June 2011 transmission cooked, replaced by Toyota quickly. THank you Toyota, it only cost us a week with no car and a huge headache.
Sept 2011 Transmission slips on highway. Engine rods are likely COOKED. Dealer says it will cost me $1200 to take apart engine to build a case that the transmission faults caused the engine rods to bend and break.
So now i can either pay $5500 to replace the engine. Or $1200 to TRY and prove that Toyota's Transmission problem (although fixed on their dime) also cooked my engine in the recent gear slip on the highway. I find it just to ironic after reading all these posts.
I am calling the 877-235-4599 number and visiting Rav4ecmsettlement.com at lunch break!
Any other advise? :sick:
It cost me $250. Plus shipping to Puerto Rico
It took about a week to get back. I put it back in last night and so far so good. All the symptoms seem to be gone. The check engine light even came off for the first time. I need to get my inspection sticker tomorrow. The car now even goes in reverse like a normal car. No slamming into gear.
I then will fill out a claim form to try to get reimbursement from Toyota .
Good luck people.
P.s. The ECU is behind the glove compartment and not too hard to get to.
they basically said i was SOL as i did not use the deal for maintainence. It didn't matter to them that we have purchased 3 toyotas from them, just that i didn't do service there. they will gladly do the ecm for over $1000, but, it that doesn't work, it will be my financial burden to cover the transmissiom repair. It made no difference that i had received the letter or that they told me to have the car towed there for repair. toyota....you suck. anyone having similiar issues, i'd jump on board. I can't understand how i didn't get notification until 2011 for a known problem for at least 5 years. the time line of warranty extention of 10 years on a 2001 is curious.
I just dealt with a similar situation, but in my case it was only 9 days over the warranty period! Mine is a 2002 car and was bought on Oct.1 2001(which I didn't know beforehand, because I'm not the original owner). The transmission problems started on Sept 30, 2011 only ONE DAY before the enhanced warranty expired! Unfortunately, I was going out of the country on Sept 30 for 9 days, so couldn't bring it in until Oct 10. (IF I had known when exactly the car was purchased, I would have tried to get in before I left!)
When I brought it in on Oct 10, what they ended up doing was, Toyota covered the cost of the ECM, but I paid $240 for labor. I didn't know if I should try to argue the point and try to get them to pay the entire amount, but I need to have my car working, so I agreed to the $240 and was happy to not have to pay the full amount (which would have been over $1100, according to them). But the timing was sooo close to the deadline I feel the pain!
I also feel that $240 was a lot for the labor, since it only took them an hour to do the work.
Mine is a 2002 Rav4 and was bought on Oct.1 2001 (which I didn't know beforehand, because I'm not the original owner). The transmission problems started on Sept 30, 2011 only ONE DAY before the enhanced warranty expired! (talk about timing!)Unfortunately, I was going out of the country on Sept 30 for 9 days, so couldn't bring it in until Oct 10. (IF I had known when exactly the car was purchased, I would have tried to get it in before I left!)
When I brought it in on Oct 10, what they ended up doing was, Toyota covered the cost of the ECM, but I paid $240 for labor. I didn't know if I should try to argue the point and try to get them to pay the entire amount, but I need to have my car working, so I agreed to pay the $240 and was happy that they didn't try to make me to pay the full amount (which would have been over $1100, according to them). But the timing was sooo close to the deadline I feel the pain!
I also feel that $240 was a lot for the labor, since it only took them an hour to do the work.
What do you think? Did I get a good deal, or should I have tried harder for the full warranty coverage?
At that time, I was in no position to be without a vehicle. They promised me that they'd take good care of me. By this point, I was in tears and told the manager my concern about getting a decent deal on another car because I was obviously stuck. Of course they reassured me and seemed very nice at the time. My mom co-signed for me on a new vehicle since I was upside down still on my load for the RAV4.
Once I saw that legal action was impending, I started to wonder if they gave me the value of a 2002 RAV4 utility with upgrades minus a working transmission or not. (I'm guessing not.) So I found my original bill of sale. I purchased a new vehicle on August 4, 2007. The only thing wrong with my RAV4 other than the transmission was a small dent in the rear bumper. Everything else was in great condition. They gave me $5000 for the vehicle. I've researched online to try to find the 2007 version of Blue Book so I know whether or not I should pursue legal action. Any advice out there? Is anyone else in the same boat?
Thank you so much!
Well $5k was not a great deal...BUT? The dealer knew it needed $5k of work(their cost was maybe $3k) and it was trade in value which is always lower...
I had mine done.. they repaid me.. the new ECM failed 2 years later Toyota sent another fefective ECM to replace a defective one .....But new ones was Out of warranty (1yr) but it damaged the trans AGAIN and I got the class action suit that says Sorry we only pay once... but now? I had to buy new ECM & $3600 for new trans... so my only recourse is small claims court..
..anyone have any ideas what to do? Small claims court>
"Yes, I have heard and seen that new ECMs are failing for the same in about one or two years. Unfortunately, odd as it may sound, this is happening some times. The truth is that Toyota improved the process of manufacturing those ECMs, so this problem does not resurface again and it is a good thing, but it is also true, that while those newly manufactured ECMs will not fail again, there are plenty of ECMs from the "old batch" in the shelfs, awaiting to be sold.
I have seen both upgraded and not upgraded ECMs and there really exists a difference between both. So I can not tell for sure, but I guess that ECMs that failed again were from the "old batch".
The problem is the cost of a new ECM from the "new batch" and the fact that there is no easy way that we know, for identifying one from the other, unless opening it and an experimented technician inspects the circuit.
I guess that the best thing to do is "properly" repairing and reprogramming the one that you already have and it will not fail again. Just do it before the transmission fails and you will be save from many headaches.
As I always mention, these RAV4 vehicles are excellent. Their only flaw is at its ECM computer. Do not dump it for something that can be easily solved."
My car started bucking and gasping for gas everytime I slowed and excellerated or came to a complete stop. I immediately took it to my mechanic who had the pan dropped and transmission checked. But to no avail; I was told it was shot & needed to be replaced.
I have been checking online for any information about recalls on this make & model (RAV4 2002).
Can you give me any help ?
So my question is, after consulting the Rav4ECMsettlement.com and listening to the frequently asked questions from the toll-free line.... How long is it taking to get reimbursed? I haven't actually gotten it fixed yet, but is sounds like I have to fork out a lot of money!
I am driving a 97/98 plate rav 4 for the last 6b months with no problems. But last night driving on the motorway, I started to hear a high pitched squeal from behind my dash which changed in pitch whenever I put or took my foot on the gas. I was thinking possible fan belt issue. However, about 20mins later, it popped out of 5th gear which was a bit scary on the motorway at 70mph!!
Now, it won't stay in 5th gear but all the gears work fine and there is no apparent change in how it handles. The high pitched whine is still there also.
Any ideas what this is
Thanks in advance.
Paul.
I just left feedback on eBay, but only 80 characters doesn't do it justice so I want to tell you my whole story and encourage you to share it with potential customers on your website or any other way you wish.
I purchased a 2003 RAV4 in Houston in January of 2011 with the intention of shipping it to Costa Rica after driving it in Houston for 8 or 9 months. It had just under 90,000 miles on it when I purchased and ran great. The transmission was a little rough shifting on cold mornings, but I didn't give it much thought. In September 2011 I shipped the RAV to Costa Rica with 100,000 miles on it and drove it here from October until last Saturday (3/16/13) when the transmission started to act up at 103,000. Hard shifting, not shifting out of first, down shifting on hills even though I had already manually shifted to 2nd. My first thought was low fluid since I had driven it really hard in the hills here using second gear most of the time to climb and brake on the downhill. Well I went straight home and parked the car. Checked the fluid and it was clean and full.
At that point I went to the Google and discovered the ECU issue with this model. It sounded right on, and while my logical mind can't quite comprehend a computer failure of this nature based on higher mileage, I decided it must the problem. Although the Check engine light hadn't come on before, it did come on when I moved the car about 300 feet just to park in a better location. I didn't even bother checking the code. I just instinctively knew based on all I read that it was the ECU failure. Then I went back to Google and began shopping for a replacement. I found $1200 new, $1050 new at discount parts outlets, $250 to $500 rebuilt. Then I found Automotive Scientific Inc at $129 free shipping and no core charge. I have to say I was skeptical since I sometimes believe we get what we pay for, but the feedback was good and I felt it was worth a shot. I didn't even bother to shop here in CR knowing there is no way I would beat this price, even with added shipping and duty.
First, I ordered on Sunday. You called and emailed me Monday morning for my VIN to verify the correct unit was shipped. Next, you shipped immediately. Since I am in Costa Rica and use a freight forwarding company, there are added expenses and time. One big added expense is import duty which of course is based on value. Obviously the lower price drastically reduces the duty. I use Aero Postal / Aero Casillas for shipping from Florida to Costa Rica. I ordered from you Sunday 3/18. You shipped 3/19. UPS delivered to AeroCasilles in Miami 3/21. The unit arrived in San Jose 3/22 and I picked it up here in Ciudad Quesada this morning 3/23 at 10AM. Shipping, duty and taxes were $40. Total investment $170. My wife asked on the way home from picking up the part if I was sure that was the problem. My response, even if it isn't, its worth the cost to get it off the list of possible problems since a transmission shop would want to sell me one anyway at a much higher cost.
Installation took less than one hour thanks to a YouTube video by one of your pricey competitors. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyQIFV5JOfg ) By 11:30 I was test driving and by Noon I was convinced the project was a success.
THANK YOU,
Michael
cc: Friends, Facebook, Costa Rica Living
So I just learned about the transmission problems with the select 2001-2003 models, a little late unfortunately. I took my car into Aamco to get it looked at b/c it wasn't shifting properly and they told me they needed to rebuild the transmission and remove damaged parts and replace the ECM, for an estimated $2700-3500. My car has 157K miles so it's past the enhanced warranty. I still called Toyota HQ to see if there was anyway they could help. I had never received any notification about the problem, they claimed to have sent it out July 2010 and I never go to dealerships b/c they're so expensive. They said no. I said I was willing to pay 50%, a compromise, since it's a defect in the system. They didn't care. My car had been jerking into reverse for awhile but I didn't think anything of it. When it started to rev up when I pushed on the gas and it took a while to shift and did so harshly, I decided to take it in. Has anyone had better luck with Toyota? Any suggestions? Is that price reasonable? I am a full-time student on loans so money is really tight and I know nothing about cars. Thanks!
Oh yeah. I wasn't surprised just still in sticker shock. Can't complain. The car has been WONDERFUL. I've spent practically no money on it the entire time i've had it - 6 yrs. It was my aunt's car before and she didn't spend money on it either except for oil change, tires, brakes, etc. just like me.
I didn't know anything about these probs though until i began researching a couple of nites ago. How come we didn't receive anythng from Toyota on this?