9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
22,750 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Toyota RAV4:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Toyota dealer.

problem #2

Sep 262014

RAV4 LE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

Car jerks when taking a turn. I almost got rear ended because the car was not responding to my commands like hitting the gas or steering. I took it to Toyota, they said that people come in all the time and there is nothing we can do. I said, well are you going to fix it, he said no.

So you know what I did? I drove my jerky piece of crappy Toyota to Ford after doing research. I drove my butt to Ford and bought a Ford Escape, drove back to the same man was there, he goes what is the ugly piece of Ford in my lot? I said it is my new car. He goes why? I said because you didnot fix my car, he goes I could have fixed that, I give him a look.

Then I drove away and I am much happier. What was I thinking when I got rid of my old Fusion?

- Ryan L., Charlston, SC, US

problem #1

Aug 012013

RAV4 Litmited 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,500 miles

Since brand new at times when stopped then accelerate to turn left or right, it will hesitate when I am halfway turned causing the vehicle to lose power, then it will catch causing a burst in acceleration. At times I have lost power when I need it most. It is very dangerous. I have called this to my dealer's attention and was told they cannot duplicate in a test drive so nothing is wrong. I have seen other complaints about this.

I want this on record in case I cannot get out of the way and get hurt or killed because of this. I just retired and thought this car would be good for 10 years, I am thinking of trading when the loss is smaller to do that. I feel I am in danger driving the car this way. I thought Toyota would always take care of complaints.

Update from Jun 7, 2015: UPDATE: The car has 36100 miles now. The hesitation sometimes will do it now just from stop and goinging staright Now the new thing is that the transmnission will sometimes will feel like a standard shift when you are going too slow in a gear and you get vibrations. I think this whole problem is caused by a faulty computer settings for shifting. I also feel a six speed is not needed. It feels like it is always shifting. I will bring this new problem to their attention next oil change and update. I have had this problem from day 1. I always bought Toyotas but this is my last one. I thought this would be my last car as I am retired but I do not enjoy driving it at all. Watch out for the trend toward more gears in cars i feel they are not comfortable to drive because of the constant shifting. Also you can not see the gps screen in daylight and it sometimes will take you the very long way. I will not buy Toyota again.

Update from Jul 14, 2015: I have 38000 on this car now. It has run terrible since the day I bought it. I have complained about the hesitation and shifting before. The problem I think has finally been found. The car shifts badly and feels like it is confused. The car started vibration in the transmission area which finally led them to the problem. It is the Torque Converter bad from day one but I have had to live with it for 38000 miles. I was told it will be replaced with a new design part which leads me to believe they are aware that this part is defective. I hate this car now, that listed for over $31,000. The dealer I feel has had people with the same problem but will not acknowledge because Toyota does not want to recall for such an expensive part. They matched up the Camray six speed transmission with the redesigned 2013 rav 4 and it does not work well at all. I will trade this car now after it is fixed and it will not be for another Toyota. I have owned several new Toyotas but now I am finished with them. I have had to drive a car that felt worn out from day one, I feel cheated and that will lose my future business.

- brooksnh, Hampstead, NH, US