I have an 02 RAV4L with 130,000 miles. 2 weeks ago it stumbled twice one day. the next day stumbled again and on way to AAmco pulling away from a light the transmission started slipping. When I was towed in there were 4 other Rav's with the same issue. The computer went & damaged trans, so after trans was fixed it was towed to dealer & computer replaced for $1200. There is a service bulletin on this but unless you complained within the first 80,000 miles(I bought mine used with 42,000) Toyota is saying"Sorry" it wasn't a recall so no help. PLEASE will everyone with this problem write to Toyota National customer relations 19001 southwestern ave Dept wc11 Torrance ca 90509

And maybe a class action suit unless someone already has started one

First time ever to have a transmission or ECM (computer) fail on a car.

This is my 6th Toyota and I'm disappointed to say the least. I had purchased an extended warranty but only to 86K miles so I'm not covered. I'll be calling Toyota this week to demand money for my troubles. The dealer only said there was a transmission problem and wanted too much to fix it so I went to AAMCO and they told me about the ECM issue and let me purchase it from the dealer on their discount just to prove they weren't trying to get more $from me. Another thing, why is this "bad computer" not returnable to Toyota for $ like other parts? Maybe Toyota wants them thrown away so there's no evidence...

Toyota has avoided recalling the ECM, and worse still, rather than notifying customers of the problem and possible expensive consequences', Toyota and its dealers seem to ignore it. I am not a car buff, a car is a means of transportation, but I buy cars that I think or hope will be reliable. My opinion of Toyota has changed. As the 3rd owner of a Town & Country mini van with 167,000 miles, I still receive service bulletins and recall notices. Too bad Toyota is not as honorable!

Just as feared and experienced by so many others, they replaced the ECM but the car still does not shift properly. The Toyota mechanic said the ECM may learn as the car is driven correcting the shifting problem on its own. However, based on the many posts on the net too many people have exactly the same problem and did not recieve any help or satisfaction from Toyota. They have a problem and choose to ignor it.

The only solution I see is never to buy a Toyota again.

Be sure to purchase the extended warranty for the 2002 RAV4 since it will cover replacement of the computer module. The underlying problem is not with the transmission as some people wrote, it is with the computer improperly wired to the transmission. Also drain & fill or flush the transmission fluid more often than required. Toyota replaced my computer free under an extended warranty at 50,000 when I took it to dealership for the shifting problem (stalling and not going into 2nd gear). Luckily the transmission was okay and still is. Still, I won't keep this car past 75k miles.

I bought this car used from a private party with 78K miles on it last year and had the Toyota dealership check it out before I purchased it. I specifically asked if there were any problems with this model/year and was told it was a great car. My transmission started acting up (starting off in 2nd gear, not shifting, shuddering, etc.) a couple of weeks ago and I brought it in to my local shop. They diagnosed it as a bad solenoid in the transmission. This was replaced but the problem didn't go away. As the same code came up when they did a diagnostic, they then realized that it was the engine computer, which controlled the transmission. I will take this in to Toyota Dealership to try to get them to honor the TSB about this issue and hope that my transmission hasn't been damaged. I had a Previa for 10 years (250K miles) without a major issue. I would have been a Toyota customer for life. This is going to be some very bad PR and will cost them customers as it appears this problem is only going to grow with time.

I discovered this web site after the 2002 RAV4 was in the local auto repair shop in Mill Valley,CA. The price of a rebuilt transmission was $3200. However, when I got the car back and drove it a few days the same problems of missed shifts, bucking and loss of power. I returned the car to the shop and it took them a week to figure out that the Module had to be replaced also for another $860. The shop owner had to get the true info for repair from the Toyota dealer in San Rafael. Now a week later it runs OK. If there is another failure I'll see them in court. Will I get another Toyota? NO!!

2002 toyota rav4 bought new after 911 to help the economy. First new car ever. One day suddenly started bucking and jumping. Pulled it over to check the tranny fluid. Drove it to mechanic near job that charged me $100 to evaluate the problem. He called me to tell me my transmission needed to be replaced for $3000. I looked up bad transmission toyota online and found this website. Called the local toyota dealership to explain that I had a car that was virtually worthless seeing as I had to pay for a new transmission and brain. They put in a new brain, drained the burnt fluid and told me to drive it like a racecar. So far it's working. I feel lucky. I'll never buy another toyota.

Do NOT purchase a 2002 RAV4...EVER! At 79,000 miles (4K over our warranty) our transmission 'died'. Chose NOT to purchase a 'used' transmission (why would we want to pay over $3K to put in a used/36+K transmission, only to have the same thing happen again?), but had it re-built instead. Very long story short; I contacted dealership, Toyota of America (filed a complaint) and received a 'circle jerk' from a supposed 'reputable' car manufacturer!!! Dealership, specifically the Service Manager, made it clear they no longer valued me as a Toyota customer after 18+ years, okay so I only bought 2 cars from them. I took our car elsewhere for servicing, have had the transmission torn apart/rebuilt, have had the car back twice, only to return it again to have the transmission torn apart again/ECU reset and now it's probably a 'computer' problem as well. The place I took it to has been working on transmissions for over 25 years and the owner has never seen anything as 'challenging' as our 'project'.

I have a copy of Toyota Service Bulletin TC002-06, dated March 3,2006 which describes the problem I had with my Rav4, and cost me a total of $4,500 to get fixed. Toyota apparently denies that this bulletin exists, so I have a pretty good jump on them when I go after them to try to get my money back. My story should be familiar to Rav4 owners who have had bad transmission problems; stutters in low speeds, shifts very hard in reverse. Then you get the bill for having it fixed! I will pursue this with Toyota, and I encourage everyone else to do the same. In the meanwhile, when somebody asks me how I like my 2002 Rav 4, I have to reluctantly steer them away from purchasing one. Great car till 94k then"POW" huge expense.

My wife and I have taken very good car of this car since we purchased it. The average mileage to her work is approximately 4 miles; occasionally we do high way miles when going to the beach.

During our vacation this year, the transmission decided to act up. The warranty was just up, and our mechanic informed us that transmission problems are very common with the RAV4. Then, he also informed us of computer problems as well. The total cost was quickly rising to fix this vehicle.

Do not buy this car...not worth the money to fix! We had our fixed (five thousand miles beyond warranty of course) and it is only guaranteed for 90 days!

Apparently, transmission problems are extremely common in the RAV4, which is totally uncalled for in today�s society. Spread the word so others do not have to suffer this financial strain in challenging economic times!

Misery loves company - but it doesn't make it feel any better.

LAST YEAR, jerking as it shifts from 1-2 gear. awful sounds. $4000 (new tranny and computer) to get me mobile again. I went to Mr. Transmission since Toyota wanted $5000+. A LITTLE over a year later...today...i find out that it won't switch to 4th gear.

Mr. Transmission's warranty has expired (missed it by 2 months). I called Toyota and they sounded upset I didn't go to them to pay the $5000+. When I asked if they knew if this was a big problem with others - the mechanic sounded like this was such a rare and unknown thing but would be happy to "look at it" for a $108.

We all need to put a big sign on our car windows like: "Toyota quality: BAD TRANSMISSIONS and NO ACCOUNTABILITY" or "DON'T BUY A TOYOTA - CRAPPY TRANSMISSIONS TOYOTA WILL ONLY FIX FOR $5000+". I'm going to park my car in front of a few Toyota dealerships. Take pictures and send to Toyota corporate and ruin their PR until they make an effort to fix this.

These are rough years for the automobile industry - hit them where it hurts. If they can't fix it.. let's just get even.

(rant off)