7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$20,000
Average Mileage:
3,450 miles
Total Complaints:
50 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (38 reports)
  2. reprogram engine ecu (3 reports)
  3. software update (3 reports)
  4. toyota says this is normal (3 reports)
  5. replaced magnetic clutch (1 reports)
  6. the issue is now resolved by toyota t-sb-0107-19 - ecu/at (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Toyota dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #10

May 312019

RAV4 XVL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 352 miles

Just bought a new Rav4 2019 a couple of months now and love everything about the vehicle except for the transmission. Either did not notice this during the test drive or this issue just appeared. When slowing down then taking a slow turn and when accelerating (even a gentle acceleration), the transmission downshifts and engine RPM’s increase greatly causing a strong jerking motion when downshifting and again when it upshifts. It happens in all modes, Eco, Normal and Sport mode. Before I catch flack for my driving habits, I get the same issue at stop signs. I need to come to a complete stop then accelerate to avoid the hard surging forward. I should not need to baby the gas petal to try avoiding this. Come on Toyota, I'm an Engineer with some experience in this field, orchestrate acceleration and shifting properly, this should be a simple SW fix… Transmission Solenoid valve control through proper PWM and/or dithering...... Toyota, I hope you see this. You can contact me for more information.

- fcg020, Crystal Lake, US

problem #9

May 202019

RAV4 XLE 3.26

  • Automatic transmission
  • 311 miles

Lurches on start-up, going around corner doesn't turn but lurches forward, almost hit a vehicle in other lane that was stopped. Cruise control started lurching forward and had to stop car and shut it off. Friend of mine drove car and reported when cruise on the car tended to want to drive itself and he had to fight the wheel to keep it in the proper lane. He said in all his 60+ years of driving he had never experienced anything like this. .

Personally I would assess car as dangerous to drive. Hopefully they can fix it.

I cannot repeat problems separately because I don't know what the problems are. I don't know if they are separate issues or one big one

It has happened many times but not consistently, I have an appointment with Toyotatown, London, Ontario, Canada on Monday, June 3rd at 3 pm to have them check it..

Update from Oct 23, 2019: Took car into Toyotatown, London, Ontario. They tested it and the information was sent to Toyota Canada. Toyota Canada sent an app to recalibrate the transmission. This was done Monday, September 23, 2019 and I have not had any other problems. So far so good.

- Liz D., Port Stanley, ON, Canada

problem #8

Apr 262019

RAV4 LE AWD 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2 miles

Shift shock right before a complete stop & coast & go, lurking and jerking motion.

- Andre L., Saint-Leonard, QC, Canada

problem #7

Apr 262019

RAV4 LE 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

I've had three Rav4 vehicles before this one and enjoyed every one of them. That being said, I find myself feeling a bit concerned with this 2019 model - especially at a stop light. As the light changes to green, the engine seems to almost stall out. While it doesn't do this at every stop, I find it to be a bit concerning as I "nurse" the vehicle through intersections. Please let me know if Toyota is addressing this issue. I was 10 miles from the dealership on my way home when it first happened. It has occurred several times since then. Had I known.........?????

- veedub132, Boston, MA, US

problem #6

Apr 012019

RAV4 Adventure 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

When rolling at a speed of 5 mph or so, if you begin to accelerate the vehicle downshifts (say from 2nd gear to 1st gear) and lurches very hard. This has to be a transmission problem. Can reproduce at any time. Does it every time. I have yet to bring it to the dealership yet about this. The only way around this is if you come to a complete stop, then accelerate, it starts off in first gear. But this is not an acceptable solution. If you are in traffic, and rolling along, and then it is time to accelerate, you can't simply come to a stop, and then start accelerating again. Very concerned for the transmission.

- Mark G., Huntsville, AL, US

problem #5

Feb 282019

RAV4 Limited 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

Transmission jerks at low speeds when in a rolling stop situation. It downshifts rather abruptly. Not present from complete stop. Took it in to dealer for evaluation as I complained to Toyota Customer Experience group. We duplicated the issue with the service manager. They are sending the service report toToyata and am waiting to hear back about a fix.

- harveyo4340, Jacksonville, US

problem #4

Apr 012019

RAV4 XLE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

Every time you stop the car it's a hard brake and every time you accelerate the car lunges forward. Also, you have to step on the accelerator pedal really low to go faster and every time when you need to turn the car hesitates.

- Jin H., Skaneateles Falls, NY, US

problem #3

Jan 282019

RAV4 LE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70 miles

Although it does not occur at a high frequency, it is easily reproducible and an unacceptable drive-ability issue. Waiting on Toyota specialist to check vehicle out.

- theoriginalchris, Fredericksburg, US

problem #2

Feb 282019

RAV4 LE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

Vehicle will lurch forward when moving forward from a stop. This happens about 1 out of 5 stops, but it is significant enough that you are always braced for it making the driving experience very unpleasant. Disabling the auto engine off feature does not help.

- apples, Johnson, US

problem #1

Mar 192019

RAV4 XLE 2.5L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles

The transmission hesitates and lurches at slower speeds during transition between 2nd and 1st gear. This occurs primarily while slowing down and then accelerating, like in a rolling stop scenario or during stop and go traffic.

- gunner99, Jackson, US