Automatic Gearbox Failure Rav4

February 28, 2009

I recently paid out over £3,000 for a repair to the automatic gearbox of my 2002 2.0 petrol Rav4 Vx with only 60.000 miles on the clock. The gearbox center told me it was a common fault caused by a design fault in the Engine Control Unit, which they also replaced. Toyota say that it is not a fault they have ever seen before and the gearbox center are not prepared to back me in writing. Has anybody else had this problem, because I want to pursue it as a safety issue

February 28, 2009

I recently paid out over £3,000 for a repair to the automatic gearbox of my 2002 2.0 petrol Rav4 Vx with only 60.000 miles on the clock. The gearbox center told me it was a common fault caused by a design fault in the Engine Control Unit, which they also replaced. Toyota say that it is not a fault they have ever seen before and the gearbox center are not prepared to back me in writing. Has anybody else had this problem, because I want to pursue it as a safety issue

Welcome to the club.

There were some US issues with auto boxes but I don't think it is the same box.

I haven't heard of it otherwise - anybody else?

March 1, 2009

Never read anything about it. Apart from the DMF clutch, the RAV4 drivetrain is pretty robust.

I am confused about the replacement of the ecu - are these things not normally manufactured all the same and bought from Toyota?? Unless you go down the route of ecus designed for tuning etc etc, then I thought you were stuck with the manufacturers.

Did you get the old ecu back - and if so it could be tested. If a new version had been brought out, then I'd assume Toyota would have issued a recall to upgrade the ecu if that was required.

With the power of the internet, you could ask some of the Jap car specialists if they have come across problems with the gearbox.

I can't help but wonder if it was another fault that caused whatever problem - again just seems very odd.

I mean, for comparison, I'm shoving through 300bhp using the original transmission on my 1994 RAV4 - ok its a manual box, but its handling more than twice the power the original engine had. One would think that Toyota have a policy of improving things as they go along. The auto box for the RAV was fitted from 1995 I think. Now whether your gearbox type has been used on other Toyota cars - no idea. Possible not as the 4x4 capability is not that common now in the T range - other than the heavier beasts of course.