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Toyota RAV4 Transmission Troubles

104 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2013 at 12:55 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, Car Warranties, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 11

#1 of 104 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble by lisadp

Feb 08, 2007 (4:28 pm)

..Subtitled, a very large piece of scrap metal.
 
My 2001 Rav4, with just over 80K on it, just went belly-up. TWO days before the extended warranty expired (bought it Certified Used), the transmission started slipping, disabling the car 2 hours from home (on New Year's Eve, no less, try getting repair or a rental car on a holiday). The dealer it was towed to said they couldn't find anything wrong with it, put in 3/4 QT of tranny fluid, called it good.
 
Now that it is out of warranty, it once again died on a trip, again 2 hours away from home. The dealer I had it towed to this time said it needs a new transmission, that'll be $3000, please. I'm currently in what I'll call "negotiations" with Toyota and the extended warranty company about who's going to pay for this, since I originally reported the problem prior to the warranty expiring.
 
I'm wondering if anyone is aware of any other 2001 Rav4's with a similar problem. If you've come across this, please let me know- I may need more ammunition in my arsenal to effect a warranty repair.
 
Thanks so much-
 
Lisa

#2 of 104 Re: 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble [lisadp] by ravmom

Feb 08, 2007 (4:41 pm)

Replying to: lisadp (Feb 08, 2007 4:28 pm)
try rav4world.com for more info. i know o2 sensors were knocking out the catalytic converter, but never heard of the tranny going. i just traded my rav for a pickup and the only problem w/ my tranny was that it wouldn't shift into gear at times to go faster, so i'd have to release the pedal and depress again or just click on the overdrive button. that car rode great, too bad my dh didn't want to spend the $$ to keep it for me.

#3 of 104 Re: 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble [lisadp] by wwest

Feb 08, 2007 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: lisadp (Feb 08, 2007 4:28 pm)
Read my latest post(s) over on the Camry thread.

#4 of 104 Re: 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble [ravmom] by wwest

Feb 08, 2007 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: ravmom (Feb 08, 2007 4:41 pm)
You just described, perfectly, the 1-2 second downshift delay/hesitation symptom seemingly common to all FWD Toyota/Lexus vehicles, and many other marques. Maybe you should also read the Camry post(s).

#5 of 104 Re: 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble [wwest] by lisadp

Feb 11, 2007 (10:01 am)

Replying to: wwest (Feb 08, 2007 4:50 pm)
Thanks for the very detailed info on the Camry thread- unfortunately, I don't know all that much about auto mechanics, so not sure I understand it all. The bottom line for me is that we're not experiencing any sort of hesitation or delay- we have a busted tranny. After driving ~2hours, the car suddenly started to rev up and then the gears slipped, and it wouldn't move- like it was stuck in neutral. We'd pull over, stop, restart the car, go a few feet, and then it would do it all over again. The car was not driveable at all.
 
The first dealer said it was 3/4 QT low on transmission fluid. I've had it maintained meticulously, including a tranny fluid flush just a few months before that. The second dealer (the one where it is now) said there was metal in the pan and it needs a new tranny.
 
Any thoughts about how that relates to what you shared on the Camry thread (in English for those of us who don't speak car?
 
Lisa

#6 of 104 Re: 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble [lisadp] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Feb 11, 2007 (10:41 am)

Replying to: lisadp (Feb 11, 2007 10:01 am)
Did the first Toyota dealer do the transmission flush and do you know if it was a simple drain and fill or a "power" flush?
 
Not that I harbor conspiracy theories about power flushes, you understand.

#7 of 104 Re: 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble [steve_] by lisadp

Feb 11, 2007 (3:55 pm)

Replying to: Stever@Edmunds (Feb 11, 2007 10:41 am)
No, my regular mechanic did it, and it was a regular drain and fill, as far as I know.
 
Actually, neither of the dealers who have had the car for this problem is MY dealer- the car dies 2 hours away from home.
 
Lisa

#8 of 104 My dealership FORGOT to refill drained trany fluid! by homerfan

Feb 11, 2007 (6:37 pm)

Several years ago, we took our '99 RAV4 in to Appleway Toyota's service department for service, and two days later it started making terrible transmission noises. Stopped in at the other dealership in town (Downtown Toyota), and they discovered that there was NO tranny fluid! Fortunately, they called Appleway about it, and Appleway agreed to pay for any necessary repairs. We are still driving it today, and haven't had any problems at all even though it has around 170,000 miles on it now.

#9 of 104 Re: 2001 Rav4 transmission trouble [lisadp]- GREAT NEWS! by lisadp

Feb 12, 2007 (7:17 pm)

Replying to: lisadp (Feb 08, 2007 4:28 pm)
I received great news today- Toyota is going to stand behind their car and replace the transmission under the warranty!
 
I can't begin to express my relief, and although we have had enormous difficulty and distress over the break-downs, Toyota's willingness to honor their warranty restores my faith in the make. I was feeling badly about the thought of avoiding all Toyotas in the future, up till this tranny problem, I've been a huge fan.
 
Let's hope all goes well with the repair and that there are at least another 100K in that car for us!
 
Lisa

#10 of 104 whyme by dcaras

Mar 19, 2007 (6:41 pm)

have a 2004 nissan sentra ser4 SPECV. Transmission problems took to dealer and they say the the pen on the end of the rod that shifts gears broke due to jamming into gear, therefore gears are stuck between 1st and nuteral. They say due to operator misuse warranty will not cover this. They also said they can prove misuse. Any suggestions on this matter. My thought is how can they tell operator error and not wear and tear or poor workmanship?

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