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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 9 of 11

#76 of 104 Talk about bad timing! by wishew

Oct 10, 2011 (4:41 pm)

In my case it was only NINE days over the warranty period.
Mine is a 2002 Rav4 and was bought on Oct.1 2001 (which I didn't know beforehand, because I'm not the original owner). The transmission problems started on Sept 30, 2011 only ONE DAY before the enhanced warranty expired! (talk about timing!)Unfortunately, I was going out of the country on Sept 30 for 9 days, so couldn't bring it in until Oct 10. (IF I had known when exactly the car was purchased, I would have tried to get it in before I left!)
When I brought it in on Oct 10, what they ended up doing was, Toyota covered the cost of the ECM, but I paid $240 for labor. I didn't know if I should try to argue the point and try to get them to pay the entire amount, but I need to have my car working, so I agreed to pay the $240 and was happy that they didn't try to make me to pay the full amount (which would have been over $1100, according to them). But the timing was sooo close to the deadline I feel the pain!
I also feel that $240 was a lot for the labor, since it only took them an hour to do the work.
What do you think? Did I get a good deal, or should I have tried harder for the full warranty coverage?

#77 of 104 Re: Talk about bad timing! [wishew] by beaker30

Oct 10, 2011 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: wishew (Oct 10, 2011 4:41 pm)
There's a class action settlement letter floating around. I don't have a copy of it but my mother received it while we were reading our fight. She's covered under that letter. You probably are too. Toyota is paying for all related costs, is my understanding.

#78 of 104 Help Re: Class Action Lawsuit-2002 RAV4 Faulty Transmission by blevinssl

Oct 15, 2011 (9:01 pm)

I just received a letter from Toyota saying that I am eligible to be included in a class action lawsuit against Toyota for those who had to replace or repair the transmission on a 2002 Rav4. Unfortunately, in August of 2007, I had my Toyota towed to the dealership and followed behind it because my instinct told me that this kind of thing shouldn't happen on a vehicle that's only 5 years old and had been well maintained. As with many of you, I was told that I would have to pay for the replacement of the transmission AND that the warranty had expired, so I had no recourse.
 
At that time, I was in no position to be without a vehicle. They promised me that they'd take good care of me. By this point, I was in tears and told the manager my concern about getting a decent deal on another car because I was obviously stuck. Of course they reassured me and seemed very nice at the time. My mom co-signed for me on a new vehicle since I was upside down still on my load for the RAV4.
 
Once I saw that legal action was impending, I started to wonder if they gave me the value of a 2002 RAV4 utility with upgrades minus a working transmission or not. (I'm guessing not.) So I found my original bill of sale. I purchased a new vehicle on August 4, 2007. The only thing wrong with my RAV4 other than the transmission was a small dent in the rear bumper. Everything else was in great condition. They gave me $5000 for the vehicle. I've researched online to try to find the 2007 version of Blue Book so I know whether or not I should pursue legal action. Any advice out there? Is anyone else in the same boat?
 
Thank you so much!

#79 of 104 Re: Help Re: Class Action Lawsuit-2002 RAV4 Faulty Transmission [blevinssl] by jnb757

Oct 16, 2011 (9:12 am)

Replying to: blevinssl (Oct 15, 2011 9:01 pm)
Hi...
Well $5k was not a great deal...BUT? The dealer knew it needed $5k of work(their cost was maybe $3k) and it was trade in value which is always lower...
I had mine done.. they repaid me.. the new ECM failed 2 years later Toyota sent another fefective ECM to replace a defective one .....But new ones was Out of warranty (1yr) but it damaged the trans AGAIN and I got the class action suit that says Sorry we only pay once... but now? I had to buy new ECM & $3600 for new trans... so my only recourse is small claims court..

#80 of 104 Defective Replacement ECM by jnb757

Oct 16, 2011 (9:16 am)

Hi... Toyota replaced the ECM & trans and paid me for it... The problem? The new ECM failed 2 years later and damaged the trans... so now I have to pay for both(settlement says when they pay? Thats it... and my mileage is now past their 150k warranty but the ECM only had 40k on it.. same with trans.Toyota said sorry... not our problem The dealer is GREAT and has been trying to help but to no avail..
..anyone have any ideas what to do? Small claims court>

#81 of 104 Re: Defective Replacement ECM [jnb757] by gonz3

Oct 16, 2011 (10:05 am)

Replying to: jnb757 (Oct 16, 2011 9:16 am)
Well, I received this reply from Richard from RAV4 Repair when asking him about this new issue.
 
"Yes, I have heard and seen that new ECMs are failing for the same in about one or two years. Unfortunately, odd as it may sound, this is happening some times. The truth is that Toyota improved the process of manufacturing those ECMs, so this problem does not resurface again and it is a good thing, but it is also true, that while those newly manufactured ECMs will not fail again, there are plenty of ECMs from the "old batch" in the shelfs, awaiting to be sold.
 
I have seen both upgraded and not upgraded ECMs and there really exists a difference between both. So I can not tell for sure, but I guess that ECMs that failed again were from the "old batch".
 
The problem is the cost of a new ECM from the "new batch" and the fact that there is no easy way that we know, for identifying one from the other, unless opening it and an experimented technician inspects the circuit.
 
I guess that the best thing to do is "properly" repairing and reprogramming the one that you already have and it will not fail again. Just do it before the transmission fails and you will be save from many headaches.
 
As I always mention, these RAV4 vehicles are excellent. Their only flaw is at its ECM computer. Do not dump it for something that can be easily solved."

#83 of 104 Re: Help Re: Class Action Lawsuit-2002 RAV4 Faulty Transmission [jnb757] by blevinssl

Oct 17, 2011 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: jnb757 (Oct 16, 2011 9:12 am)
So sorry to hear that. I think I'm done with Toyota after all of this. The reliability scares me, not to mention that the resale is probably horrible now with all of the bad press. Good luck in small claims court if you pursue that.

#84 of 104 RAV 4 lawsuit by rav4victim

Nov 21, 2011 (1:48 am)

I received the paper asking me to enter in the lawsuit, but have lost it. Does anyone have the information. I had a Rav 4, 2001 and it started about 160,000 miles, they told me that it had to be 150,000. Seems like if it was a defect it was a defect. And after I brought it to the dealer to check on it, it was immediately worse, and then totally gone 3 days later. Funny how that happens.

Messages Page 9 of 11

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