Used 2003 Toyota RAV4 AWD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A) Consumer Reviews
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Toyota will pay for transmission repairs
bbeek, Moline, IL, 12/30/2010
Toyota RAV4 AWD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
41 of 46 people found this review helpful
I just found a link to an article that documents that Toyota will pay for ECM failures/transmission rebuilds. Here is the link:http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/13/toyota-extends-warranty-on-troubled-2001-3-rav4/. You can call the center in Torrance, Calif at 800-468-7814 for more info. I am going to get back my repair costs of $4300 for a rebuilt transmission and ECM module replacement.
I wish I had known.
Dave C, North Las Vegas, NV, 05/12/2018
Toyota RAV4 AWD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
I was looking for a small SUV/crossover type vehicle to replace my older real estate vehicle. After retiring from real estate I didn't need a large SUV, so I wanted something smaller. I found a nice looking 2003 Toyota Rav4 that seemed to fit my bill. It ran good, the interior was nice and it seemed like it would do me well. I should have read some of the one star reviews. If I had, I would have seen that this vehicle had a bad engine in it and that Toyota doesn't seem to care. The engine has a design defect that caused the head bolts in the back of the engine to pull up and strip the threads in the engine block. Fixing the problem means replacing the engine at a cost of at least $3000. I live on a fixed income now and I don't have that kind of money laying around. I can't drive the car any more than 100 miles without stopping, letting it cool down and putting some water in it. So basically, I'm stuck near home. I wouldn't dream of taking this car on the road. The problem with replacing the engine is that the shop will just put a used engine in the car. Not a rebuilt one. Just a used one. Which will most likely have the same problem this one has. This is the second time I've owned a Toyota and the second time I've gotten a dodgy engine. This will be the last time I have to deal with Toyota and their engines, because I will not buy another. I'll get a Honda CRV or Nissan Rouge. No more Toyotas.
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2003 Toyota RAV4 for sale near you
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- Base 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,45043 mi away
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The computer parts cost more than the car!
Kazz Mack, Colfax, NC, 05/04/2020
Toyota RAV4 AWD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Buyer beware! Toyota is not as reliable as they say. The ECM computer went out and it cost $1,995.00 to replace. It should not cost that much to reprogram this computer part for a 17 year old part. Thats like playing 2000 dollars for medicine that only cost 20 dollars to make.That is price gouging!! Shame on you Toyota! Had I known this part would have cost that much I would NEVER HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA!
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- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
ECM /Transmission Problem
abamabam1, Brooklyn, NY, 03/26/2013
Toyota RAV4 AWD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
39 of 48 people found this review helpful
I rarely write reviews online but I want to share my experience with this vehicle...My RAV4 is in excellent condition until I hit 89K on my 2003 RAV 4 last month when it's started jerking on shifting. I'm 3 months passed out of extended warranty as per TOYOTA 10 YEARS/150,000 miles. I took mycar to the dealer but told me I need to pay $$$$ for the diagnostic and repairs because of out of warranty...Even calling TOYOTA Customer Relation is still no help..This is my last TOYOTA ever...You lost one loyal customer...I traded my RAV4 for a 2013 Honda Accord...
Transmission Problems...don't buy!
lmarie0211, Lake in the Hills, IL, 03/23/2012
Toyota RAV4 AWD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
44 of 56 people found this review helpful
I bought my Rav4 new in 2003. It now has 156,000 miles on it, and the transmission needs replaced. I discovered the problem after trying to merge into traffic with sluggish acceleration. After researching online and reading other reviews on here, these problems are due to a faulty ECM. Toyota extended the warranty to 20 years or 150,000 miles. Of course, my car is 6000 miles over the warranty. Now we're stuck with a $5000 repair. Sure, I drove my car for 156,000 miles, but Toyota built their reputation on reliability. I expected to drive this car another 50,000 miles. Don't trust Toyota. Their only concern is their bottom line, not the safety of their customer.