Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 2001 silver Toyota rav 4 had a sudden unintended acceleration problem when I was decelerating to a complete stop at an already congested intersection with traffic lights. I was applying brake pressure from 20 MPH, down to 15,10,5, down to 2 MPH, coming to a complete stop, my rav 4 engine suddenly started to rev-up/race wildly and very loud in a matter of 3, or 4-5 seconds (the engine/RPM sounded similar one would hear when you would be accelerating entering a freeway via the entrance ramp). My rav 4 shot forward so fast like it was on some rocket launching pad. My foot was on my brake pedal almost to the car floor and I could not stop the car from moving into the back - and rear ending the car in front of me which was about 10-15 feet in front of me, that was stopped waiting for the light to turn green at the already congested stop light intersection. …
When I change gear or press accelerator to give gas, my car doesn't pick up race and doesn't shift the gear. It will do on its own. The engine light keeps coming turned on, even though thisngs have been replaced.
Erratic shifting on my wife's 2001 Toyota RAV4 (140,000 miles). Could not accelerate along with random downshifts. This was very dangerous on both surface streets and highway driving as vehicle would not accelerate when needed or radically slow down when it sporadically dropped into a lower gear. Took the vehicle to elk gove (ca) Toyota (egt). They indicated that the transmission was low on fluid (it was not, I checked) and recommended a flush. They flushed it and stated it was tested and ready to go. Problem was not solved. Egt then stated I needed a new transmission and possibly a new ECM. I chose to research the problem and towed my vehicle home. A quick search revealed numerous complaints on RAV4 ECM problems and several secondary markets repairing these defective units. Sent my unit out and had it repaired -problem solved. …
My 2001 Toyota RAV4 has 63192 miles on it. It began exhibiting transmission/acceleration problems yesterday while driving my granddaughter from school, about a 2 mile round trip on city street traveling approximately 35-40mph. The car refused to pick up speed and began to jerk due to shifting/missing gears, all by its self. The car has an automatic transmission so should not exhibit these problems. I found out today that this was a known problem to Toyota and there was a voluntary recall that I had no knowledge off. I contacted Toyota and they refuse to assist with rectifying this problem saying the date for the recall has passed, but I was never notified of said recall to begin with. The problem just started and although the vehicle is 15 yo, it has always been immaculately maintained and serviced and only has 63K miles on it so should not be having any transmission issues. …
Was entering a limited access highway and wanted to merge onto highway. When I pressed down on gas pedal to speed up, the car hesitated, lurched forward, stopped, and then shifted harshly once again. I had thought I gave myself plenty of room to enter but because of the possible transmission problem, my car almost ended in a car wreck - an approaching car had to take drastic moves in order to avoid hitting my car. I then found out that Toyota knew about this problem with their ecms ruining these cars transmissions - something I was not aware, nor notified about. When I called them up - their Toyota customer service line, I found out they still had my old address from 2005! Even though I've been going to my local Toyota dealership for years and they had my latest data. Toyota says they can do nothing to help with a possible $6,000 bill. My car is only worth about $8K if that. …
While in cruise control on an incline my RAV4 accelerates out of control so I have to apply the brake to get it out of cruise control. I had this on 2 rav4s, both 2001, one was 4wd and the other 2wd. Toyota tried to repeat the problem in the first vehicle by sending it home with a tech who drove to modesto. They could not repeat it...on my current car it does the same and toyotas best answer was not to use cruise control after he asked why I was using it anyways. I was worried about the ecus in these cars and before buying it, sent the private dealer to Toyota to remedy this. Now I find out they only flashed the ECU under the recall which they new didn't fix anything. Now 2 years later I face the harsh shifting condition....all on me. …
The transmission will not accelerate and then something suddenly "kicks in" and the truck will go- nearly been rear-ended numerous times- this is a big safety issue- told it's going to be a $4,000 transmission replacement- only 102K miles, like new. Also, at traffic lights, won't accelerate and people get ticked and need to pass and can't- numerous online complaints- add this. Unacceptable for Toyota.
My vehicle has begun experiencing harsh shifting. It will not accelerate immediately and it will jump forward at times. This is a reported problem with the 2001 rav 4. I received a letter stating there was the possibility of compensation after one has this fixed. As one a person who cannot afford to fix this out of pocket that is not a lot of help. This is a known issue and should be recalled!
Our RAV4 2001 accelerated on its own after we came to a stop and resulted in us crashing head on into a brick building without the airbags opening causing tremendeous amount of damage to the building both autos on each side and of course our car. Two days before, it accelerated again after we came to a complete stop waiting in line for gas just missing us crashing into a truck.
Toyota 2001 RAV4 hesitating transmission. Mechanic said the transmission could possibly be done and metal is grinding. Started all of the sudden. Does not shift out of gear from first to second, etc. Description of exact problem is here: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/toyotas-reaction-to-transmission-woes-draws-customers-ire/#more-23445.
Acceleration complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Toyota RAV4, 7% of the model year's 309 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota RAV4 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2001 Toyota RAV4. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota RAV4 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.