Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% | — |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% | 8,000 miles |
| 2023 | 11 | 7% | 25,000 miles |
| 2022 | 11 | 7% | 10,000 miles |
| 2021 | 22 | 6% | 3,000 miles |
| 2020 | 38 | 6% | 1,000 miles |
| 2019 | 81 | 9% | 5,000 miles |
| 2018 | 26 | 8% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 5% | 39,000 miles |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2015 | 25 | 8% | 42,000 miles |
| 2014 | 20 | 10% | 59,000 miles |
| 2013 | 29 | 11% | 44,000 miles |
| 2012 | 19 | 7% | 23,000 miles |
| 2011 | 25 | 9% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 38 | 10% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 28 | 9% | 78,000 miles |
| 2008 | 37 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
| 2007 | 53 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 2006 | 53 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 23 | 15% | 94,000 miles |
| 2003 | 209 | 66% | 98,000 miles |
| 2002 | 376 | 71% | 96,000 miles |
| 2001 | 190 | 61% | 104,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 17% | 65,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% | 114,000 miles |
| 1998 | 10 | 13% | 120,000 miles |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% | 114,000 miles |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% | 60,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2025 Toyota RAV4 XLE 4 door utility 2.5L 4 Cyl Gas A AWD unexpected sudden acceleration My safety as well as other vehicles and occupants as could have been at risk. National Transportation Safety Boaed has confirmed 57 cpmplaints of same issue. Vehicle determined total loss by insurance inspector, Va State Police. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms proir to the problem.
I have owned this new vehicle for only approximately 2 months and have had at least 4 instances where the vehicle does not respond immediately to my foot on the accelerator when attempting to restart from a stop. Three times I was at a stop light and when I attempted to go as the light turned green there was no acceleration response from the gas pedal for a couple of seconds, and in two of the instances because I had my foot pressed far on the gas attempting to get power, there was a sudden acceleration and lurch forward. Most recently, on the fourth occasion I was turning out into traffic from a parking lot after being at a standstill and got no response and instead rolled slowly out in front of an oncoming car until after a few seconds the accelerator finally responded and I could go. …
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2-4 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle drove onto a sidewalk curb and crashed into a concrete post before coming to a stop. There was no damage to the concrete post. The contact stated that the front camera and traction malfunction error messages were displayed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact was driving in a parking lot and attempting to park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local collision shop. No Police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the upper chest from the impact and the seat belt. The contact had an upcoming appointment with the primary care physician. …
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in a parking space, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle crashed into a tree while the contact's foot was firmly depressed on the brake pedal. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact did not suffer any injuries and did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that two days prior to the failure, the "Hybrid System Fail" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a repair and an inspection. The contact was informed that the vehicle's black box did not record a vehicle failure during the accident. The body of the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,600.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle rolled backwards while the gear shifter was in drive(D). A dealer or independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle responded properly because the gear shifter was not in park(P). The approximate failure mileage was 24,500.
Car loses traction over minor imperfections in the road. When braking and dropping speeds to 20-30 MPH, car will lose traction over imperfection in the road, causing the ABS to engage. The car shutters and grinds/vibrates until traction is regained. With an AWD system, a minor 6-inch drop in the road due to a pot hole or dip should not cause traction to be lost. The car consistently loses traction when braking and 1 tire runs over imperfection in the road (pot hole, dip, uneven pavement, etc.). If car drives over speed bump (which keeps tires aligned), car does not lose traction. Issue is only present if 1 tire different than the other 3 which shows instability of the vehicle. Issue has been verified by manufacturer and has shown up in the car log. Dealer said that the car recorded a loss of traction 4 times in the last month. …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds and accelerating, the transmission momentarily shifted into 2nd gear and then into neutral(N), causing the vehicle to start coasting. The contact released and then depressed the accelerator pedal and instantaneously and the vehicle accelerated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the transmission fluid was checked but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
I was at stop position. i pressed the hold button and then took my foot off the break. when traffic started moving i pressed the hold button again with my foot still on floor the car started jumping and pressing the the two other car on my front. the two other cars got totaled.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle description: sport utility electric vehicles. If the subject vehicles are repeatedly parked by placing the shift lever into the "p" position without applying the parking brake, the parking lock rod, a component of the transmission parking lock system, could break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the parking lock rod.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota RAV4 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (376), 2003 (209), 2001 (190), 2019 (81) and 2006 (53) model years. Transmission complaints make up 71% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Toyota RAV4 transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 00V-211 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Aug 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota RAV4 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (559 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (20).
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.