KnownCarProblems2001 Toyota RAV4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 309 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota RAV4, most often about the transmission (62% of complaints, typically around 103,500 miles). It is 12th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints.
Complaints309
Recalls0
Crashes reported18
Fires reported2
Injuries reported121 death reported
Most common 2001 Toyota RAV4 problems
Transmission
190 complaints · 62%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
2001 Toyota rav 4 started with check engine light coming on and off then Toyota sent ssc-601 in march of 08 that I needed to have ECM reprogrammed which I did{took tech 2 times to get it right} now my transmission started slipping so I took it in to Toyota and they did a diagnostic and sure as pie they said ECM has…
Faulty ecu in 2001 RAV4 automatic causes internal transmission failure. Slipping & double-shifting between 2nd & 3rd gear, longer ecu is used the worse the slipping occurs. Resetting ecu fixes problem for several hours and tranny will work perfect, then it starts acting up again.
Electrical
60 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, software.
2001 Toyota rav 4 started with check engine light coming on and off then Toyota sent ssc-601 in march of 08 that I needed to have ECM reprogrammed which I did{took tech 2 times to get it right} now my transmission started slipping so I took it in to Toyota and they did a diagnostic and sure as pie they said ECM has…
My 2001 Toyota RAV4 was jerking forward while driving causing me to almost cause a major accident while my 3 year old was in the car. The car would do this intermittently then it became worse. I was very scared to drive the car and had no choice but to borrow money so I could take the car in for repair costing me…
Engine
37 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate and the transmission would not shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the engine control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made…
October 11, 2012. On or about october 8 2012 I began having hesitation and jumping into gear as I am driving my 2001 RAV4. This happens mainly when accelerating from a stop sign/light. I am aware there has been a recall on many 2001 RAV4 vehicles. I bought my RAV4 from carmax in north attleboro mass on april 19 2012.…
Brakes
23 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
I was traveling on a highway to work and it had been raining when I pressed my brakes to stop ( I barely pressed them) and my brakes locked and I couldn't stop. I tried to press a couple of times and even pumped them. I tried to get onto the shoulder and my steering locked. I was traveling 55 MPH before I tried…
Front disk brake rotor broke where it mounts to steel wheel resulting in the loss of braking action on that wheel. Upon taking to local Toyota dealer, front disk rotor was removed and showed stress fractures and separation from rotor assembly. This 2001 vehicle is equipped with steel wheels which Toyota did a recall…
Speed control
22 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 104,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
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…
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…
Air bags
13 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: frontal.
I was driving home one night, I was driving a 2001 Toyota rav 4. Ai was in the right hand lane, a deer ran in front of me, I swerved to the right and missed the deer, however I hit a guardrail on the right side, overcompenciated across road straight up a bank, approx 20 ft. The acr turned to the right and rolled over…
I was traveling on a highway to work and it had been raining when I pressed my brakes to stop ( I barely pressed them) and my brakes locked and I couldn't stop. I tried to press a couple of times and even pumped them. I tried to get onto the shoulder and my steering locked. I was traveling 55 MPH before I tried…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles.
Defective ECM causing the transmission to shift harshly. My car is in the shop right now getting fixed because of this problem. Not only am I paying over $1,000.00 for the new ECM from the dealer I am having to get a rebuilt transmission put in. That is costing me over $2500.00. I feel like this is Toyota's problem. I…
My 2001 RAV4 began having transmission slippage issues. I researched it online and found numerous issues regarding a defective ECM being the cause of the slippage. All the symptoms that were described in the forum matched mine exactly. I have spoken with my local Toyota dealer and the only thing he can do is discount…
Visibility and wipers
8 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: windshield, sun/moon roof assembly, rearview mirrors/devices, glass, side/rear.
While driving my 2001 Toyota rav 4 ( 31000 total mileage ), with the heater motor on high, I heard aloud whirling noise. After a short time ( 5 or 10 minutes ) the heater fan stopped working and the smell of burning wiring filled the vehicle. I immediately shut the fan switch off. A wisp of smoke came out of the dash…
On 10/13/2012 we purchased this vehicle. We headed south on a busy freeway and had the driver's side window down as we proceeded up the entrance ramp gaining speed to safely move on the freeway we attempted to close the power window by pulling up on the designated switch and experienced this window as soon as it…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Toyota RAV4 recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2001 Toyota RAV4
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota RAV4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (190 complaints, typically around 103,500 miles); electrical (60 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles); engine (37 complaints, typically around 113,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota RAV4 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Toyota RAV4. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Toyota RAV4?
- It is 12th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints, with 309 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.