KnownCarProblems2003 Toyota RAV4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 315 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota RAV4, most often about the transmission (66% of complaints, typically around 98,000 miles). It is 11th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2003 Toyota RAV4 problems
Transmission
209 complaints · 66%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I own a Toyota rav 4 2003. In a matter of days, my car started slipping gears while accelerating. My car was unable to accelerate safely in 45 MPH bumper to bumper traffic. I took my car into the dealer to find out that there is a faulty ECM that affects transmissions that Toyota has known about. I think it is…
No prior notice of any problems. All of a sudden vehicle will barely start from stopped position. I drive a 2003 Toyota RAV4. All indication is that the ECM is faulty causing the transmission not to shift correctly. Pulling into or out of traffic with the said vehicle is extremely dangerous.
Engine
47 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Check oil light came on and would go out, after checking the oil level all appear fine, the car would burn 1 quart every two months. After driving along the express way for 30 miles and using a two lane road for about 3 miles the check engine light and oil light all came on at a stop light and then the engine make…
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, she noticed that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that the head bolts would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was contacted who stated that…
Electrical
42 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.
The clips securing the electrical console on the driver's door gave way and fell into the door, for no apparent reason. Now the console is loose and keeps riding up from it's position. I'm concerned this is going to cause an electrical shortage or will get wet when door or window is opened during rain, snow etc. I had…
I own a 2003 Toyota RAV4. My car was running in good working order, with just over 99,000 miles on it. On may 2nd 2012, I experienced issues with the car's transmission and ECM. The car would rev when I pressed on the gas, but it would not move. Also, when shifting gears, the car would slow to a brake and then there…
Speed control
29 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Pulled up to an intersection on a highway where speed limit is 80 km/h. Stopped. Light goes green and I step on the gas only to have my vehicle lurch forward slowly and the car would jump in short spurts. I managed to pull off to the side as traffic came flying from behind. After a few minutes of sitting, I hit the…
Last week, on the freeway entrance the car would not accelerate, then "bucked" and "raced". I nearly got rear-ended by the car behind me - a frightening experience. Then, driving city streets - to the mechanic - the same experience - stalled then raced ahead. After replacing the transmission fluid and filter ($400)…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
I was driving to work on monday morning, june 1, 2014, when the engine shut off in the middle of an intersection. There was no warning, no hesitation, no noise. I had pressed down on the gas pedal to cross the intersection and midway through the engine died. I was able to coast across and pull over to the side of the…
Harsh shifting, jumping from gear-to-gear, sluggish acceleration and transmission/electronic control module failure. Called Toyota regarding the extended warrenty. They refused to honor the extended warranty despite not providing notice to the correct address.
Air bags
10 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
While driving 50 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to a hospital. The vehicle was towed to dealer for inspection.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that while driving in rainy conditions at 35 MPH, the brakes were applied and seized. As a result the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed head on into a tree. The airbags did not deploy during the crash. An authorized dealer was notified and stated…
Seat belts
7 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Engine light has been on for awhile. I spent 1400 to get it fixed last year so that I can pass emission but still failed and had to get a waiver. On december of 2009, a friend of mine and I was driving and it started to lose its power and started jerking. We immediately parked the car and turned it off. We waited a…
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that the seat shoulder strap started to shred and progressively worsened. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Stability control
7 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles.
Experiencing abnormal behavior when shifting gears (auto trans). Transmission was shifting oddly - harsh shift condition . It was not a frequent problem and no engine light and I took it to the local mechanic and he connected to his computer and could not find any error codes. The problem happens every time I move…
My problem is with my 2003 Toyota rav 4. Recently I was driving and the vehicle started to have some problems. First, the vehicle would not accelerate as I would be entering traffic, for example, on highways. A number of times it would start accelerating and then slow down or lose acceleration, this caused many…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2003 Toyota RAV4
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota RAV4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (209 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); engine (47 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); electrical (42 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Toyota RAV4. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota RAV4?
- It is 11th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints, with 315 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.