2003 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 314 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (60% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
314
owner complaints
4
fire reports
95,500
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 95,500 mi)Weak spot: power train (60%)4 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 314 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)60% · 180 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)10% · 29 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)8% · 23 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)7% · 22 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)5% · 14 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)3% · 9 complaints
“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the transmission slipped out of the intended gear. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine would rev before the transmission would jolt into gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Electronic Control Module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2023
“This car has been maintained and preserved and only 84000 miles on it. And the car wont shift. It jolts me or revs extremely high and also almost caused me an accident as it almost shut down on power while making a left turn in intersection. The check engine light comes on and off. It's only while going from 2nd to 3rd or shifting down from 2 to 1st. I had my mechanic look at it and he said it's a common issue with the ecu to take it to dealership to replace for free and they want to charge me 150 just to examine it.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle failed to shift into gear correctly. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to shift into third gear. The rpms would rev; however, the vehicle would lose forward momentum. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available. *dt *dl *js”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“My transmission started raving up and shifting all crazy and taken to scan to show a shift selinoid b took to tranny shop who says it's computer and see several post about this happening to others. I am a grandma and I can't even drive him around don't feel safe. It was driving during this time in the city streets”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“I just bought a one owner used 2003 rava4 with only 58,000 miles on it right before christmas. I have driven it for almost 4months now and about 6 weeks ago it started shifting hard going into 2nd gear, sometimes it jumps/bounces. I looked it up and am seeing that alot of people have had the some problem and they are saying it's the emc. Wondering if anyone was able to get any help at all out toyota. I do not know if the previous owner's where ever made aware of the situation & have no way to contact them. Think it's pretty crazy to have to pay a bunch of money when there is such low milage would think toyota would fix it.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2019
“Ecm failed. Original owner, vehicle has 50,991 mi. On it . 16 years old. Toyota aware of problem-- extended warranty to 10 yrs./150000. Mi. Called toyota customer. Service, stated that I'm out of luck. Original part clearly defective. Consideration should be extended because of extremely low mileage. Cost will be $2000.00 or more. Vehicle was moving when experienced uncontrolled shifting in transmission. Clearly a safety issue.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2019
“My wife had an accident on the highway oct /16/2018 a chevy van severely crash into the rear of my 2003 rav4 ,and none of the airbags deployed .shouldn't the airbags have deployed?what should I do?”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
“Takata recall" I was driving on a city street on my way home late afternoon...auto started to jerk and felt like something was pulling at it...it slowed up then jerked again...it continued on...I was driving at 45 speed limit...as I was turning the shifting was sounding like it was sticking...I parked it at home and next morning I had it checked and diagnosed as solenoid problem causing transmission burnout...also toyota revealed problems with the ecm and transmission failure”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2018
“My rav4 has been shifting hard making me feel unsafe as well as putting me in dangerous situations on highways and freeways and in town. Now has been in the shop for past 3wks now leaving me stranded while they replaced the ecm and and replaced transmission with refurbished one and they have been dealing with sha ings in transmission among other things and it's gunna cost over $5700.00 possibly more that I can't afford. It's still not fixed yet and still. I don't have extended warranty cuz I can't afford it.. And also my seat belt has been fraying away to where I don't feel safe with that neither.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota rav4. While driving various speeds, it became difficult to shift gears and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact RAV4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
NHTSA has 314 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Toyota RAV4. The most complained-about area is power train (60% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota RAV4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,500 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.