Toyota RAV4 is still on top

See full image How the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4 measure up Wheelbase 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander 4WD: 105.1 in.

[kevin m earley]

we have a 02 rav4 with 80,000 miles on it and the transmission is slipping. toyota said they will not cover it.a parts manager at a local toyota dealer told me that there was an inherant problem with a spacer in these transmissions.

[Judge Mental]

I read the article. The writers' bias for Toyota shine through the whole way. There are several distinctly negative comments regarding the Outlander, while there are none for the RAV-4 (even though the basic model is sub-par to its competition and has a higher starting price). The way the writers finish the article, "We prefer the RAV4's styling inside and out, not to mention Toyota's sterling reputation for quality, reliability and durability.", just stops short of saying they are in effect biased.
Mitsubishi's quality, reliability and durability are just as good, if not better, than Toyota's. But, unfortunately for Mitsubishi, Toyota's been the reference of reliability in America for over 12 years now, which is difficult to beat. And as for the writer saying that the RAV-4 is a better bargain than the Outlander... either they're just blind or stupid, but it doesn't add up. The RAV-4 is significantly more expensive while providing no additional benefit.

[Flowman]

Geez! I wonder how much payment she got from a certain auto manufacturer to write THAT article... Mitsubishi's winning the toughest auto rallys worldwide on a regular basis is proof enough of relability, handling and superior engineering. Just drive both the Toyota and the Mitubishi models in the article
and feel the differerence.

[Angie]

kevin m earley wrote:

we have a 02 rav4 with 80,000 miles on it and the transmission is slipping. toyota said they will not cover it.a parts manager at a local toyota dealer told me that there was an inherant problem with a spacer in these transmissions.

I also have an '02 Rav4 and the transmission is slipping with 106,000 miles. I have had it to a transmission shop and it is now at my mechanic and both places are going back and forth about whether it's a computer problem or if I will need a new transmission. What ended up remedying your problem? I love my car and would of course hate to replace the transmission or get rid of it.

[Just Joan]

Angie, Just wondering what ever happened with your RAV. I have an 02 which is slipping. I live in St. Paul. What do you recommend?

Angie wrote:

<quoted text>
I also have an '02 Rav4 and the transmission is slipping with 106,000 miles. I have had it to a transmission shop and it is now at my mechanic and both places are going back and forth about whether it's a computer problem or if I will need a new transmission. What ended up remedying your problem? I love my car and would of course hate to replace the transmission or get rid of it.

[slb]

kevin m earley wrote:

we have a 02 rav4 with 80,000 miles on it and the transmission is slipping. toyota said they will not cover it.a parts manager at a local toyota dealer told me that there was an inherant problem with a spacer in these transmissions.

I have an 02 Rav4 with the same problem. I just had it serviced and they are telling me that my ECU is messed up and I need a new one. You may want to look into this, may be covered under a warranty, mine is.

[bill evarts]

kevin m earley wrote:

we have a 02 rav4 with 80,000 miles on it and the transmission is slipping. toyota said they will not cover it.a parts manager at a local toyota dealer told me that there was an inherant problem with a spacer in these transmissions.

I have the same problem. What did you end up doing?

[Roland]

Same problem here: A 2002 RAV4 with 60k miles - the "check engine" light going on and off, the automatic transmission "slipping" when it gets warm, plus erratic shifting below 20mph. No chance to get a repair unless I invest more than the car ist worth.

I hope a truck runs over it while it's parked... 3-door RAVs are not built anymore - so good bye Toyota.

[Miriam]

Same transmission problem here. Tried to talk to a service rep at Toyota who said he would get back to me and I never heard from him since. I'm sure Toyota is well aware of the ongoing issues, but don't want to handle it because it would cost them millions. Bet bet, don't buy from Toyota. They won't help!

[Girly Tundra]

Maybe you should all quit buying that jap crap and switch to the Ford Edge. The Edge is not having all these problems that Toyota has. It is a little larger and probably more quiet, you cannot even tell it is running. Great vehicle...

[Dennis]

I have a Mazda CX-7 now, and it is better than my 02 Rav4 was...

[David]

I helped a work friend negotiate the purchase of her 2002 Rav 4 just over 5 years ago. She has had it regulary maintained at a very reputable garage and taken it to Toyota for one recall notice. She had no problems until a couple months ago and she thought it was bad gasoline (bucking and jumping). Now Toyota says she needs a new transmission and there are only 40,000 miles on this vehicle. I see a lot of complaints at several internet locations, but no reports of Toyota "stepping up" to take responsibility. This is most surprising for a company with Toyota's reputation and utterly disgusting if they don't step up. She is waiting for an answer from Toyota.

[David]

Addendum to my previous comments of a few minutes ago regarding 2002 Rav4 with 40,000 miles --- I just spoke with my friend, the owner, and she asked me to add this info --- the fact that the Toyota dealer implied to her that if she had come to the dealership for regular service (instead of her favorite garage) then they would be more likely to help her under a "goodwill warranty". This is also very ridiculous and implies some less than forthright business practice --- it appears spending over $22,000 for the car is not sufficient loyalty - unbelievable.

[eric]

I know you have a right to pick your garage for body work after an accident,not who insurence want to repair the car,but they can loop hole out of this one ( i think) IT does suck Toyota is doing the same scumbag shit it accused the big 3 of doing.IF she has receits,theres alot of proof there it was taken care of,but this is a tranny? thats gargbage,bring it back to Toyota,and if they dont honor a warrenty ( since theres not alot of maintance in 40k on a tranny) report them to the state you live in, report it to Toyota,the consumer protection agency,,adn go buy an AMerican vehicle!Im serious,AMerican vehicles are made alot better these days and they would honor it better then this im sure esp.now because they are tring to win customers back to Detroit! good luck! let us know how you made out@!

[Kathryn]

I am having the same problem with my 2001 Rav 4. It is a common problem and there is an actual service bulletin associated with it. of course, Toyota never mentioned the bulletin to me when I took it to the dealership for diagnostics. Another transmission shop found it for me so I could provide it to Toyota myself.

The link is here:

http://rav4world.com/tsb/2001/TC002-06.pdf

The original dealer that missed the diagnosis not only refused to refund my money for the incorrect diagnosis, but flat out refused to even look at the car again. This dealership is Cobb County Toyota in Kennesaw, GA, in case anyone who is reading this is actually considering going there to buy a car or for service.

However, a more reputable dealership in the area did replace the computer under warranty as directed by Toyota corporate in their service bulletin. Sadly, you do have to be pushy in order to get them to honor the warranty. Toyota Corporate has stated that it will not cover the transmission damage that occurs as a direct result of the defect, but you are at least entitled to (and need) the new computer. I have always been a big Toyota fan, but will never purchase one again after this appalling situation.

[Melody Berry]

kevin m earley wrote:

we have a 02 rav4 with 80,000 miles on it and the transmission is slipping. toyota said they will not cover it.a parts manager at a local toyota dealer told me that there was an inherant problem with a spacer in these transmissions.

I am having the same problems on my 02 RAV4. I have just over 106K on mine. The more research I do, the more I run into many people experiencing the same problem. Toyota is blaming it on an ECM issue, but this isn't the problem. I am in the process of taking Toyota to court for this. You can contact Toyota's corporate office and leave a complaint, but they don't seem too ready to fix the problem.

Contact me at [e-mail] if you are interested in this case and what I come up with. I am not going to allow Toyota to get away with this.

[Jodie]

Judged:

1

I have a 2002 rav4 with about 67K and the transmission is going out. It runs in 2nd at the start of a drive and then downshifts into 1st. They say it is going to cost about $3400 one month after the warranty expired! I always wanted a toyota so that I would not have to worry about this kind of thing. This car is a complete disappointment. I don't think I will ever buy another toyota.

[Amber]

Kathryn wrote:

I am having the same problem with my 2001 Rav 4. It is a common problem and there is an actual service bulletin associated with it. of course, Toyota never mentioned the bulletin to me when I took it to the dealership for diagnostics. Another transmission shop found it for me so I could provide it to Toyota myself.
The link is here:
http://rav4world.com/tsb/2001/TC002-06.pdf
The original dealer that missed the diagnosis not only refused to refund my money for the incorrect diagnosis, but flat out refused to even look at the car again. This dealership is Cobb County Toyota in Kennesaw, GA, in case anyone who is reading this is actually considering going there to buy a car or for service.
However, a more reputable dealership in the area did replace the computer under warranty as directed by Toyota corporate in their service bulletin. Sadly, you do have to be pushy in order to get them to honor the warranty. Toyota Corporate has stated that it will not cover the transmission damage that occurs as a direct result of the defect, but you are at least entitled to (and need) the new computer. I have always been a big Toyota fan, but will never purchase one again after this appalling situation.

Hi Kathryn... I was wondering if I have over the alloted miles for the warranty would they still repair it regardless or how exactly does that work, do you know? And even though the service bulletin is dated 03.2006 it is still valid? Thank you :)

[Pissed Off Customer]

I have an 02 Rav 4, that has been well maintained over the years and the engine just blew a rod at only 85,000 miles. Toyota is wanting to charge me $6900 to repair their engine because it is outside of the 60,000 mile warranty. It looks like Toyota only stands behind their products for the first 5 years. They told me it takes thousands of complaints for it to be worth their time to investigate, is it supposed to make me feel better that my case has been documented? I learned my lesson, don't buy a Toyota unless you plan on replacing it every few years.

[Mel]

Kathryn wrote:

I am having the same problem with my 2001 Rav 4. It is a common problem and there is an actual service bulletin associated with it. of course, Toyota never mentioned the bulletin to me when I took it to the dealership for diagnostics. Another transmission shop found it for me so I could provide it to Toyota myself.
The link is here:
http://rav4world.com/tsb/2001/TC002-06.pdf
The original dealer that missed the diagnosis not only refused to refund my money for the incorrect diagnosis, but flat out refused to even look at the car again. This dealership is Cobb County Toyota in Kennesaw, GA, in case anyone who is reading this is actually considering going there to buy a car or for service.
However, a more reputable dealership in the area did replace the computer under warranty as directed by Toyota corporate in their service bulletin. Sadly, you do have to be pushy in order to get them to honor the warranty. Toyota Corporate has stated that it will not cover the transmission damage that occurs as a direct result of the defect, but you are at least entitled to (and need) the new computer. I have always been a big Toyota fan, but will never purchase one again after this appalling situation.

Hi Kathryn,
I also have the same problem with my 02 Rav4 65,000kms. The Rav4 is with the Toyota dealdership right now waiting for the computer part to come from Toronto. My questions: did it solve the problem? did you have any transmission issues afterwards? Thanks, Mel