2003 Toyota RAV4 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 314 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Toyota RAV4 overview page.
What owners report
“IN 2009, WITHOUT NOTICE MY 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4 WAS "JERKING AND GOING". THEN IT WOULD BARELY MOVE ONCE STOPPED. THEN WHEN IT WOULD MOVE…”NHTSA complaint 10319641 — filed 03/15/2010
“HELLO, I JUST RECENTLY SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ON THE TOYOTA RAV4 THAT IS HAVING WIDE SPREAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DUE TO A FAULTY ECM. I JUST…”NHTSA complaint 10313795 — filed 02/24/2010
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. SHE NOTICED THAT WHEN SHE STOPPED THE GEAR WILL FAIL IT WILL STAY IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10312257 — filed 02/19/2010
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Toyota RAV4: 100 of 314 complaints on file (31.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have in total?
314 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 18 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
