2003 Toyota RAV4 Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (33.8% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 7.7× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 106 · 33.8% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 100 · 31.8% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 39 · 12.4% | Investigation closed | DP22005 → recall 22V063000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 27 · 8.6% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 21 · 6.7% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 15 · 4.8% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 314 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED…”NHTSA complaint 10327986 — filed 04/28/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“IN SEPTEMBER 2008, MY RAV4 SUDDENLY BEGAN HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. I PULLED OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER AND IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET THE CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10325770 — filed 04/14/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITHOUT A POWER RESPONSE…”NHTSA complaint 10324298 — filed 04/07/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota RAV4?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 106 of 314 NHTSA complaints (33.8%), followed by power train (100), electrical system (39), vehicle speed control (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have?
314 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Toyota RAV4's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
