2003 Toyota RAV4 Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train:automatic transmission 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
“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
“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
“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
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 Toyota RAV4 have power train:automatic transmission problems?
Power Train:automatic Transmission is the most-reported problem area on the 2003 Toyota RAV4: 106 of 314 complaints on file (33.8%). 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 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 18 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
