2013 Toyota RAV4 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · 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 ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 255 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Toyota RAV4 overview page.
What owners report
“TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER: OCCURS BETWEEN 35 MPH - 40 MPH, WHEN ENGINE STILL COLD AND ACCELERATING LIGHTLY. OCCURS DURING SHIFTING BETWEEN LOW GEARS. NEVER HAD…”NHTSA complaint 10896093 — filed 08/15/2016
“SINCE BRAND NEW AT TIMES WHEN STOPPED THEN ACCELERATE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IT WILL HESITATE WHEN I AM HALF WAY TURNED CAUSING THE…”NHTSA complaint 10606226 — filed 06/26/2014
“VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. NO POWER AND THEN A SURGE CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK. HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP INTO FIRST AND…”NHTSA complaint 10550180 — filed 10/30/2013
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Toyota RAV4: 28 of 255 complaints on file (11%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2013 Toyota RAV4 have in total?
255 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 22 involved a crash, 28 involved a fire, 15 reported injuries, and 1 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.
