Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-51
I have had recurrent right wheel caliper break problems with my 2001 rav 4--no one seems to know what to do to remedy the problem and Toyota is not taking any resposibilty. anyone who has any idea please write me at body4mind@aol.com.
It is the same problem as listed on 10/16/06.
I have a 2002 Rav4 runs great but just resently my
check engine light came on and stayed on.I've hard a lot
of people say it could be the sensors.I call the dealer to
get a cost of what that might cost to have replace.They
said they could not give me a price because they did not
know which senor was bad.Do anyone know which sensor this
might be.Any advice would be helpful.
It's probably the oxygen sensors. If you've been reading the other comments regarding the Rav4, you've probably noticed that the catalytic converter is a problem for many owners. The oxygen sensors often need to be replaced at the same time the engine light indicates the converter is malfunctioning. One mechanic cautioned me not to replace the converter without having the sensors tested first because bad sensors can give a bad reading on the catalytic converter. Apparently it is much more expensive to replace the converter than the sensors, thus the reason for his warning. Unfortunately, many mechanics don't have the right equipment for testing the sensors and will refer you to the dealer. I've had my Rav4 to 3 different dealers and have not been too impressed with their ability to take care of the vehicle's check engine problem. I wouldn't mind paying to have it fixed provided it would stay fixed, but with this car the check engine light is nearly a constant problem.
I have a 2002 Toyota Rav4. The check engine light has been on then off for several times and now it is staying on. I brought it to my mechanic and he diagnosed it with a code, but said that I needed to bring it to the dealership. The dealership reprogrammed the ECM-~$250 (I think it was related to the computer of the car) but the light came back on several days later. I then brought it back to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a needing a catalytic converter; I've received quotes anywhere from $500-1000 so I still haven't figured out to fix it or not. That was in December 2005 and about 87,000. I've been driving the car with no issues since then and I'm at 100,000. However, I'm really starting to worry that it'll cause something else to go wrong with the car... Anyone else run into the Catalytic converter causing further problems?
I have a 2001 RAV4.Same problem with the engine light being on. Few days ago I took it to be reprogrammed responding to a Toyota recall. The Toyota dealer mechanic mentioned several things that needed repairs (the engine light was still on) for the estimated price of $1,800. I took the car to my mechanic the next day for a 60,000 miles service and he mentioned that all 3 oxygen sensors were damaged and he could replace them for a little over $600. I told him that I was going to wait few months since he said that the only danger about this is that I would not be able to tell if a serious problem was happening because the engine light remains ON.
I have a 2002 Rav 4. After reading some of the complaints I have notice that there are some similar problems that have developed. It starts off with a diagnostic and yet there is no cure. About a year ago our engine light came on and we took it in to get it serviced. It was diagnosed as a bad catalytic converter. So we had that replaced. Last year at the end of 2006 we started experiencing problems, when coming to a complete stop and then accelerating it would seem like it is taking off in second gear and then it starts hesitating and jerking like it was not getting enough fuel flow.
We have had one coil replace, spark plug wires replaced, and now I am told that I need a new transmission (by the Toyota Dealership). And that diagnosis after I paid $85.00, was not even a for sure diagnosis. The engine light came on again and the diagnosis from the dealership was gas cap not on tight. When will it stop. My regular mechanic says he does not think it is the transmission, but the computer. I will find out in the next few days if the oxygen sensors were replaced when catalytic converter was replaced. I doubt it. One thing I have a question is. If it is a faulty computer will it give a misreading? Can the computer be reset or does it need to be replaced.
Looking for answers
Tim.
Tim,
I did read that there is a problem with a faulty check engine light in Toyota's manufactured in early 2002. There is software that the dealer can install for around $65. to correct this problem. My 2002 Rav4 is in the shop now because of a check engine light. My mechanic says that my Vin# is after the problem was fixed so that doesn't effect my car. He says the problem is one of the oxygen sensors in front of the catalytic converter is damaged. There are two in front and two in back. He's charging me $500. which seems kind of pricey to me because the most expensive one I can find is $240 and it looks like you can just plug it in. Least expensive was $102. He has always diagnosed correctly and fixed the car the first time so lets hope this is it.
Terry.
I thought you could just reset the computer by disconnecting the battery. Is this true?
Terry.
Hi Tim.
I have been having the exact problems with my 2001 Rav4, the hesitating acceleration and the jerking. I have already taken my car to the dealership twice. The first time I went with the technical service bulletin notice from Toyota and they said that they reset the engine computer. The second time, the check engine light came on and I took it and they told me that I need new spark plugs and air filter. I had them replace all that, but I am still having problems with my acceleration. Does anyone know what the real problem is? Should there not be a recall of some sort or at least a valid explanation from Toyota. Clearly the Technical Service Bulletin they have out is not accurate because it does not seem to be solving the problem.
Somebody please help me because I feel like my car is going to die on me while I'm driving it.
Thanks.
Tashaya.
I am the original owner of a 2001 Rav4 with ~120,000 miles. I am having the exact same problem with the vehicle hesitating and jerking when I accelerate, but only following a complete stop. The problem is intermittent, but I am certainly not comfortable making a left turn unless the oncoming traffic is completely clear. I agree that Toyota needs to let the consumer know what is going on. Like others have noted, I don't trust the car's diagnostic system. My engine light began giving me trouble before the car was even a year old. I wish now that I had fought for enforcement of the "lemon law" because the persistent problems with the car certainly qualify it as a lemon. The hesitation problem can be dangerous if the car fails to go when one is entering traffic. It will probably take a lawsuit for Toyota to come clean on their poor technology. By the way, I wrote to Toyota about 2 years ago inquiring about the check engine system and the catalytic converter and I did not even receive a reply.
I have a 2001 Rav4. Engine light came on around 65,000 miles and had the dealer install a new program on the computer for free (mine was included in a service bulletin for this problem). Now at about 70,000 the light came back on after I got an oil change at the same dealer. Going to get the code with a friend's computer - you can also go to places like Advanced Auto and they let you borrow a reader. It's just annoying.
I have the same problem with my 2001 Rav4 trany slipping only when I stop. Now it won't kick down into gear going over 50, So the car is at the dealer waiting for a new CPU for $1400
So I'll let everyone know what happens there installing it tomorrow the Toyota dealer said there was only 2 cpu in the whole country,???
Well they installed the new CPU in my 2001 RAV4 and the transmission stopped slipping. It takes up to 150-200 miles for the cpu to prgram the transmission.,So if your tranny is slipping it's the CPU. Cost $1400 but they gave me a free transmission fluid change. Plus my engine lite went off. Car runs super super smooth.
I have also been having problems with my 2001 Rav4's check engine light coming on. At first, I was told that the speed sensor needed replacing ($450). Then, the light came on again and the code was for replacing the temperature sensor ($250). A month later, the light came on again and it is supposedly because of the air fuel sensor (not fixing it yet!). I only have 67,000 miles on my car and didn't expect so many repairs to be needed. I called Toyota to lodge a complaint and would recommend all with a similar problem to do the same. It was only by getting 80,000 complaints on the check engine light problem that their initial recall was made. It only covers the codes for the check engine light that got the most complaints. I am sure if they get complaints on other codes they will have to recall them as well.
Likewise, my wife's 2001 rav4 is having the check engine light problems. I am glad I found this information so I can file a complaint with Toyota. I have taken it to 2 dealerships, 2 times each trying to figure out what the problem is. I also took it to a mechanic to diagnose the problem, same issue as dealer saying both O2 sensors out, and need new cat converter, like $1800 to replace all the stuff. from reading other sites and complaints, it seems like the transmission is also about to fail on me as well seeing as we have 98K miles on it. I am going to just get new O2 sensors myself, then ECU, then new car. maybe if enough people speak out against the problem, Toyota will have to fix it. All those problems could have been fixed under warranty, but now I am out of warranty and upset.