I had the same problems. After Toyota refused to acknowledge the problem, and being without my car as they 'investigated' the case for 3 weeks, I finally removed my car from the authorised dealer and took it to a local transmission specialist who fixed it for over $1,000 less. I have been speaking with a case manager from the customer experience team, who stated after I asked "Toyota is unaware of any problems with the ECUs on 2002 Rav 4s" This is an out and out lie. I reported the vehicle to the ACCC, and to infrastructure.com.au as an unsafe vehicle, via a vehicle complaint form. The replied and stated they will investigate. I replied with this: "I believe that the Rav 4 defects present a clear and unassailable safety hazard, exposing the vehicle occupants to significant risk of injury. Regardless of any particular warranty period, Toyota has an obligation and duty to advise the public of the potential danger, and take appropriate action that remedy the defects. Objective reasonable consumers expect that Toyota would disclose a known safety defect such as this one. Hundreds, if not thousands of purchases and lessees of the RAV 4s have experienced problems with the defective RAV 4 ECMS and /or transmissions. Complaints filed by consumers and posted on the internet demonstrate that the defect is widespread and dangerous, and that it manifests without warning. The complaints also demonstrate Toyota’s awareness of the defect and how potentially dangerous the defective condition is. I have reported the defect in the RAV 4s ECMs and or transmission to Toyota directly and through two authorised dealers, in Le Mans, Tottenham, and Lane, Glen Waverly. Toyota is fully aware of the defect in the RAV 4s. My case manager stated " Toyota is unaware of any problems with the 2002 Rav 4 ". Despite this Toyota has actively concealed the existence and nature of the defect at the time of purchase and thereafter. Specifically, Toyota has: a Failed to disclose, at and after the time of purchase or lease and repair, any and all known material defects or material nonconformity of the RAV 4s, including the ECMs and/or transmissions of the Rav4s; b. Failed to disclose, at and after the time of purchase or lease that the RAV 4s, including the ECMs and/or transmissions of the RAV4s. were not in good working order, were defective and were not fit for the intended purpose; and c. Failed to disclose or actively concealed the fact that the RAV 4’s ECMs and or transmissions were defective, despite the fact Toyota learned of such defects through consumer complaints as early as 2003, if not before. I believe all Toyota Rav 4s manufactured between 2001 – 2003 present a safety hazard, and immediate action is required" Anyone else who has or had this problem, feel free to cut and paste (and remove/add necessary parts) and send it off to Toyota and infrastructure.com.au. If enough people make enough noise, we will get noticed!
