Toyota Transmission

Did you know that the Toyota RAV4 has a history of transmission problems? As one of the most popular selling SUVs, this information may have come as a shock. But now you'll know which used models to avoid and if the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is a risky investment.

Transmissions are a vital component in our cars, and with more electronic control, increased number of gears, and increased city driving/traffic, we need to do maintenance on our car's transmissions periodically. Toyota's BS about 'lifetime transmission fluid' means that the fluid will keep your transmission working at least through their warranty.

Will the 2021 Toyota RAV4 have transmission problems?

Toyota has developed two new automatic transmissions―the 8-speed Direct Shift-8AT and the 10-speed Direct shift-10AT. For both, various measures were taken to minimize energy loss and heighten transmission efficiency. Transmission fluid is usually red or green to distinguish it from oil and other fluids in your car. If you're certain it's your transmission, take it to your Toyota mechanic as soon as you can.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 Toyota RAV is pretty reliable, which is good. It received a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, so it's not the best or the worst. The predicted reliability rating is based on surveys sent out to vehicle owners. They report all of the issues they faced with their vehicles and how satisfied they were.

So issues with previous model years may have brought rankings for the 2021 model down. The majority of potential trouble spots come from the 2019 Toyota RAV4. It has problems listed for the body integrity, fuel system, and transmission problems.

2019 RAV4 transmission problems

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 got a makeover inside and out, so it had a few issues that needed to be addressed, as new vehicle models often do. According to Car Complaints, there were six recalls issues for this model year. The recalls are for problems such as leaking engine coolant, separating suspension arms, back up camera issues, and more.

However, none of the recalls mentioned transmission problems. However, there are 35 reports of transmission problems. These problems were reported by RAV4 drivers. One driver bought their 2019 RAV4 with 17,500 miles on it and noticed that it frequently jolted like the gears weren't shifting properly.

RELATED: The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Has 1 Loud Weakness

They took their RAV4 to a Toyota dealership and received a software update to correct the issue. However, the next day the technicians said they couldn't find anything wrong even though the jolting still persisted.

Another driver noticed that their Toyota RAV4 kept lurching forward at lower speeds. It also hesitated at lower speeds and had trouble quickly coming to a stop. Shaking and shuttering were common among complaints as well.

Did Toyota fix the RAV4 problems?

According to Fist Pump Guy, also known as Gary, there is an easy 2019 Toyota RAV4 transmission fix. He suggests that a software update that was released on April 15th of 2019 will update the problem.

However, some people reported that the transmission problems still occurred after receiving this update from the Toyota dealership. Also, you have to take your RAV4 to a dealership to receive the update.

Toyota released a service bulletin for this issue under the number T-SB-0107-19. It will be provided to those with hesitating acceleration from a rolling stop. The update is for the Engine Control Module, and it reduces the potential for hesitation. Also, this fix is covered under the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty.

They didn't send out a recall for this issue. Also, there are currently no transmission problems reported for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 yet. But more problems could emerge as those models accrue more milage. There are reports of fuel system problems for the 2020 model, which also affected the 2019 model.

Toyota Transmission Fluid

However, some people reported that the transmission problems still occurred after receiving this update from the Toyota dealership. Also, you have to take your RAV4 to a dealership to receive the update.

Toyota released a service bulletin for this issue under the number T-SB-0107-19. It will be provided to those with hesitating acceleration from a rolling stop. The update is for the Engine Control Module, and it reduces the potential for hesitation. Also, this fix is covered under the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty.

They didn't send out a recall for this issue. Also, there are currently no transmission problems reported for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 yet. But more problems could emerge as those models accrue more milage. There are reports of fuel system problems for the 2020 model, which also affected the 2019 model.

Toyota Transmission Fluid

As of right now, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 seems to have corrected the transmission problems for the 2019 model. The 2021 RAV4 could be improved. We are currently more concerned about the fuel system problems.

Toyota Transmission Cvt

Toyota manual transmissions for rear wheel drive applications are made by Aisin and similar (but not identical) to the AX series used by Dodge & Jeep and AR5 used by GM & Isuzu. The Toyota models in particular are specialized; virtually every model is unique and many have sub-variants tailored to specific vehicles or driveline configurations. The best way to identify the transmission is by the VIN tag (assuming driveline is original):

Otherwise, refer to the shifters page for your particular model.

Beyond short throw shifters, we also offer stock shifter rebuild bushings, and classic engraved knobs for stock shifters.

4x4 manual transfer case application chart: