2003 Toyota RAV4Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 315 owner complaints about the 2003 Toyota RAV4, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 1, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the 2003 Toyota RAV4 has problems
315 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 209 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 42 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 29 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 26 | 1 |
| Engine | 21 | 0 |
| Air bags | 10 | 8 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 2 |
| 8 other systems | 19 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2003 Toyota RAV4 recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
When do power train problems start?
98kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 190 power train complaints. 53% were reported before 100,000 miles.
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
46 owners mentioned a cost$3,625median
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
2003 vs. every other RAV4 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RAV4 median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2003 Toyota RAV4 safety ratings
2003 Toyota RAV4 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Toyota RAV4, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
What RAV4 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds, the transmission slipped out of the intended gear. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine would rev before the transmission would jolt into gear. The…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA RAV4. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE RPMS WOULD REV; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS…
MY TRANSMISSION STARTED RAVING UP AND SHIFTING ALL CRAZY AND TAKEN TO SCAN TO SHOW A SHIFT SELINOID B TOOK TO TRANNY SHOP WHO SAYS IT'S COMPUTER AND SEE SEVERAL POST ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. I AM A GRANDMA AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE HIM AROUND DON'T FEEL SAFE. IT WAS DRIVING DURING THIS TIME IN…
Own a 2003 RAV4?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.