The Toyota RAV4 was equipped with several gearboxes over its lifespan, including the U140F transmission and U241E transmission. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Toyota RAV4 transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Toyota RAV4 Transmission Models
Toyota RAV4: U140F Transmission
Toyota RAV4: U241E Transmission
Toyota RAV4: U250E Transmission
Toyota RAV4 Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate
Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.
What are the DTC codes related to Toyota RAV4 transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0705 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input) |
| P0710 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit |
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0712 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0713 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0714 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent P0715 |
| P0715 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0717 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0724 | Torque Converter/Brake Switch B Circuit High |
| P0741 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit |
| P0746 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0748 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Electrical |
| P0766 | Shift Solenoid 'D' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0771 | Shift Solenoid 'E' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0776 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0778 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Electrical |
| P0791 | Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0793 | Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0796 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'C' Performance or Stuck off |
| P0798 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'C' Electrical |
| P0872 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch C Circuit Low |
| P0873 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch C Circuit High |
| P0877 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch D Circuit Low |
| P0878 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch D Circuit High |
| P0982 | Shift Solenoid D Control Circuit Low |
| P0983 | Shift Solenoid D Control Circuit High |
| P0985 | Shift Solenoid E Control Circuit Low |
| P0986 | Shift Solenoid E Control Circuit High |
| P0989 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch E Circuit Low |
| P0990 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch E Circuit High |
| P2714 | Pressure Control Solenoid D Performance or Stuck Off |
| P2716 | Pressure Control Solenoid D Electrical |
| P2757 | Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Ctrl Circuit Performance or Stuck Off |
| P2759 | Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Ctrl Circuit Electrical |
| P2769 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Low |
| P2770 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit High |
Toyota RAV4 Transmission Recalls
None Found
Toyota RAV4 Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
None Found
Common Toyota RAV4 Transmission Problems
Harsh shifts or shift flares between 2-3 or 3-4 – U250E transmission
Problem – Shortly after starting up, vehicles may experience shift flares or unusually hard shifts into third or fourth gear. The problem may go away, but return after the vehicle has sat overnight.
Solution – It’s possible that the battery needs to be replaced (the voltage is too low, resulting in the ECU going into the “relearn” process after starting up), or the ECU grounds are corroded.
Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light
Can I drive with a transmission problem?
If your Toyota RAV4 can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.
How often does a Toyota RAV4 transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a Toyota RAV4 transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Toyota RAV4 transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.
How are Toyota RAV4 transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Toyota RAV4 transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.
How is a Toyota RAV4 transmission replaced?
In order to replace your Toyota RAV4 transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed.
Recommendations for Toyota RAV4 transmission issues?
To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit truck VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Toyota RAV4 transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve Toyota RAV4 Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used Toyota RAV4 Transmission
The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.
Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Toyota RAV4 Transmission
Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.
Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Toyota RAV4 Transmission
Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Problem Does Your Toyota RAV4 Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
Delay in forward too much
Had my transmission replaced by Toyota shop after I got it back had two instances of losing power. I had little power but not full power and would pull to the side of the road turn it off wait about 5 to 10 minutes started up and no issues at all. They are saying a central control module is to blame and after soaking me for the transmission want me to spend another 1200 to replace the computer.
Was hard shifting, eventually it would only operate in 1st & 2nd gear. When trying to get vehicle to move in reverse, that too, apparently failed. Changed all 5 shift solenoids. Result: Vehicle will not engage any “drive” gear, vehicle is immobile.
Vibration around 40mph
My old Rav 4 is knocking when shifting gears automatically. Sometimes fails to change gears.
Transmission died 2007 unacceptable imo
2012 RAV4 was running ok then suddenly out of power. Engine still can start but car does not move. Level shift can be moved but does not engage, When you put car in neutral car is not moving, seems it is locked up.
Hi everyone
I have a 2007 rav4 4wd . I was driving on a highway and the car just started to make some noise…I pulled over and the car could not move anymore… everything looks perfect, no check engine light, the shifter is working perfectly, the cv axles are ok but the car doesn’t
move
Anyone have an idea about what it can be please
Thank you
2012 Rav4 V6 4WD (80,000 miles) after having my transmission opened and re-built by a shop specialized in transmission job along with replacing the torque convertor with an after market one. I am noticing the below issues, which after checking with Toyota dealer using a computer connected to my car while driving didn’t find any issues and was told all data are within range.. but the below bothers me a lot.
1. Previously (before my trany was opened & with old torque convertor) the 5th gear used to engage at speed 40 but now it engages at 46. Due to which there is a whining noise which starts at 38 & remains until it shift to 5th gear at 46.
2. There is a whining noise which starts at speed 50 and peaks at 70. the noise goes away when I take my foot off from gas paddle but comes back when I press the gas.
My problem is Toyota dealer didn’t find any issues so I can’t press the mechanic.. but the noises and delay in 5th gear shift bothers me a lot.. any advice is greatly appreciated.
I have a 2010 RAV 4, shudders like going over rumble strips only when under load at 30-35 mph. Otherwise all is fine. I tried to isolate problem by just driving in 3rd gear instead of drive, and problem doesn’t arise at all!! Any clue as to what this could be? Rumble feels like it’s coming from more rear of the car. Transmission related? Or drive shaft? I’m clueless. Any transmission shop tells me the transmission is shot, needs replacement. I’m told it’s been doing this for 40k miles, when I took ownership. 140k total miles. Help!!
Mine is literally doing the same! I got my transmission fluid flushed and what not. It still does it but not as bad. If I switch it into D3, it stops shaking!
Torque converter lock-up shutter. Very common. Diagnosed and replaced many in RAVs and camrys. No need to rebuild trans. There is a warranty extension for this concern. Check with your local dealer.
2015 rav4,94000 miles, no codes,but when putting into reverse it does nothing, almost feels like car stuck in park, then you give it 2000 rpm and it slams into gear,and trans sounds like a chain rattling around in park and neutral, but when in gear rattle goes away. it also doesn’t do it every time, have driven 50 miles since this happened to my wife, i drove it and seemed normal for first drive except for rattle, but second drive it was like the trans was stuck. almost like the valve body was trying to go into wrong gear.
there is no leaks of fluid either.
Hi guys. I have rav4 2005, after reaching 94k milage, the car doest start.. i visually checked the engine and found a unusual ticking sound on the tranny when the ig is on. Then i inspect the valve body and found the solenoids are coming on and off while in IG on, removed the solenoid sockets and found the the OCV comes on and off too synced to the valves.. i manually checked code by connecting te1 e1 and see codes, 21, 22, 24, 31, 41, 89 and 99.. does this indicates that the vehicle is at its fail safe mode? Or what could be.the possible culprit on my problem..
If it sits over night it will go into gear f r 1 2 3 gear but 20 second later after the high pitched wheeeeering stops there are no gear engaging
I have 2018 rav4 when I start it put reverse gear its stuck to neutral all gears , and revese gear does work and it’s stuck , I switch it of put reverse it’s fine and all the gears , milleage its 4000
I have a Toyota rav4 2012 model. After reversing it is showing 4 wheel drive and won’t disengage. What can I do??
I have a 2010 rav 4 that drives fine then all of a sudden the trans slips as if it’s in neutral and doesn’t move. I put it in Park then back to Drive and still nothing when I step on the gas it just revs the engine. Trans fluid looks and smells good. No CEL Any ideas? Ecu/ecm maybe?
same thing is happening to me right now. I have a 2008 rav4. Did you solve this problem?
Transmission goes forward in reverse and neutral.
I have a 2008 rav4 with 80,000 miles. I was told it need a torque converter while it was tore down for oil consumption recall. They want 1500 dollars for that. Is that expensive for that?
I have a 2016 rav4 110000 kms and have just had a report from my mechanic the transmission needs fixing and it will cost $6000 plus to fix!! I have contacted customer care and am waiting for a reply. I am NOT at all happy this has happened and want it fixed.
Have a 2003 RAV4 with 74,000 miles
The transmission fluid is that the right level and has the right color and it doesn’t smell bad
The transmission is slipping and doesn’t shifts smoothly when I manually shift gears
What are my options
Thanks
Put a TCM in it !!! (dealer only not used or reman)
Whats a TCM???
Transmission control module
It’s the computer that tells the transmission what to do
I have a 2015 Rav 4 with just under 75,000 miles and I have a transmission problem and may need a new/rebuilt transmission. is this normal?
I have a 2015 Rav4 – around 36,000 miles – need to replace the Transmission with a rebuilt (minor leak)
I have a 2015 rav4 with 41200 miles wrh minor leak. Do we need a new transmission?
I have a 2008 RAV4 that has a transfer case leak. The labor estimate I have received for replacement is 13 hours. Does that sound like a reasonable estimate? I have not seen estimates quite that high on the web, but have also not seen RAV4-specific estimates.