1998 Toyota Rav4 Transmission Problems

Your transmission is making strange noises and slipping without warning, which first happened while driving on a highway. After this incident, the transmission continues to make unusual sounds and slip when you try to drive. The car is currently parked because you're unsure what's causing the problem. A transmission repair or rebuild will likely be needed to address the slipping and noise.

Your RAV4 has experienced jerking and power loss while driving on the highway on multiple occasions, forcing you to pull off the road. The Toyota dealership said they couldn't diagnose the problem because the check engine light isn't on. This intermittent loss of power could put you and other drivers at risk. The fix will likely involve a thorough diagnostic scan of the engine and fuel system, even without a check engine light present.

Your 1998 RAV4's fifth gear keeps popping out of engagement while driving on the highway, even when you try to hold the shift stick in place. This forces you to keep your hand on the shifter to maintain fifth gear, which diverts your attention from driving and can cause unexpected jerking that could be hazardous to you and others on the road. You had the fifth gear replaced at a transmission specialist at your own expense after Toyota did not recall this known issue. Fixing this problem typically involves replacing the fifth gear assembly or internal transmission components.

Your RAV4 has started having acceleration problems since reaching 120,000 miles. The issue happens about a dozen times, mostly when you're stopped at a traffic light or trying to pull into traffic, though it may have occurred once or twice while driving. The problem likely involves the fuel delivery or ignition system and may require diagnostic testing to pinpoint the exact cause.

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER A TWO WEEK PERIOD, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF 5TH GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS LEADS TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IN TRAFFIC AS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE MOMENTUM RAPIDLY AND COULD BE EASILY REAR-ENDED. THE LAST EVENT OCCURRED ON 6/7/2007, THE DAY BEFORE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE GARAGE. I HAVE ASKED TOYOTA FOR ASSISTANCE ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS DECLINED. THEY HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE PROBLEM, BUT THE COVERAGE IS NOT ADEQUATE. THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME AFTER THEIR COVERAGE EXPIRES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING UPHILL ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED SPEED DROPPING, I HAD DROPPED TO 50 MPH, THEN STARTED TO HEAR METAL BANGING, I WAS STARTING TO HEAD TO BURM WHEN SOME VERY LOUD METALLIC BANGS HAPPENED, AND ONE OR MORE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SENT ME INTO A SPIN TO THE RIGHT, AND I HIT GAURD RAILS. I WAS ON RT. 68 EASTBOUND IN MARYLAND, ON SIDELING HILL. AFTER HAVING IT IN THE GARAGE THE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT A GASKET OR SEAL LEAKED ON THE DIFFERENTIAL, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NEVER HAD IT HAPPEN, NOR DO THEY NO WHY.

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED FIRST TIME 5/19/00 AT 35379 MILES. BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND COULD NOT SHIFT TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK. DEALER REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. REPLACEMENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN 12 MONTHS LATER. DEALER HAS SAID WILL REPLACE UNDER HIS 12-MONTH WARRANTY. DEALER SAYS IS NOT AWARE OF ANY TECH SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM.

IN COLD WEATHER DRIVESHAFT FREEZES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE SLAMS TO A HALT AFTER A KNOCKING SOUND IS HEARD FROM THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO HOLD VEHICLE IN PLACE WHEN STOPPED ON INCLINES. TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A THUNKING NOISE. TRANSMISSION WOULD BE RELEASED. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY & HIT A TREE. VEHICLE HAS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS IN GEAR. THE HAND BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED (12/97). *AK

CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED.

SHIFT LOCK JAMMED PREVENTING ANY OPERATION OF VEHICLE