RAV4 2014 Transmission failure?

Nancy dear · May 12, 2022

Hi I have 2014 RAV4 transmission problem it is in the dealership now. They”think I need a new transmission $ 7550.00 and the part is on back order with No ETA.
They are going to check the fluid levels and let me know for sure if transmission is needed to be replaced. 81109 miles and I have never replaced the fluids.
The transmission is has a hesitation from park to drive with little bump feel to it.
I hope that makes sense. If I put 7 grand in it I will keep it forever. I was going sell it and buy a new one but I do not like the new Toyota red that’s out now I did tell the dealership I would pick up the car after they check the fluid level. It has never leaked or overheated. Any thoughts? Thanks Nancy

Foryota · May 12, 2022

Without seeing the vehicle it’s difficult for any of us to refute the dealer’s word. However before doing a full replacement it’s often a good idea to do a fluid change/flush to see if it’s simply worn out fluid. The WS Toyota uses is quite thin and there are many people here who think that it should be changed around your mileage anyway.

Before sinking $7500 on a new transmission, these are the steps I would take:

1. GET A SECOND OPINION from a trusted shop, likely a transmission shop. We have too many tales of dealers or service advisors going rogue and ordering the worst case repair.

2. Consider a Fluid flush. This may resolve your problem but not always. If you’re in USA it might be reasonably affordable in the grand scheme of things. If it doesn’t fix the problem, it may buy you some time to make a decision or save up.

3. There are hundreds of thousands of these on the road. Chances are there’s a good used transmission available from a wrecked vehicle. Remember this transmission is shared with almost Toyota’s entire FWD platform lines (Camry, Highlander, Venza G1, Sienna, etc). This should be much more affordable if you need to replace yours.

4. Repair possible? There’s very little which could require a full transmission replacement, particularly given that estimate. For reference, $7500 represents 53 hours of tech time at $140/h which is a common dealer rate. Even knocking back to 50% parts cost, that’s still 26 hours of tech time for a repair. That $7500 is a tough sell in my mind.

I do hope it works out for you. In the meantime have a good search through the 4.4 Mechanical section for your symptoms as keywords.

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Nancy dear · May 12, 2022

Thank you so much! I would think a flush would be a good thing to do.

katekebo · May 18, 2022

These transmissions don't last very long. Even with regular fluid changes every 45-60k miles they usually die around 140k miles. The Aisin 6-speed U760 transmission family is basically an old Ford design that Aisin bought and made an attempt to improve. There are good reasons why Ford dumped this design pretty quickly - it's noisy and not very robust.
Get a second opinion, change the fluid, and see what happens.

ravster2015 · May 18, 2022

I'm sure that changing the fluid on a regular basis will help prolong the life of the transmission. I did three drain and fills at 45,000 miles on my 2015 Rav LE, and the transmission shifted smoother and I've had no problems with it. I plan to do this every 30 - 40,000 miles. It can't hurt.

Dr. Dyno · May 18, 2022

katekebo said:
These transmissions don't last very long. Even with regular fluid changes every 45-60k miles they usually die around 140k miles. The Aisin 6-speed U760 transmission family is basically an old Ford design that Aisin bought and made an attempt to improve. There are good reasons why Ford dumped this design pretty quickly - it's noisy and not very robust.

A caveat on katekebo's opinion may be appropriate here FWIW. Such opinions have historically been mostly negative regarding any aspect of the RAV4, from what I've seen at least.

Dr. Dyno · May 18, 2022

To research used transmission prices in your area car-part.com is a good source.

Blogson · May 18, 2022

IF the only possible problem is a slight hesitation and bump when shifting from park to drive that honestly does not seem to me to be a problem needing repair or even less a problem needing the transmission to be replaced unless it becomes worse. However a transmission flush may be good as a general practice and possibly could eliminate the hesitation and bump situation. I have friends who have Toyota vehicles with this transmission with more than 250,000 miles on them who say that they have had no problems apart from normal wear items such as brakes.

Michael Mc · May 18, 2022

I have a 2014 and a 2015 Toyota RAV4. My 2014 recently ie: last 6 or 7 months started having the same delay in shifting my 2015 is fine I took the 2014 in and had trans. Fluid changed that did not help or change the problem I was just quoted by same Toyota dealer between 8 and ten thousand to replace trans. I am try to figure what my next step should be

Foryota · May 19, 2022

Michael Mc said:
I have a 2014 and a 2015 Toyota RAV4. My 2014 recently ie: last 6 or 7 months started having the same delay in shifting my 2015 is fine I took the 2014 in and had trans. Fluid changed that did not help or change the problem I was just quoted by same Toyota dealer between 8 and ten thousand to replace trans. I am try to figure what my next step should be

There honestly has to be something between the least one can do (fluid change) and the nuclear option of replacing the transmission. Unless the dealership doesn’t have any techs trained to repair automatic transmissions.

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Dr. Dyno · May 19, 2022

Foryota said:
There honestly has to be something between the least one can do (fluid change) and the nuclear option of replacing the transmission. Unless the dealership doesn’t have any techs trained to repair automatic transmissions.

Even if they could they're not even gonna try a repair because they'd be liable if it didn't work. Just whack the customer $$$$ for a new one and divert any future issues to Toyota.

Transmission shops are who repairs transmissions so they are the best for a second opinion. Especially an independent one not connected to any chain like Stop & Go.
I renamed our local one Stop, Pay & Tow when they said a lady's from our church Mercedes manual transmission was "all junk inside." It shifted into all gears just fine and smooth for me on their shop floor. I took it with me and had the car towed out of there pronto.

Foryota · May 19, 2022

Dr. Dyno said:
Even if they could they're not even gonna try a repair because they'd be liable if it didn't work. Just whack the customer $$$$ for a new one and divert any future issues to Toyota.

Transmission shops are who repairs transmissions so they are the best for a second opinion. Especially an independent one not connected to any chain like Stop & Go.
I renamed our local one Stop, Pay & Tow when they said a lady's from our church Mercedes manual transmission was "all junk inside." It shifted into all gears just fine and smooth for me on their shop floor. I took it with me and had the car towed out of there pronto.

When I worked at a Ford service department, that dealer always had a transmission tech on-hand (he’s still there). Same with the Honda shop I worked at. But when a new model of transmissions came out, it was always replace and send back instead of repairing (under warranty) for the first few years. To my knowledge, it should still be possible to repair a conventional automatic and the drastic price difference would leave lots of middle ground. I totally get what you say though about liability for the job not being fully repaired though. CVTs on the other hand have always been “replace only.”

I’m with you 100% on a non-chain transmission shop!

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Toyfan2 · May 19, 2022

Nancy dear said:
Hi I have 2014 RAV4 transmission problem it is in the dealership now. They”think I need a new transmission $ 7550.00 and the part is on back order with No ETA.
They are going to check the fluid levels and let me know for sure if transmission is needed to be replaced. 81109 miles and I have never replaced the fluids.
The transmission is has a hesitation from park to drive with little bump feel to it.
I hope that makes sense. If I put 7 grand in it I will keep it forever. I was going sell it and buy a new one but I do not like the new Toyota red that’s out now I did tell the dealership I would pick up the car after they check the fluid level. It has never leaked or overheated. Any thoughts? Thanks Nancy

I had a 2014 Rav with a transmission problem similar to yours. Toyota had a TSB for torque converter shudder, which I had, and they changed the converter at 100K. I believe the original converter self destructing caused material to clog the trans filter over time and eventually caused the transmission problem. So, I was having the delay you mention and the car was going into a protect mode that wouldn't allow the AWD to engage if needed. Took it to Toyota, they ran their diagnostics and said the transmission was bad, $6,500 to repair. Then I took the car to my trusted mechanic for evaluation. He drove the car, pulled the pan, and showed me the material in the pan. Said something is obviously coming apart, but the car shifts so well he recommended I just do a fluid and filter change. He said "I think I can get you another year out of this transmission." I ended up looking for and buying a used trans for $1,000, had it shipped to my mechanic, and he installed it along with a new converter. It turned out to be the wrong decision for a couple of reasons. Apparently all 2014 Rav electronics are not all the same and need to be matched correctly with the transmission. The used transmission worked, but not properly, and I had to drive the car in a delicate manner. I believe there was a communication issue between the ECU and the trans in the lower gears. The car had 150k miles and I was not interested in chasing electronic issues. I drove the car another 10K miles and traded in on a 2019 Rav H. Looking back I should had performed the service like my mechanic recommended, and if it worked well enough to sell, then sold it or drive till it drops. There are a million used Rav4 transmissions available for purchase but I learned you have to match up with your cars electronics and I wouldn't know how to do that. The dealerships install remanufactured transmissions, not new, but better than a rebuild from your local transmission shop. If I was you I would get a 2nd opinion from a trusted private shop, have them drop the pan, fluid change and new filter. If that cures your delay you can drive the car until the delay comes back, maybe it won't, but if it does service the trans again and sell. Hopefully you can resolve without a trans change.

Nancy dear · May 21, 2022

I really thank everyone who replied to my post. I picked up my car last Wednesday and Thursday night I noticed something on the floor of the garage. So NOW I have a leak from some where. It’s clear and little oily. But not like transmission fluid not pink which I remember
So now I am in full panic mode. We’re going out of town till next Thursday and then I am taking to a mechanic to look at it on a lift and see where it is leaking from. But I am so mad at the dealership. Did they do something or it just happened now to start a leaking. Thanks for all the help and advice. I hope I can still sell it and buy a new car. Possibly a Buick Encore GX. And if y’all know anything about it please let me know. Nancy

Blogson · May 21, 2022

What sort of smell if any does the leaking substance have? Unfortunately is is possible that the dealer service dept. did something to cause a leak, but from your description it does not seem to be transmission fluid. Did the dealer service something else? If they added fluid to some component (cooling system?) the substance on your garage floor may simply be some they carelessly spilled and now is draining down but that should stop, unless there actually is a leak somewhere. Did they overfill the coolant reservoir or the brake master cylinder?

Nancy dear · May 22, 2022

Toyfan2 said:
I had a 2014 Rav with a transmission problem similar to yours. Toyota had a TSB for torque converter shudder, which I had, and they changed the converter at 100K. I believe the original converter self destructing caused material to clog the trans filter over time and eventually caused the transmission problem. So, I was having the delay you mention and the car was going into a protect mode that wouldn't allow the AWD to engage if needed. Took it to Toyota, they ran their diagnostics and said the transmission was bad, $6,500 to repair. Then I took the car to my trusted mechanic for evaluation. He drove the car, pulled the pan, and showed me the material in the pan. Said something is obviously coming apart, but the car shifts so well he recommended I just do a fluid and filter change. He said "I think I can get you another year out of this transmission." I ended up looking for and buying a used trans for $1,000, had it shipped to my mechanic, and he installed it along with a new converter. It turned out to be the wrong decision for a couple of reasons. Apparently all 2014 Rav electronics are not all the same and need to be matched correctly with the transmission. The used transmission worked, but not properly, and I had to drive the car in a delicate manner. I believe there was a communication issue between the ECU and the trans in the lower gears. The car had 150k miles and I was not interested in chasing electronic issues. I drove the car another 10K miles and traded in on a 2019 Rav H. Looking back I should had performed the service like my mechanic recommended, and if it worked well enough to sell, then sold it or drive till it drops. There are a million used Rav4 transmissions available for purchase but I learned you have to match up with your cars electronics and I wouldn't know how to do that. The dealerships install remanufactured transmissions, not new, but better than a rebuild from your local transmission shop. If I was you I would get a 2nd opinion from a trusted private shop, have them drop the pan, fluid change and new filter. If that cures your delay you can drive the car until the delay comes back, maybe it won't, but if it does service the trans again and sell. Hopefully you can resolve without a trans change.

What pan ? I thought the transmission was sealed. Dealer said it was. Thanks for your help

Nancy dear · May 22, 2022

No smell and they said they didn’t add anything as all fluid levels were good.

Toyfan2 · May 22, 2022

Nancy dear said:
What pan ? I thought the transmission was sealed. Dealer said it was. Thanks for your help

My guy pulled a pan off of mine and showed it to me. Also showed me the filter which he said appeared to partially plugged with material. It was right before they were closing on a Saturday and they didn't have a filter in stock or they would have replaced it. They have a pan. He rinsed out the filter and reinstalled. Actually no delay for a short period of time after that but the delay returned.

Nancy dear · May 24, 2022

Blogson said:
What sort of smell if any does the leaking substance have? Unfortunately is is possible that the dealer service dept. did something to cause a leak, but from your description it does not seem to be transmission fluid. Did the dealer service something else? If they added fluid to some component (cooling system?) the substance on your garage floor may simply be some they carelessly spilled and now is draining down but that should stop, unless there actually is a leak somewhere. Did they overfill the coolant reservoir or the brake master cylinder?

They didn’t add anything that they said. I am
Worried that if I change the transmission it will just have other issues. I looked at all the fluids brake etc everything is full no oil or anything else on the engine. Dry looking
Must be underneath. We are on vacation. Home this coming Friday will take some where
See it on a left.
thanks for all of your help.

Toyfan2 · May 24, 2022

Nancy dear said:
They didn’t add anything that they said. I am
Worried that if I change the transmission it will just have other issues. I looked at all the fluids brake etc everything is full no oil or anything else on the engine. Dry looking
Must be underneath. We are on vacation. Home this coming Friday will take some where
See it on a left.
thanks for all of your help.

Full disclosure, I owned a transmission shop for a couple of years in the late 90's and speak with some experience, but transmissions have become more complex over the years. The fundamentals still apply though. It sounds as if your transmission shifts ok but the issue is the delay when engaging in drive. You have not mentioned any warnings showing up on your dash which is a good sign. I recommend you have a " Trusted " mechanic service the trans including dropping the pan ( be somewhere where you can see this process being performed ). Have them show you the fluid after you see the pan dropped. If its bright red or pinkish color you may be in better shape than you think. If its very dark color and smells burnt that is not good. Somewhere in the middle of those two you may still be ok. Look for signs of metallic particles in the bottom of the pan. I recommend you use a mechanic that does not perform transmission repair as they have less incentive to sell you on a new trans. If the fluid is not dark and burnt smelling just perform a regular trans service with a new filter and partial fluid replacement. You can also opt for a full flush which replaces all 10 quarts of fluid but a little more costly. If there are some metal particles in the pan, but the fluid looks good, a full flush would remove more of the particles that could clog your filter in the future. Better to spend a couple of hundred dollars and give that a shot than rolling over for $8,000 immediately. I also believe you can do better than $7550.00 if a new trans is needed. Shop other Toyota dealers, they want your business and have room to play with on the cost. I don't recommend an independent trans shop, they will rebuild your trans ( remember I owned a shop and know how they rebuild them ). Toyota will put in a remanufactured transmission that has been dyno tested. Get ( demand ) a minimum 3 year 36k warranty on a new trans. There are some national rebuilders that sell dyno tested remanufactured transmissions but they don't always have the Rav4 trans in stock and the electronics also becomes an issue if something doesn't match up. If Toyota replaces it they are on the hook to make everything match up correctly. Educate yourself, there is a lot of information online. Don't be afraid to ask questions and be confident. Get a reference from a friend that has been doing business with the same mechanic for a long period of time and has had positive results. Don't be afraid to walk if you don't feel comfortable. Hope this information helps you navigate the process a little easier.

RAV4 2014 Transmission failure?

Nancy dear

Foryota

Nancy dear

katekebo

ravster2015

Dr. Dyno

Dr. Dyno

Blogson

Michael Mc

Foryota

Dr. Dyno

Foryota

Toyfan2

Nancy dear

Blogson

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Toyfan2

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