I've had my Adventure for a full month now, maybe mine is not as bad as others. I've found I can almost eliminate the lurch if I gently add the power back in after slowing to almost a complete stop. I have a few quick stop signs to get out of my subdivision so I get the practice.
I would like to think it's a computer problem since that would be easier to fix but it seems like the 1st few stop/starts have the most potential to do it regardless if it is warmed up, in other words it almost seems like once the transmission oil gets circulating after starting out even after a quick shutdown and park it behaves better. Warmth not the primary factor but circulation???
Fun fact: I was talking to an acquaintance at a local business about my new purchase and I mentioned the lurch and he said his wife's new Forester with CVT does the exact same thing. Interesting.

 

When I bought my 2017 RAV4 XLE I noticed that it did this same thing. I realized that it was in the "Sport" mode transmission setting and I switched it to the "Eco" mode and the problem disappeared. It just seems like the throttle setting is so sensitive in the Sport mode. Now granted mine is a 4th Gen RAV4 but I wonder if this is a common thread as I've driven other brands that do this same thing. Makes me wish I could still get a RAV4 with a MT.

 

I test drove the Honda CRV and Hyundai Tucson and they do the same. You ever think it is the engine is only a 4 cylinder, the Jeep Cherokee, Hyundai Sante Fe, And Highlander does not do it, but they are 6 cylinders. The Honda CRV was more sluggish than the RAV 4 when I drove it, but it is a 2.0

 

Honda CRV can't do the "same", its a totally different transmission. It is a CVT....it may have a bit of lag, but it sure can't lurch, buck and surge like the 8 speed auto that slams into gear.

 

Have 2019 RAV4 Limited Getting Ave 34.3 mpg



mine does not buck and surge. Just a lag and tad less than HONDA. Where was your RAV4 Assembled, mine in Japan.

 

Have 2019 RAV4 Limited Getting Ave 34.3 mpg

Old days bucking and surging was caused by accelerator problems, human thing was a touchy foot, heavy show, arthritis, etc... I would go higher than dealer with this and ASAP, you may have legal issue if they do not resolve. I would say this is a DOT Safety Problem that should be reported so Toyota is forced to determine cause and issue recall notice. Check Consumer Reports and other places by pluging in your VIN to see if there is a recall already. You can actually do this before you actually purchase a car as long as you have the VIN.

 

Just bought a new RAV4 and ours exhibits the same throttle response/transmission gear issue. Sometimes the car feels like it just has a really poorly tuned throttle response map or like when you have a bad sensor. Its a bit offputting for new car but our CX5 we traded in had similar issues sometimes depending on how you drove it or if it was cold. To me its all just throttle by wire stuff that is worse or better on some cars. I feel like my 02 LS430 is very smooth and linear in the way it handles throttle inputs, but then again I may just be used to the throttle "feel" and have subconsciously adjusted my foot to smooth out the drive. I'm starting to learn our RAV4 too as it seems to like very slow, smooth throttle inputs. If you are rolling to a stop or almost stop and have to get back on the gas Ive found a smooth easy throttle application keeps it from jerking. If you are too quick or abrupt it jerks into motion. I don't like it but I can live with it until a new "tune" or cpu update comes along. My wife doesn't seem to notice it or it doesnt bother her. I may be a little heavier on the foot than her. I do notice that in sport mode it feels much more in tune with what my foot is doing which makes sense. Normal mode is lagging and eco mode is a complete nightmare to drive in unless you are putting along or not needing to really hit the gas. Its like its in limp mode! haha. FWIW I leave my LS430 in sport mode all the time. Man I miss throttle cables sometimes.

 

Ah, yes, it could be your foot.

 

The Rav4's 8 speed is jerky when subjected to abrupt throttle inputs at low vehicle speeds, just like a manual transmission is, because the 8 speed IS largely a manual transmission! i.e. there is no torque converter multiplication and slippage when accelerating in gears 2 - 8.

This lack of torque converter multiplication and slippage also makes acceleration seem lethargic compared to conventional automatic transmissions of the past, but the benefit is excellent fuel economy.

So owners simply need to accept the inherent jerkiness of the 8 speed - if the driver engages in abrupt throttle inputs at low vehicle speeds - and to consider it a necessary trade off for excellent fuel economy.

 

The Rav4's 8 speed is jerky when subjected to abrupt throttle inputs at low vehicle speeds, just like a manual transmission is, because the 8 speed IS largely a manual transmission! i.e. there is no torque converter multiplication and slippage when accelerating in gears 2 - 8.

This lack of torque converter multiplication and slippage also makes acceleration seem lethargic compared to conventional automatic transmissions of the past, but the benefit is excellent fuel economy.

So owners simply need to accept the inherent jerkiness of the 8 speed - if the driver engages in abrupt throttle inputs at low vehicle speeds - and to consider it a necessary trade off for excellent fuel economy.

interesting Im not super up to speed on the new drivetrain. I knew the new 2.5 has more power and I know the transmission was an 8 speed. Honestly the more I drive it the smoother I get with it. And I assume it has also made adjustments to the way we drive it. I need to brush up more on the details of the new trans and engine. I have noticed it feels like it is lugging every now and then as well, but going by what you are saying it makes sense it would feel like that under certain circumstances (low speed, very little throttle input and it just feels like it is in 6th or 7th gear or even 8th gear already) anyway I think its ok and especially if its "normal". I'm more weirded out by the super touchy steering, the steering is super assisted and I think the alignment specs lend the vehicle to being very twitchy on the highway, the slightest movement sends it off in that direction. It makes my lexus steering feel heavy lol. Our CX5 was "heavy" but I liked the feel of it.

 

I'm glad someone is getting it right.

 

God bless all you early adopters of the 2019 Rav4 with dual-port injection and the 8 speed. If history is a predictor of the current state of things i"m fairly certain that the new Rav's are going to have a fair amount of issues that need to be tweeked in the comming 2-3 years before I would cinsider buying a new gen Rav...leasing is of course a different approach. Im really hoping the dual port 8 speeds prove to ultimately be as reliable and durable as the 2.5 naturally aspirated engine with the awesome 6 speed but I feel like the odds are not in our favor.

 

Oh, poor snowflake....

 

I drove a 2019 a few months ago.

I wish I had experimented with the “snow” mode.

Is it true that the snow mode simply prevents downshift to first gear? If running in snow mode eliminates the hard-shift issue, is there any reason not to simply run the car in snow mode at all times?

 

I tried it yesterday and it really smoothed out the shifting. I view it as kind of a city "Econ" mode.
It seems to reinforce the notion that the shifting issues are not a mechanical defect with transmission but a programming issue. The transmission is capable of shifting smoothly.

 

I was called yesterday after much complaining and a Software Update came out August 15th so I made an appointment to have mine updated.

 

I took mine in today for it, small sample size of the drive home but it really seemed better. Fingers crossed.

 

Someone on the Rav4world.com took it to the dealer and the dealer found a TSB for the transmission issues.
https://www.rav4world.com/threads/took-rav-in-to-check-transmission-issue.300796/ go to post 5.

TSB-0107-19 Engine ECU Programing Update

 

Yeah, I had the TSB-0107-19 ECU program update done a couple weeks ago and this is the fix everyone with problem should get their car dealer to do , someone got it right now.

 

Had my TSB done today. It does not help. We
thought at first it was better but the more we drove, we found it pretty much the same.

 

Had my TSB done today. It does not help. We
thought at first it was better but the more we drove, we found it pretty much the same.

 

3 days it was the same, on the 4th day the problem is gone for the first time. Don't know why there was a delay after the update.I will check it again today and tomorrow. Anyone else experience this problem being fixed.

 

I also got the TSB ECU update and I can say it fixed the low speed transmission issue. Slow rolls less than 10 to 5 MPH do not have the lurch, delay and jerk that the car had before. I recommend people that have this issue go to the dealer and get the update, it is worth it as the car drives as expected now.

 

I have posted this exact same thread at another forum.

OK, I know that this topic has been discussed many times here but every threads that I checked does not offer any solution. I know that some of you guys already reported the issue to your dealer and some to directly to Toyota. What do you guys know so far? What are they saying about the issue and is there a plan to fix it? Or do we already have a fix for the problem? Just let us know here, if you have already dealt with your dealer and Toyota, what they are saying about this annoying issues. Thanks.

Issues:
1) Transmission lurching and hesitating at lower speed acceleration.
2) Vehicle hesitates when accelerating after rolling stops, such as at traffic lights that change to green as you approach them. Once the car responds to depressing the accelerator, the car will jerk forward.
3) When need to accelerate from a lower speed, it fails to catch the right gear and hesitate for a few seconds before snapping to a higher gear.
4) It feels like the issue worsen when AC is turned on.

Also, let us know what you are doing currently to dealing with the problem. For me, I just try to go as slow as I can so that the transmission does not snap..lol

It is an easy fix. Dealer does a reflash of yhe computer. Takes about 90 min for dome reasonbut fixed it

 

My RAV4 now works fine if I am in sport mode versus a Eco mode. So it’s definitely how the ecu is programmed

 

It seems to be a common design issue. The Toyota service manager stared it does this due to the wireless Accelerator and type of transmission. I don’t buy his explanation. It’s not normal this whiplash effect is not normal. Don’t know why it does it or how it can be fixed but it’s annoying as hell to drive in rush hour traffic.

 

What do you mean you dont know how it can be fixed?

The entire point of this thread is discussion of a TSB that completely fixes the issue

Only a small number of units are affected. How can it be a design issue.

Did you have it done?

 

Sorry but the TSB does it include a 2013 RAV4 I thought it was for the 8 speed 2019. Can you send me the TSb number for the 6 speed 2013 RAV4 thank you

 

This is a forum for 2019 and forward rav4s. I dont know why you are talking about a different generation.

The 2019 is a completely new redesigned model with totally different engine and transmission.

Not sure why you are talking about 2013 and whether there is a TSB for that

 

I have the 5th Gen Adventure Model and I definitely had to get used to the throttle and the program modes. It seems that with 8 speeds and in ECO mode that Toyota has engineered the car to get maximum mpg and that it works best with a very light foot. In ECO mode if you take the time to let the gears bring you up to speed, which is painfully slow, the engine doesn't even go beyond 2,000 rpm. The ECO mode is really using those 8 gears to bring you the maximum mpg and seems to be engineered specifically to do this. But I have noticed that if you are at speed and you romp on the gas to pass or to get out of situation that the car has a serious issue in responding. With a heavy foot the car doesn't know what gear to jump into, as if is is confused, and lets you know it by whaling and underperforming. Therefore I have adapted my driving style and before romping on the gas I hit the NORMAL or SPORT mode button and it delivers the power that I am looking for without the confusion. I have spent time driving soley in NORMAL and SPORT modes and have realized a 3 to 4 mpg decrease in fuel economy but the car's throttle response is much better. But with my revised driving technique I have been driving for the past 1,200 miles in ECO mode and only switching modes when power is desire and I have been getting more like 27.5 mpg and fairly pleased with this.

 

There is a simplecomputer reflash that corrects jerky transmission It corrects failure to downshift to 1st when creeping to a dead stop and rolling on instead i.e. U can roll thru a stop and accelerate without an abrupt downshift

 

I had the ecm update done on my 2019 xle and runs like a charm I love my Rav4 I found the full TSB and printed it and took it to the service rep I wanted to be prepared to not accept no for an answer.

 

I set it to SPORT and tranny behaves normally. Go back to ECO and tranny start making strange shifts at low speeds.

Did you have the ECM update performed as indicated by the TSB. If not, contact your dealer.

 

I have posted this exact same thread at another forum.

OK, I know that this topic has been discussed many times here but every threads that I checked does not offer any solution. I know that some of you guys already reported the issue to your dealer and some to directly to Toyota. What do you guys know so far? What are they saying about the issue and is there a plan to fix it? Or do we already have a fix for the problem? Just let us know here, if you have already dealt with your dealer and Toyota, what they are saying about this annoying issues. Thanks.

Issues:
1) Transmission lurching and hesitating at lower speed acceleration.
2) Vehicle hesitates when accelerating after rolling stops, such as at traffic lights that change to green as you approach them. Once the car responds to depressing the accelerator, the car will jerk forward.
3) When need to accelerate from a lower speed, it fails to catch the right gear and hesitate for a few seconds before snapping to a higher gear.
4) It feels like the issue worsen when AC is turned on.

Also, let us know what you are doing currently to dealing with the problem. For me, I just try to go as slow as I can so that the transmission does not snap..lol

I set it to SPORT and tranny behaves normally. Go back to ECO and tranny start making strange shifts at low speeds.

 

Be good to have it checked by dealer. Should not have issue, regardless of drive mode.