2004 Toyota Rav4 Electronic Stability Control Esc Problems
3 owner-reported electronic stability control esc complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (3)
When driving uphill or turning, your ESC (Electronic Stability Control) light occasionally comes on with three beeps from the dashboard, causing your car to jerk and lose power briefly before returning to normal speed. This has happened 5 times in the past month and is getting worse each time, making you hesitant to drive the car. Fixing this will likely require a diagnostic scan at a Toyota dealer to identify whether the problem is with the ESC sensor, wheel speed sensor, or the ESC control module itself.
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OFTEN AFTER A COLD START (ALL YEAR ROUND), STABILITY CONTROL KICKS IN (WITH BEEP AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON) AFTER A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF DRIVING, RESULTING IN ONE OR MORE WHEELS APPLYING THE BRAKES AND CAUSING A JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS ON SMOOTH SURFACES AND WITH NORMAL ACCELERATION WHERE STABILITY CONTROL SHOULD NEVER ACTIVATE. HAS NEVER HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED BECAUSE IT ALWAYS HAPPENS SHORTLY AFTER START, SO ALWAYS FULLY RECOVERABLE, BUT VERY CONCERNING. TOYOTA (ACTON TOYOTA OF LITTLETON, MA) HAS FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SUSPENSION BEING UNSTABLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH AND UPON MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO PERMANENT REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.