2004 Toyota RAV4: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
154 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 91 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 44 of 154 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 24 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 44 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 |
Air Bags: 44; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Power Train: 14; Engine: 11; Electrical System: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 63 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 34 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2004: 6; 2005: 6; 2006: 7; 2007: 4; 2008: 1; 2009: 9; 2010: 15; 2011: 14; 2012: 5; 2013: 7; 2014: 5; 2015: 34; 2016: 19; 2017: 11; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 24 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10054810 · 2004-01-24 (January 24, 2004)
NEW 2004 RAV4 SUFFERS COWL RATTLE WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 25F AND THE COWL AREA IS DRY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A NEW PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 RAV4 FOR THE DEALER HAS NO CLUE HOW TO FIX IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062139 · 2004-03-14 (March 14, 2004)
SUDDEN AND RAPID ACCELERATION WHEN AUTO WAS PUT IN REVERSE. BRAKES DID NOT WORK. CAR FORCED INTO PARK AND CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE ENGAGED IN PARK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064567 · 2004-04-05 (April 5, 2004)
WHEN I ACCELERATE, THERE IS A WHISTLING/RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE OR FRONT OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THIS IS A NORMAL NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTAKE, BUT NO NEW CAR SHOULD RATTLE/WHISTLE THIS LOUDLY!THE NOISE BECOMES MORE AUDILBLE AS THE ENGINE GETS WARMER OR THE TEMPERATURE (WEATHER) IS HOTTER. I WILL FILE THIS COMPLAINT UNDER "UNKNOWN" BECAUSE THIS IS MY VERY FIRST CAR AND I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH CARS AND HOW THEY WORK. I AM SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THIS NOISE ISN'T NORMAL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083067 · 2004-07-31 (July 31, 2004)
I PURCHASED THE 2004 RAV4 THE LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2003. - AFTER MY 1ST INITIAL OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT ALL OF MY PANEL LIGHTS WERE ON. I.E., TIRE GAUGE, VCS, TRAC OFF, MAINT REQ., & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE DAY AFTER HOPING IT WOULD JUST TURN OFF DURING THE DAY & THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED TO RESET MY CAR. LIKE I'M SUPPOSE TO KNOW THIS & WHY DOES MY CAR HAVE TO BE RESET IF ITS BRAND NEW? - AFTER THE SECOND OIL CHANGE EVERYTHING WAS OKAY, AND NOW I'M UP …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091085 · 2004-09-15 (September 15, 2004)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. STRONG SMELL OF SULPHUR FUMES FILLED THE CABIN SINCE FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CHARCOAL CANISTER. IT WAS DETERMINED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FAILED AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO FAR HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED DUE TO PARTS OUT OF STOCK AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED ON SEPT. 24, 2004 UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAPPENED TO A BRAND NEW TOYOTA RAV 4 AT 2300 MILES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094159 · 2004-09-23 (September 23, 2004)
THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WENT OVER A CURB AND FLATTENED HER TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114166 · 2005-03-16 (March 16, 2005)
MY 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4 CAUGHT FIRE IN MINUTES WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. IT WAS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD, I HAD OIL AND FILTER CHANGES DONE ON SCHEDULE BY TOYOTA AND THE VEHIVLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I SMELLED SOMETHING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MINUTES MY CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND WENT UP IN FLAMES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117656 · 2005-04-08 (April 8, 2005)
CONSUMER WAS SHOCKED AS HE EXITED THE 2004 TOYOTA RAV4.*MR THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF IT OCCURS AT A GAS STATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117656 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V284000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-05-13 (May 13, 2015)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured May 13, 2003, to October 25, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag, free of charge. Owners were mailed an interim notice June 17, 2015. The recall began on August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V741000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗