What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Toyota RAV4

Typical pattern

4.5% of complaints about the 2004 Toyota RAV4 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2004 vehicle — around the middle of the 236 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 10.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (48 complaints), typically at 11.8 yr or about 104,250 miles.

Complaints
177
Median age at failure
10.1 yr
Median mileage
80,250 n=106
Crash / fire / tow
15.8% of reports
Safety recalls
2 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
48 reports · 104,250 mi
11.8 yr
18.8%
Power train
22 reports · 77,836 mi
8.6 yr
9.1%
Engine cooling
19 reports · 86,000 mi
6.3 yr
5.3%
Speed control
16 reports · 62,000 mi
9.3 yr
50%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V284000 2015-05-13 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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.

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.

19V741000 2019-10-17
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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 propella

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

In owners’ own words

Speed control mileage not reported 6 mo in service crash / fire / tow
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
Speed control 23,080 mi 1.0 yr in service
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
Speed control mileage not reported 4.3 yr in service
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VEHICLE STABILITY LIGHT ARE ON, I HAVE ON AND OFF SMELLED THE SULFUR SMELL. ALSO, HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL GOING OUT OF CONTROL, AROUND SHARP CORNERS WHERE I HAVE TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO DISENGAGE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS IT WILL NOT STOP ACCELERATION, IT INCREASES ACCELERATION. *TR
Engine cooling 1,400 mi 6 mo in service
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

Other RAV4 model years

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