2004 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 154 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 16 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleOct 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 19V741000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
47 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jul 19, 2019
TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JANUARY 2019 AND SINCE THAT TIME HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS MAILED NOTICES FROM TOYOTA "SAFETY RECALL FOLLOW-UP NOTICE." I HAVE MADE AT LEAST 8 PHONE CALLS TO TOYOTA AND BEEN PROMISED REPEATEDLY THAT I WILL BE CONTACTED FOR AIRBAG REPLACEMENT...BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. EACH PERSON WITH WHOM I SPEAK FAITHFULLY PROMISES THAT I WILL BE CONTACTED, THEN NOTHING. I LIVE IN RURAL ALASKA ON AN ISLAND WITHOUT A TOYOTA DEALER. THE CLOSEST TOYOTA DEALER IS IN ANCHORAGE. GETTING MY VEHICLE TO ANCHORAGE WILL ENTAIL A 12-24 HOUR FERRY RIDE AND A 2-8 HOUR HIGHWAY DRIVE.
Air bags, Nov 28, 2017
"TAMARA RECALL". COMPLAINT #1 IN MAY 2016, I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER TELEPHONE NUMBER TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE TO THE AIRBAGS. TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE CONNECTED ME TO WOBURN TOYOTA TO HAVE ME SPEAK TO THEM TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WHICH I DID. ON MAY 24 2016 I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN 11 A.M. APPT. I WAS TOLD TO PARK IT OUTSIDE. WHEN I REGISTERED AT THE COUNTER, THE CLERK ASKED ME IF I WANTED NUMEROUS OTHER SERVICES DONE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. I DENIED ALL OF THEM. THE SERVICE DEPT WAS BUSY, HE TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN ABOUT 2 HOURS. I CAME BACK IN 2 HRS 30 MINS TO FIND MY CAR PARKED IN THE SAME SPOT I LEFT IT. I WENT TO THE COUNTER AND THE SAME CLERK TOLD ME, THEY DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO WORK ON IT YET BUT THEY COULD GET TO IT SOON!!! UNACCEPTABLE I LEFT.I HAD AN APPT AT 3 P.M. I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA, I WAS SENT AN EMAIL TO TRY TO PHONE AGAIN AND RESCHEDULE. COMPLAINT #2 A FEW MONTHS LATER, MY SON IN LAW LOU INTOPPA, CALLED TO MAKE THE APPT FOR ME AT THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER NUMBER. HE WAS TOLD WOBURN TOYOTA , WHICH DID IT BEFORE, DOES NOT DO THE RECALLS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO LEXINGTON WHICH IS FARTHER AWAY. HE WAS DROPPING MY CAR OFF ON HIS WAY TO WORK. LEXINGTON IS NOT ON THE WAY. HE CALLED WOBURN TOYOTA ON HIS OWN. THEY TOLD HIM THEY DO THE RECALLS BUT THEY HAD NO PARTS BUT WE'RE GETTING THEM IN. CALL BACK IN A FEW DAYS. HE DID BUT NO PARTS YET. COMPLAINT #3. WOBURN TOYOTA TOLD MY SON IN LAW TO CALL AGAIN TO SEE IF THE PARTS CAME IN, HE DID. NO PARTS YET SO THEY TOOK HIS NUMBER AND TOLD HIM THEY WOULD CALL HIM WHEN THEY CAME IN. THAT WAS 5 MONTHS AGO. HE HAS NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. WE KEEP GETTING THE TOYOTA RECORDED MESSAGES ON MY CELL , HIS CELL AND HIS HOME PHONE FOR THE RECALL BUT THEY DON'T MAKE IT EASY. NOW I HAVE RECEIVED A CERTIFIED RETURNED SIGNATURE LETTER FROM THEM TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL.
Air bags, Nov 10, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED NOTICE TO FIND OUT IF MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL
Air bags, Oct 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL KEEPING GETTING NOTICES ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THE BANKRUPTCY CASE AGAINST TK HOLDINGS. I (WE) HAVEN'T OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 4 YEARS. I ALREADY ATTEMPTED TO INFORM TOYOTA (ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO) BUT THEY SAID THE INFO COMES FROM MY STATE DMV AND I COULDN'T GET THEM TO TAKE SOME ACTION TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL OWNER. I ALSO CONTACTED THE NH DMV AT THAT TIME AND PROVIDED THE VIN. THEY SAID THEIR RECORDS INDICATE WE DON'T OWN THE VEHICLE. WE TRADED IT IN AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN NH IN OCT 2013. I HAVE NO IDEA WHO OWNS THE VEHICLE! AND THE NAME ON THE LATEST NOTICE STILL HAS MY WIFE'S NAME; SHE PASSED AWAY IN JULY 2015. . WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO GET THE RECORDS GET CORRECTED? . [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Air bags, Aug 6, 2017
I WAS NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA THAT MY AIR BAGS WERE RECALLED AND I HAD THEM REPLACED
Air bags, Sep 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL, WAS NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA. I CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX. TOLD I WAS PUT ON A LIST TO BE CALLED WHEN PARTS CAME IN. WAS CALLED BY TOYOTA TO ASK IF THE REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE, I TOLD THEM NO AND THEY HUNG UP ON ME. STILL WAITING ON CALL.
Air bags, Sep 13, 2016
TAKATA RECALL RECIEVED NOTICE - FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO CALL AND SET APPOINTMENT. CALLED CORPORATE CORPROATE GAVE ME CASE NUMBER 5 MONTHS LATER NOTHING. WHEN I CALL THEY SAY TO WAIT. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE IF THE CAR IS A THREAT TO MY LIFE REPLACE THE BAG ALREADY!
Air bags, Aug 18, 2016
2004 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP POOR COMMUNICATION TO SCHEDULE AIRBAG RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENTS AND TO ORDER DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT PARTS. *SMD
Air bags, Jul 27, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, May 24, 2016
TAKATA RECALL CALLED DEALERSHIP FOR THE 2ND TIME ABOUT REPLACEMENT PARTS UNDER RECALL, ONLY TO BE TOLD ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE OUT OF REPLACEMENT PARTS AND TO CALL BACK IN A FEW WEEKS. I CALLED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. NOW I'M HEARING THEY ARE ADDING MORE CARS TO THE RECALL AND I FEAR I MAY NEVER GET MINE REPLACED.
Air bags, Apr 21, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/26/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS MADE ON 05/12/16. *TR
Air bags, Apr 7, 2016
I RECEIVED MY FIRST NOTICE FROM TOYOTA LAST YEAR, 6-8 MONTH AGO, TO GIVE NOTICE FOR A RECALL ON MY FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN GRAPEVINE AND AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ORDER THE PART AND CONTACT ME WHEN IT WAS IN. 6 TO 8 MONTH HAVE GONE BY AND ANOTHER REMINDER FROM TOYOTA, TORRANCE, CA ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WAS SENT TO ME. FOLLOWING I CALLED MY GRAPEVINE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE PART WAS IN. I NEEDED TO CHECK MY SCHEDULE AND I CALLED THEY BACK 2 DAYS LATER TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. THEN, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY PART WAS NEVER ORDERED IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY AIRBAG INFLATORS ON STOCK. I HAVE NOW MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH TOYOTA OF LEWISVILLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA OF GRAPEVINE IS ONLY A MILE FROM MY HOUSE.
Air bags, Apr 4, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 23, 2016
TAKATA RECALL SINCE OCTOBER 2015, I HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY BEECHMONT TOYOTA IN CINCINNATI, OHIO THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE REPAIR PART IN STOCK. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY WILL ORDER IT, BUT IT NEVER SEEMS TO COME IN. I AM GROWING CONCERNED, AS THE AIRBAG IN THE CAR NOW MAY BE DANGEROUS, AND COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO MY WIFE AND MYSELF. I AM TIRED OF WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO GET THIS PART, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE AND ONLY STATED THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED A LIMITED SUPPLY OF PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jan 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN JANUARY OF 2015. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CONTINUED TO ADVISE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PROVIDING THE PART. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN EXPERIENCED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Dec 6, 2015
IN EARLY OCTOBER 2015 AFTER RECEIVING FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL CALLED MY DEALER AUTONATION TOYOTA WINTER PARK, FL AND TRIED TO MAKE APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE AIRBAG. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAD NOT GOTTEN THE PARTS AS OF YET BUT WOULD CALL ME BACK WHEN THEY RECEIVED SAME. ON DECEMBER 5, 2015 CALLED THEM AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS BUT WOULD CALL ME WHEN SAME WAS RECEIVED. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE RECEIVING THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON A RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO?
Air bags, Dec 3, 2015
"TAKATA RECALL" I'M TRYING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THIS FIXED BUT, I'M HAVING TROUBLE HAVING A DEALERSHIP CALL ME BACK AFTER LEAVING MESSAGES. WOULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHICH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IS WILLING TO DO THIS? I LIVE IN NEW JERSEY AND MY ZIPCODE IS 08501. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Dec 3, 2015
TAKATA RECALL WE HAVE RECEIVED THE REMEDY NOTICE. NONE OF THE DEALERS IN OUR AREA HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO PERFORM THE REMEDY. FURTHER THAT THE PARTS HAVE BEEN BACK ORDERED FOR MONTHS. TOYOTA'S LETTER SAYS THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF TOYOTA TOOK THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY, OR IF IT AFFECTED THEIR BOTTOM LINE, THEY WOULD SEE TO IT THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS READY TO BE INSTALLED. IF ANYONE IS INJURED IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, I WILL HOLD TOYOTA AND NHTSA RESPONSIBLE.
Air bags, Dec 1, 2015
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE PARTS WERE A LIMITED SUPPLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR THE RECALL PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Nov 24, 2015
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA. AS A RESULT MADE A APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AT WHICH TIME ASKED IF ALL PARTS TO ACCOMPLISH DURING THIS VISIT AND THE ANSWER WAS YES. TOOK THE CAR IN AT APPOINTED TIME AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED AT THIS TIME.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 6, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE CONTACT VEERED INTO THE RIGHT LANE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Air bags, Nov 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL SINCE MAY 13, 2006. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ UPDATED 02/17/16.*JB
Air bags, Oct 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.