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
154 reports, newest first.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2016
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED POSITION THE CAR HESITATES, MOVES VERY SLOWLY, THEN WITH ADDED PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL JERKS AS IT SHIFTS INTO SECOND GEAR, AFTER THAT IT SEEMS TO RUN FINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS ARE ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING A BUSY ROAD OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 17, 2016
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.
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.
Engine, Apr 23, 2016
FEB 2016 - WHILE CHECKING FLUIDS I NOTICED THE ANTIFREEZE LEVEL WAS LOW. SANSONE AUTOMALL NJ WAS NOTIFIED AND TOLD ME WHAT TO BUY AND FILL IT UNTIL MY APPT ON 2/27. DURING SERVICE CHECK THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW, APRIL 2016, MY CAR OVERHEATED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT BACK TO SANSONE WITH THE HEAT ON HIGH ON TO KEEP IT FROM OVERHEATING. NOW I'M BEING TOLD I NEED THE HEADGASKET REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ENGINE ($1950 FOR HEADGASKET AND $4500 FOR USED ENGINE) OH AND THEY MADE IT A POINT TO TELL ME THAT THE 25 POINT INSPECTION WAS FREE THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE. SINCE I REFUSED SERVICE, THEY ASKED US TO LEAVE THE CAR, THINK ABOUT IT AND COME BACK SATURDAY TO SPEAK TO THE MECHANIC AND DIRECTOR. WE SHOWED UP BUT NO ONE WHO INSPECTED THE CAR WAS THERE. WE REFUSED SERVICE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR SERVICE AND FOR TOYOTA FOR NOT BEEN PROACTIVE IN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE WHICH SEEMS TO BE GROWING AS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND FOUND MANY OTHERS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA RAV WITH ONLY 76,970 MILES WHICH REALLY WAS A GREAT CAR- NEVER ANY ISSUES. I PURCHASED THIS 'CERTIFIED USED' CAR IN 2007 AT SANSONE AUTOMALL WHICH CAN NOT BE DRIVEN...COST TO FIX IT WILL BE USED TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW NON TOYOTA VEHICLE. IN CONCLUSION, TOYOTA NEEDS TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE LOSING LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND WE ARE SPREADING THE WORD.
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.
Power train, Apr 5, 2016
THE POWER OF THE CAR IS IN TROUBLE AT START, JUMPS LIKE IS LOCKED, OR LOSE POWER, THAN, WHEN I GIVE GAS IS RUNNING OK IN THE STREET OR IGHWAY, TILL STOP AND RENEW RUNNING THE CAR.EVERY TIME THAT I STOP IS THE PROBLEM. THE PROFETIONAL MECHANIS LOOK AT IT, AND HE SAY THE TRANSMITION (SELENOID) IS NOT WORKING.
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.
Engine, Feb 8, 2016
THE SEALS ON THE HEAD GASKET ARE LEAKING COOLANT. THIS IS DUE TO SEVERAL OF THE METAL BOLTS BEING STRIPPED. THIS HAS RENDERED OUR CAR USELESS. OUR MECHANIC, BEING AN HONEST PERSON, IS HESITANT TO BEGIN A SEVERAL THOUSAND $ REPAIR, SINCE HE IS UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT FOR THE LONG TERM. THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING SO COOLANT WAS ADDED BUT THIS LEAKED QUICKLY WITH A 18 MILE RIDE FROM THE CHICAGO SUBURB OF WOODRIDGE INTO THE CITY.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2016, crash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT LESS THAN 10 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY, LURCHED FORWARD, JUMPED THE CURB AND CONTINUED UP A SLOPE. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A BUILDING, AND INSTEAD HIT THE BUILDING ON AN ANGLE ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. THE CAR STOPPED ONLY AFTER HITTING THE BUILDING. THIS IS THE THIRD INSTANCE OF "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE MOST SERIOUS EPISODE. THE OTHER TWO EVENTS WERE SIMILAR. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE THE CAR AGAIN ACCELERATED WHILE I WAS PARKING AT LOW SPEED AND HIT A FENCE. IN THE SECOND INSTANCE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE OR INJURY AS I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 7, 2015
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.
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