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.
Engine, Nov 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Structure, Jul 17, 2014
THIS 10 YEAR OLD CAR HAD BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFE. IT WAS DRIVEN 4 OR 5 TIMES A WEEK IN NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION AND HOLDS THE WHEELS ON RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THERE WERE LARGE HOLES IN THE FRAME. TOYOTA OF BUTTE MONTANA AND TOYOTA OF WENATCHEE WASHINGTON BOTH REQUIRED THAT I SIGN A STATEMENT THAT I UNDERSTOOD THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE FRAME MEMBER WAS TOO RUSTED. TOYOTA OF WENATCHEE DID NOT WANT ANYONE EVEN STANDING UNDER IT. TOYOTA OF WENATCHEE OFFERED $1000 TOWARDS $2900 IN REPAIRS BUT REQUIRED THAT ALL THE REPAIRS BE DONE THROUGH THEM. I HAD THE CROSS MEMBER REPLACED AND THE OTHER REPAIRS DONE ELSEWHERE FOR $1200. TOYOTA CORPORATE REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE AND SEES NO NEED OF A RECALL. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES IN HIGH SALT AREAS (LIKE NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE). I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CROSS MEMBER. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 9, 2014, crash
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH ~1 CAR LENGTH BETWEEN ME AND ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE CAR AHEAD BEGAN TO MOVE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND MOVED IT TO THE ACCELERATOR AS USUAL. AT THAT POINT, MY CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. MY BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. I HAD TO SWERVE AROUND THE CAR I HIT WHILE MY CAR CONTINUED AT HIGH SPEED THROUGH TWO STOP SIGNS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. DURING THIS TIME, I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ONCOMING CARS. ALL THE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT THEY WOULDN'T ENGAGE AND MY SPEED DIDN'T DECREASE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE, THE BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT, PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE INITIAL LOW SPEED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2014
SUN VISOR WON'T STAY IN THE UP POSITION CAUSING A SAFETY PROBLEM BY RESTRICTING VISIBILITY. IT ALSO SOMETHING TO HIT YOUR FOREHEAD ON AS I DID RECENTLY DURING A QUICK STOP. THE VISOR ALSO CAN'T BE USED CORRECTLY FOR SUN SINCE IT WON'T POSITION CORRECTLY. IT A KNOWN DEFECT ON MY RAV4. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2014
MY CARS CHECK ENGINE AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT SOMETIMES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. MY HUSBAND HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR AND I HAD TO FOLLOW HIM HOME B/C THE CAR WAS SO UNPREDICTABLE. HE WOULD HAVE TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WOULD HESITATE BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD THEN JERK FORWARD. HE WAS TERRIFIED THAT HE WOULD GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION! I FOUND AN ARTICLE ONLINE ABOUT HOW TOYOTA PROVIDED EXTENDED WARRANTYS TO 2001-2003 RAV4 VEHICLE OWNERS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE SEE ARTICLE: HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2010/02/18/TOYOTA-OWNERS-COMPLAIN-THIS-TIME-ABOUT-THE-RAV4/?_PHP=TRUE&_TYPE=BLOGS&_R=0 PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS! ITS NOT FAIR THAT PEOPLE WITH A 2004 OR LATER CAN'T BENEFIT FROM THIS! I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND LEFT A COMPLAINT. *TR
Engine, Dec 7, 2013
IN OCTOBER/2013 WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 START SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT IT WAS COOLANT FLUIDS ALL OVER THE ENGINE, TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND AFTER CHECK IT OUT, IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, RESULTS WAS THE HEAD BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND STRIPPED FROM THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE, AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS CRACKED, REPLACED THE AFFECTED PARTS, NEW COOLANT, TOTAL COST $1874.00, THE VEHICLE IS BACK ON THE ROAD, NOTE TO THAT IS THAT THE CAR HAS ONLY 53000 MILES, PURCHASED NEW A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS ONLY WHAT IT WAS DRIVEN. TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS (3 CONTACTED), THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM AND THEY "HAVE NOT KNOWLEDGE OR RECALLS FOR THE PROBLEM", (LITTLE HARD TO BELIEVED TO ME) THE LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND THAT THERE IS A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, DRILL AND RE-TAP, INSERT NEW HEAD BOLTS, NEW HEAD GASKET, BACK ON THE ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY TOYOTA AS MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY OR HAVE THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROBLEM, ARGUING THE VEHICLE ALREADY IS OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN AS IS NOTED IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 10, 2013
VEHICLE DECELERATE, IGNORES THROTTLE INPUT WITH ESP LIGHT FLASHING AND SOMETIMES A 'BEEPING' SOUND WITH VIOLENT SEQUENTIAL BRAKE APPLICATION BY ITSELF OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WITH THE VIOLENT CONSEQUENCE THAT IT HAS ON STEERING WHEEL. MADE A 'RESET' OF STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR PROCEDURE BY TOYOTA STEPS. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. BY MY EXPERIENCE AS AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN I SUSPECTED OF AN ESP PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHTLY INCREASED INPUT OF STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO HAVE THE SAME EFFECT THAN BEFORE. BY VISUAL INSPECTION, WITH ANOTHER PERSON MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (PLAY) OF STEERING 'RACK AND PINION' FROM ITS MOUNTING BUSHINGS TO THE BODY. Y PAY TO HAVE THOSE BUSHINGS REPLACED, AND PROBLEM SOLVED. IT IS A COMMON ISSUE. NOW 135,000 MILES AND STILL NO PROBLEMS. THE ESP, BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL ANGLE SENSOR READING (CAUSED BY THE ADDITIONAL INPUT REQUIRED BY RACK AND PINION DEFECTIVE MOUNTING BUSHINGS) BEHAVES LIKE VEHICLE IS GOING STRAIGHT, SLIDING, INSTEAD OF TAKING THE TURN, SO THE ESP TRY TO 'CORRECT' A CONDITION THAT IT'S NOT HAPPENING. PROBLEMS COULD ALSO HAPPENS TO VEHICLES GOING STRAIGHT (DECELERATING, ESP LIGHT FLASHING, BEEPING SOUND AND/OR VIOLENT BRAKE APPLIED TO ONE OF FRONTAL WHEELS). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Aug 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED AND THE WARNING CHIME BEGAN TO SOUND. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Jun 18, 2013, crash
I ENTERED MY CAR IN THE HOME GARAGE WHILE COASTING AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I APPROACHED ABOUT 5 FEET WITHIN MY PARKING SPOT. AFTER THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, IT WAS A MATTER OF SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR CRASHED INTO A FLOOR CABINET AND REFRIGERATOR THAT RESTS AGAINST OUR GARAGE WALL STOPPING THE CAR'S FORWARD MOVEMENT AND ALLOWING ME PUT THE CAR IN THE DRIVE GEAR AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED. THE CRASH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR, BOTH FRONT SIDE FENDERS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, THE GARAGE WALL, FLOOR CABINET AND REFRIGERATOR. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL INTERNAL DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD BUT AT THIS POINT THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CAR DAMAGES ARE SO EXTENSIVE THAT IT MAY BE A TOTAL LOSS. OBVIOUSLY, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED BY THIS INCIDENT AND WILL NOT TRUST THE CAR IN THE FUTURE. I PROMPTLY REPORTED THIS TO MY INSURANCE CO. AND FILED AN INCIDENT WITH TOYOTA AND REQUESTED THAT THEY PERFORM A ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS. *TR
Power train, Structure, May 7, 2013, crash
I WAS STARTING TO MAKE A K-TURN IN A PARKING LOT. I PUT ON THE BRAKES TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. I MOVED BACK IN REVERSE A LITTLE BIT. THEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD OUT OF MY CONTROL CRASHING INTO A GARBAGE DUMPSTER, FRIGHTENING ME AND DAMAGING MY VEHICLE SEVERELY. I AM CERTAIN I DID NOT GIVE THE CAR ANY GAS TO MAKE IT GO FORWARD AND CAUSE THAT ACCIDENT. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I SUFFERED ONLY MINOR ACHES AND PAINS AS I WAS 75 AT THE TIME. I STILL OWN THE RAV4 AND HAVE HAD NO OTHER ACCIDENTS OR PROBLEMS SINCE THAT TIME. NOW THAT I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS ON LATER YEAR VEHICLES, I WONDER ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE 2004 RAV4. I HOPE NHTSA CAN HELP ME. *TR
Engine, Feb 28, 2013
ON 02/27/2013, MY CAR WAS LEAKING COOLANT, SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE A CHECK. IT TURNS OUT THE COOLANT WERE LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET AND THE HEAD BOLT WAS LOOSEN AND STRIPPED. THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIX THE LEAK. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE. IT WILL COST ME $8,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I TURNED TO INTERNET FOR HELP AND FOUND OUT A LOOSEN HEAD BOLT CAUSE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS A VERY COMMENT ISSUE FOR TOYOTA ENGINE 2AZ-FE. IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THE STRIPED HEAD BOLT IS AN ENGINE DEFECT. THIS COULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IF TOYOTA HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB TO ENSURE THE HEAD BOLT WON'T STRIPED OVER TIME. I AM NOT SAYING THE BOLTS SHOULD LAST FOREVER. HOWEVER, THE BOLTS IN A CAR ENGINE SHOULD OUT LAST THE BOLTS ON MY OUTDOOR DECK. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 25, 2013
MY CAR HAD THE CHECK ENGINE AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. IF I START THE CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL SOMETIME NOTHING HAPPENS, SOMETIMES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO TOYOTA DEALER NEXT. THEY SAID IT WAS A ACCELERATOR PEDAL ERROR (P2121 ERROR) AND CARD WAS NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING. THE CAR IS STILL AT TOYOTA DEALER FOR FURTHER TROUBLE SHOOTING. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 31, 2012
WHEN I DRIVE MY AUTOMATIC AWD 2004 RAV4 (143,000 MILES, ONLY OWNER, MAINTAINED WELL THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE) ON THE FREEWAY AROUND SLIGHT CURVES, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON AND BEEPS LOUDLY. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED MY ENGINE STALLED, JERKED, AND THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SWERVED ME INTO THE NEXT LANE, ALMOST CAUSING A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT, I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKE OR TURNING THE WHEEL. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR, BUT THEY COULD NOT GIVE ANY SOLID ANSWERS ON WHY MY CAR IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE TECH ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR DURING THE TEST DRIVE. AFTER PAYING $100, THEY SAID IT COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO BLOWN REAR STRUTS THAT ARE CAUSING THE BACK WHEELS TO BOUNCE AROUND FREEWAY CURVES WHICH MAKE THE SPEED SENSORS THINK ONE OF THE WHEELS IS SKIDDING AND ACTIVATES THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT COMPLETELY SURE. THEY SAID THE SENSORS WERE ALL GOOD. THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING ELSE UNLESS I STARTED OUT BY SPENDING OVER $2000 TO TRY FIXING RANDOM THINGS THEY RECOMMENDED. THEY TOLD ME IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. BEFORE THE DIAGNOSTIC AT TOYOTA, I HAD ALREADY CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS AND SPEED RINGS, AND ALL THE SPEED RINGS ARE INTACT. THE CAR DOES NOT THROW ANY CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND ONCE THE CAR GETS BACK TO NORMAL (IE PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR OFF THE FREEWAY), THE LIGHT AND ALARM TURN OFF. I HAVE TRIED DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE ON THE CAR, YET IT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND MAKING MY CAR INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE! ALSO, I LIVE IN ARIZONA...THERE WAS NO RAIN, SNOW, ICE OR MUD WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY...THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON ITS OWN. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Air bags, Engine, Oct 10, 2012, crash, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SLID FORWARD AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH OVER A CURB AND INTO A POLE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH, SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING AND PAIN TO THE LOWER BACK. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND WAS LATER DISCHARGED WITH NO MAJOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER ADVISED THAT THE CRASH DID NOT OCCUR IN BETWEEN BOTH DOORS SO THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINEER STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER PUSHED THE ENGINE BACK AND FRACTURED THE TRANSMISSION LINES, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. AS A RESULT, THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FIRE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Power train, Jun 13, 2012
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. NOTICED THAT AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE RPM'S WERE VERY HIGH. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE CODE SHOWED THAT THE SOLENOID WAS BAD. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $750. THEN TOLD THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND ANOTHER $4300. I KNOW THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE 2001-2003 TOYOTA RAV4 TRANSMISSIONS, THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 2004 AS THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE THE SAME. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. BOUGHT A TOYOTA FOR RELIABILITY AND WHAT I THOUGHT WERE GREAT VEHICLES. VERY SAD WHEN I READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I KNOW WHAT MY NEXT CAR WILL NOT BE. *TR
Power train, May 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM FOURTH GEAR TO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE COMPLAINTS ON THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 8/29/12 *CN
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 10, 2012
I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FOR MY CAR WAS SHOT UP NEAR THE RED. IN ADDITION TO THIS, TWO WARNING LIGHTS (VSC TRAC AND CHECK ENGINE) ALSO CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, AND CALLED AAA, WHICH TOWED ME TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANAGER THERE TOOK A LOOK AT MY CAR, AND SAID THAT I WAS OUT OF COOLANT. HE THEN ADDED HALF A GALLON OF COOLANT TO MY CAR AND TOLD ME I SHOULD BE ALL SET. APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES LATER, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOT UP TO THE RED AGAIN. I THEN PULLED OVER, AND SAW THAT ALL OF THE COOLANT THE REPAIR SHOP ADDED EARLIER WAS GONE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. ONE, THE HEAD GASKET WAS BROKEN. AND TWO, SOME OF THE STEEL BOLTS IN THE ENGINE WERE STRIPPED OUT. ALL IN ALL, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $7000 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. I'VE LOOKED AROUND ON THE WEB AND SAW THAT MANY OTHER 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AND TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE A RECALL OF THIS UNSAFE, AND POORLY DESIGNED MODEL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2011
MY 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4 STARTED OVERHEATING/SMOKING WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND SAW LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND I HOPED IT WAS JUST A HOSE OR THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. I RAN TO THE STORE, BOUGHT ANTIFREEZE, FILLED THE RADIATOR AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY, I DROVE IT TO A FRIENDS MECHANIC. THE ENGINE IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE DUE TO THE ENGINE BOLTS STRIPPING. APPARENTLY TOYOTA INSTALLED STEEL BOLTS INTO AN ALUMINUM BLOCK AND IF THE ENGINE HEATS TOO MUCH, THE BOLTS STRIP OUT, CAUSING THE LEAKAGE. THE SHOP SAID THE REPAIR WILL COST ME 5K AT A DEALERSHIP AND 3.5K AT A PRIVATE GARAGE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS: DISCUSSION THREAD RESPONSE ([XXX]) 10/11/2011 06:11 AM DEAR MS. _______________; THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC. WE ARE SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE ENGINE OF YOUR RAV4, AND APOLOGIZE THIS ASPECT OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. WE DO NOT SHOW A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR RECALL FOR THE CONDITION YOU DESCRIBED, AND THUS DO NOT HAVE SPECIFIC INSIGHT TO PROVIDE. IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE A FAILED OR BROKEN COMPONENT, WE RECOMMEND CONTACTING THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AT YOUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR COMMENTS AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, WHERE THEY REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW FROM THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS. IT IS THROUGH FEEDBACK SUCH AS YOURS WE ARE ABLE TO MONITOR AND IMPROVE UPON THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCT. IF WE MAY BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT US VIA EMAIL OR BY CALLING 800-331-4331. WE ARE AVAILABLE FROM 5 AM TO 6 PM, PACIFIC TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM SATURDAY. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED YOUR COMMENTS AT OUR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS UNDER FILE #. IF TOYOTA HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS THEN WHY HAVE THEY CREATED A REPAIR KIT TO FIX THE THREADS IN THE HEAD? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 29, 2011
EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS A PERFECT MAINTENANCE RECORD AND HAS NO HISTORY OF OVER HEATING, THE HEAD BOLTS PULLED LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL FROM THE HEAD GASKET AREA. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY DESERT TOYOTA OF TUCSON. THE ENGINE GOT COVERED WITH MOTOR OIL AND WHILE IT WAS HOT IT SMOKED EXTENSIVELY TO THE POINT I FEARED IT WOULD CATCH FIRE. IT DID NOT IGNITE BECAUSE THE RAV4 WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF BEFORE IT COULD HAPPEN. TOYOTA CORP. WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, BUT ISSUED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. DESERT TOYOTA PRESCRIBED A $6130 REPAIR. *KB
Tires, Sep 8, 2011
TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 37K BECAUSE THEY WERE DRY ROTTED. I REPLACED THE TIRES PER THE TIRE WARRANTY WITH THE SAME TIRES AND AT 95K MILES THEY ARE AGAIN DRY ROTTED. I RECOMMEND THAT TOYOTA STOP PUTTING TOYO TIRES ON ITS RAV4S. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TOYOTA ISSUED BATTERY TWO TIMES IN THE VEHICLE AND IT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ECM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2011
WENT TO GET A TIRE REPAIRED, THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT I HAD A FLUID LEAK. HE INDICATED IT WAS PRETTY BAD AND I NEEDED TO GET IT LOOKED AT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DROVE IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY CONFIRMED I HAD A LEAK AND IT WAS COOLANT. I LEFT THE CAR FOR REPAIRS AND WAS CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS INDICATING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY DEFECTS REGARDING THE HEAD GASKET.
Visibility, Jul 19, 2011
2004 TOYOTA RAV4 DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO FOR NO REASON. DEALER STATES IT IS NOT A DEFECT SO NOTHING SHORT OF REPLACING IT CAN BE DONE. I HAVE TO PUSH THE VISOR UP AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD TO GET IT OUT OF MY SIGHTLINE. I HAVE READ THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THIS YRS. RAV4. *KB
Visibility, Jun 17, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 WILL NOT STAY UP. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTS YOUR VISION WHEN IT DROPS DOWN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. THE VISOR IS CLIPPED IN AT THE TIME, BUT IT ROTATES INTO A DOWN POSITION ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE AWHILE, AND I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS TO KEEPING THE VISOR SECURED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE TOYOTA DEALER DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A DEFECT AND THEIR ANSWER IS TO BUY A NEW ONE. HOWEVER, SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ONLINE THAT THE NEW ONE FAILS AFTER AWHILE, TOO. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTAS, BECAUSE 2001-2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDERS AND TUNDRAS HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ON ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARDS. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR IN 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 11, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE BOLTS WERE DETERIORATED CAUSING THE GASKET TO OVERHEAT AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED TO COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.