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.
Power train, Oct 21, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY DRIVE NORMALLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS WARM. WHILE IDLING ON TOP OF A HILL THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 2, 2009
ON JUNE 1, 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 WITH 121K MILES WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT HOT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & VSC TRAC LIGHT CAME ON. DISCOVERED COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW. TOOK TO DEALER NEXT MORNING WHO QUOTED ME A "HEAD GASKET" REPAIR FOR $1500 OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. AFTER A MONTH OF NOT DRIVING IT (TO COME UP WITH FUNDS FOR REPAIR), I RETURNED TO DEALER ON JULY 1, 2009. DEALER ADVISED AFTER TAKING IT APART THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND THE BOLTS WERE "STRIPPED" AND I ALSO NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BLOCK WHICH WOULD RUN ABOUT $6,000+. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE UNTIL THIS INCIDENT & COMPLETED GENERAL MAINTENANCE REGULARLY. DEALER CALLED TOYOTA WARRANTY WHO AGREED TO PAY FOR ENGINE BLOCK (PARTS & LABOR FOR EVERYTHING BELOW THE HEAD) BUT THAT I STILL HAD TO PAY THE ORIGINAL QUOTE OF $1500 FOR THE HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP & S BELT. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM, OBVIOUSLY SINCE TOYOTA AGREED TO PAY FOR PART OF THIS THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS DEFECTIVE BUT WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL. I FEEL THEY OWE ME THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR AS WELL SINCE IT IS ALL PART OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WILL FILE A PRODUCT COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2009
CAR WAS SERVICED MAY 28, 2009, THEN DRIVEN ACROSS COUNTRY, FROM NEW YORK STATE. ABOUT TWO HOURS OUTSIDE OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY EMPTY OF COOLANT. CAR BROUGHT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE NO RADIATOR OR OTHER COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS WERE DETECTED, BUT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. WHEN THEY TORE DOWN THE ENGINE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET, THEY STATED THAT "THE BOLTS ARE STRIPPED" AND NOW THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED -- AT A COST OF $7000 +. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN OTHER TOYOTAS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THERE MIGHT BE A TSB OUT ON IT -- BUT IT WAS PAST WARRANTY AND SO WERE "STUCK". NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN WHY THE BOLTS WOULD HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY "STRIPPED". THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THREE WEEKS WHILE WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT. THE HEAD MECHANIC SAYS IT ISN'T WORTH ANYTHING BUT HE'LL TAKE IT OFF OUR HANDS FOR THE COST OF THE PARTIAL REPAIR BILL ($600). WE'RE NOT GETTING THE STRAIGHT STORY, TOYOTA REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR, BUT THERE ARE POSTINGS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH VERY SIMILAR STORIES, INCLUDING THAT TOYOTA HAS SELECTIVELY "PARTICIPATED" IN THE REPAIRS. THERE IS NO TSB FOR THIS CAR APPARENTLY -- BUT THERE ARE FOR CARS WITH THE SAME ENGINE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2009
HEAD GASKET ON THE 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE INCLUDING CHANGING FRONT BRAKE PADS, AN ALIGNMENT AND OIL CHANGE. WITHIN A WEEK OF THIS VISIT MY HEAT WOULDN'T WORK, TOOK IT BACK, WAS RECHECKED AND ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WITHIN A WEEK AFTER THIS VISIT IT STARTED TO SMOKE, TOOK IT BACK AND WAS ADVISED THAT I HAD A LEAK, NEEDED A NEW WATERPUMP. TOOK IT FOR A SECOND OPINION AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT BACK TO MY DEALERSHIP. THEY BROKE DOWN THE ENGINE AND ESSENTIALLY ADVISED ME THAT THE THREADS ON MY HEAD GASKET FELL AND APART IN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL TOYOTA TO SEE THEY WOULD HELP WITH THE COST. I'VE HEARD THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS USED IN SOME TOYOTA MODELS. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND ONLY HAD 86,000 MILES ON IT BEFORE IT WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS UNLESS I WANTED TO PAY $6,000 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL I FOUND ONLINE DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IT WAS FOR AN OLDER VERSION OF THIS CAR. I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE PRODUCING THE SAME DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AND LEAVING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO ABSORB THE COST. THIS IS TRULY UNFAIR AND IN OUR CURRENT ECONOMY, I AM FORCED TO BUY A CAR FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD BEEN PREVENTED IF THEY WERE MAKING QUALITY AND RELIABLE HEAD GASKETS FOR ALL THEIR CARS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Tires, Jan 16, 2009
TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ALWAYS LIT...EVEN WITH FULL TIRE PRESSURE. NOW AT 151K MILES, THE VSC TRAC, TRAC OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG AND BULLETIN BOARDS SHOW PEOPLE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY AT DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE IT COME ON AGAIN. I WILL NOT GO THAT ROUTE, AND WILL TRY TO TURN IT OFF AS IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A GLITCH. WANT TO REPORT IN THE HOPES THAT TOYOTA WILL FIX/RECALL. I LOVE MY RAV4 AND WANT TO BUY ANOTHER ONE WHEN THIS ONE IS TOO OLD TO DRIVE, BUT DON'T WANT TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR
Visibility, Mar 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER TWO REAR WINDOWS SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDOW JUST POPPED, SHATTERED, AND EXPLODED. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT HAD JUST GOTTEN INTO THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DRIVER SIDE ALSO POPPED, SHATTERED, AND EXPLODED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY REFERRED HER TO A LOCAL DEALER. SHE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT TOYOTA, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED HER CALLS. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Dec 28, 2007
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
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2007
VEHICLE HAS A FLAT SPOT, OR THROTTLE RESPONSE LAG, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN COLD, AND STARTING OFF IN 1ST GEAR. SUSPECT THE ECU MAY NEED UPDATING, WITH THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 9, 2007
THERE IS A THROTTLE RESPONSE DELAY UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION, MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN ENGINE IS STILL COLD. MOST RESEMBLES A FLAT SPOT. ENGINE ACTUALLY STUMBLES, OR HESITATES WHEN STARTING OFF. ALSO HESITATES WHEN UNDERWAY UNTIL WARM. *TR
Air bags, Feb 28, 2007, crash
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ANOTHER A VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. IT WAS BADLY DAMAGED, AND SO WAS THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD THE SEAT BELT ON . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CONTACT HAD PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK
Power train, Dec 30, 2006
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BROKEN WHILE SELECTING TO PARK, THIS VEHICLE COULD ROLL FORWARD OR BACKWARD UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE. IF IN CASE THE CABLE BROKEN WITHOUT KNOWING WHILE CRUISING I HAVE NO OPTION TO DOWNSHIFT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ON A DOWNHILL ROAD OR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I'VE REPLACED THE PART AT A COST OF $196.00 + LABOR. *NM
Child seat, Sep 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE CHILD WAS RESTRAINED IN A SAFETY SEAT, THE CHILD'S LEFT THUMB BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE SLOT FOR A REMOVABLE CUP HOLDER THAT ATTACHED TO THE SEAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE OCCUPANT'S FINGER FROM THE SLOT, BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE THUMB COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE CHILD INSIDE THE SEAT WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE THE SAFETY SEAT WAS LITERALLY CUT OFF OF THE OCCUPANT'S THUMB. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS A COSCO ALPHA OMEGA, MODEL # 22-151-BLA; DATE OF MANUFACTURE WAS NOV. 14, 2005. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR AND THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CALIPER REMAINED IN A CLOSED POSITION. THE PADS, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. 10,000 MILES LATER, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PADS, ROTORS AND PINS WERE REPLACED.
Visibility, Aug 23, 2006
WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY DURING MY LUNCH HOUR, 1310 HOURS, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CRACK STARTS AT THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE, COMES AND AT ALMOST THE MIDDLE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, CURVES TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. CAR IS 2 1/2 YEARS OLD. CAR WAS TAKEN FOR SERVICE THE NEXT DAY. TOYOTA REFUSES REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. FOUR SERVICE TECH'S SAID THEY SEE NO ROCK CHIPS, AND SAID THE CRACK IS DUE TO FACTORY FAILURE. HOWEVER, ON THE SERVICE REPORT, IT'S WRITTEN THAT CRACK IS DUE TO HEAT. I LIVE IN EUREKA, CALIFORNIA, ON THE COAST, WHERE THE HIGH MIGHT BE 63 DEGREES IF WE ARE LUCKY! *JB
Visibility, Jul 28, 2006
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN, HEARD A LOUD NOISE LOOKED BACK TO SEE THE REAR DOOR WINDOW SHATTER COMPLETELY. UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW PULLED AWAY ABOUT 3/4 INCH ON BOTH EDGES, IT BOWED OUTWARDS AND THERE WAS A RECTANGULAR OPENING IN THE GLASS ABOUT 6 INCHES WIDE BY 2 INCHES HIGH. THE LOCAL DEALER CONCURRED THAT IT WAS NOT A NORMAL REACTION TO THE GLASS BEING HIT BY AN OBJECT BUT SAID NO INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED THEREFORE WILL NOT PAY FOR THE COST OF THE GLASS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 15, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY DEPLETED IN THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT REACHED 12000 MILES. ON A DRY ROAD, THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY EXTENDED, AND GREATER FORCE THAN USUAL HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO SUGGESTED CALLING NHTSA.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 29, 2006, crash
DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION INVOLVING THE PASSENGER FRONT ENDS OF BOTH VEHICLES TWO OF THREE SEATBELTS DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING TWO PASSENGERS TO COLLIDE WITH THE DASHBOARD AND THE REAR OF THE FRONT SEAT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL. THE RAV 4 WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH, THE OTHER VECHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40-45 MPH.*AK
Visibility, Oct 18, 2005
DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BACK WINDOW ON MY 2004 TOYOTA RAV4 SHATTERED TO PIECES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT SOMETHING HIT THE WINDOW. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE WINDOW SHATTERED ON IT'S OWN. *JB WINDOW WAS REPLACED THE DAY AFTER THE EVENT TOOK PLACE.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2005
HAVE APPROXIMATELY 15900 MILES ON MY 2004 RAV4. ENGINE RUNNING QUIETLY UNTIL ONE DAY I WAKE UP AND THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT IS ESPECIALLY LOUD COMING FROM THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SOUND IS ALSO BAD WHEN I ACCELERATE BUT ALSO LOUD IDLING. TOYOTA SAYS IT IS NORMAL EVEN THOUGH EVERY OTHER NEW CAR I HAVE OWNED NEVER SOUNDED LIKE THAT EVEN AFTER 100K ON THE ENGINE . *JB
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2005
WHEN MY CAR IGNITION KEY IS IN THE "ACCESSORY" POSITION THE FM CHANNELS OF MY RADIO ARE CLEAR. WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION THE FM CHANNELS CANNOT BE HEARD OVER THE STATIC.
Visibility, Jun 7, 2005
THE VEHICLE HAD A REAR DOOR WITH A WINDOW AND WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH A POP WAS HEARD. THE WINDOW SHATTERED THEN STARTED BREAKING AWAY. IT WAS A MILD DAY. A POLICE OFFICER WAS NEARBY WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF A FOREIGN OBJECT, SUCH AS A BULLET OR ROCK, ETC. TOYOTA WAS CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY DEFECT WITH THE WINDOW. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THAT NO INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED BY TOYOTA. *AK *SC *JB
Other or unspecified, Apr 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
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2005, fire
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
Vehicle speed control, Sep 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
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Sep 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