2005 Toyota RAV4
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 141 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 26 RAV4 model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 22 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 13 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
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 3, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 06V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
59 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jul 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. YOU 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.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2015
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE AIR BAG IN MY RAV4. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA TWICE AND HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER AND NO ONE WILL GIVE ME AN ANSWER TO WHEN THE CAR CAN BE FIXED. SINCE THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE I CANNOT USE THE CAR. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $35 A DAY FOR A LOANER CAR. I WANT AN ANSWER TO WHEN THE CAR WILL BE REPAIRED. IT HAS BEEN 6 WEEK SINCE I GOT THE NOTICE. I HAVE NO SAFE CAR TO DRIVE...UPDATED 08/27/15 *BF
Air bags, Jul 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT TELEPHONED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE AS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, BUT THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/07/15.*JB
Air bags, Jul 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V284000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Jun 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SPIRAL CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 244,000.
Air bags, Apr 11, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BROKEN THUMBS, CUTS ON THE RIGHT HAND, AND INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND SPINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V096000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 5/19/14*CN UPDATED 06/02/2014 *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 12, 2010, crash
HEAD ON COLLISION, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE RAV 4 TOYOTA 2005. *TR
Air bags, Jul 11, 2007, crash
MY WIFE WAS HIT IN A HEAD ON COLLISION THAT DID OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGE IN THE TOYOTA, 2005 , RAV 4. WITH THIS DAMAGE YOU WOULD THINK ONE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY, AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS WHEN GETTING THE CAR BACK OUT OF THE SHOP.TOYOTA AIRBAG TECHNICIAN SAID THEY DIDN'T ALWAYS DEPLOY DEPENDING ON THE IMPACT, WHAT??,HEAD ON WITH OVER $8.000 IN DAMAGE,WHAT WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE TO BE KILLED. *AK
Air bags, Dec 26, 2006, crash
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. A 13 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT PERMISSION, AND BECAME AFRAID WHEN THE POLICE BEGAN CHASIED HIM. THE 13 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED ONTO ITS ROOF, THEN SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET ON ITS ROOF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY. THE CONTACT HAD ACCESS TO THE POLICE REPORT. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A DIRECT HIT, AND THAT IT WAS NOT AT A 17 DEGREE ANGLE. AK