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: engine
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jul 11, 2019
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, 1/2 QUART EVERY 2 WEEKS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 3 YEARS.
Engine, Jul 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAN CAVA TOYOTA WORLD LLC. (2510 WHITE HALL BLVD, FAIRMONT, WV 26554, 304-366-2720) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VAPOR CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
Engine, Dec 16, 2016
THERE IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AS DESCRIBED BY TOYOTA TSB SB-0015-11, RELATING TO DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD BOLT THREADS. THIS DEFECT CAUSES RAPID BURNING OF COOLANT IN THE ENGINE, LEADING TO OVERHEATING AND EXCESSIVE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND SEPARATION OF THE ENGINE HEAD RESULTING IN LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND FIRE HAZARD. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN THE ISSUE MANIFESTED. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR, RECALL, OR WARRANTY THE DEFECT OR ANY REPAIRS RESULTING FROM THE SAME. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON MANY AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS, ALONG WITH CONFIRMATIONS FROM CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 28, 2016
1) EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN OIL INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WELL BEFORE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS DUE. INITIALLY, THE MECHANIC WAS NOT CONCERNED AND JUST TOPPED OFF THE OIL, AND I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED DATE (MECHANIC DID NOTE THAT THE OIL WAS AGAIN LOW, BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THE OIL LIGHT). ABOUT A 1000 MILES AFTER THAT CHANGE, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THE MECHANIC DID THE SAME THING. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED (EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED), AND PERSONALLY VERIFIED THE OIL LEVEL. SAME THING AGAIN, AND THIS TIME HAD THE SHOP RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ($250 TYVM) AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR (REMOVE AND REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD VALVE STEM SEALS, HEAD GASKET, AND VALVE COVER GASKET) WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $3,400.00. 2) CHECK ENGINE AND VSC TRAC INDICATOR LIGHTS ENGAGED AND MECHANIC INITIALLY INDICATED THAT AN NEW GAS CAP WAS NEEDED, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE, AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC RAN ($250 TYVM) AND WAS TOLD THE REPAIR (REMOVE AND REPLACE THE EVAC CANISTER) WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $875.00. KIND OF DISAPPOINTED IN THE "TOYOTA QUALITY" AT THIS POINT.
Visibility, Engine, May 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE SUN VISOR WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,858.
Engine, Feb 24, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THREADS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Engine, May 18, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD BANG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE TRANSMISSION WAS SKIPPING. I JUST BARELY REACHED A SPOT THAT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AGAIN I COULDN'T GO IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. I CHECKED AND I WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, 2 HOURS LATER AFTER GETTING TOWED TO A AUTO BODY SHOP THEY TOLD ME THE DIFFERENTIAL BLEW UP AND THAT I HAD TO GET ME A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE A SAW THIS SAME THING HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE BUT TOYOTA NEVER DID A RECALL!! NOW I HAVE TO PAY $300 TO GET IT TOWED AND ANOTHER $2600 TO GET IT FIXED ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAD 51,000 MILES.
Engine, Jan 23, 2014
THE OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR. I WAS VERY SURPRISED SINCE MY CAR IS MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR. I BOUGHT MY CAR USED. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT LOOKED AT THEY TOLD ME I HAVE ENGINE SLUDGE AND MY ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD PAY FOR. *TR
Engine, Mar 29, 2013
I NOTICED THAT MY HEATER WASN'T WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BOLTS WERE OVER-TORQUED DURING INSTALLATION AND THEY ARE STRIPPED. I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTINGS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR. TOYOTA ISSUED A BULLETIN REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN 2004. THEY KNOWINGLY SOLD DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2013, fire
FIRST TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED PRESSURE IN ALL TIRES. TIRES WERE AT CORRECT AMOUNT. WENT TO RESET LIGHT WHICH DID NOT WORK. SUV WAS ON AN INCLINE (DRIVEWAY). LET CAR SIT FOR AN HOUR ON FLAT SURFACE. STARTED RAV4.THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON PLUS ABS AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS. CONSULTED OWNERS MANUAL WHICH STATED TO TAKE TO TOYOTA. NO OTHER BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. WAS 1/2 MILE FROM DEALER WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING INTO PASSENGER CABIN. SMOKE/FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND UNDER RAV4. SMOKE WAS A BLUISH GREY. PULLED OFF THE MAJOR ROAD INTO AN ABANDONED BUSINESS DRIVEWAY. TURNED RAV OFF AND RAN. PASSERBY CALLED 911. FIRE TRUCKS/POLICE ARRIVED. RAV WAS A TOTAL LOSS. CALLED TOYOTA USA TO REPORT FIRE. THEY ARE SAYING THAT IT WAS NOT MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL. BUT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SORT OF DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION WITH ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS FOUND. RAV WENT TO DEALER FOR ALL REQUIRED SERVICE AND NEVER HAD AND MAJOR PROBLEMS. IF IT WAS NOT ELECTRICAL THEN WHAT CAUSED MY LIGHTS TO COME ON. THEE VSC TRAC LIGHT HAD NEVER COME ON SINCE I OWNED THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTAS SINCE 1973 AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN. THE RAV4 WAS MY 5TH TOYOTA.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 7, 2012
I HAVE A 2005 4 CYLINDER TOYOTA RAV4 WITH ABOUT 68,000 MILES. IT STARTING MAKING A GURGLING NOISE IN THE DASHBOARD AREA, AND EVENTUALLY LEFT 2 PUDDLES OF ANTI-FREEZE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER CHECKING THE RAV4 OUT, THE REPAIR MANAGER PHONED TO TELL ME THE ENGINE WAS INDEED LEAKING COOLANT AROUND THE ENGINE HEAD BECAUSE THE ENGINE BOLTS HAD STRIPPED. I ASKED HOW THE HEAD BOLTS GOT STRIPPED AND HE REPLIED, "WEAR AND TEAR AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $3000.00 IF THE HEAD BOLT HOLES COULD BE REPAIRED; OTHERWISE, I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE." THE RAV4 HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, SO THIS IS NOT "WEAR AND TEAR", BUT RATHER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AFTER TALKING WITH THE MECHANIC DOING THE REPAIRS, HE SAID THEY SEE MANY OF THESE 4 CYLINDER ENGINES WITH THIS PROBLEM -- MOSTLY ON THE CAMRY, SINCE IT IS BASICALLY A CAMRY ENGINE. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS BECOMING QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM. HERE A FEW WEBSITES WITH VERY UNHAPPY TOYOTA OWNERS: (HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.EE9E769/8444; HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER/2003/CONSUMER-REVIEWS.HTML; HTTP://WWW.CAMRYFORUMS.COM/FORUM/GENERAL-TECH-8/2002-STRIPPED-HEAD-BOLTS-4585/; HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/TOYOTA/HIGHLANDER/2003/ENGINE/THREADS_FOR_ENGINE_BOLTS_STRIPPED.SHTML) APPARENTLY, TOYOTA HAS NOT DONE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND DOES NOT EVEN COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO HAVE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE THE MECHANICS USE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 30, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY LOSING ANTI-FREEZE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,650.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2010
I HAVE A TOYOTA 2005 RAV 4 - 6 CYL. I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOYOTA RECALLS, ACCORDING TO TOYOTA. TWICE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, AFTER THE VEHICLE IDLES DOWN FROM MOVING, THE ENGINE REVS UP AGAIN. THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT TOUCHED AND THE FLOOR MAT IS NOT IN THE WAY. THE ENGINE REVVING UP IS SCARY ENOUGH THAT SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF MY CAR THOUGHT I WAS SPINNING MY WHEELS IN THE SNOW AND ICE, AND I WAS NOT MOVING. I TOOK IT IN TO A DEALER AND THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THEIR COMPUTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. OF COURSE WHEN THEY DROVE IT, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THAT I IMMEDIATELY HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 10, 2009
RE: 2005 TOYOTA RAV4 UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP WHILE DRIVING MY RAV4 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN TRUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE REMOVED THE FLOORMAT WITH NO CHANGE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY 2 TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS (ONE HAD THE CAR FOR EVALUATION FOR A DAY. I WAS CHARGED AN EVALUATION FEE AND FOR A RENTAL CAR) THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. I HOLD A COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE AND HAVE HAD MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DRIVING A WIDE VARIETY OF VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE CAR HITS SOMETHING. TOYOTA MUST ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS REMEDIED THERE IS THE REAL RISK OF SOMETHING OR SOMEONE BEING DAMAGED OR HURT (OR WORSE). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 9, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT THERE IS A UNDERCOATING ON THE ENGINE TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM RUSTING. THE SMELL OF THE CHEMICAL IS TOXIC AND COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVER TO GET SICK, AND CAN EVEN POSSIBLY TO PUT THEM TO SLEEP. THE EFFECT OF THIS IS EVEN HOURS AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS, INCLUDING SYMPTOMS OF LIGHT HEADED, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, AND HEADACHES. THE LONGEST TRIP IN THE VEHICLE IS 20-30 MINUTES AT A TIME. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO REMOVE THE SMELL. THEY WOULD NOT LET THEM TRADE THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH OUT THAT COATING ON THE ENGINE. THE NAME OF THE CHEMICAL IS COSOMOLENE (RUST PROTECTIVE SEALANT).*AK