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
141 reports, newest first.
Structure, Jul 22, 2008, crash
I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4 WHICH, BECAUSE OF THE SHODDY MATERIAL, I.E., PLASTIC, USED ON THE FENDERS/BUMPERS, BODY OF THE CAR, I HAVE HAD COSTLY DAMAGE WHICH I HAVE HAD TO PAY $1,000 DEDUCTIBLE EVERY TIME, DONE DUE TO BEING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR OR PERSONAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER, ETC. I LOVE MY CAR BUT ALL THAT HAS TO BE DONE TO THE CAR IS FOR ANOTHER CAR OR A POLE OR WHATEVER, TO EVEN A LITTLE MORE THAN LIGHTLY HIT IT AND IT CAVES IN LIKE A PIECE OF ALUMINUM OR PLASTIC. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE WAY CARS ARE MADE NOWADAYS. I COULD'VE BEEN KILLED THIS PAST SUNDAY WHEN I WAS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY AND HIT SOMEONE. MY FRONT FENDER GOT THE BRUNT OF THE DAMAGE. I USED TO HAVE A 1992 TOYOTA TERCEL WITH FENDERS/BUMPERS THAT WERE STRONG AND COULD WITHSTAND A COLLISION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, NOT TO MENTION COSTLY. IT COULD ALSO BE THE CAUSE OF MY INSURANCE BEING RAISED OR DROPPED NEXT YEAR! NO ONE SEEMS TO REALLY CARE ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS CARS ARE BEING MADE NOWADAYS. THANK YOU. *TR
Tires, Jul 6, 2008
BLEW OUT TIRE ON FREEWAY. *TR
Tires, Apr 11, 2008
THIS IS AN UPDATE FOR THE COMPLAINT REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON MY 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. AFTER FINDING A KNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICE MANAGER WHO TOOK THE TIME TO CHECK, HE FOUND THAT THERE IS A TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE SPARE TIRE. MY SPARE WAS JUST A LITTLE LOW ON AIR AND SINCE CORRECTING IT, THE LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON AGAIN. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY REFERENCE TO THE SPARE HAVING A SENSOR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. *TR
Tires, Mar 14, 2008
THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES & THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2007. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, I WILL NEVER KNOW IF THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH A TIRE WITH THIS HAPPENING. I DRIVE THE HIGHWAY DAILY & FIND THIS VERY TROUBLESOME. MY 2005 RAV 4 HAS UNDER 25,000 MILES ON IT. I AM ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF FAILURES TO BE 50, HOWEVER I THINK IT IS MORE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT & TOYOTA SHOULD REQUIRE THESE TO BE RECALLED & FIXED. *TR
Tires, Feb 23, 2008
THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT FAILS CONSTANTLY AND WITHOUT REASON. I'VE HAD MY TIRES CHECKED, RECHECKED, BALANCED, ROTATED, REBALANCED, ROTATED AGAIN, AND NOTHING WILL STOP THE LIGHT FROM COMING ON. THERE ARE ONLY 20,521 MILES ON MY RAV4. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS. I TOOK MY RAV4 TO MY MECHANIC AGAIN THIS MORNING AND AFTER CHECKING ALL THE TIRES AGAIN, HE FOUND NO PROBLEMS. MY TIRES ARE NEW, LESS THAN TWO MONTHS OLD. WHILE TAKING MY HUSBAND TO THE HOSPITAL TODAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT'S A DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX. *TR
Steering, Jan 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FLATBED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE SHOCK ABSORBER AND THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR ASSURE HIM THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,919. UPDATED 01/31/08 *BF
Visibility, Jul 25, 2007
WINDSHIELD CRACKED UNKNOWN CAUSE. ALSO WINDSHIELD CHIPS VERY EASILY. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 6, 2007
HAD 2005 TOYOTA RAV 4 FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DISPLAYED STRAIGHT LINES OF TINY PITS ACROSS BRAKING SURFACE , APPEARED TO BE CASTING FLAWS EXTENDED INTO AND BELOW ROTOR SURFACE. HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES PREMATURELY WEARING ON INNER SIDES, SCRAPING NOISE. *AK ASKED DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP ABOUT THESE ROTORS AND WAS TOLD THEY SEE A LOT OF THEM LIKE THIS.
Tires, Feb 5, 2007
WHEN ROADS ARE ICY OR SNOWY, TPMS WARNS THAT TIRE(S) IS LOW DESPITE ALL TIRES HAVING THE PROPER PRESSURE. AFTER CONFIRMING ADEQUATE TIRE PRESSURES, I RESET THE SYSTEM. AFTER ENCOUNTERING SNOWY/ICY ROADS AGAIN, THE TPMS ALERTS AGAIN. THIS FALSE ALARM WOULD LIKELY CONFUSE MOST DRIVERS. *JB
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
Visibility, Jul 17, 2006
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB
Visibility, Nov 6, 2005
SUN VISOR IS NOT PADDED! WHEN IT IS LEFT IN THE DOWN POSITION YOU BANG YOUR HEAD ON IT WHEN YOU ENTER. PREVIOUS TOYOTA RAV 4 HAD A PADDED VISOR. THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM THAT COULD BE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES IN AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE MY PREVIOUS RAV 4 FOR ALMOST 100,000 MILES WITHOUT EVER NOTICING ANY PROBLEMS. MY NEW 2005 RAV 4 IS HAS A DIFFERENT "SOLID FEELING" VISOR WHICH YOU NOTICE RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU BANG INTO IT. THOUGHT VISORS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PADDED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 20, 2005
FUEL HOSE BROKEN WITHOUT ANY REASON I HAVE KNOWN OF. I DROVE MY CAR IN CASUAL MANNER (SHORT DISTANCE FROM WORK TO HOME) WITH 7900 MILES ON IT AND DIDN'T RECALL HITTING ANYTHING HARD UNDERNEATH MY CAR. PARKED MY CAR LAST FRIDAY. ON SUNDAY, MY 05 RAV4 COULDN'T START AND SMELLED GASOLINE. LOOKED DOWN THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT FUEL HOSE WAS BROKEN AND LEAKING GASOLINE. CALLED FIREFIGHTERS TO STOP THE FUEL HOSE LEAKAGE. TOWED MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE WHOLE FUEL LINE. CONSEQUENCES COULD BE FATAL IF FIRE OBJECT CLOSE BY. THERE MAY BE A POTENTIAL FAULT ON THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL HOSE SHOULDN'T BE BROKEN EASIER AND CAUSED THE LEAK OF GASOLINE. *JB
Tires, Jun 21, 2005
I PURCHASED A 2005 RAV4 2 WHEEL DRIVE, 5 SPEED, IN DECEMBER 2005. THE EXACT DATE, I AM NOT SURE OF IN THAT THE ISSUE IS ONGOING. I FIRST NOTICED THE OE (TOYO TRANPATH A14 215/70R16 99S M-S) TIRES BY TOYO WERE LOOSING TRACTION WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, I ATTRIBUTED THAT TO THE NEW AUTO AND WAS MORE CAREFUL UNTIL I GOT USED TO IT. I WAS COMING HOME ONE DAY AND PROCEEDED ONTO A FREEWAY ONRAMP. THE ROADS WERE WET BUT NOT EXCESSIVE. I MADE THE TURN ONTO THE RAMP SHIFTED AND THE ACCELERATED, I FOUND AT THAT TIME THE TIRES WERE LOOSING TRACTION, SO I BACKED OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I AM ALSO FINDING ON RIBBED FREEWAYS THAT THE CAR WILL NOT TRACK. I RECENTLY WNET TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. FROM HERE IT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS OF DEALER TELLING ME TALK TO TOYOTA AND TOYOTA SAYING TALK TO TOYO. DURING MY NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH TOYO, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE GRADED 300 BB. I ASKED IF THIS WAS PROBLEM, "I DON'T KNOW" MY LAST CONVERSATION WITH TOYO I ASKED IF THE TIRE IS BB WHY DOES MY TIRE SAY AA. THYE NEEDED TO RESEARCH AND NOT TO MY AMAZEMENT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE WAS AN AA AND THEY JUST FOUND OUT. THEY FURTHER STATED THE TIRE USED TO BE BB BUT IN 2001 WAS UPGRADED TO AA. "MISCOMMUNICATION FROM TOYO JAPAN TO THEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED ETC.
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