KnownCarProblems2004 Toyota RAV4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota RAV4, most often about the air bags (31% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is 22nd of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2004 Toyota RAV4 problems
Air bags
47 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
- 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…
Takata recall, was notified by Toyota. I called local dealership who said they did not have the parts to fix. Told I was put on a list to be called when parts came in. Was called by Toyota to ask if the repair had been made, I told them no and they hung up on me. Still waiting on call.
Engine
29 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2.4l engine was loosing coolant and overheating. I thought it was a bad water pump due to the leaking on the right side of the engine. After taking it to my local repair garage, I learned that the cause was 3 stripped out bolts holding the head onto the block. Solution....new engine at $5500. Toyota refuses to…
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.…
Transmission
23 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I have a 2004 Toyota RAV4. The check engine light came on and after about 20 miles the car started shifting hard and finally wouldn't get in gear. Took it to the dealer, and they said the electronic control module (ECM) is at fault (error p0766- shift solenoid d stuck). They replaced the ECM but the problem persisted.…
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…
Speed control
20 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I was pulling into a parking spot at less than 10 MPH when the engine revved loudly, lurched forward, jumped the curb and continued up a slope. I was unable to stop the car. I was able to turn the wheel to avoid a head-on collision with a building, and instead hit the building on an angle on the left front side. The…
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota RAV4. The contact started the vehicle and as he shifted into reverse, a rapid acceleration occurred causing the vehicle to crash into a building. The contact sustained minor injuries to the neck. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a collision facility. The…
Visibility and wipers
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: glass, side/rear, windshield.
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…
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.
Electrical
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: software.
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.…
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…
Brakes
8 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
: 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.
: 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.
Stability control
7 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles.
When driving on hills, specify during a turn, at sporadic times, the ESC light comes on, with 3 beeps from the dash......the car jerks and lugs, like the engine is dying, then resumes normal speed. Each time this happens is a little more dramatic than the last, and has happened 5 times in the past month. My car has…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Toyota RAV4 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Toyota RAV4
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota RAV4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (47 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); engine (29 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); transmission (23 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Toyota RAV4?
- It is 22nd of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints, with 154 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.