KnownCarProblems2005 Toyota RAV4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota RAV4, most often about the air bags (42% of complaints, typically around 91,000 miles). It is 24th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints and has 5 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 2005 Toyota RAV4 problems
Air bags
59 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles.
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…
A representative at passport Toyota, located at 5001 auth way, suitland, md told me that because my airbag light wasn't on that they were not going to provide me with a rental vehicle until Toyota announces a permanent solution for my car. This is not only in direct violation of my recall notice (it specifically…
Engine
15 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
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…
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…
Speed control
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota RAV4. While the contact was shifting into park, the engine revved and the rpms increased. The vehicle crashed into a metal post and building. A passenger was slightly bruised. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The…
As I exit the highway on sharp off ramps or take other similar tight turns, vsc trac sensor lights turns on and off and I can hear grinding noise when traction control auto-engages and disengages. The roadways have never been slick or wet and this issue has occurred at various speeds (30-50 MPH).
Brakes
11 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Started my trip from home and I block away I tried to stop for a stop sign, the brake would not hold. I pressed as hard as I could hitting the floor no brake. The vehicle stopped when I hit the curb. Continue driving and stepping on brake to see if problem continue same problem. Had to slowly return home. I drove the…
Was told in 2010 that cause of the back brakes squeaking (in reverse only) was because all rav4s have that problem. Just assumed they knew what they were talking about. Recently went to non-dealership for service and was told that there was a film (don't remember what it was called) that was probably making them…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
When driving at or under the speed limit on some turns my cars slip indicator goes off without any apparent issues and it will start beeping and sometimes it even breaks on it's own and jerks the car. The slip indicator light has turned one while driving under 30 MPH in a dry and paved road. The beeping and jerking…
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…
Wheels and tires
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
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.
I have a 2005 RAV4 now with 35,000 mileage and I experienced an unusual mechanical issue that may have safety implications! In december 2009 I went to replace all four tires on my vehicle at a sears auto shop and had requested the recommended wheel alignment. The mechanic found the mechanisms on the vehicle that…
Visibility and wipers
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, sun/moon roof assembly.
On my way to cheshire ct on the highway my sun roof blew off the top of my car, thank god no cars were behind me I hardly use it after flying over the back of my car. When I got to my destination were my sun roof was its all rusted out this should have never happened I feel Toyota is responsible for repairs on my car.…
The sun visors on the drivers side and on the passenger side do not stay up.they flop down and cause a visibility issue especially while driving at night.I push the visors up and they immediately fall down covering the top half of the windshield .
Steering
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
Over the past few days, the last incident occurring on 2/14/2014, my car will suddenly lose power as I am driving, for about one to three seconds, then just as sudden kick back on again. When it loses power for that second or two, I lose my power steering capabilities and the battery light come on. Once the power…
When driving at or under the speed limit on some turns my cars slip indicator goes off without any apparent issues and it will start beeping and sometimes it even breaks on it's own and jerks the car. The slip indicator light has turned one while driving under 30 MPH in a dry and paved road. The beeping and jerking…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2005 Toyota RAV4
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota RAV4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (59 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles); speed control (13 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have?
- 5 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 2005 a bad year for the Toyota RAV4?
- It is 24th of 26 RAV4 model years by number of complaints, with 141 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.