2004 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 154 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Rear suspension control arm assembly (that supports the springs, control arm rods, shocks, as well as the the hub, brakes and wheel ) breaks completely due to rust and corrosion. It is a poor design that you can see this would happen at the weakest and narrowest section of the part. This causes the entire wheel assembly to drop or twist off, as it did mine and fortunately not on highway however on a busy local road. This vehicle was bought in [XXX], but original owner primarily had it in [XXX] where I can understand there was lots of salt on the road during snow time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2026
“The inspection sticker mechanic inspected the car and found the rear brake hoses rubbing against the sway bar indicating that there should be a clip somewhere to prevent rubbing. See picture attached. See if a possible safety recall can be done on all Toyota RAV4 vehicles.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2026
“The transmission slips suddenly, even during highway driving conditions, which almost resulted in a terrible crash. I found out that the electronic control module for these vehicles is defective and must be repaired to correct the transmission issues.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The TRAC system which brakes the car when it senses the wheel loosing traction hits the breaks on curves, even when turned off. It is random. It is not part of the inspection. When the streets are rain slick it has caused my car to skid out of the lane I was in. It has not been reproduced by anyone as I have not turned the car in to an independent dealer or mechanic. This vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. The TRAC light comes on and beeps when the car breaks.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2022
“Good afternoon! I just notice today the rear suspension is very rusty. I would like to know if is any recall in this car. Thanking in advance for helping in this matter.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2020
“Takata recall I purchased this car in january 2019 and since that time have received numerous mailed notices from toyota "safety recall follow-up notice." I have made at least 8 phone calls to toyota and been promised repeatedly that I will be contacted for airbag replacement...but have not been contacted. Each person with whom I speak faithfully promises that I will be contacted, then nothing. I live in rural alaska on an island without a toyota dealer. The closest toyota dealer is in anchorage. Getting my vehicle to anchorage will entail a 12-24 hour ferry ride and a 2-8 hour highway drive.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“Driver side visor keeps falling down and blocking view and will not stay in upright position. Other drivers report same issue with this rav4 -2004 and beyond model year. Not a recall item and wonder why not?”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jul 2018
“I have experienced hard shifting, gear slippage, and solenoid code warnings on my 2004 rav4 beginning in april 2018. I have had my transmission rebuilt by an ase certified transmission specialist that assures me the problem is a faulty ecm. This is a known problem of a defective ecm (per keith pierson toyota jacksonville, fl) that toyota will not replace. I can no longer drive my vehicle as it poses a risk to myself and my two small children due to abrupt, unanticipated transmission failure.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2018
“While driving, the check engine and vsa lights came on at once. The temperature gauge immediately began to rise, indicating that the car was starting to overheat. Took the car to a local mechanic. Apparently, the cylinder head bolt threading has become stripped due to strain from the aluminum cylinder block. This has lead to the engine leaking coolant. The engine is now prone to overheating. Seems to be a design defect. Only solution is to replace the engine.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota rav4. While driving at any speed and when the gear shifter was placed into the drive position, the vehicle hesitated and all of the instrument panel indicators illuminated, along with "take the vehicle for service" message appeared. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the computer was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact RAV4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
NHTSA has 154 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Toyota RAV4. The most complained-about area is air bags (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota RAV4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.