2005 Toyota RAV4: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 141 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (43% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 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 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The recall repair was completed 7/15/25. It never updated in anyone's system. I have been fighting between Toyota corp and the dealership for weeks more like a month just to get them to do the repair. After it was done I got my car damaged. A whole separate issue. I need to get inspection done on the car; can't get it registered and my insurance is hassling me. It's been weeks of this nightmare. It still shows my car on the recall list. DMV says they didn't receive updates, Toyota sends me to the dealership and the dealership does nothing. All this over a car problem that wasn't my fault in the first place. How do I proceed please”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2025
“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 has happened on the freeway”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2021
“None of my brake lights are working I have tried replacing them with new bulbs and they still don't work I even checked to see if it need a new fuse and all the fuses look good. I'm starting to feel like the vehicle has a electrical problem that's causing the lights not to work.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving the vsc light and alarm flash and sound and the vehicle applies the brakes causing vehicle to veer into other lane”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Oct 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.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
“Air bag recall: I have been getting recall notices for years. I have notified toyota many times that I no longer own this vehicle!!! It was traded in to toyota of lewisville tx in october 25, 2014. This is bordering on harrassment! It is also a waste of money. I recently recieved a notice via fedex!! Please update your records. Thank you.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“When driving I will press the break pedal and instead of breaking the vehicle reacts like I hit the gas instead and surges forward. This happens at seemingly random times, the latest was yesterday 7-30-2018, the time before that was a few months ago and I hit a parked car because of it. Was told by a non-dealer mechanic it might be the air intake sensor, cleaned it and it didn't help. Toyota dealer of course claims to not know of the issue. It has done this on city streets and parking lots.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2018
“Drivers side visor will not stay up. Falls down constantly. Driver cannot see when it happens. I bought my rav4 used and didnt notice it until my husband drove it. It doesn't bother me because I'm short. When my husband drives it we have to rig it to stay up but nothing ever works for long before it falls down again. It could easily cause an accident if driving in heavy traffic.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 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”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota rav4. While driving 35 mph, the clutch malfunctioned. The contact stated that the vehicle switched out of third gear independently into neutral. An independent mechanic diagnosed that transmission fluid spilled out of the transaxle and that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. A dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 2005 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
NHTSA has 141 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Toyota RAV4. The most complained-about area is air bags (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota RAV4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver 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.