NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
154 reports90,000 miles · Apr 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 ACKNOWLEDGE …
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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 ACKNOWLEDGE THIS MFG DEFECT AND A COUPLE DEALERSHIPS I TALK WITH INCLUDING THE ONE I BOUGHT IT FROM "NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE" THE EXACT SAME RESPONSE GIVEN LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT WAS WHAT TOYOTA TOLD THEM TO SAY ABOUT THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396928
62,000 miles · Mar 4, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* 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 FAILURE…
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TL* 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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 04/07/11*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10386502
77,836 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Power Train
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 DEALE…
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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 DEALER TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I SPOKE TO TOYOTA CORP BUT THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT SOLENOID IS A "WHOLLY" SEPARATE ISSUE. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE 2001-2003 EXTENSION OF WARRANTY THAT TOYOTA DID THE RAV4 BUT THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CAN JUST DISENGAGE FROM THE MOTOR AND LEAVE YOU STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN YOU PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY OR ON THE RAMP ENTERING A HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386226
94,046 miles · Jan 27, 2011
Power Train
VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY ON THE HIGHWAY. THE RPMS WERE ABOVE 3000. HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 50 -55 MILES PER HOUR AND REMAIN IN THE SLOW LANE. REST OF THE TRAFFIC WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #10380246
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2001 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE DEALER TO TWO DEALERS WHO GAVE HIM DIFFERENT STORIES AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS PERSONAL…
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2001 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH COMPUTER AND TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE DEALER TO TWO DEALERS WHO GAVE HIM DIFFERENT STORIES AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLOW DOWN IN FIRST GEAR AND THEN ACTIVATE HARD IN SECOND GEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A LETTER WAS MAILED REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER AND THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES AT THE DEALER AND NO ONE MENTIONED IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10375808
40,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE ANTI-SKID AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND WOULD REMAIN ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO SET ANY SPEED DURING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE ANTI-SKID AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND WOULD REMAIN ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO SET ANY SPEED DURING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. ALSO, THE DEAD BATTERY FAILED TWICE AND REQUIRED A JUMP START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BY DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10373842
50,000 miles · Dec 27, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE THE GEARS WERE CHANGED AND THERE WAS TROUBLE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLACK; THE FLUID WAS REPLACED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE THE GEARS WERE CHANGED AND THERE WAS TROUBLE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLACK; THE FLUID WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,600.
NHTSA ODI #10372477
49,500 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Power Train
I DROVE MY 2004 (6 1/2 YEAR OLD) RAV4 SPORT AWD TODAY AS USUAL TO WORK (16 MILES). IT HAS JUST SHORT OF 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IS READY FOR THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IN MORE THAN 1000 MILES. I HAVE DONE THE MAJORITY OF MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DROVE THE CAR FROM MY OFFICE AT 169 AND 62, ON 62 THEN NORTH ON I35W TO MINNEAPOL…
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I DROVE MY 2004 (6 1/2 YEAR OLD) RAV4 SPORT AWD TODAY AS USUAL TO WORK (16 MILES). IT HAS JUST SHORT OF 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IS READY FOR THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IN MORE THAN 1000 MILES. I HAVE DONE THE MAJORITY OF MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DROVE THE CAR FROM MY OFFICE AT 169 AND 62, ON 62 THEN NORTH ON I35W TO MINNEAPOLIS AND THEN ON I94E TO ST. PAUL. SOON AFTER I GOT ON I94 I NOTICED SUDDEN FAILURE TO ACCELERATE WITH A JERKING AND HIGH REVS (TO ABOUT 4500) WHEN GOING FROM 55 TO 60. THE GEARS DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE AND RUMBLED AND DID NOT CHANGE OR DRIVE FULLY IN ANY GEAR. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION (MIKE'S BP IN ST. PAUL DOWNTOWN) THAT HAD DONE AN OIL CHANGE ON MY CAR. THE SERVICE PERSON CHECKED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID IT WAS "FILTHY" BUT FULL. HE SAID IT MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I CHOSE TO CANCEL MY TRIP OUT OF STATE FOR WORK, AND DROVE DIRECTLY HOME AFTER SETTING UP WITH MY REGULAR MECHANIC FOR NEXT TUESDAY, THE EARLIEST OPEN APPOINTMENT. I WAS SURPRISED TO HAVE THIS ISSUE COME UP SO SUDDENLY AND IT IS A CLEAR DANGER SINCE I MOSTLY WOULD DRIVE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR LONG DISTANCE FOR WORK AND IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAD NO ISSUES AT ALL SO FAR - ONLY REPLACED THE WIPERS A YEAR AGO. I AM CONCERNED TO HAVE FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AS THE CAR DROVE SO UNPREDICTABLY AND MAKES STRANGE NOISES NOW IF IT IS SHIFTING. I HAVE A TOYOTA PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY GOOD UNTIL END OF JUNE 2011 AND I'LL WORK ON GETTING THIS COVERED. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLE AS I DEPEND ON MY CAR FOR WORK TRIPS AND FOR COMMUTING. I'M GLAD I HAVE THE WARRANTY AND WILL HAVE THE WORK DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF THAT IS POSSIBLE. MY CAR GOES THROUGH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY RUN CHECKS FOR ANY RECALLS EVERY TIME IT IS IN THE SHOP. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING AT ALL ON THE VEHICLE THUS FAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372182
91,000 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
8/23/2010 DEL TOYOTA IN PA, RENOUNCE PLATINUM WARRANTY ON RAV4. ON 8/23/2010 I TOOK MY RAV4 2004 TO DEL TOYOTA IN PA FOR SERVICE FOR AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK, UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVIEWED THE LEAK AND TOTALLY REJECTED THEIR OWN PLATINUM WARRANTY ON THE RAV4. THEY SAID THE LEAK IS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK TH…
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8/23/2010 DEL TOYOTA IN PA, RENOUNCE PLATINUM WARRANTY ON RAV4. ON 8/23/2010 I TOOK MY RAV4 2004 TO DEL TOYOTA IN PA FOR SERVICE FOR AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK, UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REVIEWED THE LEAK AND TOTALLY REJECTED THEIR OWN PLATINUM WARRANTY ON THE RAV4. THEY SAID THE LEAK IS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK THREADS AND MAY NOT BE FIXABLE. ENGINE BLOCK THREADS ? THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE AT MY COST, WHICH DEL TOYOTA HAPPENS TO HAVE ONE IN STOCK. SO WHY DID DEL TOYOTA IN PA REFUSE TO HONOR THEIR OWN PLATINUM WARRANTY ? THE PLATINUM WARRANTY IS GOOD TILL 2011 OR 100,000 MILES, WHICH THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352468
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION ISSUES, NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY ALL THE TIME! DEALER TELLS ME TRANS NEEDS $3000.00 IN REPAIRS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351985
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗