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2004 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports4 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

154 reports
70,000 miles · Mar 6, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER TWO REAR WINDOWS SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDOW JUST POPPED, SHATTERED, AND EXPLODED. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT HAD JUST GOTTEN INTO THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR WHEN THE REAR …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER TWO REAR WINDOWS SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDOW JUST POPPED, SHATTERED, AND EXPLODED. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT HAD JUST GOTTEN INTO THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DRIVER SIDE ALSO POPPED, SHATTERED, AND EXPLODED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY REFERRED HER TO A LOCAL DEALER. SHE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT TOYOTA, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED HER CALLS. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10220271

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VEHICLE STABILITY LIGHT ARE ON, I HAVE ON AND OFF SMELLED THE SULFUR SMELL. ALSO, HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL GOING OUT OF CONTROL, AROUND SHARP CORNERS WHERE I HAVE TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO DISENGAGE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS IT WILL NOT STOP ACCELERATION, IT INCREASES ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213041

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2007
Electrical System

VEHICLE HAS A FLAT SPOT, OR THROTTLE RESPONSE LAG, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN COLD, AND STARTING OFF IN 1ST GEAR. SUSPECT THE ECU MAY NEED UPDATING, WITH THE THROTTLE BY WIRE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208899

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE IS A THROTTLE RESPONSE DELAY UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION, MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN ENGINE IS STILL COLD. MOST RESEMBLES A FLAT SPOT. ENGINE ACTUALLY STUMBLES, OR HESITATES WHEN STARTING OFF. ALSO HESITATES WHEN UNDERWAY UNTIL WARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208556

100,000 miles · Feb 28, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* - 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…

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TL* - 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 100,000. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CONTACT HAD PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10183777

67,000 miles · Dec 30, 2006
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BROKEN WHILE SELECTING TO PARK, THIS VEHICLE COULD ROLL FORWARD OR BACKWARD UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE. IF IN CASE THE CABLE BROKEN WITHOUT KNOWING WHILE CRUISING I HAVE NO OPTION TO DOWNSHIFT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ON A DOWNHILL ROAD OR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I'VE REPLACED THE PART AT A COST OF $1…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BROKEN WHILE SELECTING TO PARK, THIS VEHICLE COULD ROLL FORWARD OR BACKWARD UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE. IF IN CASE THE CABLE BROKEN WITHOUT KNOWING WHILE CRUISING I HAVE NO OPTION TO DOWNSHIFT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ON A DOWNHILL ROAD OR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I'VE REPLACED THE PART AT A COST OF $196.00 + LABOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177402

50,000 miles · Sep 15, 2006
Child SeatInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE CHILD WAS RESTRAINED IN A SAFETY SEAT, THE CHILD'S LEFT THUMB BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE SLOT FOR A REMOVABLE CUP HOLDER THAT ATTACHED TO THE SEAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE OCCUPANT'S FINGER FROM THE SLOT, BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE THUMB COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE CHILD INSIDE T…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE CHILD WAS RESTRAINED IN A SAFETY SEAT, THE CHILD'S LEFT THUMB BECAME TRAPPED INSIDE THE SLOT FOR A REMOVABLE CUP HOLDER THAT ATTACHED TO THE SEAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE OCCUPANT'S FINGER FROM THE SLOT, BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE THUMB COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE CHILD INSIDE THE SEAT WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE THE SAFETY SEAT WAS LITERALLY CUT OFF OF THE OCCUPANT'S THUMB. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS A COSCO ALPHA OMEGA, MODEL # 22-151-BLA; DATE OF MANUFACTURE WAS NOV. 14, 2005. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10168386

35,040 miles · Sep 15, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: 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.

NHTSA ODI #10168361

40,775 miles · Aug 23, 2006
Visibility

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 WINDSHIELD. FOU…

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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 WINDSHIELD. FOUR SERVICE TECH'S SAID THEY SEE NO ROCK CHIPS, AND SAID THE CRACK IS DUE TO FACTORY FAILURE. HOWEVER, ON THE SERVICE REPORT, IT'S WRITTEN THAT CRACK IS DUE TO HEAT. I LIVE IN EUREKA, CALIFORNIA, ON THE COAST, WHERE THE HIGH MIGHT BE 63 DEGREES IF WE ARE LUCKY! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166388

32,900 miles · Jul 28, 2006
Visibility

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN, HEARD A LOUD NOISE LOOKED BACK TO SEE THE REAR DOOR WINDOW SHATTER COMPLETELY. UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW PULLED AWAY ABOUT 3/4 INCH ON BOTH EDGES, IT BOWED OUTWARDS AND THERE WAS A RECTANGULAR OPENING IN THE GL…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN, HEARD A LOUD NOISE LOOKED BACK TO SEE THE REAR DOOR WINDOW SHATTER COMPLETELY. UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW PULLED AWAY ABOUT 3/4 INCH ON BOTH EDGES, IT BOWED OUTWARDS AND THERE WAS A RECTANGULAR OPENING IN THE GLASS ABOUT 6 INCHES WIDE BY 2 INCHES HIGH. THE LOCAL DEALER CONCURRED THAT IT WAS NOT A NORMAL REACTION TO THE GLASS BEING HIT BY AN OBJECT BUT SAID NO INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED THEREFORE WILL NOT PAY FOR THE COST OF THE GLASS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163825

Official recalls

2

19V741000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Oct 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.

15V284000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems