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2005 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 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

84 reports with mileage · 57 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 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports

Visibility complaints

6 reports
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80,858 miles · May 4, 2016
EngineVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE SUN VISOR WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE SUN VISOR WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,858.

NHTSA ODI #10863147

71,688 miles · May 31, 2014
Visibility

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. I HAVE OWE…

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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. I HAVE OWED MANY CARS WITH SUN ROOFS THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595342

35,000 miles · Nov 6, 2009
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE DRIVER-SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY SECURE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE VISOR WILL CONTINUOUSLY FALL DOWN WITHOUT PHYSICAL MANIPULATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $100.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. HE THEN ADDED THAT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE DRIVER-SIDE VISOR WILL NOT STAY SECURE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE VISOR WILL CONTINUOUSLY FALL DOWN WITHOUT PHYSICAL MANIPULATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $100.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL TYPE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10291240

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2007
Visibility

WINDSHIELD CRACKED UNKNOWN CAUSE. ALSO WINDSHIELD CHIPS VERY EASILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197466

12,000 miles · Jul 17, 2006
Visibility

DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162578

2,200 miles · Nov 6, 2005
VisibilityInjury

SUN VISOR IS NOT PADDED! WHEN IT IS LEFT IN THE DOWN POSITION YOU BANG YOUR HEAD ON IT WHEN YOU ENTER. PREVIOUS TOYOTA RAV 4 HAD A PADDED VISOR. THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM THAT COULD BE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES IN AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE MY PREVIOUS RAV 4 FOR ALMOST 100,000 MILES WITHOUT EVER NOTICING ANY PROBLEMS. MY NEW 2005 RAV…

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SUN VISOR IS NOT PADDED! WHEN IT IS LEFT IN THE DOWN POSITION YOU BANG YOUR HEAD ON IT WHEN YOU ENTER. PREVIOUS TOYOTA RAV 4 HAD A PADDED VISOR. THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM THAT COULD BE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES IN AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE MY PREVIOUS RAV 4 FOR ALMOST 100,000 MILES WITHOUT EVER NOTICING ANY PROBLEMS. MY NEW 2005 RAV 4 IS HAS A DIFFERENT "SOLID FEELING" VISOR WHICH YOU NOTICE RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU BANG INTO IT. THOUGHT VISORS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PADDED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141867

Official recalls

5

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.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

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.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

06V096000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF 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.

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