Worst 2004 Toyota RAV4 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbags
Unintended Acceleration
Transmission / Drivetrain
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Toyota RAV4.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 44 | 4 | 1 | 86,137 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 18 | 8 | — | 65,716 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | 2 | — | 83,683 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 11 | 1 | 1 | 106,839 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 1 | 91,400 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 9 | — | 1 | 87,656 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | — | — | 77,389 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 7 | — | — | 94,571 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Software | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota RAV4. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2004 Toyota RAV4
2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,087,920 vehicles.
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.
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.
Other Toyota RAV4 Years
2004 Toyota RAV4 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Toyota RAV4 reliable?
What are common problems with the 2004 Toyota RAV4?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Toyota RAV4?
How safe is the 2004 Toyota RAV4?
Does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2004 Toyota RAV4?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota RAV4 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Toyota RAV4
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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