Most common 2004 Toyota RAV4 problems
Share of the 154 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota RAV4 complaints by model year
Best RAV4 years: 2014. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
2004 Toyota RAV4 recalls (2)
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,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
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.
What 2004 Toyota RAV4 owners say
Air bags all 47 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota RAV4. The contact stated that after making a left turn at approximately 15 MPH, the front passenger and driver side air bags deployed inadvertently without warning. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the curb causing all four tires to blow. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 330,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Toyota rav 4. While driving at 45 MPH, the contact veered into the right lane. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene and was deemed destroyed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V284000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
Engine & cooling all 29 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota RAV4. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH and attempting a left turn when another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side door of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle slid forward and proceeded to crash over a curb and into a pole. The side curtain air bags failed to deploy. Immediately after the crash, smoke began emitting from the engine compartment. The driver was able to exit the vehicle and noticed flames coming from under the hood. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The contact sustained bruising and pain to the lower back. The contact was transported to the hospital via ambulance and was later discharged with no major injuries. The vehicle was towed to an auto body lot. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent an engineer to inspect the vehicle. …
Feb 2016 - while checking fluids I noticed the antifreeze level was low. Sansone automall nj was notified and told me what to buy and fill it until my appt on 2/27. During service check they found nothing wrong. Now, April 2016, my car overheated and I was able to drive it back to sansone with the heat on high on to keep it from overheating. Now I'm being told I need the headgasket replaced along with the engine ($1950 for headgasket and $4500 for used engine) oh and they made it a point to tell me that the 25 point inspection was free the last time I was there. Since I refused service, they asked us to leave the car, think about it and come back Saturday to speak to the mechanic and director. We showed up but no one who inspected the car was there. We refused service and had the car towed home. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 23 →
I have 2003 registered as 2004.This vehicle that I has Manufactured November 2003 base on the sicker beside driver side door and it's been registered as 2004 .Now the problem that I have is slow moving to first gear suddenly jump to second gear (This is Automatic Trnasmission) I thought it was accelerator pedal issues but I replace the pedal and its the same not shifting properly.I cannot drive my car now due to shifting issue in first anf second gear.This my second Rav4 .I have 2001 toyota Rav4 all wheel drive I I have the same Issue not shifting properly first and second gear ,I purchase ECM module back in 2021,2022 amount of $775.00 at Toyota Parts Deal.com that is not calibrated and I pay $350 at DCH toyata in Torrance for calibration I bring this issues at BAR in 2021 ,2022 to reinburstment of the money to Toyota Headquaters until now no response .I need your help to resolves this …
I was driving on a highway, there was a red light and I pressed on the brakes. The car kept going forward, the brakes became resistant to any pressure and the car continued to roll forward. There were no warning lights when the car was started or during the incident. I kept trying to brake the car, but the car kept moving forward and was about to hit the car in front of me. The cars around me started honking, trying to move out of the way; Luckily the light turned red and the car in front of me was able to move out of the way. I could not press on the gas or the break, I decided to turn the ignition off and the car was able to turn off. I re-started the car and then was able to go again. Had this been on the highway and I was moving at a faster speed, I probably wouldn't be typing this right now and would be in the ER with potentially others. …
2004 Toyota RAV4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 24 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Toyota RAV4 a good car?
Based on 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 RAV4 rates better than average: 68% fewer complaints than a typical year of the RAV4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Toyota RAV4?
The air bags — 47 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the engine & cooling (29) and transmission & drivetrain (23).
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2004 Toyota RAV4, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota RAV4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025. See the full Toyota RAV4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota RAV4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.