Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota RAV4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
We were driving on the city streets of boston, ma at approximately 25 MPH when the check engine light and vsc light came on. I called our local dealer to see if the car was safe to drive and I was told that as long as the check engine light was not blinking it was OK to drive the car. We then proceeded to get on the highway to get to our house in new hampshire when the head gasket blew out and we lost all our coolant. When we finally were able to get the car to our dealer we were told the engine was ruined and it was going to take $5000+ to fix.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota RAV4. The contact was driving 50 MPH when all of the warning lights illuminated and the engine began to smoke. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and they advised her that the bolts were deteriorated causing the gasket to overheat and the entire engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered to cover fifty percent of the repair costs. The failure and current mileages were approximately 90,000. The VIN was not available.
I have experienced hard shifting, gear slippage, and solenoid code warnings on my 2004 RAV4 beginning in April 2018. I have had my transmission rebuilt by an ase certified transmission specialist that assures me the problem is a faulty ECM. This is a known problem of a defective ECM (per keith pierson Toyota jacksonville, fl) that Toyota will not replace. I can no longer drive my vehicle as it poses a risk to myself and my two small children due to abrupt, unanticipated transmission failure.
While driving, the check engine and vsa lights came on at once. The temperature gauge immediately began to rise, indicating that the car was starting to overheat. Took the car to a local mechanic. Apparently, the cylinder head bolt threading has become stripped due to strain from the aluminum cylinder block. This has lead to the engine leaking coolant. The engine is now prone to overheating. Seems to be a design defect. Only solution is to replace the engine.
The seals on the head gasket are leaking coolant. This is due to several of the metal bolts being stripped. This has rendered our car useless. Our mechanic, being an honest person, is hesitant to begin a several thousand $ repair, since he is unable to guarantee that he will be able to repair it for the long term. The car was overheating so coolant was added but this leaked quickly with a 18 mile ride from the chicago suburb of woodridge into the city.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota RAV4. While the vehicle was parked, there was a puddle of antifreeze that leaked from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket had blown and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
Head gasket blew. According to mechanic the bolts that anchor the gasket to engine block failed causing leakage of coolant into engine block subsequently blowing the head gasket. This appears to be a common problem with the 2004 RAV4. $1800.00 repair! Updated 11/23/15 updated 11/13/2017
Head gasket on the 2004 Toyota RAV4. I took my car in for scheduled maintenance including changing front brake pads, an alignment and oil change. Within a week of this visit my heat wouldn't work, took it back, was rechecked and advised there was nothing wrong. Within a week after this visit it started to smoke, took it back and was advised that I had a leak, needed a new waterpump. Took it for a second opinion and decided to take it back to my dealership. They broke down the engine and essentially advised me that the threads on my head gasket fell and apart in the engine block and was advised to call Toyota to see they would help with the cost. I've heard this is a recurring problem with the head gaskets used in some Toyota models. I bought my car brand new and only had 86,000 miles on it before it was declared a total loss unless I wanted to pay $6,000 to have it repaired. …
Engine complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Toyota RAV4, 19% of the model year's 154 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota RAV4 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Toyota RAV4, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota RAV4 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.