Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
10 days ago transmission on 2004 Rav started to act funny. Slow/jerky to engage in lower gears. Check engine lights came on. Checked out by mechanic who said it looked like a transmission problem and should have it looked at by transmission specialist who said it was not safe to drive as is since it could simply die at any time, and it needed a new transmission. When replacing trans, the trans man found the ECM had to be replaced. He said this often happened with 2003 thru 2005 RAV4s. On looking through your site, discovered others had similar issues with their 2004 Ravs. I also found out that the electronic control module for these vehicles is defective and must be repaired to correct the transmission issues. What did Toyota have to say when you looked into this, or do you not think it's a safety issue?
The transmission slips suddenly, even during highway driving conditions, which almost resulted in a terrible crash. I found out that the electronic control module for these vehicles is defective and must be repaired to correct the transmission issues.
The vsc/trac light came on while driving. Also transmission started acting funny. From a stop sign it would hesitate and then start with a jerk. While driving at a constant speed the rpms would go up and down. I took it to an auto parts store to have them read the error code. They said it was a solenoid problem within the transmission. I took it to a transmission shop and they checked it out and ordered a remanufactured transmission. Total cost was over $4,600. Since the transmission was replaced have had the car back 3 times in 2 weeks with same problem. Today, 1-23-17, I drove it about 1 mile and vsc/trac light came on again. I took it back to transmission shop and left it running. They came out and tried to use their scanner but had some difficulty so they turned off the engine and when they tried to restart it the engine would not turn over. …
As my family and I were leaving my house to go to the coast, my 2004 Toyota RAV4 suddenly, without any prior warning or indication, jerked and sputtered and felt as if it were downshifting, as if the transmission were slipping or not engaging or maintaining gear. Upon taking it to the dealership, I was told that the diagnostic revealed that the transmission had to be replaced. I was also informed that Toyota would not allow it to be opened up, only replaced. I mentioned the ECM and was told that they found nothing to indicate anything other than the transmission needed to be replaced. Were it not a higher power caring for me and my loved ones that day, I believe it could have become an even more dangerous situation than it already was.
I was starting to make a k-turn in a parking lot. I put on the brakes to shift into reverse. I moved back in reverse a little bit. Then I stopped the car and put it in drive, when the car suddenly lurched forward out of my control crashing into a garbage dumpster, frightening me and damaging my vehicle severely. I am certain I did not give the car any gas to make it go forward and cause that accident. I feel very fortunate that I suffered only minor aches and pains as I was 75 at the time. I still own the RAV4 and have had no other accidents or problems since that time. Now that I see there are recalls on later year vehicles, I wonder about the safety of the 2004 RAV4. I hope NHTSA can help me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota RAV4. While driving at any speed and when the gear shifter was placed into the drive position, the vehicle hesitated and all of the instrument panel indicators illuminated, along with "take the vehicle for service" message appeared. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the computer was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
The power of the car is in trouble at start, jumps like is locked, or lose power, than, when I give gas is running OK in the street or ighway, till stop and renew running the car.every time that I stop is the problem. The profetional mechanis look at it, and he say the transmition (selenoid) is not working.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota RAV4. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. After stopping, the vehicle jerked forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Transmission complaints in other RAV4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Toyota RAV4?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Toyota RAV4, 15% of the model year's 154 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.