MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota RAV4

▲ Better than typical
2004 Toyota RAV4
RENDERED 2026-09-17T05:38:27.588Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota RAV4 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1994: 4 complaints 1994 1995: 1 complaints 1996: 47 complaints 1997: 54 complaints 1998: 77 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 2000: 30 complaints 2001: 309 complaints 2002: 527 complaints 2002 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 154 complaints 2004 2005: 141 complaints 2006: 704 complaints 2006 2007: 1004 complaints 2008: 575 complaints 2009: 327 complaints 2010: 400 complaints 2010 2011: 287 complaints 2012: 260 complaints 2013: 257 complaints 2014: 197 complaints 2014 2015: 303 complaints 2016: 238 complaints 2017: 307 complaints 2018: 331 complaints 2018 2019: 876 complaints 2020: 634 complaints 2021: 385 complaints 2022: 143 complaints 2022 2023: 153 complaints 2024: 172 complaints 2025: 85 complaints 2025
2004: 154 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19944
19951
199647
199754
199877
199962
200030
2001309
2002527
2003314
2004154
2005141
2006704
20071004
2008575
2009327
2010400
2011287
2012260
2013257
2014197
2015303
2016238
2017307
2018331
2019876
2020634
2021385
2022143
2023153
2024172
202585

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 31%

31% of complaints: air bags — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121010

Also filed under ENGINE

DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION INVOLVING THE PASSENGER FRONT ENDS OF BOTH VEHICLES TWO OF THREE SEATBELTS DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING TWO PASSENGERS TO COLLIDE WITH THE DASHBOARD AND THE REAR OF THE FRONT SEAT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060129

"TAMARA RECALL". COMPLAINT #1 IN MAY 2016, I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER TELEPHONE NUMBER TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE TO THE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171128

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130507

10 days ago transmission on 2004 Rav started to act funny. Slow/jerky to engage in lower gears. Check engine lights came on.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240821

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13%

13% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND THE SPEED EXCEEDED 55 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171207

SUDDEN AND RAPID ACCELERATION WHEN AUTO WAS PUT IN REVERSE. BRAKES DID NOT WORK. CAR FORCED INTO PARK AND CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE ENGAGED IN PARK. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040314

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

FIRE
ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20150821 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured May 13, 2003, to October 25, 2005.

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.

Campaign 15V284000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191120 — air bags

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,...

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.

Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Toyota RAV4 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V284000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2000 ▲ 1996 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2019 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota RAV4 is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota RAV4?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.