IllustrationWHILE EXITING A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE, I LIGHTLY TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AND THEN STARTED TO GO AT A RAPID SPEED. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR STOPPED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. *TR
2004 Toyota RAV4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all RAV4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
1225–50K
1750–75K
1975–100K
24100–150K
7150K+
91 reports with mileage · 63 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports4 fire reports11 injury reports
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
20 reports2004 TOYOTA RAV4 ACCELERATED WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE*CW UPDATED 03/05/10
HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. ON OCCASION , WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF BY APPLYING THE BRAKES OR TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN RESUME IS ENGAGED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE BEYOND THE SET SPEED . HAVE TO TURN CRUISE CONTROL OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS OR THE CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO SPEED UP. HAPPENS ONLY OCCASIONALLY, N…
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HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. ON OCCASION , WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF BY APPLYING THE BRAKES OR TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN RESUME IS ENGAGED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE BEYOND THE SET SPEED . HAVE TO TURN CRUISE CONTROL OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS OR THE CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO SPEED UP. HAPPENS ONLY OCCASIONALLY, NOT ALL THE TIME. *TR
TOYOTA 2004 RAV 4 SUV WILL SURGE WHEN LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL TO TURN A CORNER. RESPONSE OF THE PEDAL IS ERRATIC AT TIMES WHEN BACKING UP OR WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP. WE HAVE A SERVICE TECH. REPROGRAM THE COMMUTER THAT LEARNS ARE DRIVING HABITS AND IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HENCE, THE 36 MO. WARRANTY EXPIRED…
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TOYOTA 2004 RAV 4 SUV WILL SURGE WHEN LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL TO TURN A CORNER. RESPONSE OF THE PEDAL IS ERRATIC AT TIMES WHEN BACKING UP OR WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP. WE HAVE A SERVICE TECH. REPROGRAM THE COMMUTER THAT LEARNS ARE DRIVING HABITS AND IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HENCE, THE 36 MO. WARRANTY EXPIRED AND SO WE JUST LIVE WITH THE SITUATION, BUT THE CURRENT RECALLS GOT US TO THINKING THAT THEY INCLUDE ALOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. STOPPED COMPLAINING AFTER THE WARRANTY. *TR
2004 RAV4. ACCELERATOR HAS BECOME ERRATIC IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. CAR WILL LEAP AHEAD WITH VIRTUALLY NO PRESSURE ON PEDAL. ONLY DOES IT OCCASIONALLY. PEDAL IS MOUNTED QUITE HIGH, ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND CANNOT CONTACT FLOOR MATS. WHILE PULLING INTO A RIGHT ANGLE PARKING SPOT AT LOW SPEED AND WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE SUD…
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2004 RAV4. ACCELERATOR HAS BECOME ERRATIC IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. CAR WILL LEAP AHEAD WITH VIRTUALLY NO PRESSURE ON PEDAL. ONLY DOES IT OCCASIONALLY. PEDAL IS MOUNTED QUITE HIGH, ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND CANNOT CONTACT FLOOR MATS. WHILE PULLING INTO A RIGHT ANGLE PARKING SPOT AT LOW SPEED AND WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED AHEAD. I WAS ONLY 5 FEET FROM A BRICK WALL AND COULD NOT RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH TO BRAKE THE VEHICLE. IMPACT WITH WALL PLASTER (ABOUT 1 FOOT WIDE) CRUSHED THE BUMPER, GRILL AND BUCKLED THE HOOD. APPARENTLY SPEED WAS NOT GREAT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT SEATBELTS CAUSED CHEST INJURY TO BOTH MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF. PERHAPS FORTUNATE THAT THE WALL WAS SO CLOSE OR MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED. WILL BE TRADING THIS CAR IN AS SOON AS IT IS REPAIRED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HIS VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. CONSEQUENTLY HE CRASHED INTO A POLE. SHE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED .THE POLICE WERE STILL CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION, AND A REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE IF NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HIS VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. CONSEQUENTLY HE CRASHED INTO A POLE. SHE SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED .THE POLICE WERE STILL CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION, AND A REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE IF NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ALWAYS LIT...EVEN WITH FULL TIRE PRESSURE. NOW AT 151K MILES, THE VSC TRAC, TRAC OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG AND BULLETIN BOARDS SHOW PEOPLE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY AT DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE IT COME ON AGAIN. I WILL NOT GO THAT ROUTE, AND WILL TRY TO TURN IT OFF AS IT S…
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TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ALWAYS LIT...EVEN WITH FULL TIRE PRESSURE. NOW AT 151K MILES, THE VSC TRAC, TRAC OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG AND BULLETIN BOARDS SHOW PEOPLE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY AT DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE IT COME ON AGAIN. I WILL NOT GO THAT ROUTE, AND WILL TRY TO TURN IT OFF AS IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A GLITCH. WANT TO REPORT IN THE HOPES THAT TOYOTA WILL FIX/RECALL. I LOVE MY RAV4 AND WANT TO BUY ANOTHER ONE WHEN THIS ONE IS TOO OLD TO DRIVE, BUT DON'T WANT TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VEHICLE STABILITY LIGHT ARE ON, I HAVE ON AND OFF SMELLED THE SULFUR SMELL. ALSO, HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL GOING OUT OF CONTROL, AROUND SHARP CORNERS WHERE I HAVE TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO DISENGAGE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS IT WILL NOT STOP ACCELERATION, IT INCREASES ACCELERATION. *TR
THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WENT OVER A CURB AND FLATTENED HER TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. *JB
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
Official recalls
219V741000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Oct 17, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger 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, 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
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, 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
15V284000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
May 13, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners were mailed an interim notice June 17, 2015. The recall began on August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.