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2005 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota RAV4 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

84 reports with mileage · 57 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 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports

Suspension complaints

4 reports
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203,000 miles · Jun 1, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension

WHEN DRIVING 25-30 MPH AND GOING AROUND CURVES AT LOW SPEED THE CAR BREAKS HARD AND FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING OUT OF CONTROL. IT IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION DOING 25-30 MPH. THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AT LEAST THREE TIMES THIS WEEK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FREEWAY AND ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHILE GOING AROUND …

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WHEN DRIVING 25-30 MPH AND GOING AROUND CURVES AT LOW SPEED THE CAR BREAKS HARD AND FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING OUT OF CONTROL. IT IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION DOING 25-30 MPH. THIS IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AT LEAST THREE TIMES THIS WEEK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FREEWAY AND ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHILE GOING AROUND CURVES AND NOT GOING FAST AT ALL..

NHTSA ODI #10992597

80,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Suspension

DEALER CLAIMS PART IS NOT AVAILABLE, BUT TOYOTA TELLS ME PARTS ARE AT OTHER DEALERS. DEALER: LOU FUSE TOYOTA, ST. LOUIS THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606026

128,000 miles · Feb 22, 2013
SuspensionCrashInjury

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IN THE RECALL FROM TOYOTA BROKE AWAY, FROM WHAT WE FOUND AND WERE TOLD BY PEOPLE WHO INSPECTED THE CAR FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THEIR LAW SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA. THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE MADE A NOISE WHEN IT ROLLED BACK. WE IMPACTED THE CENTER DIVIDER AT 60-65 MPH. THERE WAS NO WAY TO COMPENSATE AND STEER A…

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THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IN THE RECALL FROM TOYOTA BROKE AWAY, FROM WHAT WE FOUND AND WERE TOLD BY PEOPLE WHO INSPECTED THE CAR FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THEIR LAW SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA. THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE MADE A NOISE WHEN IT ROLLED BACK. WE IMPACTED THE CENTER DIVIDER AT 60-65 MPH. THERE WAS NO WAY TO COMPENSATE AND STEER AWAY IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY. THE SAFETY BELTS HURT ON IMPACT AND OUR KNEES TOOK THE IMPACT. AT IMPACT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS TORN AWAY AND DESTROYED FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS WARPED AND THE CAR WRINKLED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL. INSIDE THE BACK OF THE CAR PANELS FOR STORAGE ALL POPPED OUT.THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN THE TROOPERS CAME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TOYOTA IGNORED OUR ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE OUR COMPLAINT WITHOUT LITIGATION SO WE ARE SUING TOYOTA FOR OUR LOSSES AND INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499691

35,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
SuspensionWheels

I HAVE A 2005 RAV4 NOW WITH 35,000 MILEAGE AND I EXPERIENCED AN UNUSUAL MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT MAY HAVE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS! IN DECEMBER 2009 I WENT TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES ON MY VEHICLE AT A SEARS AUTO SHOP AND HAD REQUESTED THE RECOMMENDED WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE MECHANISMS ON THE VEHICLE THAT FACILITATES ALI…

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I HAVE A 2005 RAV4 NOW WITH 35,000 MILEAGE AND I EXPERIENCED AN UNUSUAL MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT MAY HAVE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS! IN DECEMBER 2009 I WENT TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES ON MY VEHICLE AT A SEARS AUTO SHOP AND HAD REQUESTED THE RECOMMENDED WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE MECHANISMS ON THE VEHICLE THAT FACILITATES ALIGNMENT WAS INOPERATIVE AS IT WAS FOUND TO BE SEIZED UP, FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS! SEARS INFORMED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MY TOYOTA DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER THAT DOES ALL MY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SINCE I BOUGHT THE NEW VEHICLE FOR THEM TO DO THE ALIGNMENT. THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DO THE ALIGNMENT FOR THE SAME REASON SEARS WERE UNABLE TO DO IT. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MECHANISMS AND THAT THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE TO GET TO THE ALIGNMENT MECHANISMS AND TO REPLACE THE MECHANISMS. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THEY HAD BEEN SERVICING THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THEIR RECOMMENDED SERVICING SCHEDULE AND THEY SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THE CONDITION OF THE MECHANISM. THEY SAID THE CAR HAS TOO MANY PARTS AND THAT THEY COULD NOT CHECK ALL THE PARTS; AND MOREOVER, THE ALIGNMENT MECHANISMS, THEY SAID, ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM AN UNDERCARRIAGE INSPECTION. WAS THIS DEFECT A SAFETY MATTER? HAS THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT ALIGNMENT MECHANISMS FOR TOYOTA VEHICLES? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308143

Official recalls

5

19V741000 · 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.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

06V096000 · Air Bags

Apr 3, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Toyota RAV4 problems