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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

What owners actually said

141 reports
46,919 miles · Jan 15, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FLATBED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE SHOCK ABSORBER AND THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR ASSURE HIM …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FLATBED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE SHOCK ABSORBER AND THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR ASSURE HIM THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,919. UPDATED 01/31/08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10214880

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2007
Visibility

WINDSHIELD CRACKED UNKNOWN CAUSE. ALSO WINDSHIELD CHIPS VERY EASILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197466

48,000 miles · Jul 11, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY WIFE WAS HIT IN A HEAD ON COLLISION THAT DID OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGE IN THE TOYOTA, 2005 , RAV 4. WITH THIS DAMAGE YOU WOULD THINK ONE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY, AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS WHEN GETTING THE CAR BACK OUT OF THE SHOP.TOYOTA AIRBAG TECHNICIAN SAID THEY DIDN'T ALWAYS DEPLOY DEPENDING ON …

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MY WIFE WAS HIT IN A HEAD ON COLLISION THAT DID OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGE IN THE TOYOTA, 2005 , RAV 4. WITH THIS DAMAGE YOU WOULD THINK ONE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY, AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS WHEN GETTING THE CAR BACK OUT OF THE SHOP.TOYOTA AIRBAG TECHNICIAN SAID THEY DIDN'T ALWAYS DEPLOY DEPENDING ON THE IMPACT, WHAT??,HEAD ON WITH OVER $8.000 IN DAMAGE,WHAT WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE TO BE KILLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196073

34,000 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

HAD 2005 TOYOTA RAV 4 FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DISPLAYED STRAIGHT LINES OF TINY PITS ACROSS BRAKING SURFACE , APPEARED TO BE CASTING FLAWS EXTENDED INTO AND BELOW ROTOR SURFACE. HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES PREMATURELY WEARING ON INNER SIDES, SCRAPING NOISE. *AK ASKED DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP ABOUT THESE ROTORS AND WAS TOLD THEY SEE A LO…

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HAD 2005 TOYOTA RAV 4 FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DISPLAYED STRAIGHT LINES OF TINY PITS ACROSS BRAKING SURFACE , APPEARED TO BE CASTING FLAWS EXTENDED INTO AND BELOW ROTOR SURFACE. HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES PREMATURELY WEARING ON INNER SIDES, SCRAPING NOISE. *AK ASKED DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP ABOUT THESE ROTORS AND WAS TOLD THEY SEE A LOT OF THEM LIKE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10192622

44,000 miles · Feb 5, 2007
Tires

WHEN ROADS ARE ICY OR SNOWY, TPMS WARNS THAT TIRE(S) IS LOW DESPITE ALL TIRES HAVING THE PROPER PRESSURE. AFTER CONFIRMING ADEQUATE TIRE PRESSURES, I RESET THE SYSTEM. AFTER ENCOUNTERING SNOWY/ICY ROADS AGAIN, THE TPMS ALERTS AGAIN. THIS FALSE ALARM WOULD LIKELY CONFUSE MOST DRIVERS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181674

27,000 miles · Dec 26, 2006
Air BagsCrash

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. A 13 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT PERMISSION, AND BECAME AFRAID WHEN THE POLICE BEGAN CHASIED HIM. THE 13 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED ONTO ITS ROOF, THEN SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 600 F…

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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. A 13 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT PERMISSION, AND BECAME AFRAID WHEN THE POLICE BEGAN CHASIED HIM. THE 13 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED ONTO ITS ROOF, THEN SKIDDED APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET ON ITS ROOF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY. THE CONTACT HAD ACCESS TO THE POLICE REPORT. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A DIRECT HIT, AND THAT IT WAS NOT AT A 17 DEGREE ANGLE. AK

NHTSA ODI #10176992

12,000 miles · Jul 17, 2006
Visibility

DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162578

2,200 miles · Nov 6, 2005
VisibilityInjury

SUN VISOR IS NOT PADDED! WHEN IT IS LEFT IN THE DOWN POSITION YOU BANG YOUR HEAD ON IT WHEN YOU ENTER. PREVIOUS TOYOTA RAV 4 HAD A PADDED VISOR. THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM THAT COULD BE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES IN AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE MY PREVIOUS RAV 4 FOR ALMOST 100,000 MILES WITHOUT EVER NOTICING ANY PROBLEMS. MY NEW 2005 RAV…

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SUN VISOR IS NOT PADDED! WHEN IT IS LEFT IN THE DOWN POSITION YOU BANG YOUR HEAD ON IT WHEN YOU ENTER. PREVIOUS TOYOTA RAV 4 HAD A PADDED VISOR. THIS IS A MINOR PROBLEM THAT COULD BE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES IN AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE MY PREVIOUS RAV 4 FOR ALMOST 100,000 MILES WITHOUT EVER NOTICING ANY PROBLEMS. MY NEW 2005 RAV 4 IS HAS A DIFFERENT "SOLID FEELING" VISOR WHICH YOU NOTICE RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU BANG INTO IT. THOUGHT VISORS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PADDED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141867

7,991 miles · Sep 20, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL HOSE BROKEN WITHOUT ANY REASON I HAVE KNOWN OF. I DROVE MY CAR IN CASUAL MANNER (SHORT DISTANCE FROM WORK TO HOME) WITH 7900 MILES ON IT AND DIDN'T RECALL HITTING ANYTHING HARD UNDERNEATH MY CAR. PARKED MY CAR LAST FRIDAY. ON SUNDAY, MY 05 RAV4 COULDN'T START AND SMELLED GASOLINE. LOOKED DOWN THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT FUEL …

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FUEL HOSE BROKEN WITHOUT ANY REASON I HAVE KNOWN OF. I DROVE MY CAR IN CASUAL MANNER (SHORT DISTANCE FROM WORK TO HOME) WITH 7900 MILES ON IT AND DIDN'T RECALL HITTING ANYTHING HARD UNDERNEATH MY CAR. PARKED MY CAR LAST FRIDAY. ON SUNDAY, MY 05 RAV4 COULDN'T START AND SMELLED GASOLINE. LOOKED DOWN THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT FUEL HOSE WAS BROKEN AND LEAKING GASOLINE. CALLED FIREFIGHTERS TO STOP THE FUEL HOSE LEAKAGE. TOWED MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE WHOLE FUEL LINE. CONSEQUENCES COULD BE FATAL IF FIRE OBJECT CLOSE BY. THERE MAY BE A POTENTIAL FAULT ON THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL HOSE SHOULDN'T BE BROKEN EASIER AND CAUSED THE LEAK OF GASOLINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10137039

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2005
Tires

I PURCHASED A 2005 RAV4 2 WHEEL DRIVE, 5 SPEED, IN DECEMBER 2005. THE EXACT DATE, I AM NOT SURE OF IN THAT THE ISSUE IS ONGOING. I FIRST NOTICED THE OE (TOYO TRANPATH A14 215/70R16 99S M-S) TIRES BY TOYO WERE LOOSING TRACTION WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, I ATTRIBUTED THAT TO THE NEW AUTO AND WAS MORE CAREFUL UNTIL I GOT USED T…

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I PURCHASED A 2005 RAV4 2 WHEEL DRIVE, 5 SPEED, IN DECEMBER 2005. THE EXACT DATE, I AM NOT SURE OF IN THAT THE ISSUE IS ONGOING. I FIRST NOTICED THE OE (TOYO TRANPATH A14 215/70R16 99S M-S) TIRES BY TOYO WERE LOOSING TRACTION WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, I ATTRIBUTED THAT TO THE NEW AUTO AND WAS MORE CAREFUL UNTIL I GOT USED TO IT. I WAS COMING HOME ONE DAY AND PROCEEDED ONTO A FREEWAY ONRAMP. THE ROADS WERE WET BUT NOT EXCESSIVE. I MADE THE TURN ONTO THE RAMP SHIFTED AND THE ACCELERATED, I FOUND AT THAT TIME THE TIRES WERE LOOSING TRACTION, SO I BACKED OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I AM ALSO FINDING ON RIBBED FREEWAYS THAT THE CAR WILL NOT TRACK. I RECENTLY WNET TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. FROM HERE IT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS OF DEALER TELLING ME TALK TO TOYOTA AND TOYOTA SAYING TALK TO TOYO. DURING MY NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH TOYO, I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE GRADED 300 BB. I ASKED IF THIS WAS PROBLEM, "I DON'T KNOW" MY LAST CONVERSATION WITH TOYO I ASKED IF THE TIRE IS BB WHY DOES MY TIRE SAY AA. THYE NEEDED TO RESEARCH AND NOT TO MY AMAZEMENT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE WAS AN AA AND THEY JUST FOUND OUT. THEY FURTHER STATED THE TIRE USED TO BE BB BUT IN 2001 WAS UPGRADED TO AA. "MISCOMMUNICATION FROM TOYO JAPAN TO THEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED ETC.

NHTSA ODI #10126121

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