RecallMyCar

2004 Toyota RAV4 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2004 Toyota RAV4, and owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
154
owner complaints to NHTSA
16 / 4
complaints citing a crash / fire
21–23
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2004 Toyota RAV4

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 19V741000 Reported 928,220 vehicles potentially affected Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

    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…

    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.…

  2. Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive

    NHTSA 15V284000 Reported 159,700 vehicles potentially affected Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

    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.

    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…

154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA; 16 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 15 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 81,145 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015 with 34 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Rear suspension control arm assembly (that supports the springs, control arm rods, shocks, as well as the the hub, brakes and wheel ) breaks completely due to rust and corrosion. It is a poor design t”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 31, 2026 · Suspension

“The inspection sticker mechanic inspected the car and found the rear brake hoses rubbing against the sway bar indicating that there should be a clip somewhere to prevent rubbing. See picture attached.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 4, 2026 · Service brakes

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2004 Toyota RAV4 (RAV4 2WD, RAV4 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined21–23 mpg
City / Highway19–21 / 24–27
FuelRegular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine4 cyl, 2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Toyota RAV4 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Toyota RAV4 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1994 Toyota RAV404
1995 Toyota RAV401
1996 Toyota RAV4047
1997 Toyota RAV4054
1998 Toyota RAV4477
1999 Toyota RAV4462
2000 Toyota RAV4330
2001 Toyota RAV40309
2002 Toyota RAV40527
2003 Toyota RAV40315
2004 Toyota RAV42154
2005 Toyota RAV45141
2006 Toyota RAV411705
2007 Toyota RAV4141,004
2008 Toyota RAV414575
2009 Toyota RAV415327
2010 Toyota RAV414400
2011 Toyota RAV411287
2012 Toyota RAV45260
2013 Toyota RAV42257
2014 Toyota RAV44197
2015 Toyota RAV44305
2016 Toyota RAV43240
2017 Toyota RAV43307
2018 Toyota RAV43331
2019 Toyota RAV47879
2020 Toyota RAV46635
2021 Toyota RAV41387
2022 Toyota RAV41147
2023 Toyota RAV43157
2024 Toyota RAV43176
2025 Toyota RAV4388

Checking a specific 2004 Toyota RAV4

How do I know if my 2004 Toyota RAV4 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2004 Toyota RAV4; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Toyota dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 15V284000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Toyota models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.