2004 Toyota RAV4: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Toyota RAV4: 2 recalls, 154 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V284000 · 2015 · 159,700 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #19V741000 · 2019 · 928,220 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 15 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (47): the most common themes are fails to deploy (5), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (23): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (17), warning light on (7), noise or vibration (2).
- Speed control / throttle (20): the most common themes are warning light on (6), sudden acceleration (5).
- Engine & cooling (18): the most common themes are leaks (10), warning light on (7), overheating (5).
The 2004 Toyota RAV4 has 154 owner complaints, ranking #22 of 32 RAV4 model years for complaints (well below the 293 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (34 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 80,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (315 complaints, 0 recalls), 2005 (141 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Toyota RAV4.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Toyota RAV4 problems?
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (47), transmission & drivetrain (23), speed control / throttle (20).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota RAV4 get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Toyota RAV4 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.