Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota RAV4, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 44 | 29% |
| Power train | 17 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 7% |
| Engine | 9 | 6% |
| Visibility | 7 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Suspension | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 that you can see this
NHTSA complaint: 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. See if a possible
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I have 2003 registered as 2004.This vehicle that I has Manufactured November 2003 base on the sicker beside driver side door and it's been registered as 2004 .Now the problem that I have is slow moving to first gear sud
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I was driving on a highway, there was a red light and I pressed on the brakes. The car kept going forward, the brakes became resistant to any pressure and the car continued to roll forward. There were no warning lights w
NHTSA complaint: Power train
10 days ago transmission on 2004 Rav started to act funny. Slow/jerky to engage in lower gears. Check engine lights came on. Checked out by mechanic who said it looked like a transmission problem and should have it l
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The transmission slips suddenly, even during highway driving conditions, which almost resulted in a terrible crash. I found out that the electronic control module for these vehicles is defective and must be repaired to c
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The TRAC system which brakes the car when it senses the wheel loosing traction hits the breaks on curves, even when turned off. It is random. It is not part of the inspection. When the streets are rain slick it has cause
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
GOOD AFTERNOON! I JUST NOTICE TODAY THE REAR SUSPENSION IS VERY RUSTY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IS ANY RECALL IN THIS CAR. THANKING IN ADVANCE FOR HELPING IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Toyota RAV4. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 GX4
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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-asse
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
Risk: 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
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
| Reliability | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 85 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 44 of them (29%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 85/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.