VehicleVerdict

2005 Toyota RAV4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2005 Toyota RAV4 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 168 owner complaints run below the RAV4 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 59 reports (35% of the total).

168

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other RAV4 years?

See all RAV4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Toyota RAV4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5935%
Engine159%
Speed Control138%
Brakes117%
Electrical System117%
Other117%
Tires & Wheels106%
Visibility & Wipers95%
Steering95%
Transmission85%
Body & Structure53%
Suspension42%
Fuel System21%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V741000AirbagsOctober 17, 2019 · 928,220 units

Defect

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.

15V284000AirbagsMay 13, 2015 · 159,700 units

Defect

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

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.

10V035000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 271,417 units

Defect

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

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.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

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

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.

06V096000AirbagsApril 3, 2006 · 133 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY CAR WAS A TOYOTA RAV4 BASIC MODEL 2005 BOUGHT TOYOTA PURCHASE AT DEALER IN (LA,CA), A CAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JUNE 09, 2017 AND ANOTHER CAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 26, 2018; THE SECOND ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF WORK ON MY CAR AIRBAG. MY HEAD AND BODY COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 9, 2017 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THREADS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK WERE FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 6, 2016 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL POST AND BUILDING. A PASSENGER WAS SLIGHTLY BRUISED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 31, 2010 · crash

"TAKATA RECALL". I WAS DRIVING AND STOPPED FOR A LIGHT DOWN A ROAD IN STATEN ISLAND, NY. AS I WAS WAITING, A DEER WAS CROSSING THE ROAD. SIMULTANEOUSLY, A BUS WAS NEXT TO ME AND SCARED THE DEER WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUN STRAIGHT INTO MY VEHICLE DOING A FAIR AMOUNT OF DAMAGE WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN FIXED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 21, 2014 · crash

FIRST TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED PRESSURE IN ALL TIRES. TIRES WERE AT CORRECT AMOUNT. WENT TO RESET LIGHT WHICH DID NOT WORK. SUV WAS ON AN INCLINE (DRIVEWAY). LET CAR SIT FOR AN HOUR ON FLAT SURFACE. STARTED RAV4.THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON PLUS ABS AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS. CONSULTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 31, 2012 · fire

2005 Toyota RAV4 — common questions

Is the 2005 Toyota RAV4 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 168 NHTSA complaints, below the typical RAV4 year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 RAV4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (59 complaints), engine (15 complaints), speed control (13 complaints).

Does the 2005 Toyota RAV4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Toyota RAV4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota RAV4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RAV4 years to avoid are 2007, 2019, 2006, 2020, 2008, 2002. The cleanest record among RAV4 years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.